'We have to make it easier for people to build homes' - Mayo councillor

A number of issues around planning were raised by elected members at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council.

They ranged from costs incurred before you ever start building, planning refusals for not being resident in an area, and 'imaginary lines' where people in urban areas can't build in rural parts.

Erris Councillor Gerry Coyle highlighted a young couple in his area who spent €15,960 before laying a block: €3,520 contribution fee to the council, €5,390 for engineer, €1,200 following council request for more information, €1,200 water connection, €500 for an article 6 map for the council, €600 trial hole inspection, and €3,500 ESB connection.

In another case, a local person was willing to build 20 houses tomorrow, but the lands are designated tier 2 and the homes aren't getting built because of 'red tape'.

A site he wanted to include in the development plan was rejected by the department, even though it is serviced with a sewer and water.

And we wonder then why we have a housing crisis, he said, adding that it's not caused by people owning second or holiday homes.

Councillor Annie May Reape highlighted a case of a man born in the Ballina area who returned from the USA to retire here but was told he couldn't get planning as he doesn't live here.

He was born there, lived there, and he wanted to come back, and this is a sad reality.

“We have to make it easier for people to build,” she said. Instead, they were going backwards.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne asked why a home on a public water and sewerage scheme, with properties either side of it, would be refused planning. It was 500 metres outside an imaginary boundary but if the applicant moved in with a neighbour on the country side, he'd get planning.

And in the same vein, Councillor Brendan Mulroy wondered if under new regulations the 'imaginary line' around towns like Ballina, Castlebar and Westport would be removed to allow people in the urban area build out in the rural area. At the moment they are being told their housing need is met within the urban area and the cannot move outside this 'line' to build, he said.

The town councils were gone but the boundaries are still there and it's discrimination, stated Councillor Mulroy.

On tier 2 lands, director of services Catherine McConnell said any reasonable proposal will be considered, but it will require a material contravention.

On rural housing, there is a huge uptake in applications but not in pre-planning requests.

There is a fast-track for developments over 10 units and she was happy to meet members at any time and carry their concerns back to the planners.

Ms. McConnell said there are no imaginary boundaries or lines. The local area plans and zoned areas are clearly defined.

In making their plans, where members stepped outside the OPR and minister put them back to the original starting position, she added.

Remove the line, said Councillor Mulroy, and loads of people would move to the rural area if they could get planning.