Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD has accused the Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy of ‘giving developers a licence to hoard’ by extending so-called fast track planning.

Deputy Ó Broin said:

“It is no surprise that Minister Murphy will today extend the so-called fast track planning for Strategic Housing Developments (SHD) by two years. 

“The SHD extension now comes with permission for developers to do nothing on the site for 18 months after being granted planning.

“While Minister Murphy is presenting this as a ‘use it or lose it’ clause that will speed up the delivery of homes it make like a ‘licence to hoard’ for developers ensuring that they can continue to delay new developments by 18 months.

“Once again Minister Murphy has demonstrated his total incompetence when it comes to his brief.

“The SHD legislation is not working. We know this thanks to the data and research undertaken by Killian Woods from the Sunday Business Post.

“Again, Minister Murphy chooses to ignore available evidence and pursues a policy that only benefits land hoarders and developers hoping to flip sites. 

“It will not lead to an increase in the delivery of affordable homes.”