Move to ease planning laws for 'garden homes' not a solution for many families in rural Louth

Sinn Féin Councillor Antóin Watters has given a cautious welcome to reports that planning rules around ‘garden homes’ could be relaxed to alleviate the pressure of the housing crisis.

Rural Councillor Antóin Watters said: “The waiting list for homes in County Louth is averaging around 10 years but when you look at the rural areas you can forget about ever getting a home.

“The announcement that government are looking at relaxing the restrictive planning laws around so called ‘garden homes’ is to be welcomed but should not be a substitute for a real solution for people needing their own homes or those wanting to build on their own land.

"The planning laws still need to be reformed especially for rural areas.”

Cllr Watters continued: “The reality is, when a couple is lucky enough to get on the property ladder many take into consideration that their children may be still living at home into their 30’s or beyond.

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"Relaxing the restrictive laws around ‘garden homes’ would move adult children out of their parents’ box-rooms and alleviate some of the pressure but there would need to be careful compliance with fire safety regulations just as there would be with any property extensions.

“The other protection that would be needed is from unscrupulous landlords who could erect these structures and then rent them out for profit.”

Cllr Watters said: “We in Sinn Féin recognise the dire need for social and affordable housing across the State, especially in rural areas. In rural Louth planning laws are too restrictive.

“I don’t believe that those who have caused the housing crisis through their failed policies are the ones to solve it.

"This is certainly not a real solution to the housing crisis but it would alleviate some of the pressure on families until such times as a government comes in that can radically tackle the housing crisis in a meaningful way by increasing social, affordable and private for-purchase homes.

“I would urge the Minister responsible for planning, John Cummins, to work with Sinn Féin and other opposition parties prior to publishing any draft regulations.”