Minister hails progress in converting vacant Waterford properties into homes

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien has published new figures showing a total of 46 notifications were received by Waterford City and County Council to change suitable commercial premises into homes between 2018 and 2023.

If realised, these premises have the potential to result in 162 new homes across the county.

Turning vacant properties into occupied homes is a key pillar of the government’s Housing for All Plan. The relevant planning exemptions, which were enacted in 2018, remove the requirement for planning permission to convert certain types of vacant commercial properties into homes until the end of 2025.  

Since the exemption was extended to include public houses in 2022, three notifications for a change of use relating to vacant public houses have been received by Waterford County Council during, which would provide 16 new homes if developed.

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Properties with a previous commercial use showing the highest potential include former shops (30% of notifications received), followed by services such as barbers and accountants (18%), offices (18%) and public houses (12% of notifications received).

Commenting following the publication of the figures, Minister O’Brien said: "This is one of a suite of measures which has proved effective in encouraging potential homeowners to convert vacant commercial buildings to residential use such as ‘above shop’ living in County Waterford, to increase housing supply and drive the regeneration of our town centres. Refurbishment and the return to use of such commercial properties helps to reduce pressure on existing housing stock, increase supply, and ultimately, provides much needed homes for people in more vibrant communities across the country.’’

In 2023, a total of 267 change of use notifications were received by local authorities across the country.