Galway Advertiser 2006/2006_06_08/GA_0806_E1_010.pdf 

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10 N E W S

www.galwayadvertiser.ie

June 8 2006

Rezone more land for houses says Mayor
BY KERNAN ANDREWS Spiralling house prices could be stabilised in Galway if the issue of housing supply is met and this can be done by zoning more land for residential purposes, according to the Mayor of Galway Cllr Brian Walsh. Mayor Walsh said the shortage of residentially zoned land in the city means not enough planning applications are coming through and consequently an insufficient number of new houses are being constructed. "House prices are being forced upwards because of this shortage of newlyconstructed houses, which has become a negative feature of the market," he said. He has also suggested having a new look at the Galway City Development Plan 2005 - 2011 in order to find new areas for rezoning residential land. "We need to ensure there is a continuous, orderly, supply of land which will accommodate an orderly supply of housing to meet demand and reduce uncertainty," he said. "Variations to the development plan would also increase the number of houses delivered under the Social and Affordable Housing Schemes and ensure suitable land is available on which affordable housing can be provided." A recent report by Goodbody Stockbrokers has revealed that the west of Ireland, and particularly Galway, has the most expensive house prices in the country when compared to income levels in the region. Mayor Walsh feels that as a result, young working couples on normal incomes are being priced out of the market and a new home is now out of reach of many. He added that the shortage of residentially zoned land is being exacerbated by the lack of progress with the Ardaun corridor. "There has also been a lack of social and affordable housing coming on stream under Part V of the Planning Act, further adding to the housing crisis," he said. "In any marketplace, if you bring supply more closely in line with demand, then prices will stabilise," Mayor Walsh said. "Increasing the supply of residentially zoned land is a necessary response to the supply problems in the Galway residential market." Mayor Walsh said it is "ironic" that in a time of unparalleled growth and economic wealth, many young people cannot afford their own home and are now heavily dependant on the rented sector. "If we can be proactive about tackling this issue of supply," he said, "then house prices could stabilise and buying a new home could become a reality for many more young couples here in Galway."

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