SLIGO — New figures show that planning exemptions on vacant buildings have the potential to create 52 new homes in Sligo, highlighting a key strategy in addressing the ongoing housing crisis. Sligo County Council received 25 notifications for these exemptions between 2018 and 2024.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, emphasized the urgency of this initiative. “It is imperative that we convert suitable properties into homes,” he said, stating that it is “not acceptable” for buildings to remain vacant during a housing crisis. He noted that these exemptions “play a vital role in unlocking the potential of vacant commercial buildings across the country.”
Nationally, 1,457 notifications have been received by local authorities to convert vacant commercial properties, with the potential to create 3,429 new homes. The planning exemptions, first introduced in 2018, remove the requirement for formal planning permission for converting certain types of commercial properties into residential units.
The types of buildings being converted most frequently in 2024 include former shops (31%), followed by offices (23%) and public houses (14%).
The government’s “Town Centre First Policy” is a key driver of this effort, aiming to revitalize towns and cities by promoting regeneration and creating more sustainable communities. The “Bringing Back Homes Manual for the Reuse of Existing Buildings 2024” also supports this by providing guidance on available schemes and building regulations.
