Sir, – David Doran is right to point to the price of rezoned land as a major factor in the price of housing (Letters, November 10th). Fifty years ago, the Kenny report recommended that instead of landowners reaping the rewards of rezoning, local authorities should pay agricultural prices plus 25 per cent for building land, if necessary by compulsory purchase.
There is no reason to presume that such a policy would be unconstitutional. Government is already able to compulsorily purchase a citizen’s home for road building. It is less disruptive and more justified to compulsorily purchase a field to provide houses for homeless people.
So why is the Kenny report not policy for political parties or Government? – Yours, etc,
DONAL McGRATH,
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Greystones,
Co Wicklow.