The director of planning in Co Clare has acknowledged pleas from Clare County Council members to ease planning restrictions on one-off housing in the countryside.
In a move to placate growing criticism by councillors over the implementation of the 1999 Clare County Development Plan, Mr Ger Dollard has agreed to embark immediately on a statutory review of the plan.
Last November, in a quid pro quo with councillors, Mr Dollard agreed to initiate a review of council policy on one-off housing in the countryside in return for the councillors adopting the draft west Clare development plan.
His undertaking to report back to councillors on the issue within three months followed months of criticism by councillors over the implementation by planners of the development plan.
Much of the councillors' criticism relates to the general ban on non-locals building one-off homes in the open countryside and planning restrictions on those wishing to build in areas designated visually vulnerable, which includes the Clare coastline and much of the Burren.
However, in his most comprehensive statement on planning policies in Clare to date, Mr Dollard told councillors that "we cannot continue with the present level of one-off housing in the open countryside".
He pointed out that in the past three years, the council has granted planning permission to 3,300 one-off houses.
In his 16-page report to councillors on the issue, Mr Dollard said that "some would say that the level of permissions granted by the council is excessive", pointing out that last year, two-thirds of decisions granting planning to one-off housing were overturned on appeal to Bord Pleanála.
Mr Dollard said that to ease planning restrictions on one-off houses "would be to significantly contribute to damage to the environment, either through contamination of groundwater, visual consideration, increased levels of car usage, uneconomic demands for services and non-viability of public transport".
He said the National Spatial Strategy recognises the difficulties with this type of development and has put forward approaches to address it.
However, in a concession to councillors, Mr Dollard has agreed to ease planning restrictions on returning emigrants.
He said they will receive "special consideration" once the council is satisfied that a genuine requirement for a permanent home exists.
At the council's adjourned February meeting, Cllr Martin Lafferty called for a special meeting to discuss Mr Dollard's report.
The council agreed that a special meeting will be held on the issue, while the adoption of the west Clare plan was adjourned to March 6th.
