Council outlines housing plans for next two years

by Kate Heaney

SOME 1,153 houses are scheduled to be built in Donegal between now and 2026.

County councillors have been advised of the number of social houses planned for the county up to 2026, be it by acquisition of existing houses or through turn key purchases.

Land (s) to be purchased or already purchased for housing were also outlined at a recent housing meeting.

The monthly presentation by the Council’s Housing team illustrates, on the map, right, the areas in the county where council housing developments are planned.

The accompanying map shows that up to 2026 some 1,153 houses are scheduled to be built throughout the council area and the number in each area.

Members were shown the number of social housing schemes completed or almost completed in the county in an update on “in house projects”.

These total 149 houses, with the largest number in Bundoran (42), Dungloe (43), Oran Hill, Letterkenny (30) and Gallow’s Lane, Lifford (29).

Flagship projects for Letterkenny could see up to 340 social houses built in the town. Ballymacool has the capacity for 165 and the High Road site up to 175.

Development of houses/apartments by Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) completed or under construction amount to 149 units in total across nine projects.

Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly questioned why there were not more SI houses and why those that were approved took so
long.

“Why are we not promoting these more?

“It was the fastest and most affordable way to deliver houses but that is not happening any more.

“It took 14 years to deliver one recent SI house,” he said.

Council CEO John McLaughlin said the Housing team deserved to be applauded fort he work they have done in light of the fact they were 40 per cent understaffed.

“We cannot get people. We would need to double our team,” he added.

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