Causeway Coast and Glens PUP councillor Russell Watton has spoken of his ‘devastation’ after reading a report on the ‘housing crisis’ in the Borough.

At January’s full council meeting Cllr Watton put forward a successful proposal, asking that the Ulster University Housing Study Report be presented to a future Full Council meeting.

Councillor Watton said the report was presented to a recent Planning Committee meeting, but as it was only attended in person by himself and Alliance councillor Lee Kane, with six members attending online, a presentation to full council was needed as housing “affects every council member”.

He said the findings of the report, which he believed was not available to members outside the Planning Committee, were “devastating” for the borough, and warranted a discussion among all members.

placeholder image — Councillor Russell Watton

“And it was devastating for me,” he added. “I stopped [the presenter] and said how near a crisis we are, he said ‘you in this borough are in a housing crisis’.”

“Why should I be able to read this and nobody else? This affects every single person in here, every member should get a copy of this [because] if we’re in a housing crisis you should know exactly where we’re at and what remedies there are going to be.

“The situation is deteriorating year-upon-year, new builds aren’t keeping up with demand, and the new builds were cut last year. So I propose that he comes in and does a presentation to full council, and prior to that every member gets a copy of this housing report."

DUP councillor Tanya Elder, who seconded the proposal, added: “We’re all very aware of the scale of the housing crisis that’s here in the borough, as many of us work with these issues day in and day out and see first-hand the impact that has on families, individuals, and our communities.

“Given this, I believe that it would be valuable for the members to have the opportunity to see the proposed presentation, so that we can hear the latest information directly, to ensure that we’re well informed and consider how we respond collectively and strategically.”

Councillor Kane clarified the report was available to all members online, but fully supported the proposal.