Delays to complete new Navan housing estate raised in Dáil

The controversy over delays in getting prospective residents into new homes at Bailey Hill in Navan has been raised in the Dail by Meath West Sinn Fein TD Johnny Guirke.

The issue was reported in the Meath Chronicle in April this year after prospective residents registered protests over the delays in getting into new homes on the site after entering contracts with the builders Kingscroft. Construction work on the 97-unit development off the Kells Road and near St Patrick’s Classical School had been under way for some time. Three-bedroomed houses there were prices at €370,000 and four-bedroomed homes at €420,000.

In April prospective residents contacted the Meath Chronicle though their public representative Deputy Guirke to raise concern over delays in getting them into the houses. Although prospective buyers had been dealing directly with Kingscroft Development, the home buyers formed themselves into a group to push for access to the houses. One resident complained that because of the delays she was on her fourth mortgage application.

Deputy Guirke raised the matter with the Taoiseach in the Dail last week. He said there was delay after delay when it came to finishing the houses and giving people the keys to their new home. Many you g people were in this predicament.

He said that one couple had signed a contract in February 2023 and had been told they would be in their house in May, three months before their child was born. That child was now 13 months old.

“The estate agent took a €5,000 deposit in February 2023. Kingscroft claimed €26,179 from the Help to Buy Scheme in 2023. A further €6,320 was taken by the builder on 28th June 2023. Quick to take the money, not so quick to finish the house. This couple are constantly ringing Kingscroft for an update and no one getting back to them.”

The deputy said that one couple had to pull out of the sale because of mortgage difficulties. He said that that house was up for sale the next day for €35,000 more.

“Are they waiting for more to do the same? The estate agent blames the ESB and Uisce Eireann but never themselves or the builder”. He asked the Minister for Housing to contact Kingscroft “to find out when these people are going to get the keys to their new homes?”

Taoiseach Simon Harris said that speaking in a general sense he could understand the anticipation and excitement of anybody getting the keys to their new homes and he could understand the disruption to their lives by any delay that was caused.

Mr Harris said he would contact the Housing Department through appropriate channels to see if there was any information that could be provided.

Kingscroft has been asked for comment.