Leitrim councillors seek clarity on rural housing policy
The council were asked if the County Development Plan would have to be changed following the publication of a new National Planning Statement
A motion in relation to the new housing National Planning Statement (NPS) was discussed at the July meeting of Leitrim County Council.
The council were asked if the County Development Plan would have to be changed as a result of the NPS.
Cllr Ita Reynolds Flynn (FG) tabled the motion. “Currently, rural housing policy varies significantly from county to county. The aim of the NPS is to ensure clarity and consistency across the country, ensuring similar rules are in place.
“I ask if members will have to make any changes to our current development plan to ensure there is no variance from the updated national policy,” her motion stated.
Cllr Reynolds Flynn also queried about soil testing and percolation trials. “Is there any variance in relation to soil testing under these revised guidelines and what progress there is in relation to the ongoing percolation trials,” her motion added.
Speaking on behalf of the council, Director of Services, Mary Quinn told the meeting that, “once the draft National Planning Statement (NPS) is finalised, it will be subject to public consultation. Once finalised, the changes will be presented to the members.”
A written reply from the council also stated, “Until the NPS has been finalised, we will not be considering whether or not a variation is required or whether such consideration would await the preparation of the new 10-year County Development Plan scheduled to commence next year.”
The reply also dealt with the issue of soil testing.
“The Draft NPS states that the EPA code of practice: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems and any subsequent updates or replacements “should form the basis for the assessment of proposed domestic waste water treatment systems”, it stated.
“The Local Authority await the publication of a report outlining the success of evapotranspiration trials with TCD later this summer/early autumn,” the reply added.
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