Rejection of 79-unit Meath social housing project lands taxpayer with €98,000 bill
A recent decision by Ashbourne councillors to reject a proposed 79-unit social housing development will not only impact families on the housing list but will also result in a €98,000 annual levy being paid to the Revenue Commissioners — using taxpayers’ money.
At the July meeting of Meath County Council, Councillor Nick Killian (Ratoath Municipal District) voiced his concern about the broader implications of the decision.
“This particular decision did not just affect social housing applicants in the Ashbourne district,” Cllr Killian said.
“It affects all applicants across the county. I'm in the Ratoath Municipal District, and many constituents come to me from Ashbourne.”
Meath County Council Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe confirmed that a levy of €98,000 per year is payable for every year the land in question remains undeveloped.
At the June meeting of the Ashbourne Municipal District, councillors voted to reject the Part 8 residential development submitted by Meath County Council, which proposed 79 social housing units on the outskirts of the town, at Archers Glen.
The vote was split 3–3, but the project was ultimately blocked after Chairperson Conor Tormey used his casting vote to reject it.
Councillors who opposed the scheme cited the lack of affordable housing within the proposal, arguing it did not offer a balanced mix to address both social and affordable housing needs.
Cllr Killian criticised the decision, saying that it may delay housing delivery at that site by at least two years.
“79 families that could have been housed will not be housed anymore. It is extremely disappointing,” Cllr Killian said.
He added: “We now have to pay €98,000 to the Revenue Commissioner. That is taxpayers’ money that the people of Ashbourne have to contribute.”
According to Meath County Council’s July Management Report, the local authority received 233 applications for social housing. Of these, 88 were approved for the housing list, while 37 were deemed unsuccessful.
Mr Kehoe said he respected the councillors’ decision but acknowledged its financial impact.
“One of the consequences is that we now have a tax liability of €98,000 annually until the site is built upon,” he said.
“We will be re-examining the site to see what options we can present to the members again.”