The Leitrim Observer can reveal that 998 homes were either vacant or under construction in the county at the end of last year. This does not include the 1,389 units that received planning permission in Leitrim in 2009.

The report conducted by the Planning Department of Leitrim County Council completed a full survey of the permitted housing developments in the county in late 2009 and also includes a similar survey carried out in Leitrim in 2008.

The report which was handed out to elected members of Leitrim County Council last week was designed to look at the housing completions and vacancy levels in housing estates in the county, but it did not assess the quality or finish of the estate infrastructure.

The Council's findings, although stark, are a vast improvement on the national media reports that made headlines in January this year.

National reports said Leitrim had the highest rate of ghost estates (estimated at 21) per head of population in the country. Those reports said 2,945 houses were built in Leitrim during the boom years when only 588 would have sufficed. Based on those figures that would have left Leitrim with 2,357 vacant homes, instead of the 998 outlined.

The Council's survey identified that 284 schemes (of 5 houses or more) were granted permission throughout the county since 1999.

The report compares the 2008 and 2009 surveys and shows a slight decrease in the number of houses under construction and those that were vacant for the first time between the two years.

The report states that based on the figure of 998 (either vacant or under construction) at the end of last year "it will take nine years at least to clear this existing stock. To do this however the 'not started' stock would need to remain static."

The report also commented that the surveys show "that there is an excess of zoned lands within the towns and villages of the county."

The 2009 survey shows there is a prospectful capacity of 8,290 units on undeveloped zoned land in Leitrim.

The Leitrim Observer also learned from viewing the documents that are to be discussed among council members before next month's monthly meeting, that the council issued six enforcement notices to developers last year in relation to the carrying out of works to complete the infrastructure of estates.

The council must wait seven years after the planning permission has expired (which is five years from the date of application) before it can be possible to initiate an enforcement action against any developer.
Taking a look around the county, by the end of 2009 Carrick-on-Shannon fared the worst with 155 housing units either under construction or vacant.

Manorhamilton was next with 103 in the same category followed by Rooskey (98), Drumshanbo (95), Leitrim Village (90), Dromod (80), Dromahair (70), Ballinamore (61), Kinlough (60), Keshcarrigan (45) and Mohill (36).

Rural areas such as Jamestown, Cloone, Ballinaglera, Dowra, Drumcong, Kilclare, Kiltyclogher and Rossinver had no housing estates vacant or under construction by the end of 2009, while other areas such as Drumsna, Carrigallen, Fenagh, Newtowngore, Drumkeerin, Killargue, Tullaghan, Glenfarne and Lurganboy had a small number of vacant houses to deal with.

Speaking about the report, Drumshanbo Cllr Enda McGloin said the council needs to plan for the "enormous financial cost" they will incur in the future.

Following the legal expiry period of time of developments, Cllr McGloin said the council will be "forced to take these estates over." He said they need to be realistic about the current condition of some of these estates and try and now plan for the impending costs.

He said although this report has been very insightful he will be asking for a more in-depth report into the current state of unfinished estates because many people have been "left in limbo" as developers have disappeared and the council have no legal entitlement to help residents. He said these issues need to be addressed as he has been trying to fight on behalf of these residents since he was first elected in 2004.

Cllr McGloin said the elected members will have a meeting with Council officials in April to answer specific questions on various areas around the county and sort out a plan of action for the future.

At the council's March meeting Cllr Gerry Reynolds asked for a public meeting to be held on this "major issue which affects the entire county."