The Government needs to change the planning system and not put ‘barriers in the way’ of people to build one off rural homes, a Fianna Fáil TD has argued. 

As homelessness and house prices continue to tick upwards, the Department of Housing is preparing a memo that will outline a relaxation of planning laws for one off rural homes. 

Currently, planning permission is limited to those who have a family link to an area or an economic need to live there. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Carlow-Kilkenny TD Peter 'Chap' Cleere said rural Ireland needs more homes if it is to thrive. 

“If we want vibrant rural communities, we have to make sure it's possible for people to live there,” he said. 

“Then you have schools and sports clubs and local businesses; they all depend on having families and young people in the area. 

“Nobody is suggesting a free-for-all here, but if somebody has roots in an area and they want to raise their family there, the planning system should be helping them, not standing in their way.”

Home in Dún Chaoin. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

Deputy Cleere added that remote working has “changed the conversation as well”, allowing more people to leave the country’s cities and return to their rural roots. 

“The planning system was largely designed for a different era,” he said. 

“Jobs no longer have to be concentrated and housing policy should reflect that reality and allow more people to live where they want to live.

“Some of the reforms I'd be looking at is the expansion of the local need criteria; that's causing huge inconsistencies around the country.

“I have a very strong view on this; we should be encouraging people that want to live in rural Ireland, not putting barriers in their way.”

Housing in Ceann Trá. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

Deputy Cleere continued that there are “huge inconsistencies” between different counties. 

“The rural planning guidelines update is going to be really, really important, because a lot would depend on where you live versus the quality of application,” he said.

“The local need [requirement] that's there, those tests, they can be far too restrictive. 

“And, as I said earlier, the guidelines haven't adapted to remote working. 

“But the reality of the situation is some of our rural towns and villages are under pressure.”

Opponents of one off rural housing argue that it is significantly cheaper to provide State services and transport to denser housing developments. 

They also note this reduces the carbon footprint of rural communities.

Main image: A rural home being built. Picture by: Alamy.com.