Anyone who has experienced the torment of searching for an apartment in Dublin in recent years can likely rattle off a stream of stories of depression and disappointment from the hunt for a liveable, affordable space in the capital.
Even if you’ve never been trapped in the circuitous dance of apartment viewing, you’ve likely seen pictures on social media of box rooms masquerading as cosy living spaces, and bedrooms that would be stretching the bounds of credibility to be considered a step below comfortable.
So what can be done? Well, if the latest Dublin City Council proposals are to be implemented it will be the case that apartments – some anyway – will be getting smaller, and with less windows.
The Draft Development plan for Dublin City proposes reducing the minimum standards required and allowing apartments to be smaller, buildings to be taller and some apartments to have just one window – whereas now they are required to have two.
There will be limits on the number of buildings allowed build within the new smaller parameters, but if reaction from our listeners today is anything to go by the renting public want bigger apartments – where family living is an option – rather than smaller.
Andrew Montague, Labour Party Councillor in Dublin City, joined Chris on Breakfast this morning to discuss the new plan.
Montague explained that “We have to try and get houses built and it’s just not happening at the moment”, and smaller sizes do not mean lower quality.
“We’re trying to keep the quality as high as we can,” Montague said, with any new developments looking to build smaller units being built “only on conditions where there are extra facilities supplied”, such as gyms and community facilities.
“It’s about getting development going again. If we can get more homes built we’ll see a reduction in rent,” Montague said.
The new plans would allow for apartments to be built with just one window – a decision aimed at lowering the price of apartments, Montague said.
“Because we had that dual aspect of two windows on two sides it meant we could only have three apartments on each floor ... it means twice as many lifts as are needed and that’s meant a huge increase in the price of apartments.
“We’re saying now that only half have to have windows on two sides.”
Listen below to the full interview
