Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2022
164. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the review of the Rural Housing Guidelines in recognition of the need for different types of housing, in particular to ensure persons with an affinity to their area; the guidance that will be provided as local authorities such as Mayo County Council finalise their county development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12125/22]
View answerSince 2018, the National Planning Framework (NPF) is the national planning policy document providing overall strategic policy for the future development of Ireland through specific National Policy Objectives (NPOs) that aim to support the overall rural and small town pattern of development in Ireland and deliver strengthened and diversified rural communities.
Importantly, NPO 19 of the NPF aims to ensure that a policy distinction is made between areas experiencing significant overspill development pressure from urban areas, particularly within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment, on the one hand, and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining, on the other. NPO 19 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part time) need may be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
Under the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing 2005, which were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing. The Guidelines are available on the Government’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/23809-sustainable-rural-housing-development-guidelines/.
Updated Rural Housing Planning Guidelines are currently being prepared that will continue to allow for the development of homes in rural areas while also highlighting the need to manage certain areas around cities and towns in order to avoid over-development of those areas. Given the complexity of the issues involved, the potential need for environmental assessment and both internal and external consultation, the updated Rural Housing Guidelines, which are at an advanced stage of drafting, will expand on the high level policy of the NPF and will continue to allow county development plans to provide for rural housing in line with the Guidelines.
Subject to the need for any environmental assessment that may be required such as Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) or Appropriate Assessment (AA), the draft guidelines will be the subject of public consultation. The timeline for publication of the draft guidelines will be dependent on whether “full” SEA or AA of the guidelines are required.
