The cathaoirleach of Galway County Council has called for “critical” reforms to rural planning policy, to provide greater support for those seeking to build new homes on family farms.
Cllr. Albert Dolan, who represents the local electoral area (LEA) of Athenry-Oranmore, said he has “seen first-hand” the challenges that families in the agricultural sector face when trying to get planning permission to build homes in rural areas.
The Fianna Fáil councillor – a farmer and chartered accountant by trade – claimed that the current planning system in large agricultural counties is “too rigid and often works against the very families that have farmed the land there for generations”.
“As a farmer myself, it’s disheartening to see so many young people, who want to stay and work in their local communities, struggle to secure planning permission to build a home on their family farm.
“We need to make real changes to rural planning policy to ensure that these applications are considered not just fairly, but strongly, to help maintain the viability of rural life,” he added.
Cllr. Dolan has called for reforms in a number of areas, including prioritising planning applications for family members on existing farms; streamlining the planning process to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy; introducing clear and consistent guidelines across local authorities; and protecting the “character” of rural communities by encouraging sustainable, low-impact housing.
“Farms, and the families that run them, are essential to food production, the local economy and community life in rural areas… Unless urgent action is taken to address current rural planning policy, the future of farming will be undermined by planning restrictions,” the cathaoirleach said.
“The reality is, without the ability to pass on land and support the younger generation with affordable housing options on the farm, many of these farms will struggle to survive.
“We need to act now to support the next generation of farmers, ensuring they can remain rooted in the communities where they grew up, learned their trade, and where they want to raise their families,” he added.
Cllr. Dolan said that he will be meeting with farming families in the coming weeks to hear their concerns on this issue.
“If we don’t support our young farmers with practical planning solutions now, we risk losing a vital part of what makes our country strong,” he said.