Part IV of the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of architectural heritage. The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect architectural heritage, including thatched buildings, by including them on the Record of Protected Structures. Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.
My Department does not maintain a record of the number and distribution of habitable thatched units. However, it is the practice of my Department, when undertaking county surveys for the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH), to accord a 'regional' rating to thatched structures where the roof is intact. Structures rated 'regional' or higher are subsequently recommended by me, as Minister, to a planning authority, under section 53 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, for inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures. Information on such thatch buildings recorded by the NIAH is available on my Department's website at www.buildingsofireland.ie.
In addition, as part of an Architectural Advice Series, my Department plans to publish an advice book on thatching in 2013, which will include practical advice and guidance on aspects of conserving and restoring thatched structures. The nine previously published booklets in the Series cover areas such as roof and energy efficiency for traditionally built buildings. The full series is available on my Department’s website.
The nature of thatch is such that it requires regular maintenance and more frequent renewal in comparison with other types of roofing. However, some of the costs involved in maintaining thatched properties can be attributed to the use of an incorrect material, issues with the style of thatching and material used, and severe weather conditions. There are some funding streams which, subject to the availability of resources, may assist owners of thatched houses in repairing or maintaining their thatched roofs, including:
- my Department’s Structures at Risk Fund;
- the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme, which is managed by the Heritage Council Heritage for REPS 4 participants; and
- a grant scheme for the renewal or repair of thatched roofs administered by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
