Louth Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly has said a major overhaul of rural housing rules will significantly increase housing supply in County Louth.
Deputy Butterly said the current rural planning system has been inconsistent and restrictive for many people hoping to build homes in their own communities.
“For too long, rural planning policy has been inconsistent, restrictive, and unfair to people in Louth who want to build a home in their own area and live in the community they grew up.
“These changes will fix those issues. Fine Gael is determined to ensure that people who have a genuine connection to their area will be able to build, subject to normal planning rules.”
The proposed changes were recently discussed at a Government meeting involving Fine Gael leader and Tánaiste Simon Harris along with Junior Housing Minister John Cummins.
Deputy Butterly said she is continuing to work with Government colleagues to support increased rural housing development.
“I’m working with my Fine Gael Government colleagues to ensure more homes can be built in rural areas. The changes will allow those who have a social/economic need to live in a rural area or those who have lived in a rural area for a defined period of time at any point in their life have a reasonable expectation they can achieve planning subject to normal planning considerations.”
Approximately 5,000 one off rural homes are built annually across Ireland, including in Louth. Deputy Butterly said the relaxation of planning rules is expected to increase that figure significantly while helping to address housing demand and improve regional balance in housing supply.
A National Planning Statement is expected to go before Cabinet in early June.
Deputy Butterly added:
“Fine Gael has been clear this is a relaxation of rules which doesn’t mean a free-for-all.
“Normal planning considerations in Louth will continue to apply, and consistency of approach on issues such as ribbon and backland development will be brought through a new framework.”
