From the Galway City Tribune – Management at City Hall is remaining tight-lipped about its plans to demolish a Council house in Munster Avenue to make way for higher-density housing.

Brian Barrett, Acting Director of Services for Housing at Galway City Council, refused to tell councillors how many units of housing are planned for the Munster Avenue site.

In December, Mr Barrett agreed he would revert to elected members and explain why there were two vacant homes at Munster Avenue during a homeless and housing crisis.

At a meeting this week, Mr Barrett said that one of the houses was damaged by fire, and the local authority was dealing with Japanese Knotweed, an invasive species that was discovered at the property.

He said it would deal with that problem before it is refurbished and brought it back into use in 2023.

Mr Barrett confirmed that it was his intention to bring forward a Part 8 Planning application later this year for the second Council property at Munster Avenue. It will need to be voted on by councillors.

He refused to tell Councillor Colette Connolly (Ind) how many new homes are earmarked for that site.

Cllr Connolly said the fire-damaged home on Munster Avenue had been vacant for three years, and every time she asked about it she was told there was an issue with insurance.

Mr Barrett said he was not aware of any outstanding insurance issues.

In relation to the second vacant Council house, Cllr Connolly said the residents of Munster Avenue had already opposed plans to increase the density and change the streetscape of that residential area.

She said a high-rise building, with higher-density housing would be “totally inappropriate” for Munster Avenue.

Mr Barrett said he would inform councillors about the density plans for the site once drawings for the Part 8 proposal are available later in 2023.

(Photo: The property on Munster Avenue which the City Council is planning to demolish).