Dublin Democratic Planning Alliance

Empowering Communities for a Liveable City.

[Pádraig McEvoy @PadraigMcEvoy]

Focus on Planning and Development Bill: "We think that for far too long Government has listened more to those who stand to gain financially from the planning system than to those who seek the gains for society." - @robinmandalarch for @DDPlanningA

https://t.co/6ujaseTAxr

[Michael Pidgeon @Pidge]

100% right.

The entire point of a tax on *serviced* land zoned for housing is to change that land's use to housing.

Our housing crisis is at its core a housing shortage: we need to build more homes and free up land to do so.

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Landowners owe councils €50 million as 90% of vacant site levies go unpaid. Intended to prevent land hoarding and accelerate housing development, only €138,335 of €9.6 million owed in 2022 was collected. Thirteen of 31 local authorities issued no demands, and of the 18 that did, only four collected any money. Dublin City Council imposed nearly €4.9 million in levies but collected nothing.

My graphic shows the number of vacant and derelict sites highlighted in red in Dublin City. The housing system in Ireland is in crisis, primarily due to ineffective governmental policies.

The prolonged dereliction of properties should be considered social vandalism, a crime against the state and the common good. An effective vacant and derelict tax, coupled with a compulsory sales order, could dissuade landlords from hoarding land, particularly sites that have been vacant and derelict for an extended period.

It's worth mentioning the latest Department of Housing figures, which show another record in the number of homeless people in Ireland. At the end of June, 14,303 people were homeless in this country. This included 2,093 families and 4,404 children, a 17% increase compared to the same time last year.
#HousingCrisis #DerelictIreland #VacantIreland #Dublin #Ireland

[Elaine McGoff @ElaineMcgoff]

This is outrageous. Possibly THE most complex piece of legislation, one with very real implications for everyday life, is so rushed it's not being properly checked by the Bills office?

This #PlanningBill has already raised multiple red flags. We really want to not check it?

[AttractaUB 🌍☮️🇺🇦 Access to Justice is my thing @attractaub]

A guillotined debate of just over 20 hours now running in the #Seanad on the #PlanningBill with over 654 amendments that's half a minute per amendment
But the Government parties consider that adequate.
There's around 105 amendments from Gov which are likely to go unscrutinised.

[Feljin Jose @Feljin_J]

Emer Higgins going behind elected councillors and supporting the car park owners in trying to delay the City Centre Transport Plan is a major overreach of her role as junior minister for business. She has no power over this.

[Dublin Commuters @DublinCommuters]

Thankfully we have a Minister for Transport with the foresight of what Dublin commuters need to get in and out of the city

We need @GeogheganCllr and the @DubCityCouncil governance group to stand by their commitment to implement the City Centre Transport Plan immediately

[Dublin Cycling Campaign @dublincycling]

This is bizarre. Are we seriously saying that local democracy can be railroaded by car parking lobby groups? https://t.co/owEfK5TtLe

[Dublin Democratic Planning Alliance @DDPlanningA]

Typical- the Minister is over-reacting to those with lobbying power and funding. Disregarding the lengthy consultation process, DCC expertise, the fact that the centre is one big rat run for traffic.

[melreynolds @MaoiliosaRey]

“Lawyers across the board, academics, NGOs, and planning professionals have highlighted the bill will cause delays, and uncertainties undermining delivery” https://t.co/8McwXXEWHp

[An Taisce @AnTaisce]

Essential reading from @attractaub on the Planning Bill which will be rammed through the Dail next week. Instead of delivering on much needed housing and renewable energy, the bill will cause legal chaos and erode democratic planning. https://t.co/QIHSBwkPaD

[Dublin Democratic Planning Alliance @DDPlanningA]

@IrishPlanInst @RIAIOnline @DeptHousingIRL @AnTaisce #SGDsIrl

[Dublin Democratic Planning Alliance @DDPlanningA]

The hefty and unbalanced Planning Bill is about to be pushed through. No time for proper debate that this important piece of legislation deserves. Warnings of heritage/ planning/ environmental bodies, construction sector and DDPA have been ignored. @DarraghOBrienTD @SimonHarrisTD

[Irish Planning Law @PlanningLaw_ie]

From now until the Summer recess there are just 15 scheduled Dáil sitting days. @DarraghOBrienTD says that the Planning Bill will be passed before summer “come hell or high water”. Buckle up! https://t.co/sAhNNvxuEG

[Elaine McGoff @ElaineMcgoff]

If you care about climate and nature & value environmental democracy, then you should be very concerned about the Planning Bill

"It is hard to think of any legislation with more profound & direct implications for how we experience our day-to-day lives"

https://t.co/ENzDqIPa7m

[Dublin Democratic Planning Alliance @DDPlanningA]

hear hear

[Irish Planning Law @PlanningLaw_ie]

“The public interest in housing...is not a public interest in housing at all costs. Rather, it is a public interest in housing insofar as it constitutes proper planning and sustainable development.” (Humphreys J Protect East Meath Ltd v Meath CC (II) (No2) [2023] IEHC 69 para 67)

[Irish Planning Law @PlanningLaw_ie]

The first planning legislation, the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963 contained 92 sections. After completion of its Committee Stage, the Planning Bill 2023 contained more than 540 sections. How many will it contain when it returns to the Dáil for Report Stage?

[IPI @IrishPlanInst]

Waterford IPI Conference hears planners want workable legislation as current bill ‘not fit for purpose’ https://t.co/sb4WXg1VZ3

[Irish Planning Law @PlanningLaw_ie]

The Planning Bill, when enacted, will not amend the Planning and Development Act 2000, it will completely repeal and replace it (section 6). It is difficult to exaggerate the degree of change it will affect - together with new Regulations, transitional rules and guidance etc.