Residents feel ‘let down and ignored’
By Hayden Moore
RESIDENTS feel “let down and ignored” as the proposed social housing development on undeveloped lands at Old Nangor Road and Cherryfield was given the green light at the recent monthly meeting of South Dublin County Council.
After passing through the Part 8 stage, the development at the old Eircom site was considered at the council meeting last Monday after councillors chose to defer the plans at last month’s gathering following concerns around traffic congestion.
An artist's impression of the site on Old Nangor Road.
Voted through by all present councillors, the development will consist of 93 units which will be comprised of two 30-unit blocks of apartments, totalling 60 overall, 15 three-bedroom houses and 18 own-door duplex units.
Concerns regarding the levels of traffic in the area and trouble in getting onto junctions at the Old Nangor Road and Fonthill Road were raised by residents and councillors alike.
Members of the council had pressed for construction traffic and an entrance to the complex to go directly from the New Nangor Road as well as a yellow box at junctions of Cherrywood Avenue and Fonthill Road.
In their response, the council outlined how “traffic calming measures” would form part of the contract with the builder, yellow boxes would be included, but the access point off the New Nangor Road was “discounted because there is an existing busy junction” there with Bawnogue Road.
Promising to maintain and enhance pedestrian access points in the area, the construction traffic route at New Nangor Road was also discounted while they believe the “existing road layout is well established and is considered adequate to take the new development”.
An aerial shot of the current site at the old Ericom building.
While Sinn Féin Councillor William Carey was supportive of the housing, he along with Councillors Mark Ward and Francis Timmons were outspoken about the disappointment with the traffic congestion issues that is already ongoing in that area.
Speaking to The Echo after the Part 8 development was passed through the council, Independent Cllr Timmons said: “I am bitterly disappointed that the council failed to put the road opening onto the New Nangor Road as the majority of residents had requested and despite my success in delaying it for a month no compromise was made.
A resident of the area, Cllr Timmons added: “This is very regrettable for residents in the area, the council has committed to a yellow box at the estate entrance – it remains to be seen if this will be enough.
“Time will tell, residents feel let down and ignored.’’
