Farmers in Co Kildare have met with the county council over concerns that a growing number of farmers’ children are being refused planning permission to build on the family farm.

Up to 20 farm families contacted the IFA about being refused planning, particularly in the areas around Naas, Caragh and Kildare town.

Kildare IFA county chair Brian Rushe and Austin Morrin, the Kildare/west Wicklow representative on the IFA’s environment committee, met Kildare County Council officials to highlight the issue.

“We were concerned that the council had taken a very strict interpretation of the economic and social policy in the planning guidelines,” Rushe said. “Many of the cases involved children who were not going to make a living from the farm, but wanted to live near their parents in their old age.

“Looking after a parent is very much a social need. We all know about the lack of and cost of nursing home spaces.

“We felt that the council was looking at only the economic need.”

Rushe said the council had listened to their concerns, offered advice and the IFA and council would work together on the issue.