COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
MOTION NO. 18
MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty
That this Area Committee request the Chief Executive provide a report on the number of on-street retail units in Palmerstown and Lucan that are not currently operating as such, and investigates the potential for the full premises or upstairs to be incentivised for conversion into accomodation; and if a statement can be made on the matter.
REPORT:
In 2018, 11 no. commercial properties applied for and were granted vacant property credit in respect of their premises in Lucan Village and a further 4 no. commercial properties have notified the Council that they are vacant and an application for relief is awaited. In 2018, 3 no. commercial properties applied for and were granted vacant property credit in respect of their premises in Palmerstown Village and a further 3 no. commercial properties have notified the Council that they are vacant and application for relief is awaited.
As the 2018 Rates year has just completed, it is anticipated that a further application for vacancy credit from some additional properties will be made when they have completed the process.
The onus is on the ratepayer to make application to the Council to have the vacancy credit applied to their account which must be made on an application form with supporting proof that the property is for sale and/or to let. At a number of stages in the billing/reminder processed carried out by rates staff during each year the ratepayer is reminded of the facility to avail of vacancy credit relief if they qualify. To encourage Rate payers who may have vacant commercial space suitable for conversion for domestic purposes, the Finance Section are enclosing with the 2019 Rates Demands details of the Government’s “Bring Back Homes” policy.
The Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2018 aims to facilitate the re-use of existing and vacant commercial buildings for residential purposes by providing an exemption for the change of use, and any related works, of certain vacant commercial premises to residential use, without the need to obtain planning permission.
The change to the Regulations form part of the Government’s National Planning Framework, which seeks to maximise the use of vacant urban commercial space to assist in increasing housing supply.
The exemption applies to existing buildings that have a current commercial use with reference to Classes 1, 2, 3, and 6 of Part 4 to Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 600 of 2001) (referred to in the Regulations as the “Principal Regulations”), the definition of which Classes are set out below:
- Class 1: Use as a shop.
- Class 2: Use for the provision of (a) financial services, (b) professional services (other than health or medical services), (c) any other services (including use as a betting office), where the services are provided principally to visiting members of the public.
- Class 3: Use as an office, other than a use to which class 2 of this Part of this Schedule applies.
- Class 6: Use as a residential club, a guest house or a hostel (other than a hostel where care is provided).
Encouraging the reuse of floor space in an urban environment for residential use is vital to increase supply of new homes and is in accordance with National and Regional Planning Policy.