New regulations will exempt the conversion of former pubs into residential units from requiring planning permission.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, TD, signed the new law yesterday.
The exemption is contained in an extension of 2018 Planning Regulations that allow a change of use of certain vacant commercial premises – including vacant areas above ground-floor premises – to residential use such as ‘above shop’ living.
The exemptions aim to increase the re-use of vacant commercial buildings in Donegal and elsewhere to increase much-needed housing supply and renew urban areas.
Since 2018, 17 residential units have been provided in Donegal through 12 notifications of exempted developments.
The regulations signed by Minister O’Brien extend the exemption to the end of 2025.
For the conversion of former pubs into a home/homes, the pub’s license must have lapsed and a limit of nine residential units can be produced under an exempted development.
