In this article we cover:

  • How self-builders are spending €15k before laying a block
  • Growth forecasts for the construction industry
  • Planning issues

With the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) downgrading housebuilding and growth forecasts for ROI and house price inflation hitting a 10-year-high, according to daft.ie’s latest report, there’s been an increasing concern around affordability for everything from groceries to building a house.

Councillors are now making the case that young people can no longer afford to build houses in the countryside.

Erris Gerry Coyle told a Mayo County Council monthly meeting that a young couple in his area spent €15,960 before laying a block, as reported in the Connaught Telegraph.

The breakdown of that cost was €5,390 for the engineer, €3,520 contribution fee to the council, €1,200 following the council’s request for more information, €1,200 water connection, €500 for an Article 6 Map for the council, €600 for the trial hole inspection (percolation test for on-site wastewater), and €3,500 electricity connection.

Auctioneer Brendan Mannix told Radio Kerry that on two sites, the couples had gotten planning permission but had to decide against building their own home due to the cost of building.

Planning issues

Compounding the build cost issue are getting planning permission in the first place, as many areas are not zoned for building, even though they are serviced sites, and others abide to decades-old ‘locals only’ rules.

Coyle said a site he wanted to include in the County Development Plan was rejected by the planning department, even though it is serviced with a sewer and water.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne asked why a home on a public water and sewerage scheme, with properties either side of it, would be refused planning. It was 500 metres outside an imaginary boundary but if the applicant moved in with a neighbour on the countryside, he’d get planning.

Councillor Annie May Reape highlighted a case of a man born in the Ballina area who returned from the USA to retire here but was told he couldn’t get planning as he doesn’t live here. “We have to make it easier for people to build,” she said.

Councillor Mulroy said people would move to desirable rural areas if they could get planning.