Go-ahead for almost 80 Virginia homes

Thomas Lyons

A housing development of 78 houses approved by the local authority is “badly needed†for the town of Virginia, according to a local auctioneer. Cavan County Council planning department this week granted permission for a significant expansion of an existing estate.

The permission authorises the condstruction of 78 residential units and a childcare facility. Murmod Estimators Ltd were given the green light for the works at The Drumlins, Bailieborough Road, Virginia subject to 26 conditions.
Work in The Drumlins were commenced in 2014 by Bradmur Homes. The latest permission allows the developer to retain and complete a range of semi-detached and detached three and four bedroom houses at the site. They also get permission to erect a single storey crèche with parking, and create an entrance off Bailieborough Road.
The permission comes as figures from property website Daft.ie suggests that Virginia is the most expensive town in the three Ulster counties in the Republic. Its status as a commuter town has seen the cost of housing significantly exceed that of the county town.
Fintan Cahill operates an auctioneering and estate agency in Virginia. He says that the planing department's decision reflects market demand.
“The new development is badly needed in the town. I have a customer relations system in the office and I could put my hand on at least 30 buyers at this minute that are looking for a four bedroom semi-detached property for around €230,000 to €240,000 that we simply do not have.â€
Mr Cahill says that at present the unit price for construction is roughly equal to the selling price for houses.
“Anyone building houses for the market at present is making a very modest profit. The value of €175,000 for a four bedroom house in Virginia is not exorbitant and barely covers construction costs.â€