County Council buys estate it turned down for planning

Galway County Council has block-bought a new estate in Moycullen for social housing – a development for which the local authority itself had rejected planning permission.

It has been confirmed  the Council will buy the 49-home turnkey development at Kylebroughlan for €14.6 million.

The development is being built by Baile Bhruachlain Teoranta – headed up by Ronan Barrett of Citadel Corporate Finance – on a 5.2-acre site at Kylebroughlan off the N59 on the western side of the village, before the Forge pub.

The estate was initially due to go on private sale, but the Council has purchased the entire development, and will allocate homes to people on the social housing waiting list.

Ironically, the County Council had refused planning permission for the development, but An Bórd Pleanála gave it the go-ahead on appeal.

County planners argued that the development would impact on the proposed Inner Relief Road for Moycullen and would have a negative visual impact on the village.

The Council’s decision to refuse the development was overturned on appeal to An Bórd Pleanála and the local authority has now signed a deal to purchase the properties.

Seán Kyne, Government Chief Whip, Aire don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hOileáin, confirmed Government investment of €14.6 million to the County Council by the Minister Eoghan Murphy, under the Social Housing Investment Programme.

The turnkey development will be located at Kylebroughlan and will comprise 33 three-bedroom houses, four two-bedroom houses, six two-bedroom apartments and six one-bedroom apartments.

Minister Kyne said construction is ‘imminent’, and it is envisaged the homes will be ready on a phased basis from the latter half of next year.

“A further five homes for social housing are also underway in Moycullen and I understand that Galway County Council is also looking at providing new affordable housing in the locality,” added Minister Kyne.