AT A TIME when housing dominates kitchen table conversations and national debate, the role of Local Authorities and in particular, the senior executive teams within them, in planning for housing in our cities, towns and villages has never been more critical.

While much attention is rightly paid to construction capacity, affordability and output numbers, there is a less visible but fundamental issue that must be addressed urgently – zoning sufficient land for development.

Zoning may not capture headlines or spark daily discussion among the public, but its importance cannot be underestimated.

Without adequate land zoned for housing, no amount of funding, policy ambition or private sector capacity will allow us to meet the needs of our growing population.

If residentially zoned land is not there, the homes simply cannot follow. It is a fundamental raw material for the construction sector.

Requirements clearly set out for councils

In July, Housing Minister James Browne and I wrote to all local authorities to clearly set out what was required of them.

The message was straightforward; councils must commence a variation of their development plans and ensure that sufficient, serviced and readily serviceable land is zoned for activation.

This was not optional or a box-ticking exercise. It is a central pillar of our national response to the housing challenge.

The Ministerial Guidelines identify the national housing growth requirements identified for each local authority based on the Revised National Planning Framework, which are to plan for approximately 55,000 new homes per annum on average between now and 2034.

Further, the guidelines provided for additional headroom of 50%, allowing Local Authorities to zone for up to 83,000 units per annum in recognition of the fact that not every parcel of land, which is zoned is immediately brought forward for development.

Each local authority is expected to reflect these new targets by updating their individual development plans as a matter of urgency.

Poor attitude from some local authorities 

Against that backdrop, it has been disappointing to see and hear reports of resistance and, in some cases, poor attitudes from a small number of local authorities towards this ask.

We cannot have a situation where Local Authorities are in theory zoning more lands but are imposing caveats as to when this land can come forward for development or worse still that they aren’t making sufficient provision at all.

Let me be clear, such an approach is not acceptable and it will not be tolerated.

The housing crisis demands urgency, ambition and cooperation across every level of government.

Caution, delay or reluctance to plan for growth only serves to compound the problem and push solutions further out of reach.

That is why, a couple of months ago, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister Browne and I engaged directly with four Local Authorities through a series of detailed meetings.

These meetings in Government Buildings were designed to dissect existing approaches, challenge assumptions and, crucially, to consult and engage on the areas that must be prioritised for housing development.

They were positive, constructive and necessary conversations, and they will continue in the New Year, as required, to ensure momentum is maintained and that expectations are fully understood.

Need for ambitious approach from council bosses

Before Christmas, Minister Browne and I wrote again to Chief Executives of Local Authorities to underline the need for an ambitious and forward-looking approach to zoning.

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We welcome the fact that the vast majority of planning authorities have already commenced their variation process and have prepared Chief Executive’s reports for elected members outlining the proposed approach to be taken to secure the objectives of the Guidelines.

We reiterated that it is imperative that all planning authorities commence and/or finalise their variation process as quickly as possible in the New Year.

There can be no room for a cautious or minimalist approach.

This government is utilising every policy lever to deliver an increased quantum of homes across the country.

However, it still remains the case that Local Authorities play a fundamental role in unlocking progress not just from a zoning perspective but also when it comes to the delivery of social and affordable homes and tackling the scourge of dereliction.

They must show leadership and fully support the delivery of housing in their areas.

A pro-development outlook that asks “why not?” rather than “what if?” is the approach I want Local Authorities to take. The stakes are simply too high, and the need too urgent for anything less.

Ultimately it all comes back to the simple fact – without a sufficient quantum of residentially zoned land, we cannot meet the housing needs of our growing population.

Planning for this growth is not optional, it is an obligation.

John Cummins is a Fine Gael TD for Waterford and the Minister of State for Local Government and Planning.