Planning is invariably a source of contention. The debate surrounding the issues involving one-off housing in scenic areas has been particularly fraught. That is why the Government's decision to further relax the guidelines for once-off housing causes some concern.
There is no denying the need to address special hardship cases, where families living and working in a locality have been denied planning permission. It must be recognised also, that, in this instance, political pressure has come from farmers who wish to sell sites for speculative housing and holiday homes.
Minister for the Environment Dick Roche has justified his decision to change the rules on the grounds that they will bring greater clarity to the planning process. He maintains that they are balanced and based on common sense. But, by adding to the planning concessions announced only last year by his predecessor, Mr Roche's attempt to balance social and geographical development may risk long-term damage to the environment. By authorising once-off housing in special areas of conservation (SACs) he is making a nonsense of official policy concerning scenic protection. Other provisions, which alter the planning rules for returning emigrants and for persons with particular health problems, could be open to widespread abuse.
It has been suggested that by formally requiring local authorities to grant planning permissions in a broader range of circumstances, the use of Section 140s by vote-conscious county councillors - in which they overrule official experts to grant planning permissions - will be curtailed. But that is no justification. At the moment, three-quarters of all objections made to An Bord Pleanála concerning such decisions are upheld.
Irish society is in a state of transition. And change is particularly obvious in agriculture where many marginal farmers - particularly along the West coast - are opting for effective retirement, following the decoupling of EU agricultural supports from production levels. These farmers are now anxious to realise the value of their holdings in other ways. The sale of sites is an obvious route to take. But a rash of once-off housing in the poorer, more scenic areas would be a disaster from many points of view.
Visitors regard the Irish landscape as the primary attraction of our tourist industry. The Government has been so focused on the votes of farmers, however, that it is failing to protect it. Even as the Minister for Tourism, John O'Donoghue yesterday called for a concerted effort to attract more visitors, Mr Roche was relaxing the guidelines designed to prevent visual blight.
We have a poor record in this State for protecting the environment. Successive governments have opted for development - any development - rather than ensure the sustainable use of existing resources. These latest planning concessions by Mr Roche may be challenged in the European Court.