LOCAL politicians have urged the Government to approve funding for a Northside regeneration project without further delay.
A total of 25 houses are to be demolished at Buttercup Park, Darndale, with 35 new homes replacing them.
Dublin City Council, which has already demolished some of the houses, said it was fully committed to the project, which has been planned for many years.
However, it is now being stalled because the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government has not given its approval to the city council for it to proceed.
Dublin City Council confirmed to Northside People that since October 2013, 19 of the houses have been demolished and the remaining ones will be demolished when the current tenants are relocated.
Dublin City Manager Owen Keegan said the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government has verbally advised that the matter is under consideration in the context of available funding. Mr Keegan also advised that the tendering process and construction work on the planned 35 new houses for the area would take approximately two years.Cllr Larry O’Toole (SF), who lives in the area, called on Minister for Housing, Jan O’Sullivan, to immediately release funding for the project.
“For many years local residents have campaigned for this particular area to be refurbished,
? he said.
“The final architect’s design has been prepared and the site is now clear and ready for development.
“Late last year in response to serious anti-social behaviour in and around the vacant homes, Dublin City Council responded to my request to demolish the vacant houses under the Dangerous Buildings Act. It is now up to the Minister to provide the funding for the new homes.
?
Local TD Tommy Broughan said this was a very important project and it could not proceed any further without the approval of Minister O’Sullivan.
“I have asked the Minister if she will include the re-development project in Buttercup Park under the 2014 remedial works programme,
? Deputy Broughan told Northside People.
“I am urging Minister O’Sullivan to grant approval for the Buttercup Park project to go to tender as soon as possible.
“Residents have waited long enough for this project and they should not be deprived of this significant re-development any longer.
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Minister O’Sullivan was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press. However, in response to a recent parliamentary question, the Minister advised Deputy Broughan that her department was not in a position at this time to approve funding for further estate-wide remedial works in the Darndale area.
She pointed out that her department had a high level of commitments in respect of the regeneration and remedial works projects currently underway in Dublin city and elsewhere.
“I am, however, keeping the matter under review and I will consider the potential to progress remedial works in Darndale in the context of the remedial works programme for 2014,
? she told Deputy Broughan.