The biggest overhaul of rural housing policy in more than 20 years is set to make the planning process clearer and easier to navigate for people hoping to build a home in rural Ireland. Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, Erin McGreehan, said the new Draft National Planning Statement will give applicants greater certainty and introduce a more consistent national approach to rural housing.
The Draft National Planning Statement on Rural and Gaeltacht Housing, agreed by Government today, will replace the rural housing guidelines introduced in 2005. It proposes a clearer national approach to rural housing, reducing unnecessary local planning rules while continuing to support sustainable development and ensuring people with genuine ties to rural communities can continue to build and live there.
Speaking on the announcement, Deputy McGreehan said:
“Building a home in rural Ireland should be one of life’s biggest milestones, but for too many families it has become unnecessarily challenging. Outdated planning rules and uncertainty have turned what should be an exciting step into a stressful and expensive process.
“Today, Minister James Browne announced the biggest update to rural housing policy in more than 20 years. The draft National Planning Statement is an important step towards creating a planning system that works better for people.
“At its heart, this is about creating a planning system that people can better understand and have confidence in.”
Deputy McGreehan said the reforms will make a real difference for families across County Louth and rural Ireland.
“I have been engaging with Minister James Browne on the need for these changes for some time, so I am pleased to see these draft proposals published today. The next step is to complete the process and bring the new framework into effect.
“If we want to keep rural Ireland strong, we need to make sure more people can make it their home. That means addressing the unnecessary challenges people face when building in the communities where they grew up, where they work and where they want to raise a family. These proposals are about giving people that opportunity while continuing to protect the character of our countryside.”
The draft National Planning Statement introduces a clearer national approach to rural housing, with more consistent planning rules, reduced unnecessary local restrictions and updated guidance on local housing need. It also supports the renewal of rural towns and villages by encouraging the reuse of vacant and derelict homes alongside appropriate new housing.
The draft Statement will now undergo environmental assessment before returning to Government for final approval. Once adopted, it will replace the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines that have been in place since 2005.
For further information, reach out to Erin McGreehan.
ENDS
