COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 12, 2016

QUESTION NO.1

QUESTION: Councillor S. Holland

What are the current arrangements for families who want a mobile home in their council property garden to alleviate overcrowding? 

REPLY:

Back gardens are provided as private amenity space for permanent dwellings in approved developments.  They are not intended for human habitation in caravans.

The South Dublin County Council Development Plan 2016 - 2022 provides that only the use class “Caravan Park – Residential: i.e. The use of land for the accommodation of caravans or similar structures for year round human habitation can accommodate year round human habitation, and not back gardens.   Under both the Planning and Development Acts and the Planning Regulations numerous references are made to dwellings/ houses and caravans / mobile homes which make it apparent that dwellings and caravans are quite different both in terms of what they are considered to be and in regard to their use e.g. reference to caravans use in camping.   Houses / dwellings are referenced in the legislation as habitable structures, while caravans / mobile homes are not.