Mulranny community seek alzheimer’s centre in village

THE Community Futures group in Mulranny are advocating for the need for an alzheimer's unit in the village.

They raised the need for the facility locally in a submission to Mayo County Council on a part 8 planning application for a 16-unit social housing development in Mulranny.

Supportive of the houses, to be built at Murrevagh, as part of their submission Mulranny Community Futures made a strong case for a dedicated alzheimer's unit, which they say could be facilitated on a site owned by the council outside the area of the proposed housing development.

Also in their submission, the Community Futures included proposals for the new homes such as a link alongside the riverside to the Great Western Greenway, renewable energy initiatives and dark sky friendly lighting.

In its responses, the council said it was keen to ensure public lighting is dark sky friendly, as well as bat friendly.

It supported the idea of creating an informal riverside walk, but this may be outside the scope of the development which will focus on the provision of housing.

The planning report for the 16 houses was adopted by councillors at their monthly municipal district meeting.

With a further 20 social houses in the pipeline for Achill, Councillor Paul McNamara said the schemes were great for the rural areas.

Councillor Sean Carey agreed developments like this were a lifeline for villages and this would be a great boost for Mulranny.

Councillor Christy Hyland asked if any of the units could be offered as affordable houses, noting how under the income limits a couple with two children earning more than €27,500 could not apply for one of the homes.