Manager defends housing policy

CORK’S city manager has defended the policy of taking money from developers in lieu of affordable homes.

“It is a prudent and sensible approach,” Joe Gavin told councillors on Monday night.

Mr Gavin presented a raft of figures which show that a number of developers have paid the council a total of just over €1.4 million, since 2004, in so-called Part 5 contributions — to avoid having to hand over housing units.