Builders lit up area ‘like Blackpool illuminations’
By Maurice Garvey
CONSTRUCTION work that took place overnight in Ballyfermot, lit up the place “like Blackpool illuminations”, according to a local councillor.
Cllr Daithi de Roiste (FF) was sent pictures from residents living beside the site of a new housing project at Cornamona Court, which showed work taking place at 4.41am.
The area that was lit up by construction workers
According to residents, work took place on site over a 24 hour period on November 13.
“They (builders) applied for a derogation (exemption), to work outside the hours, but the site was lit up like Blackpool illuminations,” said Cllr de Roiste.
The Echo understands derogation orders allow construction sites to receive deliveries before rush hour traffic, in this case, between 5am to 7am.
Cllr de Roiste continued: “The derogation was for 5am to 7am, but from talking to the builders, the concrete didn’t go off because it was a cold day, and they stayed working all night. I said to them they didn’t have planning permission for that.
“A resident dropped his kids home, looked out his window, said ‘jaysus they’re still working’, looked out his window before going to bed, said ‘jaysus they’re still working’, went to the bathroom at 5am and said ‘jaysus they’re still working.”
“That’s not right. Planning (in the city council) washed their hands with it but sites can’t be working 24 hours with bright lights. It’s not fair on residents and kids going to school the next day.”
Speaking at a local area meeting on Wednesday, Dublin City Council said they approved derogation orders for 5am to 7am, but stated there is an obligation on contractors behalf to notify residents if they are carrying out work outside these hours.
Cllr Vincent Jackson acknowledged the site is a “logistical nightmare” regarding nearby schools and truck deliveries.
The local authority appointed Cunningham Contracts Limited to the site earlier this year to construct 61 homes in three residential blocks.
Half the units are reserved for elderly residents, and will be located on the second floor, and fully accessible with lifts.
The ground floor is reserved for families on the housing list.
Works commenced in June and are due to be completed in March 2021.
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