‘Precious little’ available in West Waterford social housing

The lack of available social housing in West Waterford was recently highlighted as West Waterford councillor Conor D McGuinness pointed to weekly choice-basedletting e-mails that councillors receive, in which there is a ‘disparaging’ lack of West Waterford properties.

Noting the council-issued housing report at Monday’s Dungarvan Lismore District meeting, Cllr McGuinness stated that it had been ‘unchanged in several months’.

“There is precious little coming up. The situation isn’t changing. We have people on waiting lists for years. We’re in a very, very difficult situation. Starting off the year, I don’t see where houses are coming on stream,” Cllr McGuinness said.

He went on to request an update on what may be in the pipeline and where the council may add to their housing stock within the West Waterford region.

“If you could point to something that would give some hope to me and the people that I represent, I would be very very grateful,” Cllr McGuinness added.

DEMAND ON THE GROUND

Local councillor Declan Doocey described the council housing situation as ‘an awful game of cards’ as he claimed ‘no progress’ was being made locally.

Director of Housing with Waterford City and County Council Ivan Grimes said he accepted that the monthly report ‘didn’t give great grounds for optimism’. He noted however, that the council have submitted a detailed housing delivery plan to the minister, which is intended to run until 2026.

“I would regard it as being ‘ optimistic but ‘deliverable’ and it will see a significant amount of new units delivered in the district area,” Mr Grimes added.

Pointing to Railway Gardens housing estate in Lismore where the housing developer had withdrawn from the project, Cllr Conor McGuinness sought an update, requesting that the site be revisited

“I would like to see us taking a look at the Railway Gardens area and looking at something that could bring in that affordable piece as well as a social piece just to cater to the actual demand that is on the ground in that part of West Waterford,” Cllr McGuinness said.

TALLOW SITE?

Local councillor John Pratt also highlighted Brideview Close in Tallow as a potential site for development.

“There have been four houses in fairness built in Brideview Close but there is land there owned by the council and I would ask that that be looked at positively and maybe a couple of more houses might be put in there in the future,” Cllr Pratt said.

Regarding the Railway Gardens site in Lismore, Mr Grimes said he understood that the site was privately owned but said the council would look into the matter.

In relation to the potential further development at Brideview Close in Tallow, Mr Grimes added that it is something the council are currently investigating.

In response to issues raised regarding the impact of short term letting in the Dungarvan area, Mr Grimes noted that short term letting is a widespread issue, however stated that the matter needs to be addressed nationwide.

Querying the Repair and Lease Scheme, Cllr Declan Doocey stated that some years ago, the scheme was intended to be a ‘game changer’.

Responding to Cllr Doocey’s comments, Mr Grimes highlighted that Waterford City and County Council are the only local authority running the scheme, therefore national targets set are actually targets for Waterford.

Mr Grimes added that, to date, the scheme has been ‘very successful’.