Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
406. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if guidance is provided to local authorities for consideration of planning applications in rural areas relating to log cabins; if it is intended to update any such guidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39550/23]
View answer407. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if planning applications for log cabins in rural areas can be considered as permanent structures, or if there is any legal or planning policy that would oblige a local authority to only consider these developments on a temporary basis to cover the build period of an associated house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39551/23]
View answer408. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Government policy supports the development of log cabins in rural areas as a mechanism to address housing need of people living in such areas in an affordable and environmentally sustainable manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39552/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 406, 407 and 408 together.
The existing Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines were issued in 2005, as Ministerial Guidance under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act).
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.It is also within the remit of a planning authority, when included as part of a planning application to grant planning permission for a temporary dwelling in accordance with Section 34 of the Act, with conditions attached requiring its removal following a specified period and/or upon completion of a new dwelling.The relevant planning authority will assess the proposed temporary dwelling in accordance with the applicable land zoning objectives and in terms of height, scale, mass, siting, and materials (e.g. timber habitable building) in accordance with development standards as set out in national guidelines – such as the Section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities – and the relevant development plan, including any Local Area Plan policies/objectives, if applicable.An application for planning permission provides an opportunity for members of the public to make submissions or observations in respect of the proposed development, while also providing the planning authority with the opportunity to consider a range of potential impacts in the area. This allows for proper public participation and environmental assessment in line with the plan-led approach that underpins the planning system.The proposal may give rise to requirements for access, car parking, and amenity space as well as separate services such as water, drainage and electricity and may have implications for neighbouring occupiers and the visual amenity and character of the area and thus require assessment.
Where any party is unhappy with the decision of a planning authority in relation to an application for planning permission such as a log cabin under section 34 of the Act, the decision may be appealed to An Bord Pleanála within four weeks of the decision of the planning authority in accordance with section 37 of the Act.
