Major rise in Clare charges planned

Homebuyers across Co Clare face major rises in house prices because of planned new local authority charges.

Council officials yesterday unveiled draft proposals that would raise development levies by more than 400 per cent for houses on zoned land, from €5,000 to €21,360.

Currently builders constructing homes on unzoned land pay €4,180. Under the council's development contribution scheme 2008-2011 - to go before the council for approval next month - this will rise to €12,456.

Those seeking to build holiday homes would face a 300 per cent increase in levies, from €9,500 to €27,050 per home.

The levies finance water, sewerage, road and community infrastructure, and must be paid before houses are occupied.

According to the council's draft document, published yesterday, the council is proposing the increases in order to raise €105 million to pay for new infrastructure across the county between 2008 and 2011.

Ennis-based auctioneer Philip O'Reilly described the proposals as "incredible".

"This is a conspiracy against the first-time buyer, builders, employers. How are these figures justified when it takes six weeks to see a planner?"