Strategic housing development review
John Lahart criticised the strategic housing development fast-track system as favouring speculative applications over proper local planning. The Minister said the review had been completed and he would publish the report and recommendations shortly.
We know that fast-track planning is not delivering what it was intended to deliver, namely, houses for people. We know the strategic housing development, SHD, process is being used by speculators to avoid local area plans and county development plans and to lodge massive density applications with no amenities for local people. It is leading to a splurge of high-density, co-living, student and build-to-rent applications, particularly in the Citywest, Tallaght and Knocklyon areas of my constituency.
I understand that a review of the operation of the SHD scheme, the fast-track planning scheme, has been undertaken and is due to be published at the end of this month. In that context, could the Taoiseach commit to a speedy debate in this House when that report is laid before it?
Comment on this
The review has been concluded and it is now up to me to publish that report and recommendations flowing from it in terms of what I intend to do to improve and reform the fast-track process. As part of that, I am sure there will be time to debate the matter either in the House directly or in committee.