Twenty affordable homes mooted in Mayo county town

A developer is in talks with the council about constructing a 20-unit affordable housing scheme in Castlebar.

The location was not disclosed when members of Mayo County Council's housing policy committee were told about the proposed project.

Head of housing Olivia Gallagher said representations have been received from a developer to deliver 20 homes in two phases.

An application is currently being prepared for submission to the department for the scheme, which will be a mix of two- and three-bedroom homes.

It is hoped the first 10 homes could come on stream next year, with the next 10 by the end of the year or early into the following year.

In a lengthy debate on affordable housing across the county generally, the committee set a target for the delivery of 100 homes per annum for the next four years of its term.

Noting interest from more than 700 people in a survey a number of years ago, 20 homes wouldn't put a dent on the need for affordable housing, said Councillor Michael Kilcoyne.

Councillor Harry Barrett wondered why they were depending on private developers. The council has greenfield sites and should put its own developments in place.

There was agreement from Councillor Brendan Mulroy who said the council should be leading out on this - apply for a loan and get building houses, he said.

With just five affordable houses delivered in a scheme in Westport, committee chairperson Councillor Peter Flynn said this showed no ambition and the county needs bigger numbers.

Three recommendations came out of the meeting in respect of seeking a loan to build, a further more nuanced survey on affordable housing, and a target of delivering 400 homes through affordable housing, serviced sites or the cost rental route.