Development levies have been halved for private houses built and completed by the end of 2019 as an incentive to stimulate house building in Laois.
Laois Co Council CEO John Mulholland told today’s council meeting that the development contributions for houses built in all urban areas in the county have a “time-based reduction” for those completed and ready for occupation by December, 2019.
The reduction will apply to houses built in zoned areas of Laois.
“€2,000 will be written off for early delivery,” Mr Mulholland said.
While between 750 and 800 housing units have been granted planning permission, “there is very little, if any activity,” when it comes to building houses, Mr Mulholland said.
Director of services Kieran Kehoe outlined that there are a number of developments which are exempt from the development contribution scheme including social housing, housing for the elderly, local authority developments, education facilities and community enterprise centres.
There are also measures available to encourage town centre rejuvenation.
“The incentives are there, but it still will be difficult,” to encourage the building of houses in areas such as Portlaoise, Cllr Willie Aird said.
Materials
“I am told that the price of houses are going up because the cost of materials are going up,” he said.
Development contribution fees have now reduced dramatically from the original fee of €6,400, which included a wastewater charge, which now no longer applies. This reduced the development contribution levy to €4,000 which has now been effectively halved.
Mr Keogh confirmed to Cllr Mary Sweeney that the reduced contribution fees will come into effect one month from today’s date.
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