Relaxed rural housing rules to encourage emigrant return to go before Cabinet (independent.ie)

• Cabinet to consider draft guidelines that relax rural housing restrictions
• Local authorities told not to block one-off rural homes in ribbon and backland sites
• Policy aims to attract returning emigrants by easing planning barriers

"The Irish Cabinet is set to consider new planning guidelines that would relax restrictions on one-off rural housing. Local authorities would be instructed not to block such homes, including in ribbon developments and backland sites. The policy aims to attract emigrants back to Ireland by making it easier to build homes in rural areas. The draft guidelines represent a significant shift from recent planning policies that emphasized compact growth and restrictions on rural housing."