Madam, - On August 29th you reported that a probable cartel of developers is responsible for increasing the cost of urban housing by raising the site costs from 10 to 15 per cent - in line with EU site costs - to a current 50 per cent of house prices. You also reported that total employment nationally in the year to April increased by 28,400 after a decline in agricultural employment of 7,500.
The hoarding of urban building land and the increases in the cost of urban housing is made possible by the arbitrary, undemocratic planning regime which bans house building in rural areas and forces Irish people to live in towns and cities whether they like it or not.
If there were a positive attitude by planning authorities towards building in the traditional Irish pattern of dispersed villages throughout the country, the power of the developers' cartel would be greatly reduced. The pattern of ribbon development imposed by planners' insistence on minimum road frontage could be eliminated.
Thousands of small architects, builders, craftsmen and tradesmen could be employed. The existing under-used rural infrastructure of electricity, water, tarred roads, telecoms, schools and churches would be much more economical. The building of unsightly suburbs around towns and villages throughout the country could be halted.
The depopulation of the countryside could be avoided. The uncontrolled growth of the major urban centres would be halted. More Irish people would be able to live in the environment of their choice. There would be a better social, economic and cultural balance in the country and housing costs could be moderated.
It is time to have a radical rethink of our planning system to make it more democratic and make it meet the needs of the Irish people. - Yours, etc.,
CATHAL MacGABHANN,
Chairman,
Irish Rural Dwellers
Association,
Kilbaha,
Kilrush,
Co Clare.