Mayo serviced sites will be advertised before year end

SERVICED sites for homes in Mayo Abbey are due to be advertised for potential buyers before the end of the year.

It is expected that there will be up to five sites on the grounds in question, with valuations expected to be completed soon. They will then be advertised in Q4.

Members of the council's housing committee received the update on the scheme which will allow future homeowners to buy fully serviced sites from the local authority at a discount price.

A request was made of council management for details around the criteria as to who can apply for a site.

The Land Development Agency was highlighted by Councillor Harry Barrett as another possible source for delivering housing, and he asked that they be invited to address the council to see if something can be advanced in terms of serviced sites.

He was told the agency had identified a state-owned site in Ballina as the only location in Mayo they were interested in. It's a tricky site but could probably host around 100 houses.

Councillor Barrett said he wants something similar for Castlebar and Westport. Could they not purchase a site for 150 houses, he asked. They have a population base which would command a large housing development.

The Land Development Agency is moving out into the regions, and it would be remiss of them not to do something. He wanted a pilot scheme to see what can be done, he told the meeting.

Separately, the committee had sought an inventory of council owned lands of five acres or more.

They were told the overall amount of council land with potential for development across the various settlements is 71 acres. That was whittled down to 13 acres being ready for housing development in the short-term.

The full breakdown of land parcels over three acres owned by the council will be circulated to members, but it ranges from 10 acres in Balla to 29 in Ballina, 91 in Westport and 356 acres in Castlebar.

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