An Taisce is calling on Dublin City Council to seek enforcement action on all residential accommodation that has been converted to full-time holiday letting units without the relevant planning and protect established urban residential accommodation and communities.

On the 17th Oct 2016 An Bord Pleanála made a ruling under Section 5 of the 2000 Planning Act that the change of use of a Temple Bar Apartment from residential unit to an all year round exclusively 'short term holiday' letting, is unauthorised as it is not exempt from planning. [1]

This establishes a clear precedent that any full time conversion of a residential unit to exclusive commercial short term holiday letting, needs planning. Further, where this has not been sought and obtained then planning enforcement is required.

Charles Stanley-Smith, Communications Officer of An Taisce stated "At a time when a major housing shortage and rent hikes are causing so much difficulty it is important that affordable residential accommodation in the capital city is protected. Dublin City Council has the clear responsibility to enforce proper planning on other conversions to full time holiday letting."

ENDS

Charles Stanley-Smith, Communications, An Taisce Tel: +353 87 241 1995
email: [email protected]
An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland
www.antaisce.org

Notes

[1] An Bord Pleanála decision http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/RL3490.htm

About An Taisce

An Taisce is a charity that works to preserve and protect Ireland's natural and built heritage. We are an independent charitable voice for the environment and for heritage issues. We are not a government body, semi-state or agency. Founded in 1948, we are one of Ireland’s oldest and largest environmental organisations.