Residents disappointed works to restart on site
By Aideen O'Flaherty
RESIDENTS adjacent to the former home of ex-Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave, on the Scholarstown Road in Knocklyon, were “hugely disappointed” to learn that works on the site are set to recommence.
As previously reported in The Echo, construction workers were at the site last month, and some residents were concerned that the workers they saw on site were breaching government guidelines.
Workers on the site of former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave’s home on Scholarstown Road
All non-essential construction work had to cease when the country was put back under Level 5 restrictions earlier this month.
The Echo understands that the workers at the site were told by gardai to secure the site and cease working last Friday.
However, it is understood that the works, which are being carried out by Walls Construction, will recommence this week, as they have been deemed essential.
Walls Construction are connecting a new interconnecting foul sewer line on behalf of Irish Water
Fianna Fáil councillor for Firhouse-Bohernabreena, Deirdre O’Donovan, told The Echo: “The work isn’t that essential that it can’t be done in six months’ time – we’re in the middle of a global pandemic.
“It’s just hugely disappointing. This is a massive building site at the back of residents’ houses, with dozens of workers.”
Planning permission was granted for the development of 480 build-to-let units across eight apartment blocks, and 110 build-to-sell units to be housed in nine duplex blocks with a height of three-storeys, at the site in March 2020.
The plans for the development, which will be called Two Oaks, have been a point of contention in Knocklyon since they were first mooted by developer Ardstone Homes in 2019.
“This is a highly controversial development,” added Cllr O’Donovan. “We’ve exhausted all planning appeals against it.”
The works that are being carried out at the site this week, however, do not relate to the development of any houses or apartments at the site and instead centre on the installation of a 450mm pipe.
“They said that the work they’re doing is to upgrade the piping, why can’t that wait for another month?” said Cllr O’Donovan.
“It’s just counter to everything we’re being told by the government.
“We’ve been told to stay home when you possibly can, and instead you have all of these workmen at the site.
“The response from everyone in the community is that there is nothing urgent on that site that can’t be done in a month or six weeks.”
A garda spokesperson confirmed to The Echo that, following engagement, essential works only, in line with public health regulations, will continue on the site.
When previously contacted by The Echo, a spokesperson for Ardstone Homes said the works were deemed essential infrastructure.
“They are installing a new interconnecting foul sewer line. We have the appropriate confirmation from Irish Water,” stated the spokesperson.
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