Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 540: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if planning permission is required for a well; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42896/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Class 44 of Schedule 2, Part 1 of the exempted development provisions of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 provides that the sinking of a well, drilling of a borehole, erection of a pump, or construction of a pumphouse, for the purpose of providing a domestic water supply, or a group water supply scheme in accordance with a plan or proposal approved by the Minister or a local authority for the purpose of making a grant towards the cost of such works, is exempted from the need to seek planning permission.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 541: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that all local authorities are implementing his statutory guidelines in respect of rural housing with particular reference to the need to accommodate the indigenous population and that some unsuccessful applicants have expressed concern that where it would appear they qualified under the revised guidelines only to find that other reasons previously not referred to are being used to prevent a grant of permission, even where they propose to build on a site donated by a family member and where traffic or public health grounds do not arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42897/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing came into effect on 13 April 2005. Their purpose is to achieve a balance between the accommodation of rural housing needs and the requirements of sustainable development in economic, social and environmental terms. The Guidelines provide that reasonable proposals on suitable sites for persons who are part of, and contribute to, the rural community should be accommodated.

Suggested categories include persons who are an intrinsic part of the rural community such as farmers and their families, people who have lived most of their lives in rural areas and returning emigrants. Other suggested categories include persons working full-time or part-time in rural areas such as those involved in farming, forestry, inland waterway or marine related occupations, and people whose work is intrinsically linked to rural areas, such as teachers in rural schools.

The Guidelines make clear that the foregoing list is not intended to be exhaustive and that it is a matter for each planning authority to make its own assessment of the scope and extent of rural housing needs to be catered for in its development plan, taking account of local conditions and relevant planning issues. Also, as regards rural areas which are under strong urban influence, the Guidelines recommend that the development plan policies make a distinction between urban and rural generated housing in those rural areas closest to large urban areas, in order to avoid ribbon and haphazard development.

The Guidelines are a material consideration both in relation to development plans and in the consideration of planning applications. The detailed application of the guidelines to particular planning cases is however a matter for the planning authority concerned or An Bord Pleanála, as appropriate.