Fine Gael TD for Cork Northwest, John Paul O’Shea, has welcomed the introduction of new planning exemption regulations, which come into effect today and will make it easier for homeowners to improve and adapt their homes while reducing unnecessary bureaucracy.
The reforms represent the most significant update to residential planning exemptions in almost 25 years and are designed to simplify the planning process for families while allowing local authorities to focus their resources on larger and more complex housing developments.
Deputy O’Shea said:
“These new planning exemptions are about bringing common sense back into the planning system. For too long, homeowners have faced unnecessary costs, delays, and paperwork for relatively straightforward improvements to their homes.
“These changes will give families greater flexibility as their housing needs change, while ensuring that planning authorities can concentrate their time and expertise on larger housing developments that are urgently needed.”
Among the key changes now in effect are:
-
???? A new planning exemption allowing a detached auxiliary dwelling of between 32 and 45 square metres within the grounds of an existing home, subject to specified conditions.
-
???? A new exemption allowing the subdivision of an existing home to create one additional self-contained unit within the existing building.
-
???? An increase in the exempted size of home extensions from 40 square metres to 45 square metres.
-
???? An increase in the exempted size of garden structures, including home offices, sheds and gyms, from 25 square metres to 30 square metres.
-
???? New exemptions for dormer roof boxes and roof lights.
-
???? New exemptions for external wall insulation and greater flexibility for the installation of heat pumps.
-
???? New exemptions for bicycle and bin storage at the front and rear of homes.
Deputy O’Shea added:
“These reforms are about making life easier for homeowners while maintaining the planning safeguards that protect our communities. They remove unnecessary barriers, reduce red tape and help people adapt their homes to suit changing family circumstances.
“I also want to acknowledge the work of Minister of State John Cummins, who has led these reforms. His focus has been on creating a planning system that is more practical, efficient and responsive for homeowners, while ensuring planning authorities can dedicate more resources to delivering the homes and infrastructure our communities need.”
The new regulations follow an extensive public consultation and form part of the implementation of the Planning and Development Act 2024.
ENDS//
