Over 61,000 Houses In Unfinished Developments

The Environment Minister's publication of another circular letter on 'Taking in Charge' policies is grossly inadequate as there is a growing crisis in Ireland regarding the number of unfinished estates, Fine Gael's Housing spokesman Terence Flanagan said yesterday.

According to Mr Flanagan the total number of houses for which the life of planning permission expired more than two years previously that have not been taken in charge is 61,127 units in 1,759 housing developments.

Planning permission had expired more than seven years previously in 782 housing estates. These figures indicate that the taking in charge process is not working.

"The Minister has merely issued circulars with recommendations to Local Authorities, which in turn, have been given until June 2008 to draw up taking in charge policies," he said.


"Currently Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that where an estate is completed to the standard required, Local Authorities must take it in charge if requested to do so by a majority of owners or occupiers.

"Local Authorities are currently given seven years to check that developers have finished estates to the required standard. This enforcement period is too long and unworkable. The Minister has failed to address this excessive enforcement timeframe in his circular."

The Fine Gael spokesman said that what is needed is:

• Standard taking in charge policies to be followed by all Local Authorities;
• Enforcement timeframes to be reduced from seven to four years;
• Heavy penalties to be imposed on developers who fail to complete estates promptly;
• Local Authorities to monitor regularly all housing developments in their domain;
• Local Authorities to send out information to residents explaining the taking in charge process.

He said: "Minister Gormley needs to give much clearer direction on the 'Taking in Charge' process so that it works faster and more efficiently, to the benefit of thousands of homeowners who want to see their developments finished and maintained to the highest possible standards."

(VB)