Information sessions announced for 35 new affordable homes in Castlebar 

Information sessions will take place next month for those interested in Mayo County Council’s new Starter Home Purchase Scheme at Heather View, Snugboro, Castlebar.

The upcoming development will provide 35 affordable homes, including 10 two-bedroom homes and 25 three-bedroom homes, within a wider private residential development of 99 homes.

Applications for the Heather View Starter Home Scheme are expected to open in late 2026 through Mayo County Council’s online application portal.

Three information sessions will be held on:

Tuesday, September 8, from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 7pm at Áras an Chontae, Castlebar.

Tuesday, September 15, from 10.30am to 12.30pm at First Choice Credit Union, Castlebar.

Those attending will have the chance to learn more about the 35 homes available under the scheme, including pricing, eligibility criteria, and the application process.

Sayvale Homes will offer the homes for sale, and DNG Burke Auctioneers will market the units.

Further information on the homes, including specifications, floor plans and sales particulars, will be available from DNG Burke Auctioneers.

More information on the Starter Home Purchase Scheme, including details of the Heather View homes, eligibility requirements, the scheme of priority, required documentation and FAQs, is available on the Mayo County Council website.

Formerly known as the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, the Starter Home Purchase Scheme is aimed at first-time buyers and ‘fresh start’ applicants.

Fresh start applicants are those who have previously owned a home but no longer have a financial interest in it due to separation, divorce, the breakdown of a relationship, insolvency or bankruptcy.

To qualify, applicants must meet certain income and borrowing criteria. They must also have at least a 10% deposit and intend to use the home as their main residence.

Under the scheme, the local authority takes an equity stake of between 5% and 40% in the home. The homeowner can buy back this equity at any time, and it must be repaid after 40 years or if the property is sold.