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.