Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney has sought clarity on how proposed changes to rural planning policy will affect families seeking to build homes on family land.
The changes are due to be published by the end of 2026.
Deputy Cooney raised the issue with Minister of State for Local Government and Planning John Cummins at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
He asked specifically about applications by sons and daughters of landowners, as well as backland and infill development, ribbon development and access to existing shared entrances.
“It is good to see the rural planning guidelines being reviewed. There is a need for change,” Deputy Cooney said.
“I have been involved in planning with the local authority in Clare for many years and I know that, at times, it can be difficult for people to get planning permission in rural areas.
“I am aware of situations where sons and daughters of landowners have had to go and buy sites in order to get planning permission. That is not good enough.
“I wanted to get clarity from the Minister on how the proposed changes will deal with these types of applications and how they will work in practice for people living in rural areas.”
Deputy Cooney asked what the proposed national planning policy would mean for backland development, infill sites and ribbon development.
Minister Cummins said reasonable applications would not generally be refused on the basis of those three issues, subject to the circumstances of individual sites and other planning considerations.
Deputy Cooney also raised the issue of road access, including cases where a son or daughter of a landowner wants to build a house on family land but could use an existing shared entrance.
He asked whether the proposed policy would make it easier for applicants to use existing shared entrances.
Minister Cummins said the policy would generally support, or be more favourably disposed towards, shared entrances on local and regional roads where they exist. He said new entrances would not be excluded where applicants can demonstrate that road safety requirements can be met.
“One of the issues I raised with the Minister was the situation where a son or daughter wants to build a home on their family land but there is an issue around access,” Deputy Cooney said.
“I wanted to establish clearly whether existing shared entrances can be used and whether the new policy will make it easier for people in these circumstances.
“The Minister has indicated that shared entrances will generally be viewed more favourably on local and regional roads, subject to road safety requirements. That is important clarification as we look at the detail of the new policy.
“There is still work to be done as the draft proposals progress, but I will continue to engage with the Minister to ensure that the final rural planning policy is practical and provides greater clarity for families across Clare.”