17 houses proposed at Railway Gardens, Lismore ‘in jeopardy’
It has been revealed that a proposed development of 17 houses at Railway Gardens in Lismore is ‘in jeopardy’, according to a Waterford City and County Council official.
At a recent meeting of the Dungarvan Lismore District, council members were informed that the development has not progressed as hoped and that the developer recently informed the council that he was not in a position to proceed with the development.
The topic was raised by Cllr Conor D McGuinness who had requested a completion date on the 17 units and queried as to when they may be ready for allocation.
Senior Resident Engineer, Paul Johnston, delivered the update on the proposed development, stating that there are still some ‘legalities’ to be undertaken.
“Basically as it stands, the proposed delivery of the 17 units in Railway Gardens is in jeopardy. There is a possibility that somebody else may pick it up but we are in a legal contract with the developer and we’ve asked him to clarify the position in relation to that,” Mr Johnston said.
Following the meeting, Cllr McGuinness said that it appears the social housing project is in ‘serious trouble’ and will not go ahead as planned.
“Many younger couples and families from Lismore and surrounding areas are struggling to find accommodation in their home town. They want to live here and to raise their families in the town. The delivery of affordable and social housing in Lismore is crucial to allow younger people from the area to remain living here or to return home to their community.
“I believe the Council needs to take decisive action to ring-fence the funding it has to hand and to envisage an ambitious project for this site that includes a mix of affordable and social housing, and that protects the green space and outdoor amenity that’s in daily use by existing residents,” Cllr McGuinness said.
ALL TO ONE SIDE
Another council housing development in West Waterford was also called into question as Tallow councillor, James Tobin raised the possibility of developing four more houses at a council-owned site in Knockanore.
Cllr Tobin noted that there are currently four houses on-site and that it is ‘all to one side like the town of Fermoy’ and highlighted that there is room for another four on the other side.
“When the sewerage was put in for the four it was made suitable for eight and it’s there now for quite a long time. I’d like it to be kept in mind now that there’s a scarcity of homes,” Cllr Tobin said.
Senior Engineer Paul Johnston said that the council would look into if there is space available for additional housing.
According to Mr Johnston, the matter at hand would be determining if the demand is there and the best type of unit for the development, adding that an update would be provided at the next meeting.