‘These reforms will restore fairness’ – Minister Harkin says new rules will let people build near family, land and livelihoods

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A major overhaul of rural housing rules will significantly increase supply in Sligo, according to Minister Marian Harkin.

Minister Harkin expressed her satisfaction at the significant overhaul of Ireland’s rural planning regulations, marking one of the most substantial reforms in decades aimed at supporting families, strengthening rural communities, and addressing the ongoing housing crisis—particularly in the North West.

“I have campaigned for all my political career on the issue of planning for Rural homes and I am delighted to be part of a Government that will for the first time in over 20 years put policies in place to streamline will streamline planning rules, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure that rural communities can thrive rather than decline.”

Minister Harkin continued, “That the current planning system has, for too long, placed unnecessary barriers in front of people who wish to build homes in the areas where they grew up, work, and contribute to local life. For years, families across rural Ireland have been restricted by planning regulations that simply did not reflect the realities of rural living. These reforms will restore fairness, empower communities, and give people the opportunity to build a home close to their family, their land, and their livelihoods.”

Key Elements of the Reform Package are as follows:

• Simplified criteria for securing planning permission in rural areas, reducing red tape and delays.

• Greater flexibility for families seeking to build on family-owned land.

• Revised settlement guidelines to reflect the unique needs of rural towns, villages, and dispersed communities.

• A balanced approach that protects the environment while recognising the social and economic importance of sustaining rural populations.

The overhaul of planning regulations was also welcomed by Cllr Walsh who said, “For too long rural planning policy has been inconsistent, restrictive and unfair to people in Sligo who want to build a home in their own area and live in the community they grew up.

“These changes will fix those issues. Fine Gael is determined to ensure that people who have a genuine connection to their area will be able to build, subject to normal planning rules.”

The proposed changes were considered at a Government meeting recently involving Fine Gael leader and Tánaiste Simon Harris and Junior Housing Minister John Cummins.

“I’m working with my Fine Gael Government colleagues to ensure more homes can be built in rural areas. The changes will allow those who have a social/economic need to live in a rural area or those who have lived in a rural area for a defined period of time at any point in their life have a reasonable expectation they can achieve planning subject to normal planning considerations.

Approximately 5,000 one-off rural homes are built annually, including in Sligo. The relaxation of these rules is expected to increase that number considerably, helping to address housing demand in Sligo and supporting better regional balance in housing supply,” Cllr Walsh said.

A National Planning Statement will be brought to Cabinet in early June.

“Normal planning considerations in Sligo will continue to apply and consistency of approach on issues such as ribbon and backland development will be brought through a new framework.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.