Jul 2, 2026 · 21 min · 9 segments
Housing Minister James Browne has announced the biggest shake-up to rural planning rules in two decades. It should be easier for people to build homes in the countryside, but there's no target for how…
Ronan DuffyPanelist
Jane MatthewsPanelist
Christine BohanHost
But first of all, the Housing Minister has announced the biggest shake-up in two decades for houses in rural and Gaeltacht areas.
James Brown is easing the planning restrictions to make it easier for people to build homes in rural Ireland.
But at the same time, we've been hearing for years about the problems with one-off housing and all the issues that that can cause.
I thought what was kind of interesting was, you know, as it had been discussed this week, you know, we had James Brown out, we had the Minister of State, John Cummins, out.
And they were kind of just unclear about to what extent they think it will affect it.
I think there's been a broad welcome to the changes from, you know, various different groups.
And I think the government's line is, listen, we needed to standardize things.
The rules have been too restrictive and we need local authorities to be operating under clearer guidelines.
But you have members of the opposition like Sinn Féin, for example, saying like, listen, it's actually exaggerated the idea that like a lot of rural homes permissions aren't being given permission.
And you do have about, you know, five to six thousand once off houses every year.
What I found interesting was the government won't say exactly how much they think this is going to increase that by.
So I think, yeah, while it may be a good thing, we'll have to wait and see if it actually makes any difference to the stock.
you think then it's more of a vibes-based approach to try and make some people feel better about housing rather than an actual tangible target with a tangible outcome?
I think it's fair to say that there is frustration among people who seek planning permission in rural areas and feel like they're being denied.
So if there's an idea that some of the criteria I think has been changed, it's kind of interesting.
Things that jumped out to me was like criteria related to bloodline or family ties are kind of out.
But first of all, the Housing Minister has announced the biggest shake-up in two decades for houses in rural and Gaeltacht areas.
James Brown is easing the planning restrictions to make it easier for people to build homes in rural Ireland.
But at the same time, we've been hearing for years about the problems with one-off housing and all the issues that that can cause.
I thought what was kind of interesting was, you know, as it had been discussed this week, you know, we had James Brown out, we had the Minister of State, John Cummins, out.
And they were kind of just unclear about to what extent they think it will affect it.
I think there's been a broad welcome to the changes from, you know, various different groups.
And I think the government's line is, listen, we needed to standardize things.
The rules have been too restrictive and we need local authorities to be operating under clearer guidelines.
But you have members of the opposition like Sinn Féin, for example, saying like, listen, it's actually exaggerated the idea that like a lot of rural homes permissions aren't being given permission.
And you do have about, you know, five to six thousand once off houses every year.
What I found interesting was the government won't say exactly how much they think this is going to increase that by.
So I think, yeah, while it may be a good thing, we'll have to wait and see if it actually makes any difference to the stock.
you think then it's more of a vibes-based approach to try and make some people feel better about housing rather than an actual tangible target with a tangible outcome?
I think it's fair to say that there is frustration among people who seek planning permission in rural areas and feel like they're being denied.
So if there's an idea that some of the criteria I think has been changed, it's kind of interesting.
Things that jumped out to me was like criteria related to bloodline or family ties are kind of out.
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