One-off housing ‘could pollute water’

PLANS to allow thousands of one-off houses to be built in the countryside will lead to major water pollution unless millions of euro are pumped into new schemes, An Taisce warned yesterday.

Minister for the Environment Martin Cullen has confirmed that he will bring proposals to Government in the New Year which will allow for the building of one-off houses in rural areas under certain conditions.

Up to now, it has been difficult for farmers’ children and people with connections to rural areas to get planning permission for one-off houses in their own region because of local authority regulations.