Almost 70 residential units were brought on stream across the region in the past four years under planning permission exemptions.
This scheme under the vacant homes action plan 2023 to 2025 allows for a planning permission exemption for conversions of vacant commercial property into residential units. 48 homes were created in Cavan and 20 in Monaghan since 2018 under the scheme which targeted vacant and 'above the shop' dwellings.
Since 2018, notifications received to build a total of 2,000 homes across the country through exemptions for conversions of vacant commercial property. The regulations aim to promote the re-use of vacant commercial buildings for much-needed housing and to renew urban areas. The extension of the regulations also includes turning former pubs into residential use. In 2022 one public house was converted for residential purposes in Cavan under the planning exemption scheme.
Local authorities across the country received 53 notifications last year that pubs are to be converted, providing 169 homes. Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien says the regulations are helping to tackle the problem of vacancy and revitalising town centres.
