Harkin hails new single national policy for rural housing as ‘a very significant milestone for rural Ireland’

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Minister of State Marian Harkin has welcomed the publication of the Draft Sustainable Rural Housing National Planning Statement, describing it as an important step towards creating a fairer, clearer and more consistent approach to rural housing across Ireland.

The new draft Statement, published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, will replace the existing Rural Housing Guidelines that have been in place since 2005. It aims to provide greater certainty for people who want to build a home in rural Ireland while ensuring that development is sustainable and protects the countryside for future generations.

Welcoming the publication, Minister Harkin highlighted the fact that people seeking to build on their own land had a better chance of doing so, depending on the county they live in.

People living in rural Ireland deserve a planning system that is clear, fair and consistent

“People living in rural Ireland deserve a planning system that is clear, fair and consistent,” insisted Minister Harkin.

“For too long, people have experienced different rules depending on which side of a county boundary they lived. These draft proposals are designed to provide greater clarity for families and communities while supporting the long-term future of rural Ireland.”

The draft Statement defines rural areas as the wider countryside and settlements with a population of fewer than 1,500 people. It recognises that these communities are vital to Ireland’s social, cultural and economic life and that they need people if they are to remain vibrant and sustainable.

The new approach introduces a single national policy that will be applied consistently across the country. It sets out where a local housing need must be demonstrated and where it will not.

In rural areas that are under significant development pressure because they are close to cities or large towns, applicants will continue to demonstrate a genuine local housing need. This ensures that local people and those whose work depends on living in rural areas are prioritised over speculative or commuter-driven development.

In other rural areas, where there is less pressure for development, planning applications for single rural houses will be assessed using normal planning and environmental standards, without the requirement to demonstrate a local housing need.

Securing a new national approach to rural housing was one of the Independent Group’s key priorities in Government and it is also something I have worked towards throughout my political career

Minister Harkin said the balanced approach recognises the different challenges facing rural communities.

“Not every part of rural Ireland faces the same pressures. Some areas need protection from excessive commuter development, while others are experiencing population decline and need more people to live and work there. These draft proposals recognise those differences while providing a single national framework.”

Concluding, Minister Harkin said: “The publication of this draft Statement represents a very significant milestone for rural Ireland. Securing a new national approach to rural housing was one of the Independent Group’s key priorities in Government and it is also something I have worked towards throughout my political career.

“This new Statement brings much-needed clarity and consistency to rural housing policy and represents a major step forward for balanced regional development, helping to sustain rural communities, support local economies and ensure every region has the opportunity to thrive.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.