Rural concerns fall on deaf ears

Louth County Council received a ‘substantial quantum of submissions’ objecting to rural zoning proposals in the draft development plan.

However, concerns relating to the proposed restrictions on the number of developments permissible per landholding in rural zone 1 have largely fallen on deaf ears.

A high percentage of the submissions came from the Cooley peninsula, the majority of which will be designated as rural zone 1.

The plan proposes that zone 1 developments only be considered for: A son or daughter of a landowner who are seeking to build a first home for permanent occupation. A qualifying landowner is defined as a person who owns a landholding of at least 3 hectares and has owned the land for a minimum of 10 years. Any applicant under this category must demonstrate a rural housing need and have demonstrable social or an economic need to live in the area and shall not have previously owned a dwelling. No more than three houses in total shall be permitted on the landholding (inclusive of the family home). Any application will be subject to the appropriate siting and consideration of proper planning and sustainable development.

However, Council Chief Executive Joan Martin has recommended that exceptions be made on health grounds and to those operating an established business in the area.

Ms Martin also re-iterated that the council will encourage the re-use and rejuvenation of vacant and under-utilised lands in rural towns, villages and rural nodes for appropriate uses.

The plan also proposes to: ‘direct rural generated housing demand to rural villages and rural nodes in the first instance and ensure that one off housing in the open countryside is only permitted where there is demonstrable compliance with the criteria for rural hosing as provided for in the Development Plan.

‘ The Draft Plan is seeking to support the creation of sustainable communities whilst achieving a balance in protecting the open countryside for future generations. There are opportunities for children of landowners to live in rural nodes and small towns and villages in the locality or avail of a replacement house option.’

The report adds that lands deemed suitable for ‘rural nodes’ have been identified in the development plan.