In a letter to Independent TD Denis Naughten, Simon Harris says various state agencies are working hard to ensure an interim solution is in place before the winter.

Local's claim the site was in ownership of the Willow Park Resident's association and that it did not have permission to proceed.

Vantage Towers Ltd had been successful in their application to erect the 30 metre high lattice tower in May of last year.

An Bord Pleanála are due to decide on the case in May.

He thinks that there needs to be a strategic approach put in place due to the current housing crisis.

Westmeath County Council had given the green light for the 300-house development on the Ballymahon Road despite a number of objections.

The original application was refused by Westmeath County Council, with local planners branding the out of town development as an adhoc, piecemeal development.

The original application was approved by Leitrim County Council last year, but was then subject to a planning appeal.