Green Party says Guidelines are open season for house-builders

The Green Party has expressed concern at the 'Planning Guidelines on One-off Housing" published by the Minister for the Environment today.

"More housing in rural areas will increase car dependency ", stated Green Party leader Trevor Sargent today. " What the Government should be doing is giving people more choices in housing. "The only choices for young people are shoe-box apartments in our cities, or semi-D's in the suburbs, all at high prices. It's no wonder that people are building their own homes in the countryside.

"Instead of allowing a free-for-all we want the Government to increase affordability by making available sites and well-designed housing in our villages, towns and cities."

"These guidelines will lead to increased car dependency, stated Environment Spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe. "I don't believe that the Minister is considering the full environmental, social or economic costs of one-off housing. It appears to be open season for house-builders. This will do little or nothing for those don't own land in the first instance. It is a landowner's charter.

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