Vol. 558 No. 3
196 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether the proliferation of one-off housing in the countryside is, from a planning viewpoint, unsustainable and a time bomb in terms of water quality and other services. [24102/02]
Under planning legislation, each planning authority is obliged to prepare a development plan setting out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Such plans would include the policy of the authority in relation to the provision of single houses in rural areas. Decisions on applications are also a matter for each authority in accordance with its development plan or An Bord Pleanála in the case of an appeal.
Government policy on rural housing is set out in the national spatial strategy which has been published today. A copy has been sent to each Member of the Oireachtas.
