Criteria revealed for serviced sites initiative

Mayo County Council has revealed the eligibility criteria for ready-to-build houses on serviced sites provided by the local authority.

The criteria were outlined at a meeting of the council's strategic policy committee for housing in relation to four serviced units that are soon to be offered at a discount to eligible applicants in a pilot scheme at Mayo Abbey.

The scheme is run under the Croi Conaithe programme and applicants must show that the site will be used to build a principle private residence and that it is solely intended for owner occupation, with only one site allowed per applicant.

There is priority listing for the units, with the first priority being for first-time buyers and Fresh Start applicants, while also prioritised are those with specific needs such as older persons and people with disabilities.

Applicants must be tax compliant, must apply for planning within three months of getting planning approval and must pay a site deposit. Failure to meet the criteria can mean the site will revert back to council ownership.

There are also percentage claw-backs on the arrangement for the council, where a tenant builds and occupies but then sells the property, although they are free to sell it after ten years.

Director of Services Catherine McConnell said if the scheme proves successful the council will look to roll out similar offerings around the county. She pointed out that there can be a cost to the council of up to €15,000 to connect each unit to the public services, meaning that rather than having to subsidise such developments, the council would look to use sites already connected to services in the county.

The council will shortly be taking out advertisements for the Mayo Abbey sites with information on the application process also set to be outlined.

Housing SPC Cathaoirleach Cllr Peter Flynn welcomed the update, adding that while a serviced site may not be a first choice for those wishing to have their own home, “it does give people an opportunity to get their foot in the ground".

"Hopefully this will be the kickstart for more, because we need to see this being offered in the bigger towns and right across the county.” 

He predicted that Westport would not be a likely location for such serviced sites, as “regrettably, land is just so expensive there”, with the Director of Services agreeing that “if we have to purchase land and then service it, the process can become unaffordable".

In response to a query from Cllr Neil Cruise as to whether the council might consider providing serviced sites on land if the land was offered to the local authority by an approved housing body or a local development company, Ms McConnell said the council would certainly “be open to having a conversation around that".

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.