'Absolutely no ban on rural housing' - insists Laois TD

Talk of the building of once off houses in rural Laois and other counties being banned is off the mark according to Laois Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan who insists that prohibition is 'absolutely' not on the cards.

The TD also says he welcomes new rural housing guidelines which he insists will include the right to build your own home in remote areas and in rural Ireland if people have a work or family reason to do so. 

Speaking ahead of the 81st Fine Gael Ard Fheis Deputy Flanagan said significant work has gone into balancing the right to build one off homes in rural Ireland in a sustainable manner.

“There has been much commentary of late about the banning of rural one-off housing, Fine Gael have been determined to put in place new guidelines which clarify that there will be absolutely no such ban. 

“The last guidelines on rural housing were issued in 2005, in the interim, housing authorities have been unsure how to proceed through the development management process,” he said.

Dep Flanagan said the new guidelines are set to go out for public consultation before Christmas. He outlined what they permit.

“The new guidelines clearly state that those who have a need to build their own home in rural Ireland will be permitted to do so if they have a clear economic or social need. An economic need could be those who work in rural Ireland, whether this be on a farm or in a rural-based enterprise. 

"An example of a social need could be if a person or family comes from the area, or have been living there for the last ten to 15 years. The same safeguards will still be in place in terms of site suitability.

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“As every area in the country is different geographically, planning authorities can show discretion in order to get the right balance and there will be a scale introduced, highlighting areas that are under significant pressure from urban influence and overspill, down to remote areas where there will be less restrictions placed on those who want to build.

“While rural housing cannot be permitted in every area for every person, those who have a genuine need must be given the option to live where they come from, to continue to work on the land, develop rural Ireland and keep our towns and villages strong and vibrant places," he said.

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The Fine Gael TD added that planning authorities in Laois and other counties will be updating their rural housing policies to take cognisance of these new guidelines once they are finalised. He said An Bord Pleanála too will take these guidelines into account when adjudicating on appeals.