Strategic Housing Development process has failed – Govt sleep walking into Celtic Tiger figures
Based on reports in the Sunday Independent that the Government’s Strategic Housing Development (SHD) process is not working, Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan has called on the Minister to introduce a use it or lose it planning provision where homes are concerned. Rather than continuing to please developers, Senator Moynihan said we need to introduce sustainable planning, where homes for people and families are prioritised.
Senator Moynihan said:
“It’s extremely frustrating to watch the Minister ignore the calls of many experts and opposition politicians to pivot his current approach to housing. Reports that house prices could reach Celtic Tiger levels are worrying and sickening for anyone aspiring to get on the property ladder.
“Strategic Housing Development (SHD) planning laws were brought in by Fine Gael four years ago for the express purpose of quickly increasing the supply of housing which has clearly failed. The current Fianna Fáil Minister now needs move now rather than letting the SHD lapse at the end of the year. Most urgently, the Minister must introduce a use it or lose it planning provision where homes are concerned.
“This Fine Gael idea, backed by Fianna Fáil, has clearly not deliver the expected extra housing that would have been expected after four years. The legislation has been extended up until the end of 2021 and the Government have committed to not replacing it. However, that is not good enough when permissions are not being used, and significant numbers of developments are being challenged in the courts.
“There can be no more kicking the can down the road, the Minister needs to investigate the SHD process.”