Rural housing eligibility
Who can build a house in the Longford countryside?
In County Longford, single houses in the open countryside are permitted without local-need restrictions in residual areas classified as 'Rural Areas Elsewhere'. However, in 'Rural Areas Under Strong Urban Influence' (commuter zones), applicants must demonstrate a local connection, such as living or having lived in the area for at least 5 years within an 8km radius, or working in a local resource-based industry like agriculture, forestry, or horticulture.
Who may qualify
Local resident (Social Need)(Chapter 4, Page 117, Policy CPO 4.24)
Applicants who were born within the local rural area, or are currently living or have lived in the local rural area for a minimum of 5 years at any stage prior to making the planning application. The local rural area is defined as within an 8km radius of where the applicant was born, lives, or has lived.
Returning emigrant(Chapter 4, Page 117, Policy CPO 4.24)
Returning emigrants who are seeking to build a permanent home in their local rural area, within an 8km radius of where they were born, lived, or currently live.
Working locally (Economic Need)(Chapter 4, Page 118, Policy CPO 4.24)
Persons involved in full-time farming, horticulture, or forestry, as well as those in similar rural-based part-time occupations where it can be demonstrated that it is their predominant occupation in the local rural area.
Exceptional health circumstances(Chapter 4, Page 118, Policy CPO 4.24)
Persons with exceptional health circumstances (supported by registered medical practitioner and disability organization documentation) proving a requirement to live in a particular environment, near family support, or close family members needing to live nearby.
General Applicant (Rural Areas Elsewhere)(Chapter 4, Page 117-118, Section 4.8.12 and Policy CPO 4.26)
In areas designated as 'Rural Areas Elsewhere', anyone can apply for permanent residential development subject to standard sustainable planning principles, appropriate siting, design, and minimal environmental impact, with no requirement to demonstrate a local housing need.
Rules by rural area type
The county is split into area types with different rules.
Rural Areas Under Strong Urban Influence
Developments are strictly managed and only permitted for applicants with a demonstrable local social or economic requirement (local need) to live in that specific area.
Rural Areas Elsewhere
A flexible planning approach is applied to accommodate permanent housing demand. Demonstrating a local housing need is not required.
Conditions attached
- Occupancy Clause: An occupancy condition will be attached to planning permissions in 'Rural Areas Under Strong Urban Influence' restricting use of the dwelling to the applicant as a place of permanent residence for 7 years from first occupation (Policy CPO 4.28).
- First-house-only / No prior ownership: The applicant must not already own or have owned a house in the open countryside (Policy CPO 4.24).
- Speculative sale restriction: Development will be restricted on any landholding with a history of speculative sale or development of sites (Policy CPO 4.29).
- Backland development: Limited to family members only, and restricted to single-storey bungalows or bungalows with attic accommodation (Policy CPO 4.34).
- Minimum site size: A minimum site size of 0.2 hectares is required for dwellings utilizing individual septic tank and percolation treatment systems (Policy DMS 16.92).
Who typically does not qualify
- Applicants in Rural Areas Under Strong Urban Influence who cannot prove the required local connection (born or lived 5 years within an 8km radius) or local economic needs (full-time or predominant farming/forestry/horticulture occupation).
- Individuals who already own or have previously owned a house in the open countryside.
- Proposed developments on landholdings where there is a history of speculative site sales or developments.
- Non-family members proposing backland development.
- Those seeking to build urban-generated or speculative housing in designated high amenity 'Broad Zone' areas (lakes, rivers, canals).