Local Man Facing Imprisonment Due To Planning Infringements

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A local man is facing imprisonment due to planning infringements.

Sean Meehan lives in a log cabin type home on land he owns near New Inn.

The home is actually beautifully presented after friends and supporters assisted in upgrading his mobile home by adding timber cladding and insulation.

Tipperary County Council have commenced enforcement proceedings and unless the home is removed by April 4th he will be facing a custodial sentence.

Mr Meehan is 65 and created the new home for himself following the ending of his marriage. 

A Judge previously ordered that the site be restored to a green field by March 14th and set April 4th for the next court hearing.

Tipperary County Council have not approved applications for Planning Retention or for Planning Permission previously submitted by Mr Meehan.

The former plasterer has worked all his life and is now in poor health.

The man’s situation has been raised at Tipperary Council meetings and in the Dáil by Cllr Mairin McGrath and Deputy Mattie McGrath respectively.

Ms McGrath says asking the man to leave a home on his own land to join the social housing list in a housing crisis is ridiculous.

The Independent Councillor questioned Tipperary County Council’s planning policy in relation to granting approval for log cabin homes as a Department response to Deputy McGrath says there is no prohibition on homes made of timber getting planning permission.

Tipperary County Council Director of Planning Sharon Kennedy says the council have to act on complaints received and says it does not have a policy against modular homes or log cabins adding that the council must enforce the existing laws and that it will work with individuals to advise how they can be compliant.