Council have no plans to buy St. Brigid’s lands for housing

Ballinasloe site is set to go for public auction in December

GALWAY County Council are not planning to purchase the 163acres of surplus lands at the St. Brigid’s campus in Ballinasloe when they go for public auction in December.

The local authority acquired the Old Nurses’ Home and associated lands at the campus in September. The HSE are set to retain 49acres of land for their use, with the remaining 163acres to be placed on the open market.

Bodies such as the IDA and the Department of Education have been mooted as possible suitors for the lands.

At last week’s Ballinasloe MDC meeting, the council’s Director of Housing Damien Mitchell said that the 163acres going to public auction would not be suitable for the local authority to purchase for housing.

“We have acquired five acres for the Old Nurses’ Home and zoned lands. We had a conversation with the HSE about the site, but it was just a feeling out. It’s too big for the housing strategy of the council, to be honest,” said Mr Mitchell.

“There’s a wider consultation process from other organisations to be had to see what is appropriate for the site.

“There are issues with flooding and the possible use of the existing buildings, but it is a fabulous site with real potential. I would like to see the IDA involved.”

The prospect of the 163acres being developed for social housing purposes was raised at the meeting.

“There will be a backlash from local residents if it’s purchased for social housing. I can see it happening,” said Moylough Councillor Michael Connolly.

Sinn Féin Cllr Dermot Connolly said the site could be transformative for the Ballinasloe area and could be used for housing.

“It is a significant site. I would not rule out housing projects for it. There is a need for housing, and I think we need to reimagine how we deliver housing. There is a housing deficit in Ballinasloe,” said Cllr Dermot Connolly.

“The HSE have a responsibility in that they allowed the buildings to deteriorate to the state they are in now. They are listed buildings that need to be brought back into use.”

The council plans to convert the Old Nurses’ Home into a domestic violence refuge, while there is interest from developers in the surplus lands at the derelict St. Brigid’s campus.

“I have had several developers contact me on it,” said Ballinasloe Councillor Evelyn Parsons.

“There is definitely interest in it. I’d like to see it put into use in a way that delivers for the community and that the community facilities at the site are brought into use.”

Fellow Ballinasloe Cllr Alan Harney was also in favour of making use of the existing facilities at the campus.

“Community facilities have been lost over the last two decades. There is a pitch there that a lot of clubs have used for training before. I would like to see that restored,” said the Fine Gael Cllr.