Housing

Lobby groups warn inaccurate population forecasts jeopardise housing targets

Construction Industry Federation says Kildare and Wicklow local authorities’ underestimates of population growth scupper delivery of homes

A report commissioned by the Construction Industry Federation said that inaccurate population forecasts in two counties indicate a wider systemic risk to housing targets

A limit on the number of homes that can be built in Kildare and Wicklow means not enough properties can be developed to keep up with population growth, property lobbyists have warned the government.

Under new development plans published by local authorities, population forecasts for each county have been used to set limits on how many homes can be built. Kildare and Wicklow councils have said that no more than 9,144 and 8,820 homes respectively ...