Councillors expect row over unauthorised structures to ‘snowball’

Councillors are asking for a ‘pragmatic approach’ to unauthorised homes in the Premier County.

During a discussion on planning at last week’s sitting of Tipperary County Council, Cllr Micheál Lowry said the council needed to find a way to help people.

He said people are so desperate to find places to live they are erecting ‘unauthorised structures’ in their back gardens.

Some of those people, he said, believe the sales pitch from companies who tell them they do not need planning permission.

He said this issue would ‘snowball’ if the council do not tackle it.

“We will be in an awful position if we don’t do something about it, said Cllr Lowry. County Cathaoirleach Roger Kennedy said the issue of unauthorised structures was dealt with at the special sitting of housing. In the decisions made by the council, the palnning directorate was to refer the matter to the Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) for housing.

They are to “examine the implications of facilitating licence options for mobile type homes in lieu of permanent housing.”

"However, Cllr Lowry said the issue arising is one of planning.

Nenagh Cllr Michael O’Meara agreed with Cllr Lowry and said the council need a “pragmatic approach.”

“This is about to snowball,” said Cllr O’Meara.

Cahir-Cashel councillor Michael Fitzgerald said the council do not have the staff to carry out inspections and families “don’t need the hassle.”

He said the issue arises when someone makes a complaint, and he wants people to consider the harm they cause when they do so.

He called on the council to apply a “common sense approach’ in an “emergency situation.”

However, Tipperary County Council Chief Executive Joe MacGrath said people have every right to make a complaint, and if they do, the council must investigate.

He said while he acknowledges that some people are getting ‘poor advice,’ but it's not coming from the council.

But he also said they believe this is affecting a small number of people, and the council is in a difficult position.

Director of Services for Planning Stephane Ducolt said the council have ‘no discretion’ when dealing with complaints around unauthorised structures.

Cllr John Carroll called for a meeting to discuss the issue and possible solutions.

He said many people do not have ‘a hope in hell of getting a home’ as there is not enough supply.

“This is a serious issue facing us, and the longer we leave it, the bigger the problem will get,” said Cllr Carroll.