Rural and Gaeltacht planning changes 'quite modest' - Mayo TD

MAYO Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh has said the government’s draft rural and planning guidelines must support workers and families to live and thrive in our rural and Gaeltacht communities.

Welcoming aspects of the rules which make it easier for people to get planning permission to live in their own area, on first reading the changes proposed are 'quite modest', said Deputy Conway-Walsh.

She commented: “For too long restrictive and inconsistent planning rules have prevented people building homes on family land, family farms or on sites within rural communities in which they grew up. Villages and parishes across the state are facing a demographic crisis as young people are unable to raise families, return homes or provide eldercare.

“The real test of the draft guidelines, and of this government's policy on rural Ireland, is whether these communities can recover and grow.

“We have long argued for planning rules that allow people to live build homes in their communities in a manner that is socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable.

“The long delay in the publication of these guidelines has created confusion, uncertainty, and inconsistency in the decisions of our planning authorities.”

There are some positives in the new rules, she continued. “Greater flexibility with respect to back lands developments and right sizing options, and a clearer definition of economic need to include service providers like teachers make sense. However, there is a need to clarify how the new rules will operate in practice, particularly in relation to rules on ribbon development.

“This is why it is crucial that the Minister for Housing engages with both the Oireachtas Housing Committee and representative groups including farming and fishing organisations in rural and Gaeltacht communities to ensure that the final planning rules serve the best interests of rural and Gaeltacht communities.

“Given that the new rules must be subject to strategic environmental assessment and incorporated into existing local authority development plans there is time for this engagement.

“Government must also increase investment in and accelerate delivery of social and affordable homes in rural and Gaeltacht areas alongside activation measures and serviced sites for the delivery of private homes to purchase.

“While there are some positives in the proposed changes to rural planning rules, the implications for Gaeltacht communities are deeply concerning. The proposed substantial duration of 5 to 10 years and the 3km requirement are unclear and need urgent clarification.

“We are concerned that they may exclude Irish speakers who want to move into existing Gaeltacht communities.”

Deputy Conway-Walsh added: “The sterilisation of land along national roads is currently making it impossible for many farm families to utilise their own land to build a home. This needs to be addressed, naturally adhering to all health and safety issues.

“The minister should have included a linguistic condition in his definition of social need and economic need. I am also concerned that the planning requirements for private developers set out in the Language Impact Statement appendix could actually reduce the volume of homes built for Irish speakers.

“The minister needs to engage with Gaeltacht communities and Irish language advocacy organisations, listen to their very real concerns and amend the draft rules accordingly. He also needs to address the ongoing negative impact of unregulated commercial short-term letting in Gaeltacht communities.”