Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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692. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on requirements by local authorities for new single rural houses to be erected on sites of no less than approximately half an acre; his views on whether this requirement could be revised downward to make the cost of a site more affordable for first time self-builders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40410/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the issue of a half-acre minimum site size that the Deputy has raised, I understand that some county development plans may include particular physical site requirements for a proposed new house in rural areas. Any such minimum development site size requirements are generally for the purpose of addressing issues that frequently arise where new homes are proposed - for example to ensure that the site is of sufficient size to provide safe access from the public road or to safeguard local water quality by providing adequate septic tank percolation capacity. There may also be a rural density considerations involved in certain overdeveloped areas where pressures for excessive subdivision/ribbon development would impact adversely on landscape quality and local farm access.

Under the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing 2005, which were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing. The Guidelines are available on the Government’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/23809-sustainable-rural-housing-development-guidelines/.

Section 3.3 of these Guidelines note the need for planning authorities to take important water quality protection, transport and landscape issues into consideration when devising the policies for rural housing in their development plan. Accordingly, it is a matter for planning authorities to consider a minimum site size for rural houses, if considered appropriate.

The preparation of a statutory development plan is a central function of a planning authority undertaken in accordance with sections 9-13 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended). It provides an opportunity for planning authorities to carefully consider the issues related to rural housing and provide planning policies that balance the need for homes in rural areas the important objectives of protecting the agricultural economy and local environmental quality.