I shared a video on Instagram yesterday about the local needs criteria when seeking planning permission for a residential development in rural Ireland.
It generated a good deal of interest and questions. One of the questions surprised me, however. Here it is:
It is hard to believe that it is necessary to explain that planning laws and regulations are necessary in a civilised country. Otherwise, there is the danger of a free for all with people building what they like where they like.
Surely, this is to be seen as a bad thing. If you could build anything anywhere, we would not be long destroying the countryside and rural Ireland with undesirable, inappropriate, speculative development.
I, for one, am delighted that we have strong planning laws. Especially when it comes to building in rural Ireland.
Perhaps when you get older you have a greater realisation of the need to pass on the environment to our children and grandchildren in as good a condition as we can manage.
This will be assisted by fair, rational planning laws that balances the need for housing with the need to maintain a decent environment.
That is why this is not some sort of anti-rural policy to inhibit or do down rural Ireland. It is just common sense. Long may it continue.
P.S. Here is the video I posted: