Social housing - Housing mix plan lacks sincerity

THE decision by An Bord Pleanála to back Cork County Council in insisting on the spirit, and the law, of the concept of social housing is to be welcomed as a major breakthrough.

Too many local authorities have colluded with builders to get around the provision of 20% of land in a new development by simply paying the monetary equivalent, or making land available somewhere else.

This solution is tantamount to a builder saying “not in my backyard” to social housing because of fears that the concept would affect the cost of what would be considered more upmarket houses.

Since it appeared as Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, allowing local authorities to designate up to twenty per cent of new developments for social, or affordable, housing has proved exceptionally controversial.

That was amended in 2002, giving a builder the three options referred to. What Bord Pleanála have done in this case is to come down on the side of Cork County Council in insisting that a developer adhere to an agreement to provide 20% of the land.

The agreement arose before the law was changed in 2002 when builders could not opt out.

The concept of a mix of housing in a development is socially desirable, but it needs more sincerity to see it put into action.