Concern expressed in Waterford over Gaeltacht planning rules
Deputy Conor McGuinness has expressed concern over the Government’s draft rural and planning guidelines for planning in rural and Gaeltacht communities.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Rural Affairs, Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Conor D McGuinness TD, has said that the Government’s draft rural and planning guidelines must support workers and families to live and thrive in rural and Gaeltacht communities.
While Deputy McGuinness welcomed certain aspects of the draft rules he said other elements required urgent clarification.
He also said that on first reading, the changes proposed are "quite modest".
Deputy McGuinness expressed concern that elements of the guidelines weaken protections for Irish language communities when it comes to developing housing estates in the Gaeltacht, and also called for clarification on the implications of the 3km rule.
He also said that significant increased investment in the delivery of social and affordable homes was also needed in rural and Gaeltacht communities.
“Sinn Féin has long argued for planning rules in rural and Gaeltacht areas that would allow workers and families to live and thrive," he said.
Commenting that "the long delay" in the publication of these guidelines has created confusion, uncertainty and inconsistency in the decisions of planning authorities, he said: "For too long, restrictive and inconsistent planning rules have prevented people building homes on family land, family farms or on sites within rural communities in which they grew up.
"Villages and parishes across the state are facing a demographic crisis as young people are unable to raise families, return homes or provide eldercare."
“The real test of the draft guidelines, and of this Government's policy on rural Ireland, is whether these communities can recover and grow," said Deputy McGuinness.
“We have long argued for planning rules that allow people to build homes in their communities in a manner that is socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable," he added.
However, he said there were some positives to be taken from the new draft rules and referred to greater flexibility with respect to back lands developments and right-sizing options.
He also said a clearer definition of economic need to include service providers like teachers make sense.
"However, there is a need to clarify how the new rules will operate in practice, particularly in relation to rules on ribbon development," he said.
“This is why it is crucial that the Minister for Housing engages with both the Oireachtas Housing Committee and representative groups in rural and Gaeltacht communities to ensure that the final planning rules serve the best interests of rural and Gaeltacht communities," he added.
He said that given that the new rules must be subject to strategic environmental assessment and incorporated into existing Local Authority Development plans there is time for engagement to happen concurrently.
“Government must also increase investment in and accelerate delivery of social and affordable homes in rural and Gaeltacht areas alongside activation measures and serviced sites for the delivery of private homes to purchase," said Deputy McGuinness.
“While there are some positives in the proposed changes to rural planning rules, the implications for Gaeltacht communities are deeply concerning," he added.
"The proposed substantial duration of five to 10 years and the 3km requirement are unclear and need urgent clarification. We are concerned that they may exclude Irish speakers who want to move into existing Gaeltacht communities."
He said the minister should have included a linguistic condition in his definition of social need and economic need and expressed concern that the planning requirements for private developers set out in the Language Impact Statement appendix could reduce the volume of homes built for Irish speakers.
“The Minister needs to engage with Gaeltacht communities and Irish language advocacy organisations, listen to their very real concerns and amend the draft rules accordingly," he said.
"He also needs to address the ongoing negative impact of unregulated commercial short-term letting in Gaeltacht communities.”
