The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has confirmed that the Minister has appointed a Working Group to make recommendations to change the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines 2005.

The changes may be necessary to comply with a 2013 ruling from the European Court of Justice relating to restrictions in housing as detailed in the media article below.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/chance-discovery-spells-end-of-locals-only-restriction-on-one-off-housing-450596.html

The Department has advised Thornton O’Connor Town Planning that the European Commission will be consulted with regard to recommendations and proposed changes to ensure compliance with Article 43 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

We are advised that it is proposed to update the Guidelines in the latter half of this year and until that time the 2005 Guidelines will remain in place.