Wicklow County Council refuses retention permission for Aughrim log cabin
Wednesday 8 July 2026
Wicklow County Council has refused a retention application for a log cabin and septic tank in Aughrim, sparking an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Wicklow County Council has refused an application for the short-term retention of a log cabin and a septic tank at Mongnacool Lower, Aughrim.
The local authority turned down the application submitted by Isabella and Brendan Carey for the structure on their land at The Trees. In making its decision, the council stated that permitting the cabin to remain would lead to the consolidation of unauthorised development and would breach planning conditions originally established in 2021.
Additionally, Wicklow County Council argued that the log cabin contravenes housing standards set by the Department of the Environment, which classify this type of accommodation as unfit for human occupation.
The applicants have appealed the local authority's decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála, with a planning decision on the case expected by November 5, 2026.
Under current planning guidelines, log cabins under 25 square metres are generally exempt from planning permission unless they are utilised as a dwelling. Furthermore, cabins located within 10 metres of a main house, or positioned closer to a road than the main house, typically require full planning permission.