Reckless diatribe and unfounded myths a cowardly attack on rural communities

The remarks by Mr Gerry Sheeran, President of the Irish Planning Institute about rural housing at a planning awards ceremony are nothing more than reckless diatribe and unfounded myths used as a cowardly attack on rural communities, according to North West MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher.

Speaking in relation to the claims, Pat the Cope said, "The use of terms such as “proliferation of one-off houses” by someone in Mr Sheeran’s position, his call to further curtail rural housing and unfounded claims that the provision of services to rural communities costs more are irresponsible. This is a recycling of a deeply flawed argument that is not based in any hard evidence."

"Rural communities are constantly forced to fight for even very basic services that are provided without question elsewhere. I would question the rationale behind Mr Sheeran’s remarks and I am concerned at the unquestioning acceptance of this mindset in some quarters."

"If Mr Sheeran and his colleagues had any grasp of the reality of rural areas they would realise that rural applicants pay very steep planning contribution fees for services they don’t get but that are provided elsewhere. Rural dwellers pay the full cost for their own wastewater treatment systems and never create a requirement for public lighting."

"I do agree with Mr Sheeran that protection of our groundwater is critically important but he seems unaware that very sophisticated wastewater treatment systems are installed as standard with new rural houses and are fully paid for by the resident. The Irish Planning Institute could do with catching up with the pace of development in technology instead of spreading myths."

"If Mr Sheeran bothered to look at the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines instead of engaging in vitriolic generalisations he would see that the Guidelines recognise the differing needs of different rural areas. The Guidelines are structured so that urban sprawl is prevented and that only people living and working in the countryside or those with a strong connection to an area may build a new house there."

"The development of our rural communities is something that is enshrined in the EU’s Lisbon Treaty and EU legislation sets out its policy of creating vibrant rural communities. This is not just an Irish Government policy."

"Does the Irish Planning Institute want more declining rural areas with ageing populations, higher dependency levels and a greater cost of providing essential services? Or does the Irish Planning Institute want the sustainable rural communities that send a very high proportion of young people to higher level education rather than to high security prison?"

ENDS.