APPROVAL has been received by Galway County Council to build 139 new homes in Athenry, Portumna and Tuam.
On Monday, the local authority informed elected members that it has received approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to appoint multi-disciplinary design teams to advance five separate social housing projects.
The approved projects are in addition to the 83 homes being delivered in four other housing developments in Ardrahan, Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Tuam, contracts for which were signed earlier this month.
Cllr Liam Carroll (FG), Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council said, “I very much welcome the progress being made under ‘Housing for All’ with the announcement of nine separate housing projects in recent weeks. The delivery of a considerable number of new housing units in Athenry, Portumna in Tuam will greatly assist with meeting the increased demand for social housing and will help to reduce the housing waiting list in County Galway.”
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council confirmed that the Local Authority will shortly begin preparation of a tender for the appointment of multi-disciplinary design teams for the newly approved housing developments. “We are grateful to the Department for approving the advancement of these vitally important developments to design stage. With an estimated budget of almost €43.5m, these housing projects will provide much needed homes and will help to revitalise the communities in which they are being developed,” added Mr. Conneally.
Two sites in Athenry have been earmarked for social housing with 11 units being developed at Cullairbaun and a further 30 units being developed at Gort Mhailor. 63 homes will be developed at Farrannamartin on the Galway Road in Tuam, while 24 units are earmarked for St. Joseph’s Road, Portumna and 11 units for St. Bridget’s Road, Portumna.
According to Michael Owens, Director of Services for Housing and Ukrainian Response, “With the exception of the project at St. Bridget’s Road in Portumna, the developments will be new builds on greenfield sites. The project at St. Bridget’s Road will see existing derelict properties being redeveloped for social housing. Some of the properties were in the ownership of Galway County Council while other properties have been acquired over recent years to facilitate the overall redevelopment”.
