New housing guidelines broadly welcomed by key rural advocates
Some key figures in Irish politics and rural advocacy have shared their reactions to the new planning guidelines for housing in rural and Gaeltacht areas.
A memo will go to Cabinet today (Tuesday, June 30) from planning minister John Cummins and housing minister James Browne to outline new planning guidelines for rural and Gaeltacht housing.
The draft National Planning Statement will provide more clarity and consistency by defining the relevant planning criteria on where and how rural housing can be developed
The overall approach is to facilitate new rural housing for those with a local need.
‘Greater certainty and fairness’
Numerous prominent rural voices have shared their views on the planning proposals.
Welcoming the announcement, Irish Rural Link said the revised guidelines should provide “greater certainty and fairness” for people who have grown up in rural areas and wish to remain in, or return to, their communities.
It added: “Providing these individuals with a realistic opportunity to build a home is vital to sustaining vibrant rural communities and ensuring future generations can continue to live and work where they have strong family and community ties.”
The organisation emphasised that facilitating rural housing should complement, rather than replace, ongoing efforts to revitalise Ireland's rural towns and villages.
CEO of Irish Rural Link, Briain Smyth said: "For a community to thrive, all of its services need to be in place from day one.
“So, while we welcome the new planning framework, we must ensure that transport, schools and healthcare are developed alongside the rebuilding of rural communities."
Irish Rural Link said it looks forward to engaging with the government, local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure the new planning guidelines are implemented in a "fair, consistent and transparent manner, delivering positive outcomes for rural communities across Ireland".
‘Planning authorities need clear national guidance’
Cork South-West TD and Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins welcomed the government's decision to relax rural housing planning rules.
Deputy Collins said the changes represent “long-overdue recognition” that people with "genuine roots" in rural Ireland should be allowed to build homes within their own communities.
According to the Independent Ireland leader, "restrictive" rural housing policies had "contributed to the weakening of rural communities by forcing young families away from their home areas".
"We have watched rural schools lose pupils, GAA clubs struggle to field teams, family farms left without the next generation, and local businesses, post offices and pubs close their doors," Deputy Collins said.
"Housing policy should strengthen rural Ireland, not undermine it."
He also cautioned that the success of the announcement will depend on swift implementation.
Deputy Collins continued: "The real test now is delivery.
"County development plans must be updated without delay, planning authorities need clear national guidance, and these changes must be applied consistently across the country.
"Rural families have heard promises before—they now deserve to see results."
Biggest update in ‘more than 20 years’
TD and Fianna Fáil spokesperson for rural affairs, Peter 'Chap' Cleere said the new Draft National Planning Statement will give applicants “greater certainty” and introduce a “more consistent national approach to rural housing”.
He added: "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."
'An important day'
Cleere's party colleague, MEP Billy Kelleher added that "arbitrary caps or limits on rural development must not be the norm".
Kelleher said: “Planning decision makers in our local authorities must understand that their job is to support sustainable development and not to stymy the development of vibrant, successful rural communities.
“In particular, I am heartened to see a reaction to population decline in our Gaeltacht communities."
The MEP for Ireland South constituency said that those speaking Irish and who want to live in a Gaeltacht should be supported.
He described today as "an important day for rural Ireland and our Gaeltacht communities—one that has been called for many years, if not decades".
‘A huge lift for rural Ireland’
Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae also welcomed the news, describing it as “one of the most significant policy changes for rural Ireland in many years” and a major victory for young couples, farming families and rural communities across the country.
Deputy Healy-Rae said: “This is a huge lift for rural Ireland.
“There are countless young couples who are willing to work hard, borrow the money, build their own homes and provide for themselves if only they can secure planning permission.
“They are not looking for handouts; they simply want a fair chance to build in the communities where they were born and raised.”
The Kerry TD stressed that rural Ireland must be allowed to grow and thrive rather than being treated as somewhere people simply travel through or visit.
“Rural Ireland is not a national park for urban dwellers to visit at weekends. It is where people live, work, rear families, farm the land, run businesses and sustain communities.
"If we want our schools, GAA clubs, churches, post offices and local businesses to survive, then young families must be given the opportunity to remain in rural Ireland.”
