Returning emigrants exempt from home-building rules

Returning emigrants will be exempt from Donegal County Council rules aimed at limiting the number of holiday homes in the county, according to the Irish Independent. The paper reports that the new 2006-2012 County Development Plan requires home buyers about to purchase a house in one of the county’s 1,500 townlands where holiday homes comprise more than 20% of housing stock must sign a contract pledging to live in the house for seven years. Exceptions are being proposed for returning emigrants and accommodation proposed as part of an overall tourism package.