Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
302. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to immediately review planning guidelines to permit planning permission for log cabins as a means to relieve pressure on housing demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18942/23]
View answerUnder the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), there is no specific preclusion to the development of log cabins as a housing type. All development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission.
Any person may lodge an application for permission to a planning authority in accordance with section 34 of the Act for the construction of a house (which may be a log cabin). It is a matter for the relevant planning authority to consider each application on a case-by-case basis and to decide to whether to grant the permission, subject to or without conditions, or to refuse permission. In making their decision, planning authorities shall have regard to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, the policies of Government, Ministerial Guidelines and any submissions or observations received on the application during the public participation process in accordance with section 34 of the Act.
Where an applicant wishes to question the decision of the planning authority made under section 34 of the Act, they may appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála under section 37 of the Act within four weeks of the decision of the planning authority. In addition, the appeal decision of the Board may be subject to judicial review within 8 weeks of the decision under sections 50 and 50A of the Act. Under section 30 of the Act, as Minister with responsibility for planning, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned.
