Clarity expected on log cabin planning in Laois
It is increasing difficult for young people to get on the property ladder, council meeting hears
The council is to decide on planning rules for log cabins next week.
The issue was again raised at the February meeting of Laois County Council.
Independent Cllr Ben Brennan said he believed log cabins were a viable solution for people.
“I still think that log cabins are the future for people that are starting off,” said Cllr Brennan.
He said he was looking forward to the next council meeting when a decision was expected on planning for such cabins.
“They are going to put render on the outside and then they will be allowed to be built,” he remarked.
Laois Cathoirleach Cllr Paschal McEvoy of Fianna Fail, replied “looks like it”.
Fine Gael Cllr Willie Aird said it was very difficult for young people to get on the property ladder, particularly with the cost of rent.
“It is getting increasingly hard for a young couple now to build a house, other than build it in stages,” he said.
He insisted couples should be accommodated to live on site while the building is going on.
“We are going to have to be more flexible as a council,” he said.
He asked how anyone could save money while spending €1,200 a month on rent.
“That rent would have trebled I would say, in recent times,” he said.
“25 years ago loans were 100 times more accessible,” claimed Cllr Aird.
He said he had recently been shown a letter from a landlord to say the rent was going up €150 from €1,200 to €1,350.
“My heart goes out to them,” he said.
Director of Services, Angela McEvoy a workshop was due to take place on log cabins at the council on Wednesday. The results would be presented at the March meeting of Laois County Council.