Sligo County Council not among local authorities ‘dragging their heels’ on rezoning land for housing
The Sligo Champion“I welcome the report which shows Sligo County Council acted quickly and in good faith,” said Cllr Edel McSharry when addressing the March meeting of the council in relation to her motion which dealt with the issue of rezoning of land for housing.
Last September Micheal Martin hit out at local authorities across the country who he felt weren’t doing enough in relation to rezoning of land to help tackle the shortage of houses saying, “The Government is not happy with chief executive officers of county councils the length and breadth of the country who seem to be displaying a degree of inertia and lack of productivity in terms of rezoning land, never mind dezoning land.
“We have a housing crisis in this country. We’re hearing reports, some are writing that they’re not going to rezone their land at all.”
Seeking clarity following reports of some local authorities ‘dragging their heels, Cllr McSharry’s motion stated: “That Sligo County Council notes the recent national media commentary and public statements by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage calling for increased urgency by local authorities in the rezoning of land for housing and referencing the possible use of ministerial powers where Councils are perceived to be delaying. In light of commentary suggesting that some local authorities are ‘dragging their heels’, this Council request a report to this meeting outlining the specific steps taken to date by Sligo County Council in relation to land rezoning and housing delivery.”
Praising the report furnished to elected members, Cllr McSharry remarked, “The report puts the facts on the record. The evidence put before us shows that is not the case in Sligo. The report stated Sligo County Council “Supports population growth in a sustainable way.”
The motion received the backing of Cllr Declan Bree who commented, “What this letter is about is Government Ministers who are responsible for housing and planning, attempting to deflect attention from the Governments ongoing failure to solve the Housing Crisis.
“We are now ten years into the housing crisis, and this crisis remains the greatest political failure of our time. Most people now struggle to buy a home of their own as house prices have spiraled beyond the reach of those on low and average incomes.
“High rents have put huge financial strain on many tenants in private rented accommodation. Meanwhile Council housing waiting lists, including our waiting list, continue to grow ever longer and homeless numbers are at record levels.
“Alongside the human cost of this, we are seeing the serious knock on effects, with thousands of unfilled vacancies in key sectors, and young people once again choosing to emigrate.
“We need to again express our deep concern at the lack of urgency shown so far by the government. A Government that is now attempting to blame local authorities for the housing crisis. A government that is content to play the role of helpless bystander to this ever-worsening emergency.
“We need to again demand radical action on the crisis, including the provision of funding to allow us construct quality, affordable public housing, preventing people from being evicted into homelessness and enshrining the right to housing in our constitution.”
The motion was also supported by Cllr Thomas Walsh who commented, “A number of local authorities are not doing their jobs. We are doing our job in this county."
The debate concluded with Cllr McSharry remarking, “The motion is not a criticism of what is happening at government level. I absolutely agree with Cllr Bree, we cannot have people who are homeless. We’re doing each stage as best we can.”
Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.