Scott queries Planning Bill Amendment on Housing targets

I’ve been following the discussions around the Planning Bill very closely. When  I read about the amendment which would effective over rule Wicklow planners from refusing planning permission as housing growth targets had already been reached, I couldn’t believe it. Everyone who lives in Greystones knows how many new houses have been developed  here and it’s no surprise we’ve already gone over our 2028 population growth targets. The focus now needs to be on catching up with our infrastructure.

We are lacking  school places, space for sports facilities community facilities, access to doctors etc. It was heartening to see these concerns reflected in Wicklow Council’s decision to refuse Cairns permission for their development in Blacklion.

To read that a new piece of legislation could be brought in to prevent this decision being made in the future is beyond belief. It also makes a mockery of the countless hours elected representatives have spent in crafting our County Development Plan which sets out the population targets. It seems extraordinary that a planning authority could be restricted in such a way.

Serious questions must be asked as to why an amendment that flies in the face of plan led development was introduced in the first place,  I also find it unacceptable that the Fianna Fail Housing Minister  declined to comment when asked if he was lobbied to introduce the amendment. I hope that we are not returning to  the days of old when developers called the shots around planning decisions. I will be writing to the Minister to seek clarification on this.