Derelict lands at Caheroyan, Athenry will not be purchased by the Galway County Council it has been revealed.
The news comes after director of housing at the local authority, Michael Owens, responded to a motion submitted by Fianna Fáil councillor Shelly Herterich-Quinn at September's Athenry-Oranmore municipal district meeting who urged the council to purchase the lands for affordable housing under pillar three of the Rebuilding Ireland Plan as the site had secured planning permission in 2005 to build 27 houses.
Mr Owens' response which was published at Tuesday's municipal district at County Hall, “As Director of Housing I wish to advise that the purchase of lands is an Executive Function and cannot be replaced by passing a notice of motion.
"Due to the sensitive nature of land acquisition and commercial sensitivity on any land or property, I am not in a position to make any comment on lands belonging to a third party.
"Galway County Council already owns lands in Athenry [Raheen] upon which we have stage 1 approval to proceed with affordable housing – subject to IW connection.
"An expression of interest in turnkey developments was advised over the summer period with a submission date of August 20. We had an excellent response across the county, and we will be progressing the negotiations on this over the next few weeks."
