Housing charity calls for review of Irish planning system

LEADING housing charity Respond! has called for an independent review of the country’s planning system in the wake of a survey that revealed more than 2,800 unfinished housing estates nationwide.

The charity’s spokeswoman Aoife Walsh said that while the banks were undoubtedly drivers of the property bubble, the planning system had also played a part and should not escape scrutiny.

“Without doubt, the banks were a key player, but there would not have been the same demand for credit to purchase land or property had zonings and planning permission not been so easily available,” Ms Walsh said.