Positive developments on houses in the Lifford-Stranorlar area

Positive moves on the provision of social housing in the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District were welcomed at today's meeting of the committee.

Chairman, Cllr Patrick McGowan said the public was very interested in the provision of new houses and was keen to see plans progress.

The meeting heard from two representatives from the council's housing delivery office on the matter, Jim Bonner and Elaine Harley.

They revealed in terms of social housing developments the council had a number of ongoing projects in the municipal district including:

- 11 currently under construction in Raphoe which contractors hope to be completed back the end of March 2023;

- 19 units at Trusk Road, Ballybofey where the site had been cleared and groundworks commenced with the construction of foundations and rising walls. It was expected it would be finished by January 2024;

- 29 units at Gallow's Lane, Lifford where the council was progressing with the appointment of a contractor with a proposed start date on site for the end of November

- 60 social housing units at Lifford Common were currently at a preliminary design stage. The site was subject to an application to An Bord Pleanála and the proposed development would depend on the outcome

- 24 turnkey units at Flaxfields, Convoy had received Stage 4 approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and  Heritage. Pre-contract discussions with the developer are ongoing and the council is working to resolve a wastewater connection issue in conjunction with the developer and Irish  Water.

- 14 unit proposed development in Ballybofey is also the subject of discussions with the developer and councillors would be advised in advance of the works commencing onsite.

It emerged that council officials are also continuing to talk with developers with regard to a  number of additional valid proposals for Ballybofey and Stranorlar and councillors will be fully informed of these proposals upon receipt of final departmental approval.

The meeting also heard that a housing development at the former Stranorlar Fire Station was at a very early feasibility stage. A topographical survey had been procured and initial sketch designs will be progressed soon.

In relation to finding land or property for social housing purposes, officials revealed that the council is planning to develop further projects on existing landbanks in various locations throughout the county. Preliminary designs are underway for a number of these sites and are informed by the pertaining approved social housing need at a local level. 

They said that in parallel with the construction and turnkey programmes the council is actively pursuing the acquisition of lands suitable for housing purposes, in towns and villages where there is currently no social housing solution available.

The meeting was told that in addition to the current expression of interest advertisement on the councils’ website for parcels of land, derelict sites /buildings with the potential to deliver social housing, the council is also separately identifying parcels of land with social housing potential in areas of need.

A number of suitable parcels of land have been identified across the Lifford-Stranorlar MD and positive engagement/negotiations are ongoing directly with landowners/agents to acquire these lands.  

Cllr McGowan asked if the council had an idea of the type of houses earmarked for the fire station site as it was generally felt the site would be more suitable for homes for the elderly.

"It is a very central location in an established area and I wonder if there is enough room for family-type housing. Because of the site's size and nature of the site, it was felt at the time it was first mooted that it would be more suitable for older people."

He asked for an update on the new schemes on or before their next meeting as the public was very interested in these town centre developments.