Mayo's housing supply targets are doubled
Mayo County Council's housing supply targets have been doubled by Government.
Mayo’s housing targets have been doubled in a bid to deliver more homes for the county.
The Minister for Housing, James Browne, and the Minister for Planning, John Cummins, issued new guidelines instructing local authorities to update their housing targets in line with the revised National Planning Framework (NPF). National housing targets have risen by more than 22,000, with 55,598 new homes now required each year through to 2034.
Mayo County Council has been instructed to deliver 1,111 new homes annually. The previous target was 501. Mayo has the 18th highest target in the country.
There is also a provision for an additional increase to 1,567 units.
Cllr Al McDonnell said the targets make a nonsense of the Planning Regulator’s decision to reject a Castlebar Development plan drawn up by councillors. Local councillors had sought to zone more land in the town for housing but their proposals were dismissed.
“What this proves is that the Planning Regulator was completely out of order,” Cllr McDonnell told a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District.
“Their misjudgement has now resulted in us revising the whole situation,” he added.
Cllr McDonnell said the Government now needs to seriously look at the position of the Regulator.
“The Planning Regulator has more power than the Taoiseach,” he stated.
“To think of the human and financial cost that resulted out of that misjudgement by the Regulator. The amount of young families in the last number of months who have been turned down for planning,” said Cllr Ger Deere.
Both he and Cllr Donna Sheridan cited “daft” reasons for planning refusals in the area.
“A field in the middle of the town surrounded by estates was taken out of our plan by the Regulator. It was classed as agriculture. A businessman in this town was turned down for planning for it. In the middle of the town, surrounded by housing estates,” Cllr Deere stated.
“We need to look at all possibilities and situations in a positive manner in order to provide as much housing stock as possible to support our communities and towns,” said Cllr Burke, following the Government announcement.
