Vol. 442 No. 8
35 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the concerns expressed by a person (details supplied) regarding a negative effect on tourism and hotel employment, if he will initiate a review of the decision to allow private residences to obtain planning permission for commercial use of four bedrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
40 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for the Environment the circumstances in which he proposes to waive the normal requirements for the conversion of private accommodation into commercial use without the need for planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 40 together.
In practice a considerable number of "Bed and Breakfast" establishments have operated for many years without any specific planning permission and the need for such permission did not become an issue until quite recently. Against this background, the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1994, clarified the position of "Bed and Breakfast" accommodation by providing that development consisting of the use of not more than four bedrooms in a dwellinghouse as overnight guest accommodation will be exempted development for planning purposes and will not require planning permission. This exemption will not apply, however, if that use would contravene a condition of the planning permission for the house, or be inconsistent with any use specified or included in the permission.
The exemption provided by the 1994 Regulations relates only to planning permission requirements. It does not detract from the application of other statutory codes — including the Fire Services Act, the Building Regulations and the Food Hygiene Regulations — to "Bed and Breakfast" premises.
I am satisfied that a formal planning exemption for small scale "Bed and Breakfast" operations will not have significant effects in terms of the proper planning and development of the areas in which they are located and will not involve a significant change in the situation which has existed de facto until now. The exemption relates solely to planning requirements. I do not believe that it will have adverse implications for the hotels sector or for tourism generally.
