'We are going to lose our youth' - More private housing needed in Laois amid shortage

Small towns and villages in Laois will lose young people if more private homes and sites are not provided by Laois County Council.

That was the warning from Councillor John King who pressed the need to address this "major problem" with private housing at the Borris in Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District meeting on Wednesday, 12 November.

Cllr King presented the motion that Laois County Council purchase housing land in Rathdowney and Errill to have as a land bank and provide affordable sites for people who are in serious need to build their own homes.

He stressed that young people who are working are "finding it extremely difficult" to buy or build houses, with no sites available in Rathdowney or Errill despite the amount of land there.

According to Cllr King, Laois County Council must grant more land for residential building and provide private sites. He warned: "We have to look after our youth going forward. If we don't, we are going to lose our youth."

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Supporting the motion, Cllr James Kelly said that the council must remember private housing when it comes to developments in the county and not just focus on the need for social housing. 

Cllr Kelly remarked: "We must also remember about private housing and private housing estates if we are trying to attract big business into the county."

Also backing the motion, Cllr Conor Bergin said "the council should be doing more." He added that these people are "not looking for anything", rather they are happy to pay for sites or homes.

In response to the motion, the council said that the Housing Department are proactively looking in all towns and villages for suitable land banks for social and affordable houses, including in Rathdowney and Errill. 

They also noted that the Housing Department has an on-line form on Laois County Council’s website seeking expressions of interest from private developers and landowners for the purchase of land for social and affordable houses.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme