Lahart welcomes “sensible changes” to planning regulations

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South-West, John Lahart, has welcomed new planning regulations which he said will give homeowners “greater freedom to make practical and sensible changes to their properties” without the need for planning permission.

The new regulations, which come into effect on 27th July, are designed to reduce “unnecessary bureaucracy” for homeowners while allowing planning authorities to focus their resources on larger and more complex developments.

The reforms introduced by Minister for Housing James Browne will relax planning rules for home extensions, garden accommodation and the subdivision of existing homes, creating greater flexibility for households while improving the efficiency of the planning system.

Among the most significant changes is a new exemption allowing homeowners to build a detached residential unit linked to the main house without planning permission, provided it has a floor area of between 32 square metres and 45 square metres.

The reforms also include:

• Householders will be able to construct a detached residential unit linked to the main house without planning permission, subject to the new size limits.
• Existing homes may be subdivided into two self-contained units without planning permission, with each unit required to have a minimum floor area of 32 square metres.

These changes, particularly permitting a detached unit to the rear of the dwelling, will only be appropriate and allowed in certain settings without having to seek planning permission. They will have to abide by building quality and standards if they are to be lived in.

Speaking on the changes, Deputy Lahart said:

“People should not be tied up in bureaucracy and unnecessary red tape when it comes to making sensible changes to their own home. That is exactly what Minister Browne is delivering, cutting unnecessary red tape and giving homeowners greater freedom and flexibility to make decisions about their own property.”

Lahart said “these reforms will give homeowners greater choice and flexibility. They will create new housing options for people with disabilities who want greater independence while remaining close to family support, and for older people who wish to right size without leaving the communities they have called home for decades.”

“They will also help planning authorities focus their time and resources on larger housing developments and other projects that require detailed assessment, rather than regulating straightforward improvements that homeowners want to make to their own properties.

“When it comes to your own home, you should have the flexibility to adapt it to suit your family’s changing needs and circumstances.”