‘ Locals only’ rule to be eased

Sligo County planners were told by the Department of Housing and Planning about the legality of the ‘ locals only’ planning rule restricting one- off housing as far back as last November.

In a statement to The Sligo Champion, the Council said the Department told county planners about the existence of the Flemish Decree judgement that month, writes Sorcha Crowley. In February of this year, a ‘ Rural Housing’ Committee of the Council was informed of the matter. The Chief Executive Ciarán Hayes will be recommending that the Council amends the rural housing policies in the Draft County Development Plan 2017- 2023 by removing the provisions that would conflict with Articles 43 ( freedom of movement of people) and 56 ( freedom of movement of capital) of the EC Treaty.