The Minister for Housing is hopeful that a new review of planning regulations this year will give clarity and hope to people hoping to build one off homes in this region.
Just a handful of planning applications are received every year by Leitrim County Council for one-off houses, with issues around the type of domestic sewerage treatment systems required under environmental laws a major barrier.
Dense soil in the county does not allow for adequate percolation and as a result, does not meet the antipollution levels required by the EPA.
Last year the EPA's new code of conduct around septic tanks was described as only being a minor assistance to families hoping to build or re-locate to Leitrim.
Minister Darragh O'Brien is hopeful that a review of planning this year may give some clarity on various planning issues in the Shannonside Northern Sound region:
