Rural Planning (Leaving Cert Geography): Revision Notes
Rural Planning
Rural planning in Ireland involves managing countryside development while preserving the unique character, biodiversity and heritage of rural areas. Planning authorities must carefully balance allowing necessary development with protecting the natural and cultural landscape that makes rural Ireland distinctive.
Understanding rural planning challenges
Rural planners face a complex challenge in modern Ireland. While rural areas have experienced population decline over several generations, there has been a significant increase in one-off housing since the 1960s. This growth stems from counter urbanisation trends, where people choose to live in the countryside while working in nearby towns and cities.
Counter urbanisation refers to the movement of people from urban areas to rural areas, often leading to increased commuting patterns and scattered rural development.
This pattern has created linear settlement development along exit routes from towns and cities. During periods of rapid economic growth, particularly during Ireland's Celtic Tiger period, planning authorities struggled to manage this unsustainable development pattern, which placed significant demands on rural infrastructure and services.
The Celtic Tiger period (approximately 1995-2007) saw unprecedented economic growth in Ireland, leading to a massive increase in construction and development pressure across both urban and rural areas.
County development plans
Each county council creates comprehensive County Development Plans to address the challenges of rural development. These plans emerged as a direct response to the unprecedented housing boom during Ireland's Celtic Tiger economic period.
The primary goals of these plans include:
- Protecting the distinctive character of rural areas
- Reducing the negative impacts of suburbanisation
- Implementing strict planning regulations across all rural developments
Housing qualification criteria
County Development Plans establish specific criteria that applicants must meet to qualify for rural housing permission. Key requirements typically include:
- Being a native of the county or having strong local connections
- Demonstrating a genuine need for housing in that specific location
- Meeting restrictions on building heights and using appropriate building materials
The "genuine need" requirement is designed to prevent urban dwellers from simply choosing rural locations for lifestyle reasons, helping to preserve rural communities for those with authentic connections to the area.
Main planning concerns
Planning authorities focus on addressing four critical issues:
Scenic quality preservation
- Protecting the visual appeal and natural beauty of rural landscapes
- Preventing inappropriate development that damages scenic areas
Commuter belt expansion
- Managing the growth of areas where people live rurally but work in towns
- Addressing the lack of employment opportunities in rural regions
Service provision
- Ensuring adequate infrastructure reaches new developments
- Balancing development with available amenities and facilities
Environmental management
- Controlling traffic increases on rural roads
- Preventing pollution of local water supplies from inadequate septic tank systems
These concerns form the foundation of all County Development Plans and guide strategies for managing current and future rural development. The plans undergo review and updating every five years to remain relevant and effective.
National development initiatives
Ireland's national approach to rural planning involves coordinated strategies at the highest government level. Two key initiatives have shaped modern rural planning policy.
National Development Plan (2007-2013)
The National Development Plan established comprehensive strategies to protect Ireland's rural environment while supporting sustainable development. The plan focused on four main investment areas:
- Environmental protection: Preserving scenic areas while supporting appropriate farmland development and maintenance
- Social inclusion: Improving rural amenities and services, with particular attention to supporting elderly residents in rural communities
- Infrastructure development: Creating better connections between rural areas and urban centres through improved transport links
- Education and training: Establishing programmes specifically designed for rural area residents
Worked Example: NDP Infrastructure Investment
The National Development Plan allocated significant funding for rural road improvements. For instance, the plan provided €2.3 billion for regional and local roads, focusing on connecting isolated rural communities to major transport networks. This investment aimed to reduce travel times between rural areas and employment centres by up to 25%.
Commission for Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA)
Established in 2012, CEDRA works alongside the National Development Plan to create integrated approaches to rural development. This organisation focuses on economic strategies that support rural communities while maintaining environmental protection standards.
Key rural planning concepts
Understanding rural planning requires familiarity with several important concepts that shape development patterns:
Suburbanisation describes the development of suburbs on the outskirts of towns and cities, often extending into previously rural areas.
Resource-based industry refers to businesses that operate using locally available resources, often providing important employment in rural areas.
These concepts help explain how rural areas experience development pressure and why careful planning is essential to maintain their character while supporting local communities.
Key Points to Remember:
- Rural planning balances development needs with protecting Ireland's unique countryside character, biodiversity and heritage
- County Development Plans respond to housing pressures by setting strict criteria for rural housing applications and controlling building standards
- The four main planning concerns are scenic quality, commuter belt expansion, adequate services, and traffic/pollution management
- National strategies like the NDP (2007-2013) and CEDRA (2012) coordinate government investment in rural area protection and development
- Counter urbanisation has created new settlement patterns that require careful management to prevent unsustainable rural sprawl