Sinn Féin Councillor for West Waterford has said that action is required in relation to the proposed construction of 17 houses at Railway Gardens in Lismore. He made the comments after council officials confirmed to him that the developer is not in a position to proceed with the project as agreed, and that it is now unlikely to go ahead.
McGuinness said:
“Many younger couples and families from Lismore and surrounding areas are struggling to find accommodation in their hometown. 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 remain living here or to return home to their community.
“It appears that the Railway Garden’s social housing project is in serious trouble and will not go ahead as planned. The Council has confirmed to me that that developer cannot or will not proceed with the project.
“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 thats in daily use by existing residents.
“The development needs to include affordable units alongside council-owned properties to take into account local need and the reality faced by many who find themselves just above the Council’s income thresholds.
“I will continue to push for state investment in housing across West Waterford to meet the huge demand that is causing such difficulty for young people and families.
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness 