Slurry tank and shed building planning permission changes due

Updated planning exemptions in agriculture are in the pipeline according to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

A statement said that draft regulations on planning exemptions regarding slurry storage and the construction of housing for farm animals are being prioritised.

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The Department said the draft regulations will provide for the following:

-Increase the size of animal housing from 200 sqm to 300sqm for a structure to house animals

-Increase the aggregated total from 300 sqm to 450 sqm for animal housing per farm holding

-Create a new Class of exemption in Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the 2001 Regulations 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.

The specifications of these new exemptions were included in the Department of Agriculture’s submission to the public consultation on Exempted Developments.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are examining all submissions made.

Exempted Development regulations have not been updated substantially in almost 25 years.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne commented.

“Slurry storage and housing for animals are two examples of structures which, with clear and proper guidelines followed and in place, should not need to use up the valuable time of our planners and the planning system.

“Farmers across the country need to be able to adapt when needed, to changing demands. This includes the construction or upgrading of their storage. This storage can better and more efficiently manage slurry as a nutrient resource, essential for the vital work to manage and improve water quality,” he said.

Minister of State for Planning and Local Government John Cummins said change is demanded by farmers. “I have engaged with the farming community and understand the urgency of ensuring we make these exemptions so farm families can continue to develop their businesses and livelihoods in rural Ireland.

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“These regulations once signed, will support the farming sector by making it easier to expand slurry storage and housing for animals.