Ministerial concerns over regulator's restrictions on new Mayo housing

Minister for Housing James Browne has warned against “perfection being the enemy of the good” in housing delivery, insisting the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) must follow the government’s pro-building policy.

Mayo County Council has faced pushback from the OPR on rezoning and rural housing targets.

Minister Browne has raised the issue directly with the regulator.

“I made it very clear that we have to zone land and people have to be able to live in their communities.

"There’s been too much of an attempt to masterplan where everybody’s going to live and not enough focus on the importance of community.”

He said his priority is to get land zoned first, then deliver the services afterwards.

“My direction is very clear, zone first, and then we’ll deliver the services. If it’s not zoned, you can’t get the services; that’s the challenge we have here.

"Trying to have everything absolutely perfect before you can build a home, that’s not the way to do it.”

Asked if his targets align with the OPR, the minister was firm.

“The OPR has to implement government policy, and there cannot be any question about that. My policy is very clear: I’m pro-building. Perfectly designed homes that never leave the plans are useless to people.”

He added that his focus is on moving young people out of overcrowded homes and into their own.

“I want people out of their little small parents’ bedrooms into homes they want to live in.”