Ballina social housing project on track despite fire at site
The fire damaged building.
An assessment of the damage caused to a building in Ballina earmarked for social housing has been completed.
Last month, a fire caused extensive damage to the derelict property at Kevin Barry Street in the town.
Councillors in Ballina had granted Part 8 planning permission for 31 social housing units at the site. It is comprised of 3 three-bedroom units, 14 two-bedroom units and 14 one-bedroom units consisting of 2 three-storey apartment blocks, 1 two-storey block and the refurbishment of the existing terrace at 5-7 Raheen Row. Several of the one-bedroom units were earmarked for elderly residents.
Mayo County Council engineers have completed their examination of the site and it is hoped the construction of the social housing project will get underway by the end of 2025.
"We had an assessment done by an engineer and we think the buildings are still structurally sound. There is a question mark over the chimney on one of the houses but other than that we believe the walls are structurally sound and we don’t think it will delay the building of the houses,” said Declan Turnbull, Head of Ballina Municipal District. ""We hope to be on site by the end of the year with a contractor to get those units built,” he added.
The Garda investigation into the blaze continues.
