The CSO has published the preliminary figures from the
Census 2022 on population growth in Leitrim, which records a
population of 35,087. This is an increase of 3,043 or 9.5%.
Does this welcomed increase in population sound alarm bells in this
Local Authority, as housing stocks to be delivered during the
lifetime of our new County Development Plan will be totally
inadequate. I ask that the Housing Strategy section of the CDP be
revisited and amended to reflect the increase in
population.
Minutes:
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Justin Warnock;
"The CSO has published the preliminary figures from the Census 2022 on population growth in Leitrim, which records a population of 35,087. This is an increase of 3,043 or 9.5%.
Does this welcomed increase in population sound alarm bells in this Local Authority, as housing stocks to be delivered during the lifetime of our new County Development Plan will be totally inadequate. I ask that the Housing Strategy section of the CDP be revisited and amended to reflect the increase in population."
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"The Planning Authority welcomes the population growth recorded in the preliminary Census results. Official Census results will not be published until Q2 of next year. The preliminary Census results have no bearing on the Housing Strategy as contained within the draft County Development Plan. The preparation of the Housing Strategy was required to be consistent with the published Section 28 Guidelines – Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning, which were published in December 2000. These Guidelines do not specify population targets but rather household targets to accommodate population growth in line with the National Planning Framework. What the preliminary Census results show is that the population of Co. Leitrim has or is approaching the growth provided for up to 2026 4 years early. This population increase was provided for in the Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework (July 218) which is turn fed into the preparation of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for our region.
The results are also interesting in highlighting that although the population increased by 9.5%, the growth in the number of housing stock increased by 3%. This highlights the extent of existing vacant and underutilized housing stock that is being brought back into beneficial use.
It is the view of the Planning Authority that until such time as the Department reviews their Section 28 Guidelines which would not be expected before the official Census results are published that there is no basis or indeed evidential base to review the extent of lands zoned in the new County Development Plan. No review of the Housing Strategy is therefore required noting that it is a legal requirement to do so within 2 years of the new County Development Plan taking effect."
Councillor Justin Warnock gave the background to his motion and said Leitrim County Council needs additional social housing and Leitrim County Council does not have the land to build houses in Kinlough and Kiltyclogher and so the Council have to buy houses. He said people currently in the rental sector need affordable housing which they can buy, the working poor need to be recognised and looked after.
Councillor Justin Warnock proposed that the County Development Plan needs to be amended, as there are not enough of houses to meet the needs of the people.
Councillor Des Guckian supported the motion and said the County Development Plan needs to be revisited to meet the current needs.
Councillor Enda McGloin supported the motion and said it is interesting that although the population increased by 9.5%, the growth in the number of housing stock increased by 3%.
Councillor Paddy O’Rourke said the Department of Housing are working on a new scheme to incentivise people to refurbish vacant houses. He acknowledged this will not meet the entire demands of the county. Cllr O’Rourke said vacant houses are a major issue as pointed out in the census, but this proposed new scheme will go somewhere to deal with the issue.
Councillor Brendan Barry said that less land is being zoned for housing and this allows landowners to push up prices and he called for more land to be zoned to make houses more affordable to be built.
Councillor Felim Gurn said the population has increased significantly stating it is cheaper to buy houses than build a house as the costs are very high.
Councillors Mary Bohan, Gerry Dolan, and Sean McDermott supported the motion.
Mr Bernard Greene outlined that it will be a year before the detailed population breakdown is available from the Census. The census figure also includes transient persons, such as those that have recently moved to Leitrim from the Ukraine. The issue is not about the availability of zoned lands as the amount of zoned land far exceeds the housing need. The issue is not one of supply and demand, it is an affordability issue.
Mr Bernard Greene outlined that although the motion has been proposed and seconded, a review of the Housing Strategy will not take place at this time. An appropriate time for such a review is in two years’ time once the full Census data is known. Of the Census data already released, it is positive news that the number of unoccupied houses in the county is decreasing.
Councillor Justin Warnock said he can only speak for his own area and there is no social housing in Kinlough, we must look after the working poor and make housing more affordable and available for them, we must step up and sort the issue as we cannot wait 2 years - something must be done.