Local needs delay causing stress for Louth families

Delays in revising Ireland’s ‘ local needs’ rural housing policy is causing uncertainty and anxiety for families across Louth, it has been claimed.

Senator Ged Nash said that the government was due to make changes to the 2005 policy last year, arising from a judgment of the European Court of Justice and pressure from the European Commission, but they have so far failed to do so. ‘ The uncertainty surrounding what the future local needs policy to be operated by local authorities will be is causing confusion and delays for families who are considering lodging planning applications on sites in certain parts of the County,’ he said.

‘ The Minister for Housing was supposed to change the guidance last year, but he missed the target. I raised this in the Seanad this week only to be told that the changes are imminent but no firm date can be given.’

He said in May last year the Departmend said guidance would be updated ‘ in the second half of 2017’.