Danny Healy-Rae Opposes CPOs, Warns of Developer Monopolies
Danny Healy-Rae spoke in a debate opened by Labour and rejected a motion to give local authorities authority to compulsory purchase (CPO) lands for house building. He argued against CPOs, warned that de-zoning land hands a monopoly to developers, and urged either more zoning around towns or letting planning applications be decided on their merits.
Opposition to CPOs and de-zoning
Danny Healy-Rae said he does not agree with the motion that would allow local authorities to use CPOs to obtain land for housing. He warned that de-zoning by the planning regulator gives a monopoly to one developer and will push prices up, making homes more expensive for young couples.
Zoning and planning proposals
He proposed zoning more land around towns and villages, or alternatively not zoning any land and allowing each planning application to be judged on its merits. He emphasised that planning decisions should avoid creating monopolies and should protect affordability.
Local authority land and housing stock in Kerry
He noted that Kerry County Council have not been able to buy land for over 20 years and that many plots are built on or gone. He said local authorities are receiving departmental funds to buy existing houses, which he argued can compete with young couples trying to buy homes. He also highlighted that there are 165 voids in local authority stock but not enough money to bring them up to the required standard.
Builders, materials costs and regulation impact
Danny Healy-Rae described rising material costs, particularly timber, as a major challenge that small builders must absorb. He said the absence of estate payments, together with levies and regulations, is detrimental to small builders and affects the supply and cost of new housing.
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First of all, I want to thank Labour for opening up the debate. I do not agree with the motion where they say that local authorities will say authority to CPO lands for to build houses. That's wrong. And you see, you're the planning regulator, de-zoning land. And I say we should zone more land around our towns and villages, or else not zone any land. Only let every planning application go through on its merit, whether it is through the local authority or what another, who will decide. But de-zoning land is giving a monopoly to one developer and think, and he will, when he will have a warm rule, he'll, the price, it'll be more expensive for under a couple trying to buy a house. So I'm not in favour of CPOs. And look, in Kerry, Kerry County Council haven't been able to buy land for over 20 years. And all their plots of lands are gone, or they're all built on. And instead, what's happening, they're getting money from the department to buy houses. And to see what that's actually, built houses, that's actually competing with young couples for, when they're trying to buy houses. We have 165 voids, the local authorities, 165 voids, and they do not have enough money to bring them back to the standard, which is being demanded of them. So, cost of materials, timber, we know what's happening, we can't cut a stick. And builders then, small builders, have to carry the full cost of building a few houses. There's no estate payments, and between levies and regulations, they are detrimental to the...
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