Plans presented for development of two sites across the district

OFFICIALS from Wicklow County Council attended last Tuesday’s meeting of Greystones Municipal District to present an overview of plans for housing at Lott Lane in Kilcoole and Burnaby Mill in Greystones.

Both projects would be for over 100 properties, and a mix of social, affordable and private housing.

The Kilcoole site is around five hectares and the Greystones one around 5.8 hectares.

Detailed designs have not been done for the projects.

Cllr Tom Fortune said that he welcomed the Kilcoole development.

‘It’s an ideal development for that particular site and for Kilcoole,’ he said. ‘ There is a massive demand for affordable housing and already a large amount of social housing in Kilcoole,’ he said.

‘ The community facilities in addition to housing are really fundamental. There’s already the guts of 250 social houses on that site. That development will blend very well.’

‘Unlike Tom, I don’t think it’s a good plan,’ said Cllr Mags Crean.

‘I’ve raised this issue before. With a housing crisis, 60 per cent private housing is an insult to those in need of homes. Private housing is not affordable housing.’

She said there are currently houses for sale in Greystones at a price of €775,000.

Cllr Crean said that people born in the town and district can’t afford to buy there.

‘I agree there should be affordable, but not private,’ she said.

‘ There are already 1,000 private houses coming. More unaffordable private housing is the last thing the district needs. We shouldn’t be using public land for private housing.’

Cllr Gerry Walsh also said he is concerned about the proposal that the developments be 60 per cent private.

‘Young people simply can’t afford to access those houses,’ he said. ‘I would like to see a lot more affordable housing.’

Cllr Lourda Scott and Cllr Jodie Neary concurred. ‘ This is a serious issue for people who want to live in their community,’ said Cllr Neary.

Cllr Tom Fortune said that he has no argument with the ideology, but that it isn’t applicable to this location.

Cllr Crean said that she was being practical, not ideological.

‘Nobody can afford to buy those houses,’ she said.

‘I want people to buy and live in those houses.

‘People can’t afford houses of €600,000 upwards on two average salaries.’

Cllr Derek Mitchell said that there is a lot of building going on in this area.

‘We have to consider how we are going to cope,’ he said.

He noted that no specific decision has been made regarding the proposals on these sites.