Still no word on affordable housing scheme for Mayo town

Minister Alan Dillon will deliver on affordable housing for Castlebar, a council meeting was told.

At a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne bemoaned the fact that 11 months on Castlebar has still received no word back from the Department of Housing on a 15-home development application for the town.

“We have a Minister in this town and we can’t get an answer from the Department,” said Cllr Kilcoyne.

“I have spoken to him (Minister Dillon) and he is working on it,” said Fine Gael councillor Cyril Burke.

Party colleague, Cllr Ger Deere said the project is a “top priority.” “A lot of work is being done on a suitable location,” he added.

Head of Castlebar Muncipal District, David Mellett told councillors that work is expecte to begin in the New Year on two derelict properties located close to Barrack Bridge. This follows on from an apartment development at Charles Street which has recently got underway.

Construction has stated on the four one-bedroom apartment social housing scheme on Lower Charles Street in the town.

Cllr Blackie Gavin welcomed the project but said construction has caused some upheaval for a local business and its elderly customers. 

He asked that a walkway and additional parking at a nearby location be provided while construction takes place.

Mr Mellett said he would raise these concerns with the contractor.