The Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers (IPAV), Tom Crosse, said he welcomed the general relaxation of the guidelines in relation to planning for rural people. For example, the so-called ‘sterilisation’ guideline was now gone in relation to, for example, sons and daughters of families who had grown up in rural areas and who wised to build a home near their family of residence.

He also welcomed the loosening up of the former occupancy condition whereby a dwelling had to be occupied for a specified period of time by the applicant.

“IPAV has long been lobbying for such changes and we have had discussions with the IFA and others to seek to make the required changes,” said Mr Crosse. “The former guidelines caused major difficulties for many people who wished to live in rural areas and were genuinely committed to the rural way of life.”

However, Mr Crosse said he wished to clarify the situation with regard to the thousands of applications which had been turned down in recent times and which might now well qualify under the new guidelines. Last year, there were 80,000 housing units built and 100,000 planning applications processed.

“I am calling on the Minister to introduce a fast-track mechanism whereby these applicants can again submit their application if they so wish,” he said.

Mr Crosse also said he hoped that the planning authorities would act with speed in facilitation the introduction of the new guidelines and in co-operating with applicants, particularly in the pre-planning phase, as set down by the Minister.

For further information contact:
Tom Crosse on 087 – 2547717
Tim Ryan on 087 - 2471423