At Monday’s meeting of the Transportation and Infrastructure Strategic Policy Committee, Cllr Joe Leddin said that there were many city estates that need improvement or maintenance work, but for reasons such as developers revisiting sites or firms going out of business, important works are not being carried out.

According to committee chairman, Cllr James Houlihan, works can vary and range from minor issues with street lighting, to residents fighting to get speed ramps installed.

He added that taking in charge was a relatively routine matter and that developers could also carry out the works or choose not to be taken in charge.

In total, 63 estates have been prioritised by the council for possible taking in charge proceedings and a detailed report on the issue has been given to committee members.

The list further prioritised 11 areas across the city including the Georgian Village on the Old Cork Road, Ashbrook on the Ennis Road, Meadowbrook on the Mill Road and Coolraine Heights on the Cratloe Road.

Councillors also asked that work on several estates in the same area be carried out in one go to avoid disruption. Mayor Ger Fahy welcomed the findings and prioritising of more urgent works.

“I’m particularly pleased that the Georgian Villas are a priority because the estate is over 30 years old and hasn’t yet been taken in charge. It would be more cost effective to bring the four on the Cork Road together,” he said.

Cllr Maria Byrne said that it was important to note that some estates were put ahead of older builds.

“I think the sooner we can resolve this, the better. Some residents feel that they are being fobbed off and are told to go to the council when the council is still not in charge of the issue.”

Cllr Pat Kennedy said that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government had recently introduced measures whereby developers can be refused planning permission if they “consistently don’t play ball in planning terms”.

“For the first time, local authorities can go to the High Court to refuse future planning applications because of serious non compliance with regulations in the past,” he added.

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