Council urged to provide serviced sites for self-builders

Cllr Mick Dollard has urged Westmeath County Council to explore providing serviced sites in Mullingar to help families who want to build homes and who don’t qualify for social housing.

“Have the local authority any land up on the Ardmore Road? Would they not think about looking at providing serviced sites in that area or out in Robinstown?” he asked.

Cllr Dollard said that in the past, there were a number of successful serviced site developments in Mullingar: Hawthorn Crescent, a council and Dept of Defence development; Great Oaks – council and St Loman’s Hospital; Grange Village – council and General Tyre factory at the time. Others were at Beech Grove and Brookfield.

“I accept we need affordable housing and social housing units now, we also have to look at people who don't qualify for social housing provision,” he said, adding that serviced sites would also help those who might want to build a house in a rural setting but who don't satisfy the local need criteria.

Responding to Cllr Dollard, Council chief executive Barry Kehoe stated there was merit to his point, and that the new Mullingar area plan does have provision for serviced sites. He said the policies are relatively flexible in allowing the private sector to come forward with schemes for private sites as well.

“As you're probably aware, there's one under way at the moment out in Irishtown in Mullingar. The sites are selling, houses are being built and it looks really well in my view; it looks like it'll be a successful scheme,” Mr Kehoe said.

Continuing, Mr Kehoe said he hoped other private landowners come forward with proposals as it would provide an option suitable for some people, and take pressure off the rural areas.

“From our perspective, the priority is the provision of affordable and social housing and that's where our emphasis is,” he stated.

Mr Kehoe said the council does have land on the Ardmore Road but is hoping to come forward with a mixed use scheme on that - social affordable and private housing, but not serviced sites.