Mixed reaction to new house planning rules

Reaction to this morning's announcement of new planning guidelines has been mixed, with supporters claiming the new rules are progressive and opponents saying it is now open season for house-builders.

Michael Ringrose, chief executive of People with Disabilities in Ireland (PwDI), said the guidelines represented 'real progress' and that he hoped the minister would give consideration to reopening cases where people with disabilities may have recently been refused permission.

Mr Ringrose described the measures as "a step in the right direction." He said the relaxation of planning restrictions would give hope to people with disabilities and their families that "tangible improvements will result from the Government's national disability strategy."

Fergus O'Dowd, Fine Gael environment spokesman, said the guidelines were not a blueprint for rural development. He said areas designated as special areas of conservation should remain "sacrosanct and free of housing."

Mr O'Dowd was also critical of the lack of attention given to the design of rural housing in Mr Roche's guidelines.

"The quality of housing in rural areas is vital yet Minister Roche only seems to comment on design quality when pushed. When done properly, one off houses can complement the landscape and revitalise depopulated areas of the country," he said.

The Labour Party said the guidelines gave only "half the answer" to the planning problems posed by rural one-off housing and asked who would pay for the vital services one-off homes require.

The Green Party's Ciarán Cuffe described the guidelines as "a landowner's charter" and said they would do "little or nothing for those who don't own land in the first instance."

He said the guidelines marked "open season for house-builders" and posed "environment and transport problems."

Mr Cuffe said a growth of housing in rural areas would increase car dependency and called on the Government to "increase affordability by making available sites and well-designed housing".