Mick Clifford: Housing crisis deepens as homeowners block developments to ‘protect character’

In a housing crisis, objecting to every development under the guise of ‘character’ protection masks deeper societal privilege

It is beyond doubt that the first instinct of most homeowners when a new development is proposed in their area is to object.

On one level, you might be tempted to say Jack Chambers has some neck. Last Wednesday, the minister for public expenditure wagged a finger at people who objected to new infrastructure and housing. In particular, he hit out at those who objected to development on the basis it undermined the “character” of their area.

“There’s too much tolerance for this in how systems are designed. I’m seeing examples in recent months of housing getting stopped because it undermines the character of the area. What does that mean?” he said.