Rural Housing Density

The proposed new Section 3.14 is a new section which imposes limits on Rural Housing Density. From the review that I and some friends/family members have done, the new CDP, if implemented, would-

• result in almost 1/3rd of the land area of Kildare being barred from further development
• prevent any further development in designated Rural Nodes, or long established settlements
• prevent development in most areas close to towns
• The proposed exclusion of new housing in existing moderate density areas will result in a more spread and diffuse pattern of building – the opposite of what is recommended by authorities.

Accordingly I am submitting 2 alternative proposals-

Proposal 1; In view of the fact that proposed Section 3.14 involves dramatic changes to policy on on-off Rural Housing, to remove the section or suspend its implementation unless and until a detailed study (by AIRO or another independent expert) is available to the Elected Members and to the Public, which (a) analyses the existing pattern of rural housing in Kildare on a per kilometre squared basis and (b) projects the likely impact that the introduction of limits on density in 1km2 areas would have.

In the event that the Elected Members do not accept Proposal 1, I would suggest an alternative Proposal 2-

Proposal 2; That Section 3.14 and the associated Appendix 11 be amended as per the attached document (Proposal2.pdf) to provide for increased one-off housing density (up to 35/sqkm rather than 25/sqkm) in the Exceptional situations of Rural Nodes, Peri-Urban areas, crossroads and long established residential clusters.