‘Snag list’ to be confirmed before Rathowen Estate is taken in charge

Cork County Council are awaiting CCTV in order to confirm a snag list of works that need to be completed at Rathowen housing estate in Fermoy before the estate can be taken in charge, according to council officials.

It was also noted that there is a valid ‘Taking in Charge’ application for the Fermoy estate and a claim has been made on the bond.

This information from the Cork County Council Estates Department, was shared with members at the Fermoy Municipal District meeting last week, on foot of a motion tabled by local councillor Frank O’Flynn.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr O’Flynn noted that there are over 80 houses in the estate that is now in its 20th year since development, claiming ‘it’s not right’ that the estate has yet to be taken in charge.

“Surely to God at this stage they know what is done and what’s left to be done,” Cllr O’Flynn said with reference to the council awaiting confirmation of a snag list.

The Glanworth councillor sought that the Municipal District write again to the Estates Department to seek a timeline for when the estate may be taken in charge, and whether monies within the bond would be enough to cover outstanding works.

RESIDENTS’ ‘CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE’

Michael W. Lynch, Director of Planning and Development, in his response to the motion also noted that a presentation was made in respect of the ‘Taking in Charge of Estates Framework’ to the Development Committee in July last year by the Director of Service, Planning and Development in which ‘A Countywide Framework – Plan of Action’ was outlined to council members.

“The Planning & Development Department has put together a programme of works to utilise funds received as a result of bond settlements to progress the finishing of estates to a taking in charge standard. This is being carried out by a ‘ Bundle’ approach per division.

“The Planning Department continue to assess, and progress where possible to do so, other taking in charge applications for estates that are not included in the Countywide Framework bundle process,” Mr Lynch said.

At the meeting last week, Cllr Noel McCarthy noted that Rathowen Estate is in a ‘ bundle’ with Ardkeen and Glencullen.

Supporting the motion, Cllr McCarthy stated that the answer received to the motion was ‘frustrating’ and ‘upsetting’ for both residents of the estate and councillors.

“I don’t want to be blaming anyone in the Estates management, but there is something wrong here,” he said.

Cllr McCarthy also stated that residents of the estate are being made ‘victims’, caught in the middle of developers and the council.

The protocol and process for taking over estates needs to be expedited, according to Cllr William O’Leary, who stated that he would not vote in favour of any increase to property tax until ‘meaningful progress’ is seen in this regard.

“These are estates where there is minimal work needed to be carried out in order to be taken in charge. Unless I see meaningful progress in this, I will never again vote for an increase in the Local Property Tax because it is not value for money,” Cllr O’Leary said.

Cllr Deirdre O’Brien said the situation was ‘disheartening’, describing estates that have yet to be taken in charge as a ‘no-man’s land’.

According to Mr Lynch, Director of Planning and Development, arrangements were made to update elected members on the taking in charge of estates on a countywide basis at Development Committee on February 18, and each Municipal District at a more detailed level thereafter.

It was agreed at the Municipal District meeting on Tuesday, February 15, that the Fermoy MD would write again to the Estates Department for a timeframe and more detailed information.