GRANNY flats could get the green light to be built without planning permission in Irish back gardens under new proposals being considered by Government.
At the moment, planning exemptions allow for a 40 sq/m extension to the rear of a home once it is attached to the property.
With over 440,000 young adults living at home with their parents, a new proposal being considered by the Government would extend this exemption to detached modular units.
This means that cabin-style granny flats could be built out a back garden without the need for planning permission as long as it is the right size.
The Irish Sun understands that Junior Minister in the Department of Housing John Cummins held discussions with officials recently to explore the extension of planning exemptions.
A source said: “The Minister has made it clear that there needs to be planning exemptions which enable intergenerational movement between the main dwelling house and the smaller home which would be situated to the rear of the property.
“This would allow for a younger person to live independently of the family home in the short term and will give the option for their parents in time to right-size while maintaining the support of their family in close proximity.”
Officials in the Department of Housing were supportive of the move.
While there is an acknowledgement that the measure will only be appropriate in homes where there is enough space at the rear of a property, it’s clear that thousands of granny gaffs could pop up.
A paper on the proposal is currently being prepared by the Department with other Government departments asked to make submissions before the plan is put before the public for consultation.
It’s understood Fine Gael Minister Cummins is keen for the exemption rule change to be put in place as quickly as possible.
More than 40 per cent of people aged 18-34 live at home with their parents in Ireland.
