Seek affordable housing scheme for Mayo's county town

APPLICATION should be made for an affordable housing scheme in Castlebar.

The view was put forward by Councillor Michael Kilcoyne who said the Taoiseach has spoken favourably about progressing such developments.

Mayo County Council has made a submission for a scheme in Westport, approval was which was confirmed yesterday (Friday).

The Castlebar-based representative suggested at a council meeting that a scheme should also be put forward for the county town.

The Taoiseach had said if the submissions are made, there will be funding and he wanted to see that done, he said.

His area colleague Councillor Martin McLoughlin agreed there should be schemes in rapidly growing towns like Castlebar, Ballina and also Claremorris.

The point was made by Councillor Blackie Gavin that landbanks were now opening up within close range of the N5, where all the necessary infrastructure is in place, and housing, social and affordable, could be developed.

Councillor Ger Deere said people are crying out for affordable and serviced sites, and he also highlighted the amount of vacant council properties that need to be done up.

Director of services Tom Gilligan said other parts of the county will be looked at.