40 New Homes In Wicklow Refurbished From Vacant Commercial Premises Since 2018

Since 2018 Wicklow County Council has received 21 notifications (of intention to build) for a total of 40 homes from those planning to convert vacant commercial premises into homes.  

These figures relate to Regulations which provide those planning on converting certain commercial properties into homes with an exemption from requiring planning permission.

The regulations are aimed at increasing much-needed housing supply and renewing towns and communities. Last year, Minister O’Brien amended the 2018 Regulations to include an exemption for the conversion of vacant pubs.

He extended the Regulations to the end of 2025, as committed to under the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ plan and ‘Town Centre First’ policy.

In 2022, Wicklow County Council received notifications of 7 exempted developments aimed at providing 16 homes. Nationally, 260 notifications indicated intent to provide 665 homes.

Commenting on the figures, Minister O’Brien said: 

“Today’s figures show that extra homes in Wicklow are being provided due to these regulations that make it easier to convert certain vacant commercial premises, including vacant spaces over ground-floor premises, into housing. Crucially, these regulations also encourage town centre renewal, a Government priority. That is why I extended these exemptions until the end of 2025 last year. 

The figures have been published as the second phase of the department’s national ad campaign to raise awareness of the Government’s vacant property supports begins.

The campaign’s second phase highlights these planning permission exemptions and the Repair and Leasing Scheme.

• Number of units provided by the Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) Regulations 2018 (amended in 2022)