The scale of Connemara’s housing crisis is critically evident in a new survey which reveals that a massive 98 per cent of local residents believe they can no longer afford the average family home in the region.

And almost two-thirds of those who responded to the survey say it is difficult – or very difficult – to settle down in the area, whether buying, renting or building.

But while nine out of ten of them blame the state for not doing enough to provide housing options, a public meeting on the subject was told this week that the history of holiday homes was a significant factor when planning applications from Connemara are being assessed.

Gus McCarthy, a director of Galway based consultancy company MKO, was addressing a public meeting in Clifden this week – hosted by Connemara Chamber of Commerce to discuss difficulties being encountered in the planning process in the area.

Mr McCarthy, a planner by profession and a former staff member of Galway County Council, pointed to a lingering suspicion remained that some people seeking planning permission in the area may be aiming at selling the property off as a holiday home.

“It cannot be denied that there were such instances (in the past) and this had led to much greater scrutiny of applications from Connemara,” he said.

He felt that the holiday home market also had the effect of pushing up prices.

Caption: A section of the attendance at this week’s meeting in Clifden.

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