Cork tourism hotspot fearful of impact of new short-term letting rules on its vital Airbnb trade

By Peter McCarthy, Corkman

Government plans to tighten up the rules on short-term lettings such as Airbnbs will hurt rural communities and could potentially see local authorities deluged under new planning applications, West Cork councillors have warned.

At this week’s meeting of the West Cork Municipal District, Cllr Caroline Cronin said she has been contacted by people looking for clarity on the planning implications of the new regulations. The regulations will require hosts offering short-term accommodation of up to 21 nights to register with Bord Failte by May 20. It is unclear whether the hosts will also need to apply for planning permission to use their properties for tourism or short-term letting.

“A lot of people depend on Airbnbs for our tourist season, you know hotels are not ten a penny here [in West Cork], especially on our three peninsulas, so a blanket rule will really hurt our rural communities,” she said. Cllr Cronin said she was looking for a comment from Cork County Council or the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the planning implications. “What we really need is clarity,” she said.

Cllr Joe Carroll said he has also been contacted about the issue. “A lot of people are very upset over the whole thing but the fact of the matter is that when you read into the whole thing and the whole proposal it's not workable at all. It can't work because everybody has to be registered by May. If this was to happen Cork County Council would probably have an excess of two or two and a half thousand planning applications. That can't happen because Cork County Council doesn’t have the staff.”

“This thing is far from clear and it won't be working this year anyway. As far as I know, it can't work even though some people think that you can just run it through. Tourism wouldn't survive in the three peninsulas if what they’ve said is supposed to happen happens,” he said.

Cork County Council official Noreen O’Mahony responded that the local authority is waiting for the final legislation to be published and will revert to councillors “once we have guidance on the legislation.”

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has said it is currently carrying out a review of the planning acts and is developing guidance for local authorities on short-term letting.