Minister Browne announces expansion of the role and remit of the Land Development Agency
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Enhanced LDA will beef up delivery of homes across the country
Body will now deliver more private housing as well as social, affordable and cost rental
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, T.D., today announced an ambitious expansion to the remit of the Land Development Agency (LDA) to support the delivery of housing that meets the needs of communities all over Ireland. The Minister updated the Cabinet this morning regarding the recent conclusions of the Cabinet Committee on Housing and outlined the actions that need to be taken.
The relevant departments, the LDA and the newly established Housing Activation Office will liaise to bring about the changes necessary to provide for this expansion in the LDA’s mandate.
Speaking to the expansion in the role and remit of the State’s Land Development Agency, Minister Browne said:
“We must maximise the potential of every tool at our disposal if we are to accelerate housing delivery to the levels necessary to meet this country’s needs. The LDA has proven very successful in delivering social and affordable housing to date and I am convinced that it can do even more.
“Today I am announcing a serious of important changes which will lay the groundwork for an ambitious step up in LDA delivery in communities all over Ireland while supporting the National Planning Framework priorities for the sustainable development of Ireland’s town and cities.
“These changes follow on the heels of other recent interventions: the revised National Planning Framework, key planning changes on extensions and exemptions, the establishment of the Housing Activation Office and crucial reform to the rental sector. I will continue to introduce improvements and innovations to ensure we can build the homes that everyone needs.”
The six key changes to the LDA to be advanced are:
- For the LDA to develop its land bank to engage in active land management policies and for LDA to deliver private housing in appropriate locations;
- Expand the LDA’s geographical area of operation;
- Unlock key strategic public lands for urban brownfield delivery through infrastructure investment;
- Amend the provisions of the LDA Act relating to the transfer of lands from commercial state bodies to expedite the development of suitable sites;
- Work with the Department of Finance on the tax treatment of LDA cost rental activity; and
- For the LDA to support local authorities, the Housing Activation Office and the Department in master planning and infrastructure provision in new towns and districts.
The Cabinet Committee on Housing have agreed in principle to all of the recommendations made and the relevant Departments will now work to advance individual actions and to bring detailed proposals for to Cabinet for approval and implementation.
The LDA was established in 2018 to manage public land and deliver affordable housing. The LDA is overseen by an independent board and has received equity funding from the government. Its mission is to maximize the supply of affordable homes on State land and other land, supporting the creation of thriving communities.
ENDS