Work to restart on two age friendly housing developments

TWO age friendly housing developments will recommence construction in February with a view to completing the works this summer following the appointment of a new contractor.

Cleary and Doyle Construction has been appointed by Clúid Housing to take over the housing developments at Fernwood and Maplewood in Springfield after months of delays.

It is understood that the new developer is presently working on getting its supply chain in place, with activity expected on site as it progresses its condition survey of both sites.

Full construction works are expected to kick-off in early-February with the goal of completing the Maplewood development in April/early-May and Fernwood in June/early-July.

Initially valued at €9.5m, the 23 homes at Fernwood and 17 homes with a community room at Maplewood were voted through South Dublin County Council in 2018 – despite 596 submissions.

“At the end of the day, I want the developments completed as quickly as possible so that the houses can be allocated,” Cllr Charlie O’Connor tells The Echo.

“This is an important, significant development and there was a lot of disappointment in my community when works stalled on site.

“Now that we have the appointment of the contractors and an updated schedule for the completion, it is something I am happy about.”

FORRME Construction were initially contracted by the approved housing body, Clúid Housing – who is set to manage the housing development.

Construction was due to be carried out over a 15-month period and be completed in October 2021.

However, the two developments were delayed to November 2021, and again until March 2022 before settling on August/September – as outlined in an update in May.

Construction challenges such as labour and material shortages were cited as the reasoning behind the delays.

On September 5, Clúid Housing decided to terminate the contract, as “it has become clear that the contractor is no longer able to complete the project”.

Since then, residents have raised concerns around issues with litter accruing, the state of the hoarding, lights at the hoarding-created laneways not working, and the poor state of the entrance to Maplewood site.

The Echo understands that the approve housing body, Clúid, will ask the contractor, Cleary and Doyle Construction, to address the concerns about the entrance to the Maplewood site when they start construction.

As the site works come to a close over the summer months, the allocation process for the properties will commence.

“I understand that there has been a lot of interest in the developments in that respect,” Cllr O’Connor elaborates.

“The council has received expressions of interest and the applications will have to be worked on.

“Now that work on site will continue, and the completion of the developments is on the way, I will continue to press the council to get them allocated as soon as possible.”