REVEALED: Huge demand for certain housing types in Kilkenny
Kilkenny County Council report on housing list numbers
There are currently a variety of housing projects ongoing in the Callan Thomastown area — from ‘on site’ works to ‘sketch’ stage — with “the guts of 82 units coming on stream” in the near future.
Bringing derelict properties back into use, adapting buildings for specific needs and new build developments are all part of Kilkenny County Council’s plan to meet demand.
Chair of the Callan Thomastown Municipal District, Cllr Deirdre Cullen, described as “very heartening” to see affordable and social housing due to be advertised as early as this summer.
Refurbishment
The ‘real positive’ is the amount of units being refurbished and coming back into use, Cllr Cullen added, highlighting the old Thomastown fire station which is now a one-bed home and plans for the regeneration of a number of Callan properties (see story left).
It’s “low hanging fruit” to convert what the council already owns, she said.
Cllr Cullen said it is “absolutely fantastic” that a number of social units are being converted to include a facility for a carer. It’s brilliant what is happening in Callan and more of that is needed to regenerate other towns and villages.
Works are under way at sites in Windgap and Thomastown.
The Windgap project, at Mealloughmore, will see refurbishment and extension of an existing house to provide an accessible, two-bed dwelling. It is expected to be completed in the first quarter of this year.
Social/Affordable
In Thomastown, at Abbey Hill, a 42-house development of new social and affordable homes is being built. It is expected to be completed early in 2026 and advertised this summer.
At Scart, Dunbell, an existing house is to be refurbished to become a four-bed group home. Work is to commence soon.
Two projects in the district are at Part 8 planning stage (when a local authority applies for planning permission).
It is hoped, if approved, the old Health Centre in Kells will be converted into an accessible, three-bed residence, and that a house in Skeaghacloran, Callan, will be refurbished and extended into a four-bed, accessible home.
A project in Mallardstown, Callan, is at pre-planning stage. This involves the demolition of an existing, derelict structure and construction of a five-person, group home.
The preference for social housing in the Callan Thomastown area is “dramatically one-bed” local councillors have been told.
The town is the first preference location for more than one-third of all applicants in the Callan Thomastown municipal district, it has also been revealed.
Applications
During a presentation on current housing developments in the area Jan McIntyre, Senior Executive Architect at the county council, said there are currently 108 applications for the district opting for Callan as first preference, with 47% of those applications seeking a one-bed home.
Thomastown is the preferred location of 56 applicants — 54% of whom are in need of a one-bed home.
Bennettsbridge and Graignamanagh have the next highest first preferences, with 42 and 38 respectively.