Fears over future of Sneem estate

THE Department of Justice has confirmed to The Kerryman that there are no plans to house asylum seekers or refugees in the town of Sneem amid fears in the local community that Ard an Óir housing estate could be used for such a purpose.

Works have been taking place in the former ghost estate in recent months but the local community has voiced concerns about plans for the houses, once they are fully completed.

In a statement, the Department said it has no plans to accommodate refugees or applicants for international protection in Sneem.

“The Department has absolutely no involvement with any building works ongoing in the area, and the Department has not formally received any offers of accommodation in Sneem under the Expression of Interest process,” the statement read.

It is hoped within the local community that the houses could eventually be sold to new families or those working in the local region. Planning had been lodged with the council for further works on the unfinished houses but this application has since been withdrawn, Kerry County Council confirmed this week.

The planning application was lodged by Dolent Properities Ltd. Members of the local community, including representatives of Sneem Digital Hub and some adjoining land-owners, met with a representative of Dolent Properties on Friday last, June 26.

The meeting was private to allow the local community to discuss their concerns about the future of this development but sources from the meeting told The Kerryman that they had been given assurances that it was not to be direct provision accommodation and that some of the houses would be sold and a percentage was likely to be used for social housing.

The local group hope to meet with the developer again as progress is made on the estate. Kerry County Council has confirmed that they have met with the new owners of the estate. As planning has been withdrawn the council will review the housing estate from a planning perspective.