Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
397. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if licensed premises are currently included in the exemption to convert to residential use without the need to attain planning permission as per the bringing back homes scheme; if not, if he has plans to include licensed premises in any future revisions of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52985/21]
View answerThe Planning and Development (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2018 - S.I. No. 30 of 2018 - which came into operation on 8 February 2018, provide for an exemption from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of the change of use of certain vacant commercial premises, including vacant areas above ground floor premises, to residential use. This measure was aimed at facilitating the productive re-use of qualifying vacant commercial buildings as homes, while also facilitating urban renewal and the bringing on stream of increased housing supply.
The Government's recently published New Housing Plan for Ireland - Housing for All commits to reviewing and extending the 2018 regulations that exempt certain vacant commercial premises from the requirement to obtain planning permission for change of use to residential purposes to the end of 2025. This review is presently underway in my Department and will be completed by the end of the year. This review is looking at a number of potential amendments, including the possibility of providing for an exemption for the conversion of vacant pubs to residential use, which could be incorporated in any revisions to the current regulations.
While the idea of exempting the conversion of pubs to residential use may on initial consideration seem positive, there are practical considerations that also need to be taken into account in this regard including the size, location and zoning of pubs and what exemption size thresholds might be applied in this regard. My Department is presently undertaking a detailed review of this proposal with a view to feeding into the final draft regulations.
It should be noted, however, that under section 262(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, legislative proposals in relation to exempted development require the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas before they can be signed into law. It is intended to submit the final draft regulations in this regard to the Oireachtas for approval shortly.
