Healy-Rae rejects housing policy

ONE of the country’s leading supporters of one-off rural housing, independent TD Jackie Healy-Rae, has dismissed the latest Government guidelines as propaganda.

He claimed that, without accompanying changes in legislation, the guidelines would not alter the planning process and it would be just as difficult for people to get permission.

"I fail to understand that these new guidelines will bring greater clarity for planners and applicants alike, unless all county development plans are changed to comply with the minister's (Martin Cullen) wishes," he said yesterday.

Mr Healy-Rae called on Mr Cullen to bring in legislation that would change development plans the planning bibles for each county council so the guidelines could be implemented immediately.

Otherwise, the Government was failing to recognise the tradition of people living in rural areas, he said.

The Kerry TD said legislation to address 'inconsistencies and rigidities' in regard to planning for rural houses was overdue.

"If the minister fails to bring forward some form of legislation in relation to this, then I can only conclude it is election propaganda," he said.

Kerry Fine Gael councillor Sheila Casey said the guidelines would have no effect, as most of the measures had already been implemented by local authorities.

"There will be a flood of applications from people who were initially turned down. However, most of the re-applications will not be successful," she said.

Kerry Fianna Fáil councillor Brian O'Leary urged the setting up of a commission to oversee the guidelines' implementation.

Meanwhile, 27 Section 140 motions, directing planning officials to grant permission for mostly one-off houses, are due to come before today's meeting of Kerry County Council, in Tralee.