We hope this holiday season gives you a chance to take a break from the demands of everyday life and enjoy the company of loved ones.
As we approach the end of this year, let’s take a moment to appreciate the magic and wonder of the holiday season. And as we welcome the new year, let’s embrace the opportunity to set goals and make the most of every day.
Here’s to a happy Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous new year!
Please note our office will be closed for holidays from December 23rd to December 27th.
Substantial increases to the existing planning exemption thresholds for solar panels are now available.
Two new sets of regulations entitled the Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) (No.3) Regulations 2022 and the Planning and Development (Solar Safeguarding Zone) Regulations 2022 which have immediate effect have been published on the 7th October 2022 .
Additionally two new classes of exempted development have been introduced.
For clarity, works that benefit from Planning Exemptions do not require Planning Permission.
What are the main changes?
In a nutshell,
the 12sqm/ 50% roof limit which applied to houses has been removed nationwide. There is no rooftop limit on houses, regardless of whether the house is located within or outside of a Solar Safeguarding Zone (SSZ). Houses are now able to erect unlimited rooftop solar panels subject to certain conditions.
The 50sqm/ 50% roof limit which applied to other specified classes of development has been removed for solar developments that are located outside of an SSZ. Such developments, located outside of an SSZ, are able to erect unlimited rooftop solar panels subject to certain conditions.
The Planning and Development (Solar Safeguarding Zone) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 492 of 2022) support the Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) (No.3) Regulations 2022 and set out 43 Solar Safeguarding Zones (SSZs) within which a rooftop limit on solar panels continues to apply. The SSZs are applicable to all classes of development other than houses.
Wexford Town Solar Safeguarding Zone
Conditions and Limitations
The Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) (No.3) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 493 of 2022) set out the main amendments to the existing solar planning exemptions contained in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (the Principal Regulations). These regulations set out the updated conditions and limitations which apply to the various pre-existing classes of development (e.g. houses, industrial, light industrial, business premises and agricultural).
The second edition of the event, held by the Portuguese Association of Furniture and Related Industries (APIMA) with the support of AICEP Portugal Global, will welcome professionals from over 40 countries to debate the future of the industries and show the world the latest innovations of the Portuguese House Row.
On June 22nd, Isabel will be speaking on the panel ” The Sustainable Design Market” at the Home Summit of Portugal Home Week. Isabel will be joined by Paulo Estrada, CEO of Sofalca, Pete Kercher, Ambassador of EIDD – Design for All Europe, and Nuno Sá Leal, Chair of Sustainable Design at University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro.
This year’s event will have two key spaces, Home Show and Home Summit, as well as a privileged forum for discussion on the future of the sector, where some of the main players in the world market will be present.
In addition, Pritzker-awarded architect Siza Vieira, Ingrid Abramovitch, Executive Editor of Elle Decor New York, and Mario Ortega, CEO of BIMObject LAM, Portugal and Spain, are also some of the confirmed speakers.
Isabel Barros Architects - Wexford is driven by a passion for creating high quality contemporary Architecture. Our goal is to make good design available to the general public while maintaining a strong focus on the energy efficiency and sustainability of our designs.
A graduate of Lusíada University in Lisbon, Portugal, Isabel is a Senior Architect with over 30 years experience. She is a registered member of both the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Portuguese Association of Architects. Isabel is also Accredited in Conservation at Grade 3.
