A Kerry councillor is calling on the council to ensure people can get planning in their native parishes.
Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Cahill made the call at the recent Kenmare Municipal District meeting. Cllr Cahill proposed that the council ensures local people who are born, reared, living and working in an area can obtain permission for a family home in that same area.
Cllr Michael Cahill said it is currently a huge issue for local people to obtain planning. He added people who went to school and currently work in an area, and have bought a site in that area, should be able to get planning permission for a family home.
The Fianna Fáil councillor says many people are now able to work remotely, and want to live in the places they're from. He believes the council should be trying to keep these people in Kerry by allowing them to obtain planning permission for family homes.
He called on the council to ensure this happens when reviewing the County Development Plan. In response to Cllr Cahill, Kerry County Council said the review of the current Development Plan has commenced.
It said rural housing policy will be drafted with the National Planning Framework in mind, as well as the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region and the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines issued by the Minister. The council added the draft plan will be brought to full council for consideration shortly.
