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“There is a critical need to expedite planning, infrastructure and the zoning and servicing of residentially zoned lands.”
The Construction Industry Federation and its constituent member body, Irish Home Builders Association, have responded to today’s report from Savills on housing shortages and population growth.
Conor O’Connell, Director of Housing and Planning with the Construction Industry Federation said:
“The publication of the Savills report on Ireland’s housing shortage illustrates the significant challenge to try and build enough homes for our growing population.
“There is a critical need to expedite planning, infrastructure such as water supply, and the zoning and servicing of residentially zoned lands, so that we can build the homes needed. Members of the Irish Home Builders Association continue to report significant delays in the provision of infrastructure to activate development on zoned lands and we estimate that there are still nearly 20,000 planning units awaiting decision at An Bord Pleanála alone, mainly Strategic Housing Developments, that are several years awaiting decision. An immediate decision on these SHD applications could be a significant immediate boost to housing supply.”
“The recent Housing Commission report, the ESRI Structural Housing Demand report and the draft National Planning Framework all illustrate the scale of the housing demand. At least 50,000 units per annum need to be constructed and probably more.
“The many different schemes implemented are helping with supply and the construction of homes, but the supply of homes is absolutely dependent on an adequate supply of zoned and serviced land, which is connected to water and electricity, with planning permission.”
For media queries contact:
Meabh Smith
CIF Communications Director
0871338978