Corkman whose bike storage was refused calls for sustainable planning guidelines
The bike storage unit in the drive of Denis O'Regan's home in Ballintemple, Cork. Planners have refused to grant planning for the structure, which they said constitutes visual clutter, represents a disorderly form of development and could also set an undesirable precedent for development in the area.
The man who lost his appeal against a planning refusal for his bike storage shed says new national planning guidelines are needed to help people like him who have ditched the car in favour of sustainable travel modes.
Denis O’Regan said he is disappointed and frustrated with An Bórd Pleanála’s decision to uphold the decision of Cork City Council to refuse planning planning retention for the structure he installed in front of his home at Maryville in Ballintemple, on the city’s southside.
“I have the bike storage bin for a reason. It’s for an electric bike that has replaced our family’s second car,” he said.
“I am considering all of my options now after the Bord’s decision. I have made further efforts to screen the storage shed and I’m considering the possibility of seeking temporary planning permission for it now. I’m told it’s a possibility that I could get temporary planning for up to five years.
“But politicians need to introduce guidelines to make it easier for people who want to move away from cars towards bikes or electric bikes, and who need somewhere safe and secure to store their bikes.”
He said the government should examine the UK government’s approach after it launched a public consultation process earlier this year seeking public opinion on a relaxation of planning laws to enable front garden bike storage and sheds, including at homes that are within conservation areas.
Their planning proposals would apply to bike sheds of up to two metres wide, one metre deep and 1.5 metres high.
Mr O’Regan’s bike storage shed is between 1.9-2m high, is 2.95m long and 1.95m wide.
Last September, the city council refused retention permission for the 5.3sq m timber-clad structure at the front of Mr O’Regan’s house.
The married father of three young children claimed the “bespoke” storage facility with its ‘green roof’ was in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development of the area and promoted sustainable transport options.
But the local authority refused planning on the grounds that it constituted “visual clutter”, was a “disorderly form of development” which would have a negative visual impact on the character of the area, and noted that such structures were generally only be permitted to the rear of dwellings.
In a 16-page report, the Bord Pleanála inspector said the retention of the storage box, due to its scale, height and location, would result in a development “that would conflict with the existing pattern of development in the area”.
She said it would result in a development that would be “visually incongruous and would set an undesirable precedent in the area”.
I am personally unhappy with this decision. It seems to be there is a huge inconsistency in how we deal with the storage and parking of cars, as opposed to bicycles. https://t.co/KyB2FCF29P
— Iar Ard Mhéara Chorcaí, Cllr. Dan Boyle (@sendboyle) July 10, 2024
Cork’s Lord Mayor, Green Party Cllr Dan Boyle, said he was unhappy with the Bórd’s decision in this case.
“It seems to be there is a huge inconsistency in how we deal with the storage and parking of cars, as opposed to bicycles,” he said in a post on X.
His party colleague Cllr Oliver Moran even suggested that Mr O’Regan buy a horse box, and use that to store his bikes in front of his home.
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