Nine-acre prime site in Mayo town attracts developer interest

A nine-acre site opposite Ballyhaunis Community School, which has just hit the market, is drawing interest from developers as far away as Kildare and Galway.

The site is zoned high-density residential and designated as 'strategic residential reserve tier one' under the current Mayo Co Council town development plan. It is being sold subject to planning permission and would be suitable for a mix of semi-detached homes and an apartment block, believes the sales agent, local auctioneer John Higgins, who says demand for homes is very strong in Ballyhaunis.

The Galway and Kildare based developers who looked at the site have now “gone away to do their sums” on the development, said the auctioneer. However, he noted, the ongoing war in the Middle East could complicate development. 

“The cost of building has shot up with the higher oil prices.” 

Ballyhaunis features as the second cheapest Eircode in Ireland, after Castlerea, in recent Central Statistics Office data, which could be seen as an opportunity by some developers - "if they think they can get the site at the right price," adds Higgins.

A housing estate is currently being developed in the town’s Abbeyquarter area by Mayo Co Council. 

Mr Higgins said he hasn’t been approached by the council regarding the Knock Road site.