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The Journal
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Dublin city council supports emergency motion opposing Browne's reported plans for apartments
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL has supported an emergency motion opposing reported proposals by Housing Minister's James Browne that would do away with local authorities' power in planning to require community facilities and spaces. It is understood that Browne is bringing the proposals to Cabinet today to make apartments more attractive for developers by altering certain requirements around minimum sizes and communal facilities, with the number of flats in the pipeline drying up according to recent figures . These moves will seek to improve the viability of apartment building by seeking to address higher development costs, reducing costs per unit, according to a housing source. The proposed changes, contained in the Planning Design Standards for Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2025) bill, are understood to be aiming for a €50,000 to €100,000 cost reduction per apartment. Advertisement However, following reports of Browne's plans over the weekend , many representatives on Dublin City council erupted, stating that the Minister's reported plans would override years of planning and work put in by the council. At the council's meeting last night where the emergency motion was put forward, tabled by Labour Party councillor Darragh Moriarty and Green Party councillor Claire Byrne, councillors slammed Browne and the lack of communication they have received on the matter. Moriarty, who chairs the council's Community, Gaeilge, Sport, Arts and Culture Committee, said that any plans to 'gut mandatory minimum requirements for vital community and cultural spaces' needed to be examined. 'The City Development Plan obliges developers of sites that are 10,000 sqm or larger to include a minimum of 5% community or cultural space,' he said. Fianna Fáil representatives criticised their fellow councillors for supporting the motion without any official confirmation from Browne. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Glasgow Times
21-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Concerns over number of HMO licenses being issued in Glasgow
Mel Feild, who has been working with other locals to prevent the development of further purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in the West End, has raised concerns about the number of HMOs (house in multiple occupation) granted in the area. An FOI request revealed that of the 248 Hillhead HMO licences in the Hillhead ward, 119 were new licenses approved since 2021 that have not been granted previously. Since 2021, a further 116 new HMO licences have been granted as a result of the change of owner, four new HMOs were agreed as the result of missing the renewal date and nine new licences were approved as a result of an issue with title deeds. Ms Feild claims that these numbers 'contravene' the council's own City Development Plan (CDP) and 'erode the fabric of a coveted conservation area.' She said: 'The reason I submitted the FOI request was because I wanted to understand the city development plan for 2017 which states no more HMOs are going to be approved in Hillhead because we already have too many. 'The FOI revealed there are 248 licenses in Hillhead overall but that there have been 119 new HMO licences approved since 2021 which I take issue with. READ MORE: Council facing huge repair bill after leaving 'justice centre' in state of disrepair 'Now the issue is what is the council going to do about it. When I saw those numbers, I was shocked as were members of the Hillhead community council.' A report by a member of the Hillhead Community Council, which represents voices from around the Hillhead area, highlights some of the issues residents face living when somewhere with a high concentration of students. It states that the density of HMOs within buildings and the density of student accommodation towers affect the short and long-term health of residents living and working in this city. These include adult workers such as local nurses, doctors, teachers and shopkeepers who are vital to the area and this city for its long-term sustainability. Health issues due to noise, disturbance where people have reported ceiling collapsing due to parties, and the comings and goings of short-term residence, can lead to insomnia, increased blood pressure, stress, digestive issues as well as depression and anxiety. Many residents and owner occupiers in Hillhead and surrounding areas feel that they are being disregarded and treated like second-class citizens due to the density of HMOs and the student accommodation blocks. People now feel they are getting pushed out of their homes and are moving elsewhere. READ MORE: Taxi firm owner 'deeply embarrassed' after shouting and swearing at council meeting Mel added: 'There is a document of issues that have emerged as a result of the number of HMOs in the area including issues around health and welfare, environmental through litter and bulk items that are dumped all over the place and the economic impact as students don't generate council tax or profit for these properties. 'People feel like second-class citizens due to the density of HMOs and these student accommodation blocks. It is a point where the council needs to stop granting HMO licences which take away from residential amenity. 'No more means no more. What is the point of licensing if you are just going to hand out licenses like lollies to anyone who asks for one? 'I think there are two angles here. There is a longer-term strategy of figuring out how the council legislation needs to work so that planning and licensing are linked so there is no messing around to get straight to a licence without having to do planning first. 'The council needs to stop issuing NET new licenses. There needs to be an inquiry on how to prevent this and allow the longer term strategy to catch up.' Hillhead Community Council will now ask the council to hold an enquiry into the number of HMO licenses approved and for a moratorium on NET NEW HMO licenses to be put in place until an enquiry is concluded. Glasgow City Council says each HMO licence is considered under the Housing (Scotland) Act with the purpose to protect public safety. READ MORE: Council rejects plans for huge 1000-home development with pub and park A spokesman said: 'Applications for an HMO licence are considered in terms of section 130 and 131 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. 'Each application is always assessed on its own merits. 'If both the property and the owners or their agents are deemed to be suitable in terms of the relevant legislation, there is no basis to refuse a licence. 'Local representatives are consulted on every HMO application in their area and notices are displayed next to any property that is subject of an application. 'Members of the public and community councils can make representations about HMO applications and these must be considered. 'Planning permission is only required where a property requires to be sufficiently changed to become suitable for use as an HMO. 'The purpose of any licensing scheme, including HMOs, is to protect public safety.'
