My Department published Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing in April 2005, which set out the national policy framework for planning authorities in drawing up their statutory development plans in relation to the issue of housing in rural areas, taking into account local circumstances and the type of area involved, including areas near large cities and towns, which need careful management of development pressures and other rural areas experiencing population decline.
Under the Guidelines, planning authorities are required to frame their planning policies in a balanced and measured way that ensures that the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing and haphazard development in areas near cities and towns. The Guidelines also aim to ensure that sites being developed for rural housing are suitable with regard to access and wastewater disposal, and also from landscape and design perspectives.
It is a matter for individual planning authorities to prepare their development plans and the policies contained within such plans, taking account of local and varying geographical and landscape circumstances, as well as the approaches set out under the Guidelines in relation to rural-generated housing. It is also a matter for planning authorities, as well as An Bord Pleanála, to implement the Guidelines and local planning policies in assessing and deciding on individual planning applications and appeals under the development management consent process.
My Department maintains a constant overview of the practical implementation of all statutory planning guidelines, including the 2005 Rural Housing Guidelines. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government's key priority is delivering upon the commitments contained in its Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which collectively aim to accelerate the delivery of housing in key areas of demand, particularly in the major urban areas.
With regard to housing requirements that, from a planning policy point of view, are considered to be best facilitated in an urban setting, I am confident that the broad array of policy measures this Government is taking will ensure that such requirements can be met within the fabric of our cities, towns and villages, avoiding a repeat of past mistakes when rural areas in the vicinity of our cities and towns developed in a haphazard, uncoordinated manner, with consequent adverse implications for the amenities and environment of those areas and strategic infrastructure provision.
