Mayo needs serviced sites scheme to deliver new homes

COUNCILLORS in Mayo want to see a pilot scheme delivering serviced sites for people to build homes established in the county.

Separately, the whole question of incentivising people to build smaller homes, which would cost less, has also been raised at a strategic policy committee (SPC) meeting dealing with housing.

There is a policy in the county development plan to look at the availability of serviced sites. A number of sites have been identified but they haven't progressed, committee members were told, but there is an opportunity to try and push it through the SPC.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Peter Flynn said this had happened in the past and he wanted to hear from management that land has been identified somewhere in the county for a pilot programme.

He noted how the department aren't keen on funding it, but they need to put a proposal before them.

On house size, we need to build homes that meet a family's needs, he said. And they should look at exempting people who are building under a certain size from having to pay development levies, making it cheaper to build and more affordable for young working people.

At the moment the levies don't encourage smaller builds.

He asked for a proposal for their next meeting identifying a site, looking at a universal design for houses that are modest level, exempt from development levies.

And then force the document on the department to see what they'll give on financing.

“We need to lead on this,” said Councillor Flynn, whose proposal was seconded by Councillor Harry Barrett.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne felt they should bring a motion to the next council meeting directing the chief executive to prepare this in conjunction with the housing director.

It would make a huge difference in every town if put in place, giving people a real chance to build houses themselves.

* Published under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme