Progress to be made on homes at Kilbride Lane

MDY CONSTRUCTION is set to progress with the development of 42 social houses at Kilbride Lane in Bray.

Work stalled at the site towards the end of September as the developers encountered financial difficulties, five months after the sod was turned.

The intention of the developer and an examiner was that MDY would be able to finish the contract. They exited the examinership process on November 15, when the High Court approved the Scheme of Arrangements proposed by the appointed Examiner. The 42 units at Kilbride Lane were due to be finished by the end of next year. The council acquired the land over a decade ago for €6.1 million. The development is to consist of seven one-bed apartments, three one-bed accessible units for people with disabilities, four two-bed apartments, 20 two-bed two-storey houses, five three-bed two-storey houses and one four-bed three-storey house. ‘I am aware that Wicklow County Council is awaiting further detailed information from MDY on a number of outstanding matters, including a copy of the programme of works,’ said Deputy John Brady. He said that it is hoped that the developers will be back on site by December 10. ‘While, it is welcome news that this development will progress, the payment of sub-contractors is crucial as we move on to provide much needed homes in Bray. I now hope that this project will commence as quickly as possible to provide the badly needed homes.’ As far back as March 2016, members of Wicklow County Council were told that the keys to the new units at Kilbride Lane would be handed over in April 2018.

When the project was first announced in July 2015, officials at Wicklow County Council hoped to have it complete by 2017. On several occasions in the intervening years, answering questions put by elected council members, officials said that the delays originated within the Department of Housing.