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The CIF has welcomed today’s launch of the Government’s new housing activation plan and has stressed that success rests on unlocking zoned land with infrastructure and planning permissions.
Conor O’Connell, Director of Housing and Planning with the CIF, said: “The National Housing Plan announced today has the potential to transform housing supply in Ireland over the next number of years. If we are to achieve our target of 300,000 more homes up to 2030, then the supply of zoned and serviced land with planning permission is critical and must be emphasised.
“The plan outlines some of the many initiatives already announced, including the Section 28 Guidelines to local authorities to increase their housing targets and zone more land, extension to existing planning permissions, New Apartment Design Standards, a reduced VAT rate for apartments, and increased funding for Cost Rental Housing Schemes.
“We welcome the emphasis in the plan on ensuring a sufficient supply of zoned and serviced land, which will be critical to future housing supply and the success of the plan. The Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund of €1 billion to invest in zoned land should result in removing many of the blockages that builders are currently experiencing.
“New measures announced this morning, including the allocation of €400 million for an equity fund for small and medium-sized builders, are a welcome development. The €3.5 billion in equity earmarked for energy projects with ESB Networks and Eirgrid will be vital, alongside the €12.2 billion for water and wastewater services.
“All of these must be implemented quickly to ensure a pipeline for builders. Housing supply depends on more zoned land, more infrastructure, more planning, and more funding.
“All of the positive decisions recently made by Government must be acknowledged and must now be implemented in an urgent manner. The report and recommendations from the Infrastructure Unit are critical to removing the remaining barriers to housing and enabling infrastructure delivery.
“Our biggest concern remains around the constant delays and objections to housing and infrastructure in the planning, legal, and funding approval process. Reform of the Judicial Review Process, as mentioned in the plan, and changes to the Planning and Development Act to reduce the objections to planning at any stage by anybody in any location, are critical.
“The construction industry is willing and able to build the supply of homes and associated infrastructure needed and will play our part in transforming housing supply over the coming years.”