Planning exemptions brought forward for agriculture

Exempted Development regulations have not been updated substantially in almost 25 years

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD and Minister of State for Planning and Local Government John Cummins TD have today, ahead of the National Ploughing Championships, further outlined their intention to bring forward updated planning exemptions related to agriculture.

Following the public consultation on Exempted Developments and in consultation with the

Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, draft regulations on planning exemptions regarding slurry storage capacity and the construction of additional housing for farm animals are being prioritised.

The draft regulations which are being prepared under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as Amended (the Act of 2000) will provide for the following:

Amend Class 6 of Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the 2001 Regulations):

• Increase the size of animal housing from 200 sqm to 300sqm for a structure to house animals
• Increase the aggregated total from 300 sqm to 450 sqm for animal housing per farm holding
• Create a new Class of exemption in Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the 2001 Regulations to allow for a stand-alone slurry storage tank of up to 1000 cubic metres, subject to a total farm storage of 1500 cubic metres.

The specifications of these new exemptions were included in the Department of Agriculture’s submission to the public consultation on Exempted Developments.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are examining all submissions made.

Exempted Development regulations have not been updated substantially in almost 25 years.

Minister James Browne said:

“I welcome the inputs to our public consultation regarding exemptions to planning. Slurry storage and housing for animals are two examples of structures which, with clear and proper guidelines followed and in place, should not need to use up the valuable time of our planners and the planning system.

“Farmers across the country need to be able to adapt when needed, to changing demands. This includes the construction or upgrading of their storage. This storage can better and more efficiently manage slurry as a nutrient resource, essential for the vital work to manage and improve water quality.”

Minister of State Cummins said:

“I have engaged with the farming community and understand the urgency of ensuring we make these exemptions so farm families can continue to develop their businesses and livelihoods in rural Ireland.

“These regulations once signed, will support the farming sector by making it easier to expand slurry storage and housing for animals. We are giving farmers the flexibility to plan for the future while continuing to protect water quality and these steps will assist in ensuring that out Nitrates Derogation can be maintained.

“The removal of the need for planning permission at appropriate locations for these farm structures will also reduce the regulatory burden on farmers.”

The draft regulations are currently undergoing environmental consideration and once complete, the draft regulations will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

An appearance will then be arranged before the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with positive resolutions required from both Houses of the Oireachtas before any exempted development regulations can be signed into law.

As with all exempted developments, if an environmental impact assessment or an appropriate assessment of the development is required, planning permission will be required.