Louth TD says log cabins are a "relevant solution" to housing shortage

Louth TD Peter Fitzpatrick has called on the government to review planning laws to make it easier for people to obtain planning permission to build log cabins.

The Independent TD was speaking on a planning and rural housing motion brought forward by Rural Independent Group.

Deputy Fitzpatrick claimed that planning requirements for rural areas in Louth were “strict and restrictive.”

He said:

“Fresh data from the Construction Information Services highlight that the planning backlog is delaying the delivery of about 65,000 new residential units due to being tied up within the planning appeals, judicial review, and strategic housing development processes. 

“To put that in context, that is two years' worth of homes being delayed. In my constituency of Louth and in Meath East, I receive calls weekly regarding planning permission rejections. 

“From 2021, Louth County Council’s planning permission requirements in rural areas, in comparison with the rest of the country, are strict and restrictive, especially in relation to local needs requirements. 

“While the population and housing in County Louth will grow by about 20%, the statistics in the Louth county development plan state that housing in rural areas will only be permitted to grow by 9.4% from 2021 to 2027, greatly impacting rural communities.”

Deputy Fitzpatrick said that modular housing, particularly log cabins were an innovative and sustainable solution that allowed greater flexibility for more housing choice. He said that a clear planning policy on building log cabins could go a long way to addressing the housing crisis. 

“County councils generally only grant permission for such homes to be constructed on the edge of forests. At present, in the midst of a housing crisis, hardworking individuals who are taking the initiative to build low footprint and sustainable log cabins on their land are being met with unreasonable obstacles and unfair uphill battles with local authorities to obtain planning permission. 

“The council should define a clear planning policy with respect to the construction of log cabins in rural areas.

He went on to say that log cabins could be used as people’s primary residence at a time of housing shortages, rent pressures and pending evictions. And that they were a "relevant solution," particularly considering rising construction costs. 

“They can be constructed quickly and efficiently from €60,000 to €80,000, are eco-friendly, and are relatively cheap to heat,” he said.

“Young couples who cannot afford concrete homes are increasingly seeking this cheaper option to get a foot on the property ladder. To take full advantage of these benefits, easing planning restrictions could help make log cabin construction more accessible and affordable for those interested in this type of housing.”

The Louth TD said he had been contacted by a number of constituents who had planning applications for log cabins refused. 

He further explained that these applicants live in rural areas but not next to forests. As a result of the refusals, the council itself will soon have to house them.

“Overall, Irish planning laws are outdated and almost impossible to navigate when it comes to obtaining planning permission for log cabins, leaving individuals facing insurmountable obstacles. 

He continued:

“It is absurd that the current overly burdensome restrictions on log cabins in rural areas are still in place when the country faces a growing homelessness crisis and needs up to 62,000 homes built per year until 2050 to meet demand. 

“Failure to intervene and to support the provision of log cabins will mean that many more people will go into homelessness.”

Responding for the government, Minister of State at the Department of Housing Deputy Kieran O'Donnell said:

“There is nothing in the national policy that dictates the type of materials that can be used in housing. 

“This matter has come up repeatedly. There is no prohibition on the use of timber construction from a planning perspective. 

“The overall planning permission proposal system is saturated with regard to national, regional and local planning policy.”