Dundalk land for 500 homes dezoned by councillors

Councillors in Dundalk have voted to change zoning for a piece of land that was meant for new homes. This land was owned by Glenveagh and was originally planned for about 500 new houses. The decision to dezoned the land has raised concerns, especially given the ongoing housing crisis. The chief executive of the Office of the Planning Regulator, Niall Cussen, is now encouraging the Minister for Housing, James Browne, to consider reversing the councillors' decision. However, Cussen's office has not given any clear direction on what may happen next. The land was rezoned to “strategic reserve” when several political parties, including Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Green, and Sinn Féin, voted on it in November. In January, the planning regulator criticized this move, stating that it violated certain legislative and policy frameworks. They noted that the land is in a key growth area and could support up to 700 new homes. In February, the council’s chief executive agreed that keeping the land zoned for residential use was appropriate. However, in a recent vote, 11 councillors rejected this recommendation, while only six supported it. Most of the councillors who voted against residential zoning were from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. One key reason for the opposition to the residential zoning was concerns about local infrastructure, particularly water services. Last June, a planning authority rejected Glenveagh's proposal for homes on the site due to similar issues. Although the regulator believes the land can be developed with the right improvements, local councillors expressed different views on its potential. The outcome of this vote raises questions about the commitment of local leaders to address the housing shortage, especially as the government prioritizes housing delivery in its policies.