44 new homes converted from vacant commercial premises in Clare since 2018
SINCE 2018, Clare County Council have received 21 notifications (of intention to build) for a total of 44 homes from those planning to convert vacant commercial premises into homes.
These figures relate to Regulations which provide those planning on converting certain commercial properties into homes with an exemption from requiring planning permission.
The regulations are aimed at increasing much-needed housing supply and renewing towns and communities.
Last year, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Darragh O’Brien TD, amended the 2018 Regulations to include an exemption for the conversion of vacant pubs. He extended the Regulations to the end of 2025, as committed to under the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ plan and ‘Town Centre First’ policy.
The figures have been published as the second phase of the department’s national ad campaign to raise awareness of the Government’s vacant property supports begins. The campaign’s second phase highlights these planning permission exemptions and the Repair and Leasing Scheme.