Former Mayor Of Clare Insists Landmark Planning Bill Won't Solve Housing Crisis

Clare FM

A Clare planning consultant and former county Mayor believes a landmark bill passed in the Dáil will do little to tackle the housing crisis and will remove all power from local authorities. Under the new Planning and Development Bill 2023, County Development Plans will last for ten years rather than the current six and there will be a definitive timeline set for judicial reviews and planning appeal decisions. Additionally, though, as part of the plans any public submissions to zone land for residential use or otherwise will be disregarded if they're judged to interfere with an overall national strategy. Clonlara Independent Councillor Michael Begley has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that while speeding up the judicial review is positive, the bill will create new obstacles for local communities.