The DoEHLG issued a new circular PSSP 1/10 on 5th January advising Local Authorities and An Bord Pleanala to implement the new EPA Code on septic tanks (Code of Practice
Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses (p.e. ≤ 10)). This has been undertaken in response to the European Court of Justice Ruling against Ireland C-188/08 on the implementation of Articles 4 and 8 of Council Directive 75/442/EEC.
This highlights that the planning system's abject failure to redress sporadic housing in rural areas, is potentially to be brought under control by alternative legal mechanisms. European environmental legislation is slowly but progressively adding a bit of bite to the issue. The Water Framework Directive and Environmental Liability Regulations provide a new dimension to rural development equation. However, County Councillors don't appear to care about the impact of bungalow blitz on ourcountryside and communities, so bit of extra nitrogen in the drinking water is hardly going to worry them.
Dick Roche's legacy as Minister for the Environment is nowhere better incapsulated than in the 2005 Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines. The above map from the 2008 EPA Annual Report highlights the impact of this policy, with 96,000 units granted permission between 2005 to 2007. This Guideline needs to be reviewed by Minister Gormley, and subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment.
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