A 26 bed social housing development in Clifden moved a step closer with the signing of a contract for construction.
The scheme which is expected to commence in mid-September and take 20 months to complete, will see 18 houses and eight apartments made up of 11 two bed units, 10 one bed units and five three bed units being built at Hospital Road in the town.
The plan also includes car parking, landscaping, site clearance works, road footways, amenity facilities, public lighting, connections to existing services and all ancillary site development works.
Welcoming the Gort na gCloch development which is to be undertaken by Carey Building Contractors, Connemara area councillor Eileen Mannion said the 26 social housing units will be good news for those on the social housing list and will benefit businesses in Clifden.
Cllr Mannion said; “The appointment of a contractor for the development of 26 new social housing units for Clifden is very welcome news for people on the housing list and it is also a welcome addition to the town as it will increase the number of full time residents which will benefit local businesses and services.”
The development which is funded to the sum of nearly €5 million under the Rebuilding Ireland action plan for housing and homelessness will also bring back into use parts of two disused and dilapidated buildings which are of historical significance - St Joseph’s School which was an orphanage until the 1980s and the former laundry building.
Cllr Mannion said the plan will enable the long term survival of the two buildings.
She said; “”It is important that the original part of St. Joseph’s School building is being retained and redeveloped as many former residents return to visit and unfortunately in recent years the building has become very derelict. This development will ensure the survival of the building and ensure that its historical importance will be remembered.”
Currently, there are more than 100 applicants on the Galway County Council’s housing list for Clifden.
