Sir, – In the midst of an unprecedented housing crisis, marked by record numbers of individuals in emergency accommodation and tens of thousands of young men and women stranded in their parents’ homes, the decision by Dublin City Council to deny permission for 265 build-to-sell apartments and 19 houses in Terenure exemplifies a profound systemic failure within local governance (“Dublin City Council refuses permission for development on Terenure College lands”, News, February 24th).
This decision starkly contrasts with the overarching goals of national Cabinet policy. The primary reason cited for this refusal was the insufficient number of car parking spaces, yet it is well-established that national policy is actively promoting a transition from reliance on private vehicles to public transport. This misalignment between local decision-making and national objectives is not only troubling but also detrimental to our communities and citizens.
Moreover, Ireland faces significant fines for breaching its climate targets, a reality that seems to have been overlooked by the decision-makers involved. By the time the proposed development would have been completed, it would have been well served by the BusConnects A-Spine, offering a peak frequency of buses every two to five minutes. This infrastructure improvement underscores the urgency of advancing such developments, particularly in light of our climate commitments.
In the interim, an entire generation is suffering, either facing homelessness, burdened by exorbitant rents, or exiled in their parents’ homes, while the Government allocates taxpayer money to developers. Local councils, meanwhile, appear to adopt a Luddite stance toward housing solutions, hindering progress at a critical juncture.
It is imperative that we align local decisions with national policies to address this crisis effectively. – Yours, etc,
THOMAS O’CONNOR,
Crumlin,
Dublin 12.
