Local plans to turn 55 business premises into new homes
Some 150 homes could be realised across Westmeath and Roscommon, if plans to transform 55 commercial properties in the two counties come to fruition.
Turning vacant properties into occupied homes is a key pillar of the government’s Housing for All Plan. Planning exemptions remove the requirement for planning permission to convert certain types of vacant commercial properties into homes until the end of 2025.
The local figures emerged this week as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, announced that, in 2023, a total of 267 change of use notifications were received by local authorities across the country.
In Westmeath, the local authority received notifications of plans to change suitable commercial premises into homes between 2018-23. these have the potential to result in 85 new homes across the county.
During the same period, 20 notifications were received by Roscommon County Council of plans to change suitable commercial premises into homes between 2018-23, with a possible outcome of 65 new homes.
Nationally, properties with a previous commercial use showing the highest potential include former shops (30% of notifications received), followed by services such as barbers and accountants (18%), offices (18%) and public houses (12% of notifications received).
Since the exemption was extended to include public houses in 2022, 92 notifications for a change of use relating to vacant public houses have been received by local authorities over two years, which would provide 295 new homes if developed.
Minister O’Brien said: “This is one of a suite of measures which has proved effective in encouraging potential homeowners to convert vacant commercial buildings to residential use such as ‘above shop’ living, to increase housing supply and drive the regeneration of our town centres.
“Refurbishment and the return to use of such commercial properties helps to reduce pressure on existing housing stock, increase supply, and ultimately, provides much needed homes for people in more vibrant communities across the country.’’