Northern Irish housebuilders call on political leaders to solve wastewater infrastructure issues holding up development

Housebuilders in Northern Ireland have called on political leaders in Stormont to agree a plan to fix the country’s wastewater infrastructure, with more than 15,000 homes on hold due to a lack of capacity in the system.

Build Homes (BHNI), which represents housebuilders, said: “There is still no plan to address the underlying problem which is the Northern Ireland Executive’s persistent and chronic underfunding of NI Water.”

BHNI pointed to figures released in February by NI Water showing there are 14,248 homes for which NI Water has recommended refusing permission, with a further 1,138 that can’t be connected to the sewerage system because of “closed catchments”, ie a lack of capacity.

Paul McErlean, director at BHNI, said: “The consequences of our failing wastewater network, be that historically low levels of housebuilding or a record 50,000 applicants for social housing, are becoming increasingly evident. Lack of capacity in the system is contributing towards the fastest rising rent and housing costs in the UK and pollution in our loughs and rivers. It is also stopping wider economic investment and development.

“This is a system-wide crisis which demands a system-wide solution. Unfortunately, after two years since devolution was restored, there is still no plan to address the underlying problem which is the Executive’s persistent and chronic underfunding of NI Water.”

He said BHNI has written to the main party leaders requesting they meet “as a matter of urgency” to agree a long-term sustainable solution.

He said: “Agreeing the principle of a solution now would be an outstanding legacy for this executive and a clear demonstration that devolution can deliver for the good of society.”

According to official statistics, 5,844 homes were completed in Northern Ireland in 2025, down on the 6,022 for the previous year.