The NPF published by the Government promises a "more flexible approach" to one-off housing, recognising the need for "housing provision for people to live and work in Ireland’s countryside".

The framework, which will form the basis for planning permission guidelines for local authorities, makes a clear distinction between rural areas inside and outside the commuter belts of cities and major towns.

Those applying for planning permission for single housing in areas under urban influence will still have to "demonstrate a functional economic or social requirement for housing need" in those locations.

'Imbalance'

Requirements will be more flexible in deeper rural areas, but the Government intends to stop the "imbalance" of much rural social housing being located in towns, while private housing sprawls into the wider countryside.

In both cases, criteria regarding the exact siting and design of each proposed house will also apply. This includes a warning that new houses will no longer receive planning permission in locations where the state cannot deliver infrastructure and environmental impacts, such as long commutes, are "negative".

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