Progress in unfinished west Mayo estate saga

LIGHT may be appearing at the end of the tunnel in a long-running unfinished estate housing saga in Newport.

Twenty-two units at Black Oak Rise, which was built nearly 20 years ago, are lying idle.

Three years ago the council and a housing agency were taking them over but that has collapsed.

Now, Councillor Peter Flynn has asked Mayo County Council to acquire them by CPO.

Speaking on a motion about the issue, Councillor Flynn reminded management that there had been a plebiscite six years ago where the majority of residents asked for the council to take the estate over.

He wanted to see the legal advice on why that hadn't been done.

Municipal head Padraic Walsh said he understood a different arrangement is being followed to acquire the properties and that significant progress has been made on that.

On the CPO request, he has no role in the capital acquisition of housing and he also had no budget.

Councillor Flynn said all they would be looking for was a temporary loan and the department are 'throwing money' at councils to move housing along. If a proposal went to the department, they would fund it, he said.

Mr. Walsh said given the progress made since the original collapse, he asked that some time be given to complete that process.

He would pass on the CPO suggestion to the central housing section but he didn't think it will be needed.