FF: Planning change will see fewer social houses built

Developers will be banned from buying their way out of commitments to provide social housing under new planning laws.

But moves to force developers to ensure up to 10% of homes they build are social housing have led to warnings from opposition parties they could make the housing crisis worse.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly defended the reform as he insisted new laws would stop builders being able to escape social housing commitments by giving cash payments to local councils instead of providing homes.