Easing garden cabin rules ‘could take thousands off housing list’ - Boxer

Moves to ease planning restrictions around the installation of modular housing units or cabins in people's backyards have been welcomed by Athlone Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, who said this was an issue he had raised during Government formation talks.

Boxer said the relaxing of planning rules to allow such developments take place behind people's family homes was something he had been "very vocal on" during discussions on the Programme for Government.

And he said the effort to make it easier for such residential units to be put in place should provide some short-term relief for those affected by the housing crisis.

"We need to think outside the box, and I myself think that this could take about 100,000 people off the housing list," 'Boxer' told the Westmeath Independent.

"This idea of relaxing the rules (around cabins) is a brainchild of mine. I pushed it, through the Regional Independents (group), and I made it quite clear to different TDs, who are now Ministers, in Government. I'm delighted to see that it's now going forward."

At present, people can build an extension to a house of up to 40 square metres without planning permission. However a 40 square metre cabin or modular home which is not attached to the house itself does require planning approval.

It was reported nationally last week that the Department of Housing is developing a proposal which would exempt free-standing modular or cabin-style homes from planning requirements.

'Boxer' told the Westmeath Independent he knows a number of people who are living in modular homes, cabins, or converted garages.

"Relaxing the rules in relation to that would give people a sense of security. It would mean they're not hiding, or sowing bushes or trees so that they can't be seen from the front of the houses."

He acknowledged that young couples want "the security of having their own home" and said there was a lot of work happening at Government level to respond to the current housing crisis.

"A lot of people find themselves in a very awkward (housing) position at the present time, through no fault of their own," he added.

"I met so many people on the campaign trail who where thinking of emigrating, and I said this to the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste. We have very talented people, and if they don't see a future in Ireland they are going to go abroad.

"If those people want to return, I'm very much of the view that if rules have to be changed from a planning perspective (to make it happen), we should allow that."

He said the planned easing of restrictions on garden cabins was not a long-term solution but something that could help until more new houses come on stream,

"It's only to relax the rules to help people until we get more houses built, but I think it's a very good step going forward," he said.

"If we relax the rules people could put in a modular home or maybe do a renovation at the back of the house, or convert a shed.

"It can be done and it has been done, and I don't want to be reading in the paper that the council is bringing someone to court for a breach of planning.

"People aren't going out there to break the rules, they're trying to accommodate their family, and common sense must prevail," he stated.