Minister needs to suspend co-living guidelines now
The Minister for Housing needs to suspend the co-living guidelines while his department are conducting their review according to Labour Housing Spokesperson, Senator Rebecca Moynihan.
Moynihan was speaking after another application was lodged with An Bord Pleanála for a 201 bed shared living space on the former Kenilworth Motors site at Harold’s Cross.
Senator Moynihan said:
“Private developers are spinning that this is desirable accommodation for single people but it’s replacing the need to build long term apartments for people with proper space and storage and privacy.
“The Minister is using the review as a can kicking exercise to avoid making a decision about the future of these developments. His views on co-living, while in opposition are well documented and he needs to move to suspend the guidelines now.
“There are several applications for co-living developments going through the planning process now with more and more developers applying to build these developments every week. Unless the Minister moves to suspend the guidelines now, the number will only grow.
“These developments are nothing more than developer led planning trying to force young people and single population into substandard accommodation. They are not a long-term solution to the housing crisis and the Minister must not allow himself to be led by developers on this. Many of whom are spinning about the public health and other implications of these developments”
“If the Ministers view hasn’t changed, he needs to suspend the guidelines now, before more of these unsuitable developments are granted planning permission.