Sir, – The use of the term “shedsit” by Dr Diarmuid Ó Gráda to describe the structures allowed by regulations governing the construction of habitable living quarters in residential gardens (Letters, July 22nd) conveys a misleading impression of the standards required for such accommodation.
The required building standards are far from anything that might be described as a shed. The proposition that we risk returning to unhealthily dense living conditions that existed in urban areas in former times is far-fetched. The number of properties in urban areas that can accommodate the size required of these structures and still have 25sq m of garden left over is limited, and the notion that urban children might be deprived of seeing greenery or wildlife because of these regulations does not bear scrutiny.
The same might be alleged in respect of children who live in apartment blocks, which are also an essential component of urban development. Other planning measures provide for open spaces and recreation areas in our cities and towns.
The regulations permitting the construction of living quarters of a defined standard in gardens of a specified size constitute a reasonable measure to fill a niche component of our housing needs and could not lead to the apocalyptic outcomes suggested in Dr Ó Gráda’s letter. – Yours, etc,
READ MORE
JOE AHERN,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
