‘It’s not enough’: 65 houses in Leitrim granted planning permission in 2024

The number of houses granted planning permission in 2024 and the factors delaying further housing development sparked an extended discussion at the January meeting of Leitrim County Council.

Cllr Enda McGloin asked how many houses were granted planning last year, and whether there was a reason to be optimistic about a significant improvement in the supply of homes in 2025.

A reply from the Economic Development stated that planning permission was granted for 65 houses in 2024.

These included 25 units in small schemes; two in Mohill, four in Kinlough, five in Carrick-on-Shannon and Drumshanbo, and nine in Ballinamore.

22 one-off houses were built in the countryside served by individual wastewater systems, nine individual dwellings, eight replacement houses and a community dwelling house in Carrick-on-Shannon.

An extension for 34 dwellings in Dromahair was approved but is under appeal. Additionally, Part 8 approval was given for 20 social housing units across five locations.

The reply also clarified that Leitrim County Council primarily responds to the private housing market, which faces challenges such as rising construction costs. However, the Council emphasised its commitment to working with construction companies to maintain housing supply.

“On reflection it’s not enough in my view,” Cllr McGloin said of the reply. “I know there’s external factors such as cost and building regulations which are causing a lot of people not to build.”

He remarked that a positive development regarding housing is the Croí Cónaithe scheme, which helps with refurbishment of vacant properties. 230 houses to date have been done through the Croí Cónaithe scheme.

“Overall, I don’t believe it’s sufficient numbers,” he said.

Clarity sought on status of housing acquisitions in Leitrim

At January's meeting of Leitrim County Council, Cllr Pádraig Fallon proposed a motion requesting an update on the local authority's ability to acquire housing.

“We have a huge amount of employment brought back into the county, but the shortage of housing is going to cause problems in relation to getting the type of people they need to work in County Leitrim.”

Cllr McGloin identified Uisce Éireann as one of they key obstacles to increasing housing development. He highlighted potential opportunities for housing projects outlined in the County Development Plan for towns like Leitrim Village, Drumshanbo and Carrick-on-Shannon, but noted that these plans can’t proceed because of wastewater infrastructure.

He called for a discussion with Uisce Éireann in terms of how they plan to improve the issue to support housing development.

Elected members supported Cllr McGloin’s calls.

“I really welcome the suggestion of a discussion with Uisce Éireann around the onus that is on them to try to facilitate and work with local authorities in regards to new builds,” Cllr Pádraig Fallon said.

Cllr Mary Bohan suggested requesting funding from the new Government to allow local authorities to build houses.

“We did it in difficult times before in the 70s and 80s. One of our main functions as a Council is to provide housing. We can’t do it without adequate resources and now is an opportune time to write to the new Minister for Housing,” she commented.

The central and recurring focus of the discussion was the need to engage with Uisce Éireann executives about their role in helping to facilitate new builds, with the Council planning to reach out to them.

“We have to remember our housing statistics are produced in the context of a national housing crisis,” said Joseph Gilhooly, CEO of Leitrim County Council.

“It’s important to see there is activity in housing in Leitrim.”

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