Councillor queries lack of progress on Mayo housing scheme

No progress has been made by Mayo County Council on plans to develop a four-unit housing scheme in Killala at a time when there is a housing crisis in Mayo, according to a local councillor.

Cllr Jarlath Munnelly raised the matter at last week's meeting of the council, noting that there was no mention of the scheme in the chief executive’s monthly report. The Killala-based councillor said he had been raising the matter for some time.

“I have been asking about this since April and still there is no answer. Back in November 2024, we purchased a derelict building at Market Street in the town and the concept was to build four houses in its place, but the scheme hasn’t progressed. We are in a housing crisis, and this is one thing we can do. Neighbouring properties have overgrowth as a result of this. It is very hard to explain to people. We buy a property to eliminate an eyesore and then nothing is done with it.” 

Chief executive Kevin Kelly told Cllr Munnelly that the property at Market Street is being advanced, with a plan for five units. However, he added that the council probably has “about 60 odd sites being advanced at the moment and the emphasis has been on delivering sites that meet a quantity of units and therefore, there is a number of smaller sites that have not moved as quickly".

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.