Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 75 together.

Updated rural housing planning guidelines are currently being prepared by my Department. The updated guidelines will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the national planning framework, especially on national planning objective 19, which relates to rural housing. The objective makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence, that is, areas 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. National planning objective 19 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social need, that is, being an intrinsic part of the community or economic need, that is, persons working full or part-time, may be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.

The proposed draft rural housing guidelines will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high-level policy framework set by the national planning framework. The guidelines will continue to allow county development plans to provide for housing in the countryside based on the considerations detailed in national planning objective 19 of the national planning framework and will highlight the need to manage development in certain areas, such as areas around cities and larger towns and environmentally sensitive areas, in order to avoid overdevelopment.

The guidelines are at an advanced stage of drafting and environmental assessments, that is, appropriate assessments, AA, and strategic environmental assessments, SEA, are ongoing. It is intended to publish the draft guidelines for a period of public consultation when the environmental assessments are completed. It is anticipated that the assessments will be completed this month. Following the period of consultation and with any subsequent changes made, the guidelines will be submitted to me for approval to publish. Once issued, planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála will be required to have regard to the guidelines in carrying out their functions during the development management process.

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