Major changes to planning may be of benefit to Mayo homeowners

Homeowners across the country could soon carry out a wide range of improvements from rear extensions to external insulation without having to apply for planning permission, under proposals being advanced by the Government.

Minister of State for Housing John Cummins is bringing forward plans to abolish or significantly ease planning requirements for minor residential works.

The proposals will enter a four-week consultation process later this spring before being brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Among the most significant changes planned is an increase in the maximum permitted size for rear extensions, from 40 square metres to 45 square metres.

Detached structures in back gardens, such as sheds, home offices, gyms and garden rooms would also be allowed to go from 25 square metres to 30 square metres without requiring permission.

External wall insulation would be fully exempt from planning under the new rules.

Heat pumps, currently only exempt when installed at the rear of a property, would under the proposals be permitted anywhere on a property without planning permission.

Homeowners would also be allowed to install front or rear storage capable of holding four adult bicycles, two cargo bikes or three wheelie bins, with no application required.

On boundary treatments, front gate pillars would be permitted up to 1.5 metres in height without planning permission, and properties that had previously changed from residential to commercial use, such as short-term rental properties could revert to residential use without requiring permission.