Planning anomaly may force Kerry residents to demolish and rebuild sheds

Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris highlighted an anomaly in updated planning rules that exempt certain residential structures from requiring planning permission, Radio Kerry reported. She warned that some residents in County Kerry who built granny flats, sheds, or garages for family members could be forced to knock them down and rebuild the exact same structures. [1]

According to Radio Kerry, amendments made to the Planning and Development Regulations in July allow for specific additional structures built alongside a main house to be exempt from the traditional planning process. However, Councillor Ferris stated that people currently subject to enforcement notices may still have to demolish their existing sheds or garages just to apply for an exemption to build them again. [1]

Planning issues have caused ongoing debate in the region. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Independent councillor Johnny Healy-Rae previously urged Kerry County Council to survey South Kerry to identify how planning restrictions, housing shortages, and infrastructure issues prevent locals from living in the area. [2]