Property owner refused permission to use home for short-term lets

In an appeal, an An Bord Pleanála inspector detailed numerous grounds cited by the applicant  including that 'the house is used by the owner several months of the year, at short notice'. File picture

A property owner in a picturesque Wicklow village has been refused planning permission to use the home as an Airbnb-style short term let, amid concerns over the availability of housing in the area.

This is despite the owners of the home in Avoca saying they use it as a residence a few months a year, and it cannot be let for long-term renting.

It follows another recent refusal where the owners of a holiday home in Kinsale, Co Cork, were refused permission to operate it for short-term lettings, as An Bord Pleanála said such a move would contribute to the existing shortage of long-term rental accommodation in the town.

This new decision came the same week that it emerged the Government is preparing a crackdown on Airbnb, effectively banning the long-term tourist rental of homes in large towns and cities.

The applicant in this case had originally applied to Wicklow County Council for change of use from residential to short-term letting but was turned down, in part due to the “need for rental properties in Avoca and the surrounding area”.

The original application received an objection from a local residents’ group, who said it was a family estate in an area of high demand for local housing which made it unsuitable for short-term lets.

Issues around noise and traffic were also raised.

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In the appeal, an An Bord Pleanála inspector detailed numerous grounds cited by the applicant supporting their bid.

It said: “The house is used by the owner several months of the year, at short notice. 

"The house is the only home the applicant has in Ireland. 

"The applicant has a keen interest in nature, outdoors and supports voluntary organisations in Malta. 

"The house is used by tourists, locals and Bird Life Malta.”

The applicant also said they would be willing to accept conditions restricting the number of guests and the number of days it was let out. 

They also said that it would help accommodate tourists visiting areas such as Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains.

However, the proposals were turned down, as it would go against the local development plan which “seeks to protect existing housing stock from any proposal that would undermine the provision of housing in the county”.

Under the new Government proposals, set to be much stricter than previously expected, there will be restrictions to prevent homeowners from renting out properties for more than 90 days a year if they live in an area with a population greater than 10,000.

This would prevent individuals who are short-term letting properties on a full-time basis from operating in large towns and cities.