AT least 50 per cent of a proposed 24-unit housing development in Patrickswell should be used for affordable housing.
The planning application for the development at Barnakyle, Patrickswell, was before last Monday’s meeting of the Metropolitan District.
The proposal is for the construction of single-storey, dormer, and two-storey residential housing units. The unit mix comprises of eight two-bed units, eleven three-bedroom and five four-bed units.
The construction will also include new roads running north-south and east-west connecting the development with Clarina Road and future proposed neighbouring developments, associated footpaths, and 13 car parking spaces.
Local Fine Gael councillor Dan McSweeney told the council executive that he had received a commitment from the Department of Housing that funding was available for 50 per cent of the units to be made affordable.
“We need to create communities and to do this we need the correct social mix. I expect no less than 50 per cent affordable units. I have a commitment from the Department that this can be done,” he said.
Seconding Cllr McSweeney’s amendment, Cllr Daniel Butler (FG) believed that this was the way forward.
“This is a big issue out there. We need to bring in change if we are to give people a place to live,” he said.
Independent councillor Fergus Kilcoyne also supported Cllr McSweeney’s call.
The Council executive assured the Patrickswell representative that they were corresponding with the Department and would keep him updated on developments.
