Plans are in place for the formal takeover of Ashleigh Manor estate in Balla by Mayo County Council and procedures are being prepared by council officials for the takeover of estates across the county.
Councillor Blackie Gavin raised the issue at this week’s Castlebar electoral area committee meeting.
Senior executive engineer Anne Sweeney said following discussions with the council’s planning department it emerged that there had been no formal application for the takeover of the estate but that process was being prepared at present. Once the application is finalised the council will advertise their intent to take over the estate.
The Director of services for the area, Seamus Granahan, said he was also preparing a formal procedure for the take over of estates which will be presented to the Castlebar councillors and the full complement of councillors in Mayo in the coming months.
The issue has been a thorny one among councillors across the county as estates are being left in a state of disrepair and developers are failing to complete them.
However, while the council are actively taking control of estates, there is no money in the kitty for carrying out works left undone by builders.
The director admitted it was a big issue but Ms Sweeney said the council could work with residents. In the past lawnmowers and tools have been provided to residents by the council.
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne also asked for a full list of housing estates in the Castlebar area which have not been taken over. Ms Sweeney explained to members that when an estate is complete a developer can apply to the council to take it over, the planning enforcement department compile a snag list and when it has been remedied the take over kicks into place. However, in some cases the developer doesn’t make the application but the residents can come together and make the application themselves.
