Planning Permission Delays Idle €35m Apartments
Taxpayers foot the bill for idle apartments as planning permission hold-ups leave €35 million in properties vacant, dashing family dreams.
Government agencies purchased hundreds of apartments intended for social housing support. Significant delays in securing planning permission have left up to €35 million worth of these units unoccupied across multiple sites. Officials describe the bottlenecks as major hurdles in readying the properties for residents.
Families awaiting allocation faced heartbreak when offers got withdrawn due to unresolved An Bord Pleanála decision timelines. Some had packed up and prepared to move, only to learn their spots vanished amid the stalls. This affects vulnerable households counting on stable homes through public schemes.
Key projects, valued collectively at tens of millions, sit empty because essential works like fire safety upgrades and communal upgrades await approval. Sources highlight how protracted reviews block minor modifications needed to meet standards. One batch alone represents substantial taxpayer investment now yielding zero returns.
Critics point to systemic slowdowns in processing applications for housing scheme approval, exacerbating Ireland’s accommodation crisis. Officials admit the logjam stems from rigorous checks but stress urgency in clearing backlogs. Families report frustration over repeated postponements, with some offers rescinded abruptly.
Amid broader pushes for planning reforms, these cases underscore risks in bulk buys without swift material contravention clearances. Experts call for streamlined processes to prevent future waste, especially for sites near flood-risk development zones requiring extra scrutiny. Government pledges faster turnarounds, but timelines remain unclear.
Stakeholders urge integrating environmental impact assessments earlier to avoid such snags. While agencies explore temporary uses for the units, full occupancy hinges on permissions. This saga reveals tensions between caution and housing urgency in public procurement.
Originally reported in The Irish Independent on Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:09:25 +0000. Full story
