Affordable housing group to buy Whiterock Hill scheme

CO-OPERATIVE Housing Ireland which supports the provision of affordable homes, has agreed to purchase a new 60-unit scheme at Whiterock in Wexford, for which a planning application has been lodged with the County Council.

The proposed new estate beside St. Joseph’s GAA grounds, comprising 40 three-bedroom houses and 20 two-bedroom apartments, is being developed by O’ Leary International Unlimited of Marshmeadows, New Ross.

Approximately 20% of the dwellings (12 units) will be adaptable lifetime homes for people with a disability, in accordance with accessible housing policy.

Accompanying the planning application is a letter from a manager with Co-Operative Housing Ireland, confirming the organisation’s agreement to buy the scheme as a social housing development.

Co-Operative Housing Ireland, set up almost 50 years ago, is the national federation for housing co-operatives in Ireland and is an approved housing body, supported by funding from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

It provides affordable homes for renting and promotes the development of local housing co-operatives with residents as members, to manage estates.

As part of its housing programme, Wexford County Council has been working with approved housing bodies to deliver social houses for people on the local authority waiting list.

The 3.7 acre grassland site at Whiterock is adjacent to the St. Joseph’s site, currently under development, and close to Wexford golf course.

A report prepared by Ecologist Deborah D’Arcy which was submitted with the application, recommends a detailed assessment and management plan, including post-construction monitoring, by a specialist to deal with invasive Japanese Knotweed on the site.

A preliminary archaeological assessment was carried bout by Catherine McLoughlin of Stafford McLoughlin who recommended that archaeological testing should be carried out by a qualified archaeologist.