29 new homes delivered in Leitrim under planning exemptions that remove planning permission

Leitrim County Council has received 23 notifications under planning exemptions, paving the way for the potential delivery of 29 new homes between 2018 and 2024, it was revealed this week. 

Planning exemptions introduced in 2018, removed the requirement for planning permission for the conversation of certain types of commercial properties into residential units. 

In 2022, the Government extended the exemption to allow vacant pubs to be converted into homes and since then, there have been three notifications for a change of use relating to vacant pubs in Leitrim, with the potential to provide five new homes. 

Nationally, during the same period, local authorities have received 1,457 notifications to convert vacant commercial properties into new homes. These notifications have the potential to create 3,429 new homes throughout the country. 

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Speaking to the Leitrim Observer, Cllr Justin Warnock said that while the houses are welcome, "it's disappointing that there aren't more. There are a lot of derelict businesses that could be refurbished across every village in the county. The biggest problem is ownership; some of the owners could be in England or US or anywhere. It is one of the biggest issues in Leitrim from doing surveys in a couple of areas. There may be up to nine or ten members involved in the one old building; it's probably a problem nationally."

Cllr Warnock added: "Dereliction notices need to be enforced and followed through on. That is the problem in Leitrim; there are a lot of derelict sites all across the villages. There has been depopulation in these villages and there are properties lying idle and if they were brought back to life, hopefully that would mean local schools could be kept open. I have looked at schools.ie and looked at small, rural areas and many of them are under fierce pressure in Leitrim. In the next four or five years, you could see a scattering of them closing down and if they close, you are losing your community." 

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Cllr Sean McGowan noted that Leitrim has the smallest population in the country and said he would "welcome the fact that we have seen those conversions take place and they are providing 29 homes. You would like to see more because more businesses have closed up, particularly in towns; I'd certainly like to see more done. I would encourage people who have ceased trading to apply to have their business turned into a residential property. It would certainly help the housing situation because every county has people on the waiting list and we have a serious housing situation."

Nationally, properties with a previous commercial use showing the highest potential in 2024 include former shops (31% of notifications received), followed by offices (23%) and public houses (14%), and services (13% of notifications received).

In addition, the Bringing Back Homes Manual for the Reuse of Existing Buildings 2024 supports and facilitates the reuse of vacant and derelict buildings for residential use through guidance on the schemes available and updates to building regulations.