Adrian Curran, People Before Profit representative for Galway, has reacted to the news that An Bord Pleanála (ABP) have granted planning permission for 345 build-to-rent apartments at Crown Square in Mervue, and criticised the Government’s delay in scrapping the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) legislation.
Adrian Curran said:
“These homes in Mervue are planned to be sold in bulk to an investment fund that will inevitably charge exorbitant rents beyond the reach of most working people in need of a home. People Before Profit Galway organised a protest with local residents against the investment fund takeover at this site in July. Of the hundreds of residents we spoke to, not one person supported these homes being handed over to a cuckoo fund. Several residents’ groups lodged planning objections.
“The planning application was made as a Strategic Housing Development, where developments of more than 100 homes or blocks of 200 student bed spaces bypass the local authority planning stage and apply directly to ABP. The SHD legislation has failed in its principal remit – to reverse the ever-worsening housing and homelessness crisis – and has completely undermined the democratic process of planning, making the role of local councillors and planners redundant. SHD fast-track planning is being used primarily to make money for developers who are building housing that is totally unaffordable for ordinary people and is contributing nothing to addressing the housing crisis.
“Building accommodation that is too expensive for low and average income earners is pointless. It actually contributes to the housing crisis by driving up prices and rents.
“Instead of facilitating developers who simply wish to profit from the current crisis, the state needs to directly provide social and affordable housing itself. The Government has been forced into committing to scrap the SHD system, but have delayed doing so until February 2022, no doubt on the back of lobbying from those profiting from the current system.
“This underlines the importance of building a movement of people power to force the Government’s hand and demand a radical break from their developer-led housing policies that have caused the crisis.”