State urged to act on planning reforms for one-off rural housing

RESTRICTIONS on one-off housing in rural areas are set to become the biggest issue in next year’s local elections unless the Government follows through on its plans to reform planning legislation, the Irish Rural Dwellers Association (IRDA) has warned.

Although the IRDA welcomed the Taoiseach’s announcement on Thursday that he was determined to change planning laws, the Association said it was time for the Government to fulfil its promises on the issue.

The IRDA claims any fundamental reform of legislation affecting one-off rural housing would also necessitate a radical change to the operations of the planning authorities, including An Bord Pleanála.

Reacting to the Taoiseach’s comments made during the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting in Sligo earlier this week, IRDA spokesperson, Jim Connolly said it wasn’t the first time the Taoiseach had indicated the Government’s support for one-off rural housing.

“The problem is the Government’s declared policy on the issue is at total odds with the planning regime,” said Mr Connolly.

He claimed thousands of families had been prevented from living where they wanted to because of the attitude taken by the planning authorities.

However, some environmental groups including An Taisce claim one-off rural housing is unsustainable because of the increased cost of providing essential services, including utilities and transport, to isolated areas.

In contrast, the IRDA believes it enjoys popular support to ensure current restrictions on such development become a key issue in the upcoming local elections, especially in certain western seaboard counties like Clare and Kerry where it has been the subject of growing controversy.

“There is a huge groundswell reaction across the country to this issue. Councillors who are facing re-election realise this but it is coming from the feeling of people on the ground who have placed it on the agenda even ahead of the economic situation,” said Mr Connolly.

“Tax-paying citizens who can finally afford a mortgage find they can’t build a house. Thousands of families who have had planning applications refused are becoming desperately frustrated.”

The IRDA said existing planning laws failed to take account of Ireland’s traditional townland settlement pattern which it described as “unique in Europe.”

“If we’re not careful, we will end up with a rural desert that runs totally against the Irish psyche,” warned Mr Connolly.

“People are being forced to live in towns and villages even though they don’t want to live there.