Council to provide guidance on modular homes

Cork County Council have confirmed to TheAvondhu that they are currently preparing draft guidance for planning permissions sought on modular homes and log cabins and, if all goes as planned, they will be published later in 2024.

The council’s planning guidelines have not been updated since 2010, despite the huge changes in building styles and options over the last 14 years, as well as a shortage of housing, along with affordability and sustainability concerns from the public. The matter was raised by Rathcormac councillor, William O’Leary, in the chamber last April, when it appeared from the council’s response that this was the first time the planning department had considered the matter.

Cllr O’Leary said at the time he was aware of a number of people who had gone through the lengthy and costly planning application process, before being denied planning; modular homes are not mentioned at all in the 2010 guidelines, with the only mention of eco-houses mentioning that they are ‘Not suited to every location, but well sited here (in the example given) within 1 hectare of woodland’.

Anecdotally, many readers will be aware and familiar with people building modular homes on their property, either as a primary residence or as a ‘granny flat’, without seeking planning. Local legend would subscribe to the argument that they are not a ‘ permanent structure’ and the argument could be made, but not certain to be upheld, that they are thus exempt from planning permission. With a chronic shortage of housing options, some may have taken this route on the principle that it is better to ask forgiveness than permission.

Attending the Ploughing Championships last year, The Avondhu queried a number of modular-homes providers, of which there were many, on the status of planning permission requirements. None of the companies who were asked could give a clear answer as to whether planning permission was required or not.

Once considered by the 55 elected councillors in the county, the finalised guidelines will be published later this year.