Rejection of plan to build 79 social houses sees council hit with €98,000 levy

The recent decision by Ashbourne councillors to reject proposals for 79 social houses at Archers Glen, not only affects local families on the housing list but will result in a levy of €98,000 which must be paid to the Revenue Commissioners.

At a meeting of Meath County Council last week, Cllr Nick Killian said the decision didn't just impact housing applicants in Ashbourne and across the county, but a levy would be paid with taxpayers' money.

Meath County Council Chief Executive, Kieran Kehoe confirmed that a levy of €98,000 is payable for every year that the land in question isn't built on.

At the June meeting of Ashbourne Municipal council, three councillors had voted in favour of the social housing project - Suzanne Jamal (FG) Amanda Smith (IND) and Joe Bonner (Ind) while Helen Meyer (SF) Alan Tobin (FG) and Conor Tormey (FF) voted against it.

“I was very disappointed at the decision taken at Ashbourne Municipal Council to refuse the Part 8 planning application for the houses at Archers Glen, but it is a democracy and people make decisions and they are entitled to do that,” said Cllr Killian.

“A decision was taken by the members in Ashbourne . It is my belief that particular decision did not just affect social housing applicants in the Ashbourne district, it affected all applicants right across the county. I'm in the Ratoath Municipal District and many constituents come to me from Ashbourne, because I served Ashbourne for 15 years as a county councillor.

“The consequences of that decision disturbs me. The proposal was for 79 houses. I know they may come back with further proposals in relation to building houses on that site. The situation is it will be two years down the road. In the meantime, 79 families who could have been houses quite a lot earlier will not be housed.

“If you look at today's figures, there were 83 new housing applicants in the month of May alone.

“It is extremely disappointing. Three vote for and three against and then there was a cathaoirleach's casting vote.

“What really galls me is what I discovered last week. We now have to pay €98,000 to the Revenue Commissioner. That is tax payers money that people of Ashbourne have to pay and contribute.

“We lost 79 houses people could be living in an awful earlier. We are in a housing crisis. I am appealing to the Ashbourne members, when this comes before them again, take responsible decisions.”

Cllr Joe Bonner said he was one of those who voted for the houses. He asked what the decision was from this on in. “Is it likely going to happen again. We weren't voting for affordable housing, we were voting for 79 social houses. What happens now with the site? Is there a penalty on it? What is the timeline for something on this site? The money that was available, do we need to apply for it again?”

Mr Kehoe said he respected the councillors' decision. “One of the consequences is we have a tax liability €98,000 annually until it built upon. We will be re-looking at the site to see what options we can present to the members again.

“We are top of league table as regards housing. One of the statistics in this, is the delivery by local authority ourselves this will impact on our housing figures.

“I would rather be spending that €98,000 on other things in Ashbourne the councillors wanted,” he said.