Proposals for two new estates with 263 homes in Killinarden
By Mary Dennehy
COUNCILLORS were informed at a recent Tallaght Area Committee meeting of a feasability study into the development of two new estates in Killinarden - one for 13 homes and a second for 250.
The projects, which are at feasibility stage, were presented to elected representatives in council chambers, with the possibility of developing 13 units at St Catherine’s in Knockmore Avenue and 250 homes on a 105sqm site in off the Killinarden Road in Hazelgrove being examined.
Site identified for feasibility study into 250 houses
The St Catherine’s site area is nearly 3,500sqm, with both projects undergoing a feasibility study as part of the council’s Housing Programme 2018 – 2020.
When asked to confirm the number units in each project the council said it cannot commit to numbers at this stage and 250 is “purely indicative and less than the capacity of the lands”.
However, despite the project being at “feasibility stage”, Tallaght South councillor Louise Dunne (Sinn Fein) expressed her annoyance over councillors not being given the presentation until ten minutes before the meeting.
“I was not impressed with this presentation being put on the agenda only 10 minutes before the meeting considering how important the issue of housing is at the moment,” Cllr Dunne said.
“No councillors were afforded the opportunity to study the presentation before going into the council chambers, which for something of this scale and considering how important housing is I was pretty annoyed over.
“However, a lot of councillors did speak after the presentation.”
St Catherine’s site
She added: “At the moment, this is just a presentation, it’s not a proposal but I am eager for the council to get back to us with details so that we can be properly informed.
“The council needs to bring a detailed report to the Housing SPC [Special Policy Committee] and then get back to the Tallaght Area Committee meeting soon.
“The 250 houses is a massive, new estate and there would need to be details on proper facilities and if the local schools have the capability [to cater to this number of new homes].
“Also the 13 houses included in the presentation for St Catherine’s are on a hill and one of my concerns is that it would be overlooking a school.”
When contacted by The Echo for confirmation, a council spokesperson said: “Both projects are as yet at feasibility stage and final numbers not yet concluded.”
