Housing proposal by Quinn

Right site for housing key to halting rural decline

Anna-Marie Flynn

RURAL decline could be halted with the provision of more council housing schemes. That’s according to a north Mayo county councillor, who claims ‘something needs to be done fast’ to thwart the rapid progression of the rural downturn.
At a meeting of Strategic Policy Committee on Housing, held in Castlebar last week, Cllr Tim Quinn referred to the situation in his own electoral area as ‘critical’. “It is urgent that we do something to help our dying communities. They need an injection or even a transfusion to give them a new lease of life,” he said.
The Fianna Fáil councillor cited the area of Belderrig as ‘one of the worst-hit’. “Not one child is starting school in the area this year and at present there are only seven children attending the national school. It is depressing to see such a downturn in that regard.”
Director of Services, Peter Hynes, said he considered the point made by Cllr Quinn ‘extremely important’. “The Council has spent more than ten years trying to build up places like Belderrig but the future of these areas depends on whether or not the authority can acquire the right site for housing. There is no point developing housing areas if the right spot is not chosen.”
Housing Officer, Martin Keating, said two sites were under current consideration, one on a turn-key basis and the other a land acquisition project. “Land acquisition is the preferable route for the Council. The land is in a good location and the ground is in good condition. We are currently in negotiations but if these don’t work out we will reconsider the turn-key proposal.
Cllr Quinn said he hoped a deal could be brokered in the very near future to facilitate a new development to revitalize the area.