Ms Majella Hunt Director of Services, Mr. Conor Fallon, Acting Senior Executive Engineer and Ms. Ann McHugh, Senior Executive Officer, Housing Department presented the Chief Executive’s Report on a Specified Development by a Local Authority in accordance with Section 179 Subsections 3(A) and 3(B) of Part XI of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended and Part 8 of Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 600 of 2001) as amended.

SPECIFIED DEVELOPMENT:

Proposed Residential Development at Elphin Td., Elphin, Co. Roscommon.  The proposed development will consist of 10 no. residential units which comprise of (a) Construction of House Type 1-2 no. 3 bed semi-detached two storey houses (B) construction of house type 2 – 2 no. 2 bed detached single storey houses (c) construction of house type 3 – 6 no. 2 bed semi-detached two storey houses and (D) all associated site works including construction of footpaths, access road, car parking areas, green areas, street lighting, ducting for utilities, formation of new connections to existing foul and surface water drainage, and existing utilities.

Ms Majella Hunt, Director of Services introduced the Part 8 and stated that the government is helping Local Authorities to plan and build better and more houses to live in.  The Local Authority is trying to meet the need for houses in locations for which there is a waiting list for the allocation of houses. Elphin currently has 19 households on the Housing list for housing allocation.  Ms Majella Hunt stated that there is now an emphasis by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage on Build Programmes by the Local Authority.  Mr. Conor Fallon Engineer presented the CEO report.

Cllr Crosby stated that the members had been invited to a meeting with local residents, some totally opposed to the development and others who have issues with certain elements of the project. Cllr Crosby stated that the residents would like to see the development completely walled off.  Mr. Conor Fallon Acting Senior Executive Engineer,  replied stating that the issue with the wall will be addressed.  Cllr Crosby queried the size of the green area and Mr. Conor Fallon, Acting Senior Executive Engineer stated that the green space allotted is in compliance with the County Development Plan.

Cllr Valerie Byrne acknowledged that there is a housing crisis but Cllr Byrne stated that this type of development is pushing people together and that it does not provide a proper green area for children to play.  Cllr Byrne stated that Elphin is a small town and a social housing development of this size is too large for the area.  Cllr Byrne raised concerns about traffic regulation and speed in the proposed development.  Ms. Majella Hunt, Director of Services stated that the local authority will look at addressing traffic management.  Cllr Byrne informed the meeting that the new houses would overlook existing mature houses and asked that if the Local Authority would consider planting trees and shrubbery.  Cllr Byrne stated that whilst acknowledging the housing crisis she could not support the Part 8 and would support local concerns in respect of this development.

Cllr Murphy, Cllr Cummins, Cllr Callaghan, Cllr Mulligan and Cllr Crosby stated that they are conscious of the need for social housing and for this reason would support the development but would like to see the concerns of the local residents addressed.

Cllr Mullligan and Cllr Callaghan queried the possibility of using of vacant housing units in Elphin as a response to the housing need in the area. 

     On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Tom Crosby

                  SECONDED by Councillor Liam Callaghan

It was AGREED

That the Elected Members of Boyle Municipal District in accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended )and Part 8 (Article 81) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), having considered the Chief Executive’s Report and Recommendation, proceed with SPECIFIED DEVELOPMENT  at Elphin Td., Elphin, Co. Roscommon.  The proposed development will consist of 10 no. residential units which comprise of (a) Construction of House Type 1-2 no. 3 bed semi-detached two storey houses (B) construction of house type 2 – 2 no. 2 bed detached single storey houses (c) construction of house type 3 – 6 no. 2 bed semi-detached two storey houses and (D) all associated site works including construction of footpaths, access road, car parking areas, green areas, street lighting, ducting for utilities, formation of new connections to existing foul and surface water drainage, and existing utilities.