The Minister for Housing has been told smaller gardens would be a 'game-changer' in solving Ireland's housing crisis.
The Irish Times reports that Glenveagh Properties, one of the largest home builders in Ireland, has presented a plan to the Minister which would allow developers to shave more than a quarter off the distance between the rears of houses.
An existing 22 metre guideline from back door to back door dates back to the 1900s - outhouses, fuel storage and vegetable growing were a popular use of the space in times gone by.
Glenveagh's urging a reduction of the guideline to 16 metres to achieve more 'low rise, high density' developments in suburban areas around the country.