Light on horizon for vacant properties in Mayo county town

THERE is hope of some positive news on a vacant unfinished estate on the outskirts of Castlebar.

The situation of 70 plus vacant homes in the estate was raised at the monthly Mayo County Council meeting.

That's in addition to eight homes at Chestnut Grove which have been held up. People there have been told they have a house but are still waiting, said Councillor Harry Barrett, who asked what is happening with Chestnut Grove.

Meanwhile, on the Ballinrobe Road, the crows are coming into their ninth or tenth nesting season in a housing estate of over 70 units, Councillor Michael Kilcoyne told the meeting.

It's 'disgraceful', he said, given the number of people homeless in the county, that these units were left there, some of them completely finished.

Sometimes you lose faith with democracy because nothing gets done, bogged down in red tape, he said.

Director of services Tom Gilligan said the Chestnut Grove homes were taken over from an approved housing body.

There is a planning issue with a boundary wall which is being dealt with and when resolved, the houses are ready.

On the Ballinrobe Road development, a meeting took place with the owners on January 31 and assurances were received that a finance issue was resolved and they are working with solicitors on the legal aspect.

Mr. Gilligan said hopefully by the end of March they should have more positive news on it, appreciating that it has been a drawn out process.

The status of six houses subject to CPO for the new N5 road was queried by Councillor Ger Deere, who said they are falling into disrepair.

He was told a price has been agreed with TII. There was no guarantee all six will be brought back into use this year but some will.