Housing at Columb Barracks still on the cards

The Land Development Agency (LDA) says that it is “continuing to liaise with Westmeath County Council and the Planning Authority, to identify the best way forward for the Columb Barracks site”.

In last Tuesday’s Budget, the government outlined that €1.2 billion is to be allocated to the LDA for the development of affordable housing in state-owned sites across the country, including undeveloped land at Columb Barracks.

When contacted by the Westmeath Examiner for an update on its plans for the barracks site, the LDA issued this statement:

“The €1.2 billion investment, outlined in Budget 2021, will be unlocked when legislation to establish the Land Development Agency (LDA) as a statutory body is enacted, which is a priority in the current Legislative Programme.

“The investment will allow the LDA to progress a range of housing projects on state-owned land.

“While the project remains at early stage of consideration, we are continuing to liaise Westmeath County Council and the Planning Authority, to identify the best way forward for the Columb Barracks site,” the statement concluded.