Councillors to oppose housing plan

TWO Northside councillors have vowed to fight Fingal County Council’s plans to construct modular homes in their town in the new year.

At a meeting held before Christmas, the council put forward a proposal to build 40 of the homes on land at Pinewood, Balbriggan. 

Cllr Tony Murphy, who will contest the general election in the Dublin Fingal consituency as an Independent Alliance (IA) candidate, believes the proposal is “wrong on so many levels”. 

“It is unbelievable that the council would even contemplate it,” said Cllr Murphy. 

“The area of the town identified by Fingal County Council already has its fair share of social housing and community issues.

“It is grossly unjust to consider increasing the amount of social housing in the area. 

“The people of Balbriggan need to have their voices heard on this issue. I am calling on everybody to express their views in a way that will be clear to Fingal County Council that this is not acceptable. 

“We need to stop this proposal as it is unjust, immoral and inappropriate for the area.”

Cllr Murphy claimed that over many years Balbriggan has been on the “receiving end” of an unfair proportion of the council’s social housing allocation. 

“I intend to fight this plan in the council chamber because it is wrong,” he added.

Balbriggan based councillor Grainne Maguire (Ind) is also strongly opposed to the plan. 

“While I appreciate the need for more houses, this temporary solution does not solve the problem,” said Cllr Maguire. 

“The money being spent on modular housing could be better invested in permanent homes for people in need.

“I do understand that there are plenty of people living in Balbriggan in need of permanent homes but we need to look at other solutions rather than wasting money on a temporary fix by providing modular homes.  

“We cannot continue to just accept proposals that are put before us without proper consultation.

“I would urge everyone to get their concerns regarding this submitted to the council once the plans go on public display in the new year.”  

Cllr Maguire added: “Over the years Balbriggan has developed at an unbelievable rate and we need to start building communities in our town as opposed to just building houses.” 

In a statement, Fingal County Council said it has brought forward two initial proposals for the proposed construction of modular homes at two locations in the county. 

“A formal planning consultation process is now underway for schemes on lands adjoining Avondale Estate in Dublin 15 and in Pinewood, Balbriggan,” a spokeswoman for the council said.

“Both sites are on lands identified for future housing needs.

“Following the consultation process a report will be brought back to the relevant area committees and the full council for adoption. 

“The council is continuing to examine other sites in its ownership across the county.”

The council said the provision of new homes that can be delivered quickly will ease the pressure on families with children living in emergency accommodation. 

“The Government’s modular housing programme seeks to provide 500 modular homes across the four Dublin local authorities to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness,” she added. 

“The council is committed to continue to work to deliver new homes to meet the housing