‘Milestone day’ in Mayo as two new estates opened

A milestone day for Mayo was how the Minister for Housing James Browne described Friday, September 26th, as he officiated over the launch of two major housing schemes in the county.

Sixteen houses were opened at Murrevagh Close in Mulranny and 50 houses at the Bog Gate Demesne in Westport, in addition to a sod-turning ceremony for a new 15-house development at The Meadows in Ballina.

The development in Mulranny has seen the construction of 16 dormer-style homes arranged consisting of a total of eight three-bedroom houses and eight two-bedroom homes. Meanwhile, in Westport, 45 of the new houses in Bog Gate Demesne are social houses, with the other five affordable homes In total, the development saw the construction of 36 three-bedroom houses and 14 two bedroom. The new development has been arranged in clusters to foster a strong neighbourhood ambience.

The launches in Mulranny and Westport were attended by Mayo County Council officials, planners, engineers and developers, as well as public representatives and local residents who were blessed with a beautiful dry Friday to mark the special occasion.

A warm welcome was extended to all the families who will call the new houses home by a line-up of speakers at the event, with Head of Housing Olivia Gallagher stating: “Let us remember a home is not just a place, it’s a foundation for the future and these homes will provide security, opportunity and a sense of belonging for the families who live here.” 

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Sean Carey, said it was a great honour to be at the official opening of both developments which marked a tremendous day for West Mayo with the state-of-the-art new houses representing not just bricks and mortar “but opportunity, security and giving people the chance to live where they come from and further foster their connection to their locality and community, because everybody deserves the chance to live in the place they love". The families that move into the houses “will bring new life to our streets, children to classrooms, volunteers to community groups and friends to doorsteps, all looking forward to a brand new future and we will push to bring similar developments right across the county”, Cllr Carey added.

The council's chief executive Kevin Kelly said it was “an honour” to be at the opening of such first-class projects and acknowledged the outstanding work by the architect team, planners, engineers, council staff, public representatives and all involved.

“It was great to have a sod turning and two official openings today and I thank the Housing Minister for taking the time to open each. It is a significant occasion that deserves this formality and we look forward to many more.”

Mr Kelly described the Westport houses as being in a superb location, next to Westport House and near the town and heart of community life, and acknowledged: “The need to increase delivery of affordable houses is understood and discussions are ongoing around this in sites in Castlebar and Ballina. Also the recent variation of the County Development Plan will provide additional opportunities for both social and affordable units here in Westport.” 

Minister Browne: “I am delighted to have been invited to this milestone event here in Westport and it does afford me an opportunity to see first-hand the tangible progress being made in delivering social and affordable homes locally. What we are seeing here is 50 very important homes. These are not simply bricks and mortar but places where people can grow up safely and securely, they are very welcome and where better to have them than in a beautiful town like Westport.”