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[Article] One-off housing 'will not solve depopulation problem'

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30-08-2003 12:50pm

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Victor

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One-off housing 'will not solve depopulation problem'
From:The Irish Independent
Saturday, 30th August, 2003
Gordon Deegan

THE cumulative effect of one-off housing in Clare is a "matter of serious concern", a senior planner in the county said yesterday.

Head of Planning at Clare Co Council, Ger Dollard, made his comment after it released statistics showing that the changes demanded by councillors - making it easier to secure planning for one-off housing - has resulted in planning refusals dropping by 5pc in the second quarter of 2003.As a result, the council is now granting almost nine in every ten planning applications that comes before it, with the vast majority of applications being for single rural houses.

With a current refusal rate of 12pc, it is well below the national average.

Mr Dollard said that the grant rate of 88pc reflects the changes made to planning policy in the most recent variation to the County Development Plan.

He added: "The impact of this sustained level of one-off development, is a matter of serious concern. While the council has made some progress in developing through consultation, local area plans for many parts of the county, the level of one-off housing is still exceptionally high.

"This will put considerable pressure on demand for services and other infrastructural supports."

The rise in grants and consequent downturn in refusals received a guarded welcome from members of the council yesterday.Over the past three years, councillors have fought with council planners over the development plan, claiming that planning policies were too restrictive in areas already suffering from depopulation. Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) said: "The figures are a step in the right direction, but the system is far from satisfactory."

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