Councillors zone 488 acres in Mayo for up to 3,000 new houses
A variation to Mayo County Council’s housing strategy has the potential for 3,000 new houses in the county by 2030, according to a local councillor.
Cllr Peter Flynn was commenting after members agreed at their recent monthly meeting that almost 500 acres of serviced land, hitherto designated as strategic reserve lands, will now be zoned for housing development.
The Westport-based councillor pointed out that considering the annual target nationally is to build 30,000 houses per year, Mayo County Council is to the fore in terms of the speed in which it is implementing new housing policy, thus making it a leader nationwide.
Proposing the variation to the strategy, Cllr Damien Ryan said it brings all strategic reserve lands in Mayo into new housing zones and amounts to 488 acres (195 hectares). His proposal was seconded by Cllr Flynn who noted that with an average of 15 houses per hectare, this could mean 3,000 additional houses being delivered over the lifetime of the five-year county development plan.
“As far as I’m aware we are the first county council to get this variation over the line and compliments to management for fast-tracking this.”
Cllr Gerry Coyle said he was delighted to see the variation coming in so quickly, but while it would help provide additional housing in urban areas, he requested that the focus also be brought to planning in rural areas.
Cllr Chris Maxwell said he welcomed anything in the county that will help local builders at a time when the country is in the midst of a housing crisis.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Sean Carey also welcomed the new zoning and congratulated management and all in the planning section for acting so swiftly to deliver the necessary documentation.
Director of Services Catherine McConnell advised members that following their approval, the variation would apply immediately, opening up the land for housing development. She added that it would take a minimum of 26 weeks to deliver on another variation to move the situation on further.
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