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Delhi govt works on new roadmap to tackle heatwaves
As Delhi grapples with increasingly severe and prolonged summers, the city government is formulating a comprehensive long-term strategy to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on residents. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed all government agencies, including the civic body and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), to collaborate on the new plan, which emphasizes systemic changes to urban planning and infrastructure for long-term resilience, reported TOI. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India stares at a 'water bomb' threat as it freezes Indus Treaty India readies short, mid & long-term Indus River plans Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" The strategy will include issuing targeted heat alerts, mapping high-risk areas, and integrating emergency response measures into the City Development Plan. A key component of the proposal involves strengthening building standards to better withstand extreme temperatures. "New infrastructure will be required to incorporate passive ventilation systems, cool roof technologies , and be designed to maximise thermal comfort," a senior official told TOI. The government has asked local bodies and land-owning agencies like DDA to incorporate the latest technologies in its plan, said a senior official. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Crossout 2.0: Supercharged Crossout Play Now What is govt planning to do? Retrofitting existing structures, especially in heat-prone areas, will also be prioritised. Revised building bye-laws mandating these changes are expected soon. To protect the urban poor, Delhi govt plans to identify areas for shelters and shaded spaces across the city, particularly in slum settlements and densely populated zones. "Providing safe spaces where people can take shelter from the heat is crucial," the official added. "Delhi needs systemic changes backed by research and community participation," the official said. Live Events Additionally, over 1.4 million students in more than 5,500 schools will be trained in heatwave preparedness. Although there was no heatwave on Saturday, Delhi recorded its hottest April day in three years, with the maximum temperature rising to 42.1 degrees Celsius — three degrees above normal — at the Safdarjung base station. On Friday, the maximum temperature had reached 41.7 degrees Celsius. After a sunny day, the skies turned cloudy on Saturday evening, accompanied by strong winds.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Govt plans long-term heatwave strategy to protect residents
New Delhi: As Delhi faces increasingly severe and prolonged summers, Delhi govt is preparing a comprehensive long-term strategy to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on its residents. Chief minister Rekha Gupta has instructed all govt agencies, including the civic body and Delhi Development Authority (DDA), to work together on the new plan, which focuses on systemic changes to city planning and infrastructure for long-term resilience. The strategy includes issuing targeted heat alerts, mapping high-risk areas, and incorporating emergency response plans into the City Development Plan. A key proposal involves strengthening building standards. "New infrastructure will be required to incorporate passive ventilation systems, cool roof technologies , and be designed to maximise thermal comfort," said a senior official. The govt has asked local bodies and land-owning agencies like DDA to incorporate the latest technologies in its plan, said a senior official. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Retrofitting existing structures, especially in heat-prone areas, will also be prioritised. Revised building bye-laws mandating these changes are expected soon. To protect the urban poor, Delhi govt plans to identify areas for shelters and shaded spaces across the city, particularly in slum settlements and densely populated zones. "Providing safe spaces where people can take shelter from the heat is crucial," the official added. The plan also emphasises incorporating indigenous knowledge systems. "Traditional cultural practices for coping with heat will be documented and included in awareness campaigns to build resilience among residents," the official noted. Outreach programmes will educate the public on the health, livelihood, and productivity risks of extreme heat and ways to mitigate them. In addition, Delhi govt will conduct research on Delhi's micro-climate patterns and improve urban temperature monitoring. Policy interventions to revive natural ecosystems, such as parks and urban forests, will create cooling zones across the city. "Delhi needs systemic changes backed by research and community participation," the official said. Gupta has previously stated that temperatures in Delhi have reached up to 50°C, a serious public health threat. "When the heat becomes this intense, our preparations must be equally robust. Heatwaves are no longer just a weather condition, but a deadly crisis," she emphasised. As part of the initiative, 3,000 water coolers will be installed across the city, and cooling shades will be built along footpaths. Govt and private buildings will adopt cool and green roof technologies. Additionally, over 1.4 million students in more than 5,500 schools will be trained in heatwave preparedness .
