Construction BUSINESS

In a revelation three months ago, the Irish Home Builders Association and Construction Industry Federation expressed grave concerns following an exposé by RTÉ Investigates. The documentary uncovered a disturbing trend where individuals exploited planning objections, coercing developers into payments in exchange for withdrawing objections and offering discounts on property sites. This unethical practice exacerbates delays in the planning system, impeding housing projects during a critical shortage.

The joint statement from the Irish Home Builders Association and Construction Industry Federation emphasized the pressing need for reforms in the planning process. With over 30,000 units stalled in An Bord Pleanála and an additional 30,000 units entangled in court proceedings, the impact of frivolous objections on housing supply is profound. The recently published Planning and Development Bill, with its restrictions on spurious objections, is seen as a crucial step toward fostering a more efficient and transparent planning system.

RTÉ’s documentary spotlighted the questionable objections filed by two brothers against developments nationwide. Notably, an appeal was submitted under the name “An Lucht Inbhuanaithe” (The Sustainable People) after a successful planning permission for 74 houses in Co Cork. The lack of registration for this group with regulatory bodies and its absence online raises serious questions about the legitimacy of their objections, underscoring the necessity for stringent oversight of such practices.

Source: Irish Independent , Image: Shutterstock/Elizaveta Elesina