Pictured this week at the signing of a contract for work to start on the massive 576-unit housing development at Lissywollen, Athlone, were: Barry Kehoe, Chief Executive, Westmeath County Council; Cllr Liam McDaniel, Cathaoirleach, Westmeath County Council; Cllr Frankie Keena, Athlone Moate Municipal District Mayor; and Thomas Freeman, Director, Alanna Homes.

Contract signed for work to start on Athlone's largest housing estate

Adrian Cusack

Published: Wed 18 Dec 2024, 1:54 PM

Last updated: Wed 18 Dec 2024, 1:58 PM

A contract has been signed for work to commence on Athlone's largest-ever housing development.

After a series of delays in recent years, an agreement was finally concluded this week between Westmeath County Council and developer Alanna Homes in relation to the 576-unit development in the Lissywollen area of the town

The 576 new homes, which are to include 174 social housing units and two creches, are to be located next to the existing housing in Brawny, to the east of the Athlone Town football stadium and the Scoil na gCeithre Maistri gaelscoil.

A contract signing took place in Mullingar on Monday and, in a statement, Westmeath County Council said the development, which will be called 'Plovers Wood, Kilnafaddoge' was now "due to commence construction in early 2025".

Planning permission for the new housing has been in place since June 2021, and the first phase of the work is due to involve construction of a new link road connecting the Ballymahon Road roundabout with the Garrycastle roundabout.

Athlone Mayor Cllr Frankie Keena welcomed the news this week, saying: "This is the biggest housing development ever in the Midland region.

"On completion it will be of major benefit in helping to reduce the high demand for housing in the Athlone area."

* For more on this story, see next Tuesday's Westmeath Independent