Planning rules under scrutiny as Meath councillor raises cost of airport noise assessments
A Meath councillor has called for a review of planning rules that require people building a single rural home to commission “costly” airport noise assessments.
Fianna Fáil councillor Caroline O’Reilly raised the issue at the March Ratoath Municipal District meeting, where she asked what the policy basis is for requiring airport noise assessments with applications for one-off houses.
She also asked whether this requirement has been reviewed “given the additional cost it places on individual home builders, particularly in areas where there are already established homes?”
“When people are building a single family home, additional technical reports should be clearly justified and proportionate, especially where there is existing residential development nearby,” she said in her motion.
In their written response, Meath County Council said that under the 2021–2027 development plan, airport noise assessments are required for homes built near Dublin Airport to ensure residents are protected from aircraft noise and that developments do not interfere with flight paths.
The policies apply in designated safety and noise zones and are intended to make sure new homes include appropriate noise insulation and meet safety and comfort standards.
“All policies will be reviewed as part of the County Development Plan review process having regard to Dublin Airport Authority flight paths,” the council said.
“The requirement to have assessments carried out is to ensure that the dwelling being brought forward under planning has taken appropriate evaluation to ensure noise pollution is addressed in the design of the dwelling.”
Speaking afterwards, Cllr O’Reilly said the response, which referenced policies in the Meath County Development Plan relating to airport approach zones and aircraft noise areas, did not address the “core concern” being raised by applicants.
“The reply explains where the policy comes from, but it does not answer the key question,” she said.
“The real issue is whether it is proportionate to require expensive airport noise assessments for a single family home in areas where there are already established houses nearby.”
She said she has been contacted by constituents who are trying to build homes in their own communities and are facing additional technical report costs that can run into thousands of euro.
“At a time when people are already struggling with the cost of building a home, we need to make sure that any additional planning requirements are clearly justified and necessary.”
“If these requirements are going to remain in place, there needs to be clear guidance about when they apply and why. Planning rules must be fair, transparent and proportionate for ordinary families trying to build a home.”
She added that the matter will be raised again during the upcoming development plan review process to ensure that the “planning system does not impose unnecessary costs on local home builders.”