The Government says it's making the biggest changes to rural housing policy in years, with new draft planning guidelines designed to make it easier for people with a local connection to build homes in the countryside.  

 

The proposals aim to bring consistency to planning decisions, support rural communities and the Gaeltacht, while also preventing urban sprawl.  

 

Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe has been closely involved in shaping the plans through the Oireachtas sub-Committee on Rural Housing and has been working with Housing Minister James Browne on the proposals. 

 

He joined Alan Morrissey earlier to discuss what these changes mean.

Photo (c) Pawel Gaul from Getty Images Signature via Canva