Lawlor proposes review of Local Authority Planning Guidelines to deal with backlog in housing and create jobs

Tuesday 16th July 2013

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, has today (Tuesday) called for a review of the Local Authority Planning Guidelines with a view to addressing the flawed Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and ultimately give control of the construction of social housing back to local authorities and away from greedy developers.

“I recently asked the Minister for the Enivronment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, to review the Local Authority Planning Guidelines with a view to addressing the flawed Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Minister Hogan agreed with me that the social and affordable housing must be addressed and has committed to working with Minister of State for housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD, to consider planning matters and policies that have not worked, such as the Part V provision, which became develop-led rather than being led by local authorities in the interest of the wider community.

“I strongly believe that Part V, which allows for 20% of zoned residential lands to be used as social and affordable housing, is fundamentally flawed and allowed developers, at the height of the boom, to concentrate solely on building houses whilst failing to provide community and recreational facilities in these developments.

“By removing Part V, local authorities will once again have the responsibility of building social and affordable housing and can ensure that developments are not thrown up in the middle of nowhere, but have proper community and recreational facilities nearby, as well as creating jobs and stimulating the local economy.”

ENDS