A recommendation against zoning a number of Dublin church sites for housing has been described as short-sighted.
The Archdiocese of Dublin says it will unnecessarily restrict its efforts to assist in meeting the city's housing needs.
As part of a submission on Dublin city council's draft development plan, the diocese looked for residential zoning for more than thirty church sites across the city.
In response, DCC's chief executive has recommended councillors reject the majority of the proposals.
Owen Keegan says most of the rezoning applications were premature with no specific proposals and that in most cases churches would have to be demolished to allow developments, while a number of the buildings are protected structures, limiting construction on their grounds.
The diocese says it's disappointed the flexibility under the current zoning rules will no longer exist, saying it could lead to costly and time-consuming processes if and when changes of use are needed.
