It’s hoped new planning guidelines will bring vibrancy to parts of Clare that have struggled in recent years.
The draft guidelines going before Cabinet today would allow homeowners to build a second one-off house on family land to facilitate downsizing, while simplifying planning rules and reducing red tape.
People who have lived in a rural area for up to ten years would be allowed to build within 10 kilometres of that area, as well as those working in sectors such as farming, equine, forestry and essential services.
Meelick TD Cathal Crowe, who’s a member of a Fianna Fáil subcommittee working to progress changes to planning laws, says it will pave the way for people to return to rural areas and reverse the hollowing out of these communities.
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