Revamping Planning Permission Guidelines for Gaeltacht Housing
In a bid to streamline the process of obtaining planning permission for residences in the Gaeltacht regions, new guidelines are nearing finalization and will soon undergo public consultation. These guidelines have been meticulously crafted by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media. Alongside these guidelines, proposed revisions to the National Planning Framework are also poised for public consultation, allowing individuals to contribute their insights on planning regulations within Gaeltacht areas.
The primary objective of these forthcoming guidelines is to facilitate the approval of planning applications for housing in Gaeltacht territories, emphasizing the preservation of Irish-speaking communities as a fundamental “local need.” The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage emphasized the significance of upholding the Irish language, particularly in Gaeltacht regions, within the Irish planning system.
According to the Department, the soon-to-be-published Gaeltacht planning guidelines will be subject to public scrutiny, enabling stakeholders to submit their feedback. Concurrently, the ongoing enhancements to the National Planning Framework will also undergo public review, allowing for inputs on novel considerations or additional aspects concerning Gaeltacht areas with relevance to strategic spatial planning policies.
The Planning and Development Bill, currently under deliberation in the Oireachtas, mandates planning authorities to formulate a strategy, as part of city or county development plans, aimed at establishing, enhancing, and conserving sustainable communities and locales. Notably, this mandate includes a specific provision for safeguarding the linguistic and cultural heritage, including the preservation of Irish as the predominant language in Gaeltacht regions.
The proposed planning guidelines within the bill highlight that planning authorities must align their development plans with the stipulations of the Language Plan, as outlined in the Gaeltacht Act 2012, and integrate objectives to bolster the promotion of the Irish language.
The initiative to involve the public in shaping the Gaeltacht Planning Guidelines has garnered a positive reception from Senator Victor Boyhan. Boyhan expressed that the new planning regulations should simplify the process for native Irish speakers to construct homes in Gaeltacht areas. He affirmed his commitment to proposing amendments to the bill, which is advancing to the committee stage in the Dáil.
Boyhan underscored the imperative of recognizing the Irish language as a local necessity akin to agriculture, echoing the sentiments of Gaeltacht communities striving to preserve the native language amidst a gradual decline in native Irish speakers.
The upcoming revisions in planning guidelines for Gaeltacht housing signify a pivotal step towards fostering sustainable communities and safeguarding the linguistic and cultural heritage of these unique regions. The collaborative effort between governmental departments and public stakeholders reflects a proactive approach to addressing the evolving needs of Gaeltacht areas in the realm of spatial planning policies.
