Council to meet Ashbourne residents opposed to housing development

Meath Co Council has been urged to not “hide behind legislation” ahead of a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) with residents in Ashbourne to discuss a controversial social housing development proposed for land near their estate.

Earlier this month Meath County 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 earlier this 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.

A recent meeting of Ashbourne Municipal District heard that 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.

Independent Cllr Joe Bonner held a public meeting on the matter recently resulting a huge turn out from locals concerned about the plans.

"I hope that they listen to what we have to say and redesign the project because it is of major concern to the residents there.” said Cllr Bonner. " It is great that they are meeting us but we want them to bring something to the table.They can’t hide behind the legislation on this."

Residents have outlined their worries about road safety issues already existing in the area that need to be addressed before any building work goes ahead.

" There isn’t any affordable housing in Ashbourne and the last council meeting, Meath County Council said that they weren’t putting in any affordable housing because people couldn’t afford affordable houses which is absolutely ridiculous!"

Ashewood sub committee member Paul Doyle welcomes the meeting on the proposed development.

"It’s something that we have been pursuing for quite some time," he said.

"Ashewood sub committee hopes that agreement can be reached on the new development. we support new housing but sustainable quality housing that doesn’t contravene the local development plan, the quality design manual for housing and takes the safety of existing residents as well as future residents into consideration. “

Mr Doyle previously spoke of how residents did not oppose social housing but wanted the council to engage with residents.

“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 the Ashewood resident's association committee member.

Mr Doyle pointed out that 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.

“The government recommends a mixed tenure, this can be private, social or affordable,” he said.

The recommendations also state that if an estate has to be purely social units their size should be based on the population of a town.

“It states for a town the size of Ashbourne (15000 people) there should be no more than 50 social houses in a single development,” said Paul.

Fine Gael's Cllr Alan Tobin is due to put forward a motion at the next Ashbourne MD meeting demanding that the development will consist of 49 social and 30 affordable homes. This will be joint motion with Fine Gael Cllr Suzanne Jamal and Fianna Fail Cllr Conor Tormey.

A spokesperson for Meath Co Council said:

"The development in Ashbourne is being pursued to respond to the high level of social housing demand in the area as identified in the Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan."

The statement goes to say that "speed surveys were carried out in 2015 within the Ashewood estate and the estate was included within the subsequent 2016 30 km/h Speed Limit Bye-Law and appropriate signage was installed.

"Speed surveys were carried out again in 2022; no further speed measures were required. The Council will arrange for a repeat of the speed surveys to be undertaken when Archers Glen is complete."

"As regards the Design Manual for Quality Housing and number of houses in a development, the housing guidelines recommend that the ‘number should not be taken as an absolute maximum and that flexibility is possible."