Westmeath County Council officially opened its new housing developments in Farrenshock, Mullingar and St Josephs Gardens, Rathwire last Friday May 8. The schemes were officially opened by Cllr Joe Whelan, cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council.
The Farranshock development consists of 81 units in total - 55 social housing units and 26 affordable houses for sale.
The 26 affordable houses are all standard three-bed semi-detached, terraced type houses and represent excellent value for money, even in today’s uncertain climate, with prices of €135,000-€140,000 for the units.
The social housing development of 55 units consists of 38 three-beds, 14 two-beds, one five-bed, and two four-bed units.
Westmeath County Council aims to provide a mix of house types and sizes to suit the needs of those waiting for local authority housing. The development also includes single-storey accommodation for the elderly and three houses for families with special needs.
It is important to note that this mixed type and size housing development is only one part of the investment here by the local authority and the Department of the Environment. The council has also carried out a remedial works programme on one of the older parts of the estate in Grange Crescent.
It is also actively promoting sustainable communities, and evidence of this investment is reflected in the provision of a full-size playing pitch, a separate five-a-side pitch, and two playgrounds. The council has provided a site for a recently completed school and is also providing a site for the 1428 Club, which looks after the actively retired people in the community.
The development at St Josephs Gardens, Rathwire consists of four two-bed single-storey units for the elderly. The development is centrally located in the middle of the village, close to shops and the church, and is adjacent to a long-established local authority development.
Launching the schemes, Cllr Whelan complimented all involved in providing the houses and wished all the newly-appointed tenants many long and happy years in their new homes.
