Small church is causing a grave problem
A SMALL church is causing a grave problem at Carnagh Cemetery.
The issue was highlighted at the New Ross Municipal District meeting on Wednesday by Cllr Pat Barden.
‘ There’s an old church in it which is falling in on top of the graves. I have made representations about this over the last year and I’ve asked questions about it and there doesn’t seem to be anything coming back on it. Something needs to be done,’ Cllr Barden said.
Area manager Mick McCormack said Stafford McLoughlin archaeologists have been appointed to assess the site, which is on county council owned lands.
Cllr John Fleming said he has been raising the issue for four years.
‘It’s a very slow burner.’
THE lack of private developers building – combined with delays to social housing schemes – mean the New Ross district is not providing enough homes for people on the housing list.
This was the view of Cllr Anthony Connick at the municipal meeting.
Cllr Connick asked if people are still even being allocated houses. Housing officer Martina Donoghue said schemes have become available in Taghmon and Wexford, adding that there is an urgency in getting tenants into them.
‘People can’t travel outside their 5km range so we are going to post out the letting agreements.’
Describing the lack of available housing in New Ross as very worrying, Cllr Connick asked if any turnkey or other housing projects are coming on stream.
Ms Donoghue said: ‘I know the capital section are talking with developers about New Ross.’
Cllr John Fleming said: ‘ There is not much building in the private sector in New Ross. If you take Rosbercon out of it there isn’t a lot there for New Ross.’
Cllr Michael Sheehan sought a list of all of the voids in New Ross district.
‘Some of them could be disposed of or sold off. They are under the ownership of Wexford County Council and could be brought back into social housing around the district.’
Cllr Connick said there is a lack of commitment from Wexford County Council when it comes to closing deals for houses.
‘I think the expression of interest only lasts for a certain period of time; that’s a problem.’
Niall McCabe, Administration Officer in the Housing Department, said: ‘ We do commit to houses. The expression of interest is open for a finite period of time. Prices have to be agreed. We are currently talking to a developer for houses at Healysland. We have another on land in Castlemoyle and Hewittsland.
Houses will be provided over the next three years.’
Cllr Sheehan said: ‘ The problem is unique to New Ross. We are waiting on a lot of approved housing bodies or private developers. What plans do we, as a council, have to build or acquire houses on county council lands? We are relying on the private market to sort the problem out.’
Mr McCabe said the council owns two sites, including one in Rosbercon upon which a 28 unit development will be built.
‘ That will be starting before the end of the year and we’ve one on the Thomastown road; there are more than 20 on that.’