Planning system shifts to ‘culture of facilitation rather than restriction’

It will be easier to build houses in rural areas once plans to ease planning restrictions are introduced, the Minister of State for Planning will tell the Oireachtas housing committee on Tuesday.

John Cummins is to appear before the committee to discuss draft planning guidelines, published during the summer, which are due to come into force later this year or early next year.

They seek to promote house building in rural areas, which has been restricted by many local authorities for years. Once implemented, the guidelines will have to be followed by local authorities, meaning many will have to relax strict requirements on obtaining planning permission in rural areas.