A general election candidate for Aontú – which criticises government for its failure "to increase social and affordable housing" – objected to a social housing development near her home because she said it would devalue her property.
An Aontú spokesperson told The Ditch Mary Hande had "used the planning process legitimately" and wasn't an Aontú member when she made the objection. "Mary submitted an objection on behalf of all residents in the area, which those residents are legally entitled to do. Both developments went ahead," said the spokesperson.
Laois constituency candidate Mary Hande argued a social housing development would obstruct "fabulous views of the Killeshin Hills" and that the "serious noise pollution" would impact the "monetary value" of her home.
Laois County Council's 77-unit development brought a detailed objection from Hande citing multiple concerns. "We want to strongly object on the grounds that this development if given permission will obstruct our views," she wrote. "These houses will not only block the natural light from our homes but will also take away our views."
Hande also objected to an assisted living facility for over-55s, citing similar concerns.
"This would seriously impact ... the monetary value of our properties"
Aontú's housing policy document reads, "A significant increase in the supply of housing is the key element of resolving the housing crisis." "The truth is funding is still not sufficient to achieve the 10,000 new social and affordable housing units that need to be built on an annual basis," it reads, calling for local authorities to be "tasked with the development of mixed income public housing estates".
The party's policy criticises the current housing approach, noting that "while we hear practically every day about government plans to increase social and affordable housing, the truth is last year only 60 houses were built on average by each Local Authority."
However Mary Hande, Aontú's Laois candidate, objected to 77 social homes near her residence.
In her 2017 objection Hande raised concerns about traffic safety, particularly regarding the "volume of traffic which will be accessing the Ballickmoyler Road from this new development also causes major concern for us." She cited existing traffic from a nearby industrial estate and seasonal agricultural traffic as additional concerns.
“This would seriously impact on my house and the surrounding neighbours, in terms of noise pollution, monetary value of our properties and our quality of life,” she said.
Opposing assisted living facilities
In 2021 Hande lodged another objection – this time to a 19-unit apartment assisted living facility for over-55s. For this development at Rivendell, Graiguecullen she cited concerns about overshadowing, privacy and property values.
"This proposed development of 19 No. Apartments in such close proximity to my property, in addition to the New Development of 79 Social Houses located to the rear of my dwelling would mean that I would no longer be in a quiet residential area," Hande wrote in her objection.
She again said this would affect the “monetary value” of properties in the area.
The three-storey development was initially proposed as 19 units before being reduced to 15 units after objections.
Independent councillors Ben Brennan and Aidan Mullins also filed objections to the assisted living facility.
An Aontú spokesperson said Hande “was not a member of Aontú during both those quoted timeframes, having joined in 2018 and then not renewing her membership until 2024”.
“In relation to one of the developments, it was a three-story apartment block which an architect, paid for by local residents, submitted a report to the planning authority outlining that it would obstruct light to their homes. It also did not submit, at the time it was approved, a traffic or noise impact assessment.
“We have been clear that the planning process is where people should use their voice to make their views known on development in their area, that this process should be available to everyone in the country to have their say about local development and how the future of their area may develop.
“Mary is an incredibly hard worker and community activist," said the spokesperson.
