Vacant Longford shops to become new homes

More than two dozen vacant commercial premises in Longford are to be transferred into over 50 new homes, new planning figures reveal.

The figures, which were released by Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien's department show that since 2018, Longford County Council has received 25 notifications (of intention to build) for a total of 54 homes from those planning to convert vacant commercial premises into homes.

These figures relate to Regulations which provide those planning on converting certain commercial properties into homes with an exemption from requiring planning permission.
The regulations are aimed at increasing much-needed housing supply and renewing towns and communities.

In 2022, Longford County Council received notifications of 15 exempted developments aimed at providing 36 homes. Nationally, 260 notifications indicated intent to provide 665 homes.
“These figures show that extra homes in Longford are being provided due to these regulations that make it easier to convert certain vacant commercial premises, including vacant spaces over ground-floor premises, into housing," said Minister O'Brien.

He added, "Crucially, these regulations also encourage town centre renewal, a Government priority. That is why I extended these exemptions until the end of 2025 last year.”

The figures have been published as the second phase of the department’s national ad campaign to raise awareness of the Government’s vacant property supports begins. The campaign’s second phase highlights these planning permission exemptions and the Repair and Leasing Scheme.