Social housing development to be named Stephen’s Place

A NEW social housing development on Rossfield Avenue in Tallaght will be named Stephen’s Place, in memory of a local 12-year-old boy who was killed in the area in 2001.

The site for the 16-unit social housing development is the location where Stephen Hughes was killed after a makeshift hut he was sleeping in was set alight.

Stephen’s mother, Elizabeth, has been consulted throughout the process of naming the site in tribute to her son.

Cllr Louise Dunne (SF) tabled a motion about the new residential scheme at a Tallaght Area Committee meeting last week.

She said to the council that “given the transient nature of tenants in the nearby apartments” they should instead “develop houses on the proposed site that will allow for longtime tenancy”.

The Tallaght South councillor also mentioned the memorial to Stephen Hughes, and that overall, residents were happy to see the site being developed.

“Nearly every resident is happy to see the place being redeveloped,” said Cllr Dunne.

“I did inform them that Stephen’s mam is going to be consulted throughout this because of the memorial in place there for young Stephen and it’s going to be named after him.

“These are all commitments that were given previously.”

Commenting on the response to Stephen’s tragic death, Cllr Charlie O’Connor (FF) said: “The whole community was shocked with the terrible death of Stephen.

“If my memory serves me right, that was September 23 years ago, in 2001, and it did shock the community.

“Now people want [the development] done, and done properly.

“It’s important that we take account of the very sensitive feelings of the Hughes family, and I’m glad to hear Stephen’s mother will be consulted.”

A member of South Dublin County Council management confirmed that the development will be named Stephen’s Place and that consultation with his family is ongoing.

“We’re in frequent contact with the family in relation to the development and will be named Stephen’s Place as per [his mother’s] wishes,” she said.

“We will remain in continuous contact throughout the course of construction.”

The proposed residential scheme comprises six one-bed apartments, six two-bed apartments and four three-bed houses.

Cllr Dunne expressed concerns about the apartment aspect of the development, as another apartment complex in the area had “transient” tenants and issues with anti-social behaviour.

“There are some concerns in relation to the apartments,” said Cllr Dunne.

“We know that the apartments that are across the road that were originally infilled into Rossfield have quite a transient nature.

“They are on the main road, there’s quite a lot of anti-social behaviour and residents don’t seem to stay.

“Quite a lot have to be transferred due to the level of anti-social behaviour as well.

“The residents did mention that they would rather see houses built there so people can stay, can become involved in the community and embedded in the community.”

In response, the member of council management said the subject site is “a difficult site to design into, so this was the best design to get there.”

She noted that the ground floor apartments were developed with universal access, and the aim is for the apartments to be provided to people from the area wishing to downsize.

Construction works are expected to start in the second quarter of this year, and all units will have own-door access.