Public needs more time to have say on back garden cabin planning, Tipperary TD says
A Tipperary TD has called for an extension to a review of planning laws, arguing the latest review was held at a time when many people were on holidays.
South Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath said that the review on planning exemptions relating to log cabins and modular homes in people’s back gardens should be extended.
The public consultation will close tomorrow (Tuesday, August 26), and Deputy McGrath is calling for the deadline to be extended to allow more people to have their say.
"I have called on the Government to extend the consultation as it was held at a time when many people are away on holidays or when rural communities in particular are preparing for harvest," he said.
"I want to ensure that we have maximum participation on this issue and that following this we then press Government to move immediately on implementing the proposed exemptions on log cabins and the kind of detached habitable accommodation within the boundary of a primary dwelling that can also facilitate flexible housing for relatives or carers,” he added.
The public consultation seeks to consider what is currently exempt from planning and assess whether it is fit for purpose and whether it could be improved.
The consultation comes as the Government have publicised plans to exempt log cabin-style homes from planning regulations in an attempt to ease the housing crisis.
Currently, extensions can be built at the back of houses which are less than 40 square metres in size without planning permission. However, they have to be attached to the house.
The Government is looking to expand these planning exemptions to include detached extensions, such as cabin-style houses, which would provide a downsizing option for family members. However, there would still need to be 25 square metres of free space in the garden.
Deputy McGrath urged anyone who wishes to have their say on log cabins and exempted developments to make sure to log their submission by the closing date.
"If you have views on log cabins and exempted developments, please make your submission before the closing date tomorrow,” he said.