Diocese contributions queried in row over €1 Rathnure cottage
AN objection to allowing the transfer of a cottage in Rathnure to the local community and parish was rejected by councillors.
The plan to transfer 0.21 hectares of land to the parish of Rathnure and Templeudigan for car parking spaces for the school and parish was objected to by Cllr Robbie Ireton. Cllr Ireton said there was enough land for four houses to be built on the site. ‘It would leave plenty of space for extra sparking. I have visited the property and I think it would be very wrong for this council to sell it for €1 considering the amount of money we are spending to buy property and given the housing crisis situation. I think it would be shameful for us to go in that direction.’
Cllr Ireton said the property will be given to the parish, adding that it could end up with the diocesan trust. He suggested that the land could be sold on for a ‘top rate price’, adding that too much council land is being given away to parishes. Cllr John Fleming said the house is needed for the community as there is an issue with parking in the village. He said the cottage is totally unsuitable for residential development and would need to be refurbished and is located too close to the bend on the road. ‘It would be a huge benefit to the community and would enhance the area. The school has been looking for this as it’s dangerous for parents with childrern as there is nowhere to park.’
Senior housing officer Padraig O’Gorman said the property has been vacant for a while. ‘It would need to be demolished and the site would only have been suitable for a new build. It would cost in excess of €200,000 to provide the house. It’s a central and prime site in the middle of the village.’
Director of Services Tony Larkin recommended inserting a clause whereby the council has first option to purchase the property back for its €1 sale price.
Cllr Tony Dempsey said parking is a huge issue in Rathnure village, adding that it would make for a very good use of the land.
Cllr Willie Fitzharris asked if the council receives an equal amount of land from the diocese, as it provides to the church body.
Cllr Jim Moore asked for a summary of how much land changed hands between the council and the diocese over the past decade. ‘How much has been spent either way. €1 is a very, very nominal sum,’ he said.
Cllr Davy Hynes said: ‘I have seen acres of church land being sold off for private estates. I have never seen any of the land going into the community – even though some of the land was bought by people with meagre resources.’
Cllr Ireton replied: ‘I am sure there are people on our books who could live in the house comfortably for the rest of their lives.’
Mr Larkin said most of the land given to the diocese is ‘off cuts’ and scrub land. ‘I don’t want to tie up our property management team for weeks on a report we may not use.’
Cllr Keith Doyle said best practice over the years has been to let the district look after it.
The councillors agreed to allow the transfer providing the buy back clause is included.