Tánaiste Simon Harris has told the Fine Gael parliamentary party that the Government is preparing the biggest overhaul of rural housing rules in two decades to make it much easier for families to build one-off homes.
The Fine Gael leader said proposals going to the Government next month represent a fundamental shift away from "overly rigid and restrictive planning practices that have held rural communities back for too long".
The major changes will allow those who have a social or economic need to live in a rural area, or those who have lived in a rural area for a defined period of time at any point in their life, have a reasonable expectation they can get planning.
The Tánaiste said Ministers James Browne and John Cummins are finalising the National Planning Strategy which will be brought to Cabinet in early June.
It is expected the new National Planning Statement will no longer allow local authorities to impose restrictions on ribbon and back land development or place caps on the number of homes that may be built on family farm holdings.
These restrictions have been the source of frustration over many years, the Tánaiste told TDs, Senators and MEPs.
Mr Harris also said it may now be possible to address rural and Gaelteacht planning together given the link between rural housing generally and housing in Gaelteacht areas.
Approximately 5,000 one-off homes are built annually but with the relaxation of these rules, it is expected that number will increase considerably.
