Almost 40 applications have been made to turn empty commercial properties across Donegal into homes – without the need for planning permission.
The move is part of an overall strategy by the Government as part of its Housing for All Plan.
The Government says the 40 notifications to change the use of commercial premises has the potential to create 72 new homes across Donegal.
Interestingly, seven notifications for a change of use relating to vacant pubs have been received by Donegal County Council during 2022 and 2023, which would provide 16 new homes if developed.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien today published figures which take into consideration applications between 2018 and 2023.
Turning vacant properties into occupied homes is a key pillar of the government’s Housing for All Plan, they say.
The planning exemptions, introduced by The Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2018, and extended by S.I. No. 75/2022, remove the requirement for planning permission to convert certain types of vacant commercial properties into homes until the end of 2025.
Specifically, in 2023, a total of 267 change of use notifications were received by local authorities across the country.
Properties with a previous commercial use showing the highest potential include former shops (30% of notifications received), followed by services such as barbers and accountants (18%), offices (18%) and public houses (12% of notifications received).
Since the exemption was extended to include public houses in 2022, seven notifications for a change of use relating to vacant pubs have been received by Donegal County Council during 2022 and 2023, which would provide 16 new homes if developed.
Nationally, during the same period, 92 such notifications have been received by local authorities with the potential to provide 295 new homes if developed.
Minister O’Brien said “This is one of a suite of measures which has proved effective in encouraging potential homeowners to convert vacant commercial buildings to residential use such as ‘above shop’ living in County Donegal, to increase housing supply and drive the regeneration of our town centres.
“Refurbishment and the return to use of such commercial properties helps to reduce pressure on existing housing stock, increase supply, and ultimately, provides much needed homes for people in more vibrant communities across the country.’’
In addition, the recently published 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.
