Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Updated 3.55pm
HOUSING MINISTER EOGHAN Murphy has published a new bill which provides for second extensions of planning permission in certain circumstances, after a flaw in existing legislation was highlighted by Fianna Fáil.
In a statement, the Minister said that the provisions of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2017 are essential in allowing developers to complete unfinished housing developments.
Murphy said: “The legislation I brought to Cabinet today will allow for an extension of certain planning deadlines. There are approximately 75 developments throughout the country awaiting commencement of these planning provisions.
In the absence of this legislation work would stop on all relevant sites across the country. Today’s action helps deliver more homes and increases much needed housing supply.
An issue has arisen whereby planning permission granted for large-scale housing developments during the recession could expire, forcing construction workers to down tools.
Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Housing Barry Cowen pointed out the legislative blunder over the weekend. He highlighted an issue in the Planning and Development and Residential Tenancies Act 2016, which passed all stages just before Christmas.
The error within the legislation means that planning permission for many housing developments that are currently under construction cannot be extended, which could delay the construction of hundreds of new homes.
Planning permission
These are housing or apartment developments of more than 20 units, which were granted original planning permission just before, or just after, the housing market crashed in 2009.
Murphy sought the approval of the Planning and Development Amendment Bill 2017 today to ensure second extensions of planning permissions can be granted in certain circumstances.
It’s understood this is vital if developers are to complete unfinished housing developments.
In the absence of this legislation, builders would be legally required to cease work until they obtained further extensions, delaying the completion of relevant housing developments and prevent delivery of much needed housing supply.
Cowen said builders on these developments have been waiting anxiously since Christmas for a provision to give developments a second planning extension.
“This is an amazing level of disorganisation from the Government, on an error which Fianna Fáil discovered and has been pointing out to the Department since early April,” said Cowen.
This emergency bill is being prepared to enact the relevant provisions before the Dáil goes on its summer recess at the end of next week.
With reporting from Sean Murray
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
In years to come they’ll be the individuals you’ll be reading about with dozens of convictions but still on the streets.
It’s a imported problem, eastern Europe
@herp: We have no homegrown joyriders and car thieves?
@herp: evidence of that claim?
@herp:
Really?
Down to your local station and make a detailed statement in evidence so.
@herp: obviously that could not be an Irish.. and I suppose the gangs in Drogheda are all from Europe as well ?
@herp: course it is!
Sure where else?
No Irish Criminals rob cars, nor any other nationality.
Now which “Eastern Europeans” would you mean?
What a dopey illformed comment!
Wonder what rag tabloid you get your info from?
Broke into my folks’ house in Clontarf 2 weeks ago, nicked the keys and the car. Scrotes!
@Yzo Sirrius: Clontarf along with Malahide and Portmarnock are no-go areas, gangs roaming the streets robbing and beating up people
@Yzo Sirrius: yeah. Most of these were actually done in clontarf raheny Sutton and baldoyle.
@Seaniecp: Yeah, the garda said there was 7 cars stolen in the Clontarf area in the previous 2 weeks.
@Niall O’Neill: “no-go areas”…chill out, man!
@Niall O’Neill: like every other area in the country. Place is absolutely lawless
@Yzo Sirrius: Well one is no good without the other
Almost certainly all on benefits, as funded by us mugs, the taxpayers. Then will be sent to prison, again funded by us. Useless leeches.
Sorry to hear about cars been stolen but why leave keys so close to letterbox were they can be “Phished” so easily
@postmanbill: probably a false sense of being safe and secure behind you hall door Alas sadly NO .
@postmanbill: some people leave them in easy reach as an alternative to these people breaking into their house and terrorising their families for the keys to a piece of rolling metal on their driveway.
@postmanbill: I’d rather then took them this way rather then actually entering the house to get them. Lesser of 2 evils.
@Amy Callan: Why not leave the keys in the car if you are that way of thinking. Just give up is not an option.
@wacker macker: just not in the ignition ha, as it is a criminal offence to leave your keys in the ignition while your car is unattended.
have your say