SCARLET STREET HOUSES TO GO AHEAD

THE controversial new housing development proposed for Scarlet Street (right) will now go ahead after it was given the green light by Drogheda Municipal Council yesterday (Monday).

At a special meeting of the council sitting at Louth County Hall in Dundalk, Drogheda councillors engaged in a heated debate over plans to build the 15 unit development on the site of the old fire station.

The meeting heard that currently there are 1,432 people on the council social housing list awaiting a one bedroomed unit, and 1,167 people who have applied to be housed in a two bedroomed unit.

Director of Service, Joe McGuinness said ‘ this particular site is a derelict site, is vacant and has been the focus of anti social behaviour.’

He said it was identified in 2015 as a potential site for housing, which is a ‘good use’ for the site.

He added that after a number of concerns were raised about the development that changes were going to be made, including the physical movement of the ‘footprint’ to just over 6 metres away from the neighbouring Sienna estate.

And he revealed that the council would accommodate requests for boundary changes.

Cllr. Paul Bell told the meeting that he would be proposing the development go ahead with these amendments as there is ‘an absolute housing crisis in Drogheda.’

‘It is a drop in the ocean to what we need, but it will go towards serving the needs of some of those waiting to be housed.’

He said this was ‘a clear cut human rights issue, as the end users are homeless people.’

Cllr. Bell added that he was ‘vehemently opposed to any reduction in the number of units, as we are in a desperate situation here.’

‘People deserve the opportunity for good housing, which in turns leads to good health.’

Cllr. Kevin Callan welcomed the moves to shift the footprint further away from the neighbouring estate.

Cllr. Frank Godfrey said that the ‘ most important thing is the concerns of people living in the vicinity here.’

‘ This building is totally out of character with the area, and there are a number of real concerns, including the lack of any play facilities for children as part of this development.’

He said the speed of traffic along Scarlet Street was also a major factor against building this development here.

Cllr. Godfrey appealed to the council to consider townhouses being built on the site.

‘I really don’t think we should go ahead with this. The height of this building is the problem, it does nothing for the town and its heritage and history.’

‘I know we have a housing crisis in Drogheda, but it is not right for this location.’

Cllr. Pio Smith sought assurances about the ‘right to light’ issue for residents of the Sienna development.

The meeting heard from council planners that they were satisfied ‘ the moving of the footprint’ would solve this issue, and that the building was in accordance with the Drogheda Development Plan.

Cllr. Joanne Byrne seconded Cllr. Bell’s proposal, saying that the urgent need for housing in Drogheda was a huge concern, and the provision of these units would create homes for six per cent of those on the housing waiting list.

Cllr. Tommy Byrne added that the traffic situation in Scarlet Street would have to be looked at, but he was satisfied that with local architects behind the brick design ‘once tastefully done, it will blend in.’

‘I do recognise this is not easy for residents, but I believe that if done right it will not devalue homes in the area.’

He also added that councillors had to accept that apartments are a common feature of any modern urban development.

Cllr. Richie Culhane added that he agreed with Cllr. Bell.

‘We have a huge housing crisis, and we can’t have it both ways, as we have an opportunity to develop a facility for housing here.’

He said that he ‘enormous sympathy for the residents who have attended this meeting.’

Cllr. Kenneth Flood said he was anxious that all of the residents concerns were addressed.

But he added ‘We are in the worst housing crisis the state has seen in a long time. In my mind we will have to proceed with this development as soon as possible.’

A vote was taken, with eight councillors voting in favour of the development ; Councillors Bell, Byrne, Callan, Culhane, Flood, Smith, Tully, and Cllr. Joanne Byrne. Cllr. Godfrey voted against the development going ahead, and Cllr. Alan Cassidy was absent.