Specific planning rules would make housing cheaper, more popular and more plentiful
The first of a three-part series on housing. First up is planning; next will be construction costs; the final topic will be zoning.
The first of a three-part series on housing. First up is planning; next will be construction costs; the final topic will be zoning.
It’s hard to adapt Irish towns and cities. Progress Ireland’s solution is to empower communities to opt into greater levels of density.
Most homes in European cities have been added through gradual infill. Current policy makes infill difficult, leaving cities frozen in the 20th century. Street Plan Development Zones could let towns and cities adapt to our changing needs.
A small change to planning rules could unlock a large number of new homes in the places they’re most needed, and help homeowners cover their bills.
Homeowners are currently entitled to build a small office, gym, or garage on their property without applying for planning permission. They are not entitled to build a small home. Extending exempted development rules to small homes could unlock up to 350,000 homes, according to Progress Ireland’s modelling.