Warning that one-off housing rule could ‘severely damage social fabric of rural communities’

Efforts need to be made to defend the right of all residents to build a home and raise a family close to where they grew up across the county, according to a local councillor.

A submission from the Regulator on the draft Meath County Development Plan appears to spell the end of one-off rural housing in the county, a move which could “severely damage the social fabric of rural communities in Meath.”

Earlier this year, councillors voted to maintain the existing rules on rural housing in the new plan – which would allow one off housing based on local need.

East Meath Fianna Fáil Councillor, Stephen McKee, is calling on all public representatives to stand firm and defend the principle of one-off rural housing based on local need across the county.

McKee stated: “The Planning Regulator has rejected the wishes of Meath county councillors who voted in the majority to maintain the existing rules on rural housing based on local need.

“Should the Planning Regulator have his way, it will remove the only viable option open to a large population of rural Meath of ever owning their own family home. I find this extremely unfair and believe it to be a regressive step.

“It is a measure which would severely damage the social fabric of rural communities across Meath and affect not only families but also community clubs, groups and organisations such as the GAA, many rural schools and indeed our remaining rural pubs’ continued McKee.

“We need to defend the right of all our residents to build a home and raise a family close to where they grew up across the county.”