Councils receive power to fast-track social housing

A major loosening of planning laws will enable county councillors to approve major planning projects without sanction from the Government, on foot of a controversial order from Environment Minister Alan Kelly.

The Irish Examiner can reveal that Mr Kelly is allowing local councillors to fast-track smaller housing projects, in a desperate bid to deliver more social housing.

However, there is concern that the loosening of the rules may lead to bad planning decisions by councillors, repeating the mistakes of the Celtic Tiger period.