‘POSITIVE talks’ are ongoing with a major investor who is planning on securing a site to provide 60 log cabins as accommodation for mica affected families.
Talks are currently ongoing with an Irish American investor, land owners and mica campaigners about the prospect of acquiring a major site to build log cabins to house mica home owners while their homes are being repaired or rebuilt.
Leading campaigner Paddy Diver said the signs are positive and they have approached Donegal County Council about ‘fast-tracking’ the application for the development.
“An investor has come to us and said he can invest in log cabins if we have land,” said Mr Diver.
“There is one prime location of land in Carndonagh which is owned by the Church.
“We are having good talks at the minute with the Parish Priests and Bishops and they are looking in to giving up their land for a length of time and then we will return it to them when the mica scandal is over.
“The land will be put back the way it was given to us because they have it earmarked for graveyards.
“This investor is willing to put in around 60 log cabins.
“If a family uses a log cabin while their house is being repaired, when their house is ready, another family can move in.
“This means that people will not have to uproot their children from the town and they can stay in schools and the communities,” said Mr Diver.
The proposed development is currently in Carndonagh however, Mr Diver believes this is a project which could be used in other parts of the county including Letterkenny.
He has put out a call for any landowner who is willing to allow their site to be used, to get in touch.
“Carndonagh is a prime example of a test site.
“There is a call out for anyone that has land that is close to electric, sewers and a town to come forward.
“If this works here, this can happen in towns all over Donegal and will be a big help to the mica affected home owners,” said Mr Diver.
Mr Diver said the initiative will be extremely beneficial as it is ‘almost impossible’ to find a house in Donegal and he fears this situation will worsen due to the threat of a housing crisis.
“It is a rat race to get a house at the minute,” said Mr Diver.
“We have checked estate agents but as soon as a house goes up, it is gone straight away.
“The price of rent has gone through the roof. Four years ago, rent was around €110 now it is up to €155 a week.
“This is only going to get worse now when mica home owners start looking for rented accommodation,” said Mr Diver.
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