I am pleased to confirm the introduction of new planning exemption regulations that will allow farmers to increase slurry storage capacity and construct additional cattle housing without the need to apply for planning permission.
Since my election to the Dáil, I have consistently called on Government to update the Exempted Development provisions, which had not been revised for almost 25 years.
These new regulations will significantly reduce red tape, lower costs, and enable farmers to invest more quickly in meeting environmental and animal welfare standards.
The key changes are as follows:
– To increase the size of animal housing under Class 6 of Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended by 50%. 200 sqm to 300sqm for a structure to house animals.
– To increase the aggregated total from 300 sqm to 450 sqm for animal housing per farm holding.
– 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.