Residents ‘refuse to be bullied’ over housing plan
Concerned residents in Ashbourne are calling for Meath Co Council to re-engage with them over plans for a controversial social housing development near their estate.
Last year Meath Co Council announced their plans to build 79 social housing units at Ashewood under 179a, a section of planning law that allows local authorities to proceed with planning applications without the obligation to engage with the community.
The government introduced the emergency legislation last year to address the housing crisis. Under the regulations a local authority can build social or affordable housing on land they own bypassing the normal planning process. This legislation is up for renewal this month.
The development, to be called ‘Archers Glen’, will consist of 26 one-bedroom apartments, four one-bed duplexes, four two-bedroom duplexes, four 1/2 bedroom terrace houses and four three-bed terraced houses.
Residents of Ashewood Green previously stated that they “refused to be bullied” by Meath Co Council into accepting this new development that is being rushed through under temporary legislation without proper due diligence.
Residents had outlined their worries about road safety issues already existing in the area that need to be addressed before any building work goes ahead. Despite Meath Co Council saying they would take the concerns raised into consideration and explore a mixed tenure option, there has been no further engagement on the matter with residents fearing the original plans are set to go ahead.
Earlier this year the Housing Minister issued guidance on how housing should be build within the state. In the “Design Manual for Quality Housing” building housing estates consisting solely of social housing units is not recommended.
“We are not against social housing being created in the area but the council are railroading this through without any say from residents or any forward planning,” said resident's association committee member, Paul Doyle.
"Last December we met with the council and they said they would revisit it and that they were going to write to the Minister of Housing for funding of affordable housing," he added.
"What they were saying all along was that they couldn't sell affordable housing because it wasn't affordable and there was no point even trying to sell them.
"We totally disagree and a local estate agent here told us he'd sell any amount of affordable houses in Ashbourne in the morning.
"We have written to Meath Co Council and requested an urgent meeting with the CEO. We have the backing of all of the councillors and TDs in the area, they have all made representations on our behalf.
"We are just looking for common sense really."
Meath Co Council has been contacted for comment.