The delivery of 8,000 new homes in south Dublin is being halted by opposition, some of which include Fine Gael councillors and NAMA.

The progression of the Clonburris Strategic Development Zone is being discussed at an oral appeal hearing at An Bord Pleanala.

Clonburris SDZ is a social and economic masterplan for a 280ht site between Clondalkin and Lucan, providing 8,000 new homes, 3,000 of which are social and affordable.

The plans, approved by South Dublin County Council last June, include new schools and improvements to public transport.

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Residents, landowners, politicians and NAMA have lodged appeals with An Bord Pleanála, causing the project to be delayed.

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West Eoin Ó Broin TD has hit out at Fine Gael and NAMA over the delay.

He said: "The fact that councillors from the government party and a powerful state agency are holding up the delivery of 8,000 new homes is appalling.

"The opposition of Fine Gael councillors to 3,000 social and affordable homes is the height of nimbyism. It is an appalling stance to take given the scale of the housing crisis.

"NAMA is slowing the progress of the plan in cynical attempt to increase its financial returns on the site. It makes no sense for one arm of the state, i.e. South Dublin County Council, to approve this important plan only for another state agency, NAMA, to delay and undermine it.

"I cannot understand how Fine Gael can stand over the behaviour of their councillors when the government is claiming it is doing everything it can to alleviate the housing crisis."

(CM)