Calls for national plan to tackle coastal erosion

Experts say a national plan is needed to prevent homes being lost to coastal erosion.A new report from The Journal Investigates which found five councils are still allowing residential and commercial premises to be built on erosion hotspots.Sligo County Council said it had granted and refused zero applications, stating it does not approve building or development within 100 metres of a soft shoreline.The Office of Public Works says while it's responsible for the “technical aspects of assessing coastal change impacts”, matters associated with coastal change and erosion are “generally” the responsibility of local authorities.Patricia Devlin from The Journal Investigates says it's leading to a mixed approach across the country.