Exempting cabins and modular homes in gardens from the need to obtain planning permission could have “problems that we haven’t even foreseen”, Shane Coleman has warned. 

The Government hopes such a move will increase the number of such cabins being built and encourage more young people to live on their family property for longer - thus freeing up space elsewhere. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Shane Coleman said he has a cabin in his garden and that getting it built had been a simple process. 

“We applied for planning permission,” he said. 

“It took three months - it was really straightforward. 

“I’m not sure it’s a big block to people doing this - I’m not sure there’s any block to people doing this. 

“I’m also not sure that bad planning is ever the solution to the housing crisis and I think it could lead to problems that we haven’t even foreseen.” 

Shane Coleman. Image: Newstalk.

Co-presenter Ciara Kelly said the move would not be a “silver bullet” because such a thing “does not exist” when it comes to the housing crisis. 

“I think we have to be squeezing housing out of every nook and cranny in the country,” she said. 

“So, I do not object to this at all; indeed, as someone who has young adult children, I may end up selling my house for a variety of reasons in the couple of years. 

“If I do, it might suit me to trade down to a smaller house but have one of these in my garden, so that my kids could live in that while they save for a home. 

“So, I think this does give flexibility to people, it might give affordability to people and I think that’s a good thing.” 

Ciara Kelly in the Newstalk studio. Image: Rory Walsh/Newstalk

Ciara added that she was “less keen” on the idea of her children taking the family home and her living in the cabin. 

“Nonetheless, I think there is some good in this but I don’t think it’s going to solve the problem,” she said. 

“I think it’s part of the solution.”

Main image: Shane Coleman and a garden cabin. Pictures by: Newstalk and Alamy.com