Farmers could be permitted to build significant standalone nutrient storage and additional animal housing without requiring planning permission, if draft proposals from Minister of State for Planning John Cummins are adopted in the coming weeks.
The changes, first mooted in October 2024, are now subject to public consultation by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH).
Under Minister Cummins’ proposals, farmers could build standalone nutrient storage facilities of up to 1,000 cubic metres without planning permission.
There is also a proposal to allow farmers to build up to 300 square metres of animal housing under Class 6 exempted development, up from the current limit of 200 square metres.
The consultation document outlines a new aggregated threshold (new and existing animal housing combined) of no more than 450 square metres (up from 300 square metres).
The consultation process is now open online at www.consult.housing.gov.ie/ which requires you to register and log in to take part.
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing told the Irish Farmers Journal that the drafting of new exempted development regulations will begin once all submissions are reviewed.
“Once complete, draft regulations will require an appearance before the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and positive resolutions from both Houses of the Oireachtas,” the spokesperson said.
Finally, any agreed changes will need to be signed into law.
When asked whether the proposed nutrient storage exemption will apply only to slurry storage or extend to farmyard manure or other organic manures, the spokesperson said: “The detail is not yet finalised. DHLGH await the closing of the public consultation and will engage with DAFM on any submissions in relation to agricultural exemptions.”
TAMS 3
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, meanwhile, appears confident that the exemptions will be in place in time for TAMS 3 this autumn.
“I’m delighted to work closely with my colleague, Minister John Cummins, on developing this initiative and bringing it to the public consultation stage,” he said
“This will be an additional support for farmers who are planning to invest in slurry storage and is aligned with our broader efforts to improve water quality and support Ireland’s application for the renewal of the nitrates derogation,” the minister said.
“If adopted, these proposals will reduce administrative burdens for farmers who are seeking to do the right thing environmentally and for animal welfare.
“Subject to the consultative and legislative process, our objective remains to meet the commitment that Minister Cummins and I made earlier this year to have this planning exemption in place to coincide with the application window for TAMS 3 this autumn, thereby allowing farmers to quickly avail of this flexibility once it is introduced.”
The consultation document also proposes extending the Class 4 exemption for fencing on farms to sites where there is an environmental plan approved by the Department of Agriculture.
In addition, it asks whether the placement of anaerobic digestion units be considered “with regard to size and location”, and asks whether the 20m exemption limit in wind turbine size should be reviewed.
SHARING OPTIONS