OVER 120 planning exemptions to convert commercial properties into 269 new homes in Limerick have been received by Limerick City and County Council, the Minister for Housing revealed.
This includes exemption notifications to redevelop vacant pubs across County Limerick into 43 new homes to help ease the country’s housing crisis as almost 16,000 people struggled with homelessness nationally, including almost 600 across Limerick and Clare.
Housing Minister James Brown provided figures showing that, between 2018 and 2024, local authorities had received 1,457 notifications to convert vacant commercial properties into new 3,429 new homes around the country.
For the seven-year period up to and including 2024, Limerick City and County Council received 125 notifications under planning exemptions, paving the way for the potential delivery of 269 new homes, according to the figures presented by the Department of Housing.
Planning exemptions introduced in 2018 removed the requirement for planning permission for the conversation of certain types of commercial properties into residential units.
However, in 2022, the government extended the exemption to allow vacant pubs to be converted into homes. Since then, there have been 11 notifications for a change of use relating to vacant pubs in Limerick, with the potential to provide 43 new homes, the Department said.
According to the Housing Department figures, Limerick City and County Council had the second highest number of notifications for planning exemptions in the entire country in respect of developing pubs into homes.
Limerick also has the highest pub closure rate nationally, with 158 fewer pubs throughout the city and county than in 2005.
The Central Bar, at Main Street in Ardagh, which was vacant for over 25 years, was compulsory acquired by Limerick City and County Council and renovations almost completed have transformed the premises into a five-bedroom family home.
Similarly, The Bridge Inn Bar, at New Street in Abbeyfeale, which was vacant after closing in 2003, was also acquired by the Council and converted into a four-bedroom family home.
This is part of a similar pattern nationwide, Department of Housing figures revealed, with more than 150 notifications on vacant pubs leading to a potential 450 new homes across Ireland.
Nationally, in all, 292 exemption notifications across 2024 are hoped to lay the foundation for 713 new homes – a figure the Housing Department says is the highest since the exemption scheme was introduced.
Commenting on the new figures, Minister Browne said that “planning exemptions play a vital role in unlocking the potential of vacant commercial buildings across the country and in Limerick making it much more straightforward to convert them into much needed homes”.
“I feel very strongly about buildings lying often vacant in the middle of a housing crisis, and to be honest it is not acceptable if a conversion is possible. It is imperative that we convert suitable properties into homes and give people the opportunity to do that.”
The Housing Minister pledged that, in his opinion, “where planning exemptions can work to activate these properties, then I want it to happen”.
“We want our towns and cities to be living and working areas. We recognise the face of our towns is always changing, and we have to adapt to that and rise to the need right now of people for homes.
“Transforming premises such as former pubs is a practical community-focused solution which as well as streamlining the planning process makes efficient use of existing infrastructure and services,” the Minister added.
Again adding his welcome to the developments, Minister Browne said that “this measure not only boosts the supply of homes, but also our Town Centre First Policy which is breathing new life into our villages, towns and cities by supporting regeneration and more vibrant, sustainable communities across the country”.
