GREENS CLAIM POLITICIANS ARE PANDERING TO DEVELOPER'S LOBBY

"Minister Cullen's decision to abandon the 20% social housing provision introduced by his predecessor, Noel Dempsey, which forces builders to provide cheaper housing in new estates, is a slap in the face for those who were hoping to purchase affordable housing units" she said."The reality is that this Government and Minister Cullen have blatantly given in to pressure from the developer's lobby."

"This is a slap in the face for those who are seeking affordable housing. Instead of following the European model of social integration, the Minister is taking his cue from the gated and segregated communities of North America" said de Burca. "This is not an appropriate housing model for this country and we should not follow it.Clearly,lobbying by the Irish Home Builders' Association and the Construction Industry Federation has achieved its goal" she says.

Councillor de Burca has also criticised the reluctance of some of her fellow councillors on Wicklow County Council to apply development levies to developers in the county. "These development levies are sought by the local authority in order to be able to provide essential infrastructure such as roads and sewerage, but also community facilites such as playgrounds, public parks, community centres etc. It is quite unbelievable that certain councillors are trying to protect wealthy developers from having to pay these kind of levies and therefore depriving communities of these facilities".

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org.