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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 3

Written Answers. - National Spatial Strategy.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

48 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to recent figures showing that 40% of new homes built in 2001 were in the countryside; if he is satisfied with this pattern having regard to the implications for planning and the provision of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15956/01]

Yes, I am aware of these figures which emerged from research undertaken as part of the initial phase of the preparation of the national spatial strategy.

On the basis of this research it was estimated that, in overall national terms, approximately one in three of our current housing build appears to be taking place largely in the form of one-off housing in rural areas. The figures referred to are estimates for 1999.

It is essential that the farming community and those working on the land be able to live in the country. A continuation of the current trends in one-off housing, particularly with regard to urban generated development, that is development by those working in urban areas, will have significant implications in terms of a range of issues such as transport, the need to strengthen many of our towns and villages and the protection of ground and surface waters. The report entitled Sustainable Development – A Strategy for Ireland indicates that in general there should be a presumption against urban generated one-off rural housing adjacent to towns.

The implications of the current trends in housing in rural areas will be taken into account in the preparation of the national spatial strategy in terms of addressing the sources of pressure for essentially urban generated housing. My Department is currently preparing a series of spatial policy indication papers setting out the possible choices and opportunities for promoting new patterns of development throughout Ireland over the next 20 years. These papers will be published in the second half of June.

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