Almost 2,000 unfinished or vacant homes locally

A new Government study has shown that almost 2,000 homes in so-called ghost estates in Westmeath and Roscommon are either unfinished or lying vacant. The survey, carried out by the Department of the Environment earlier this year and published on Thursday last, was the first attempt to quantify the unfinished estates which are among the most prominent symbols of post-Celtic Tiger Ireland. The study included all incomplete housing developments of two or more dwellings that had commenced before this summer. A total of 43 estates in Westmeath were examined. These estates included 532 homes which were completed but vacant, along with a further 256 unfinished dwellings. In Roscommon 118 developments were surveyed, and these included 624 completed yet vacant homes, along with a massive 510 unfinished dwellings. In addition, planning permission was granted, but no construction work had started, on a further 1,612 Westmeath and 1,112 Roscommon homes. When viewed against the national picture, it was evident that the rate of housing occupation in the 'ghost estates’ in Westmeath (36%) was significantly lower than the national average of 44%. Meanwhile in Roscommon work had stopped on over 400 unfinished homes in these estates. The 43 Westmeath estates which were examined were to contain 3,742 homes, of which 1,342 (36%) were completed and occupied. Some 532 (or 14%) of the homes were completed and vacant. Construction had started, but was stopped, on 196 (5%) of the dwellings, while work was continuing on 60 (2%) of the homes at the time the survey was carried out. No construction work had taken place on the remaining 43% (or 1,612) of the homes at the Westmeath estates. In Roscommon the 118 estates surveyed were to consist of 4,082 homes, of which 1,836 (44%) were finished and occupied. Another 624 (15%) of the homes were completed but unoccupied. Construction work had stopped on 403 (10%) of the unfinished homes, while work was continuing on 107 (3%) of the unfinished homes in the Roscommon estates. There had been no construction work of any kind on the remaining 1,112 (or 27%) of the homes in the Roscommon housing developments. Nationally, 2,846 estates were included in the study. They were to contain 179,273 homes but only 78,195 (44%) were completed and occupied. An additional 23,250 (13%) were completed but vacant. In addition, work had stopped on 15,139 (8%) of homes, while work was ongoing on 4,691 (3%) of the dwellings. Permission was granted, but no work had started, on 58,025 (32%) of the apartments and houses in Ireland’s 'ghost estates.’ Launching the survey last week, Minister for Housing Michael Finneran and Minister for Planning Ciarán Cuffe outlined plans to establish an 'expert group’ to help determine the future of the estates. This group is to consist of representatives from local government and NAMA, as well as representatives of the banking, construction, architectural, planning and engineering sectors. It is due to hold its first meeting within the next two weeks and is expected to report to the Government next January.