Thousands of new houses could be built in Offaly
‘a lot of land will now be open for new housing in many villages across the county’
THE Councillors of Offaly County Council hailed what they believe is a possible game changer which might lead to the building of thousands of new houses throughout the county, during their monthly meeting in Áras an Chontae on Monday afternoon.
The Councillors were told that the Minister for Housing, James Browne, has instructed County Councils to create variations in their County Development Plans which will rezone more land for housing.
Cllr Peter Ormond warmly welcomed the Variation to the Development Plan. “It means that a lot of land will now be open for new housing in many villages across the county,” he remarked.
Cllr John Leahy agreed. “This variation to the CDP, this extensive land rezoning, will lead to big benefits for everybody.”
“The Minister instructed us to rezone as much land as possible,” commented Cllr Seán Maher. “What we don't know is what type of housing will be built on those lands. All of us Councillors are agreed that we need a lot more affordable housing. Affordable housing is the great need out there.”
Cllr Noel Cribbin welcomed the variation but pointed out that Uisce Éireann's slowness to act and a lack of capacity in some Wastewater Treatment Plants might stymie some possible housing developments.
Cllr Shane Murray said the rezoning will come into immediate effect following Monday's meeting. He said the rezoning in Tullamore could lead to 1500 to 1700 new houses being built in the town. The rezoned areas in Tullamore are Charleville Road, Spollenstown, Clonminch, Arden Road, Puttaghaun and Daingean Road. He said the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tullamore received a big upgrade a number of years ago and therefore is well equipped to deal with new housing developments.
Cllr Murray agreed with Cllr Maher. “A lack of affordable housing is the great problem out there,” he remarked. “There are many hardworking people who are over the income threshold for social housing but their wages are not high enough to afford houses. This is why I would want to see as many of these possible 1500 to 1700 new houses in Tullamore being affordable houses.”