Sir, – Dr Diarmuid Ó Gráda (Letters, July 22nd) details a number of concerns regarding “shedsits” and similar structures in residential back gardens.
The increasing number of shedsits and mobile homes suddenly appearing in back gardens suggests that many people have interpreted the Government’s recent announcement as meaning such units are lawful. However, building regulations and fire safety requirements will still apply and many units do not comply with those requirements.
They therefore present a fire risk, particularly when placed close to existing houses. We are also experiencing a prolonged period of dry weather.
Ireland needs more housing, but it must be delivered in a way that protects both the safety and the quality of life of existing and future residents. – Yours, etc,
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REAMONN O’LUAN
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – I would love to know, even allowing for the increase in typical building materials, how the retailers of log cabins/modular homes justify the sudden huge increase in the price of their product.
My own contention is they are simply jumping on the bandwagon now that planning restrictions around such homes have been relaxed.
It seems to me the Government had good intentions when relaxing restrictions in order to allow people to avail of some kind of living accommodation – albeit not completely satisfactory but at least somewhere to live – and at the same time ease the burden on the housing market.
Unfortunately, others see it as an opportunity to gouge the potential buyers of these cabins, so, to that extent, I’m not sure that the move quite achieved its goal. Yours, etc,
PAUL O’BEIRNE
Beaumont,
Dublin 9.
