1,800 houses required over five year period in Louth

LOCAL AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE 500 HOUSES AND PRIVATE SECTOR 1,300 OF THAT May 1977

IN the next five years, Louth will require a total of 1,850 new houses, members of the county council are advised.

The local authority contribution will be 500, working on a completion rate of 100 per-year, an increase of 40 on the average annual completions for the past five years.

Private houses will account for 1,350, roughly the same as provided for the last five years.

However, the overall figure might not represent the actual requirements, housing officer B. Hoey points out, as demand could be lower.

The council, he adds, would also be involved in providing private houses, by the provision of loans to specified categories.

Mr. Hoey continues to the overall figure of 1,513 houses provided between the council and private builders, 60 serviced sites had also been provided by the authority.

Of the target for the private sector, he expects that under an improved loan scheme (an extension in the scope of both the Low/Rise Mortgage Scheme and the ordinary housing loan scheme) assistance could be given to 650 units, while the balance would be provided with finance from other agencies.

Presently, the council has 76 houses (Dromiskin/Kilsaran – rural cottages) under construction, while work has commenced at sites in Ardee (56 houses) and Ballynagassan (24 houses and 6 OPDs.

Definite plans for a further 160 are at various stages of preparation and should reach the tender stage this year.

The housing officer adds that the acquisition of sites for further group schemes at Kilkerley, Philipstown and Smarmore is proceeding, while investigation of potential sites at other locations are in hand.

He estimates that the aggregate requirements in locations where schemes have been provided in recent years, would be in the region of 200 units, and the programme would have to provide for a phased development in Ardee.

He also predicts that the demand for single rural cottages will continue, and approximately 50 are at tender and planning stages.

The report concludes, ‘If the programme of building in the latter half of the period is to be maintained, the establishment of adequate land banks must be given high priority.’

Cllr. J. Lennon feels it could do no harm for councillors in the various areas to search now for land, which could be obtained for future housing development.

In the cases of areas that now have houses, the idea should be to acquire land near these schemes.

Cllr. E. Filgate urges the council to guard against ignoring the small rural communities, and ensure that houses be provided for people who wish to remain in these communities.

Such a situation could develop whereby the rural areas would be denuded, with the urban areas crowded.

Cllr. B. O’Rourke is told the council has advertised for five rural cottages in Ardee, and early in June hopes to advertise for a further 8 in the north Louth area, and more at the end of the year.

The housing officer points out if the council could phase development, services and facilities would not be overtaxed at any one time.

Mr. Filgate is concerned about the income limits and amount of the council housing loan.

He says that they should be increased, while the fact that the state grant for a new home has been withdrawn acts as a disincentive to people thinking of building their own house.

At present, he says, the council loan cannot be obtained by someone drawing Pay Related Benefit or a self-employed itinerant.

Cllr. S. McGuinness agrees, commenting that there is a need for revision of the loan income limit and its amount, if they are to reach the targets outlined.

In answer to a question, Mr. Hoey informs Cllr. S. Kirk he has no detailed figures on the number of private houses built in the county last year.

There were 776 planning applications, but a lot of houses built could be from planning permissions granted in previous years.

Cllr. Lennon thinks that perhaps some people seeking such houses might avail of the low/rise mortgage scheme.

He is told that so far, the council has only got three applications under the scheme.

Nevertheless, Cllr. Lennon believes people with sites should be encouraged to do so, though the housing officer replies that people are reluctant because of the uncertainty in employment, and the attendant risk they could lose their jobs, and wouldn’t be able to meet the repayments.

However, it is agreed the council circularise details of the scheme.

Cllr. Kirk suggests building up a workforce within the council to build cottages.

This is accepted as a good idea by the members, and is to be investigated.

Mr. Burke, architect, warns that while progress on housing is good to date, it could be delayed unless staff is augmented.

Cllr. J. Farrell TD says they could enquire of various small contractors whether they are interested in building the houses.

If they are not, the council could create this special workforce, consisting of a mason, plasterer and carpenter.

Cllr. Kirk is told that the Land Commission is considering the council’s application for a site for houses in Kilkerley.

At present, Mr. Hoey, estimates that six to eight houses are required there, but they would look for additional land for future requirements.

The architect says he will be able to give a precise date when the Omeath scheme will be ready at the next meeting.

It is agreed to write to the community association in Bellurgan-Jenkinstown concerning possible sites for houses in the area.

It is also decided that councillors in the rural areas hold meetings within the next couple of months to consider what lands is available for houses.