Poppintree protest could delay local modular homes

A NUMBER of protesters blocked the entrance to the site where 22 modular homes for homeless families are being built in Poppintree, Ballymun, last week, just hours after builders began work.

The protest, which prevented vehicles entering the site, was organised by members of a Co-Op set up in 2002 who had paid deposits of €5,000 for homes earmarked for the land.

The CTSL Co-Op, which originally planned to establish an Irish speaking community on the site, had obtained planning permission for 40 homes as far back as 2007.

Members wanted to create their own neighbourhood and even helped design the three bedroom homes for the project but they ran into red tape when it came to drawing down finance.

The Co-Op project stagnated but progress began again when it was taken over last year by O’Cualann Co-Housing Alliance. However, October’s announcement that modular homes were to be built on the site put another question mark over the project.

O’Cualann Co-Housing Alliance believes the homes will go ahead following discussions with Dublin City Council officials. However, new planning permission will have to be obtained and the CTSL Co-Op says more than half its members have now had enough and want their €5,000 deposits back.

“We’ve been waiting for 12 years and have no faith now that our homes will ever be built,” said protester Suzanne Dobbyn.

I’ve no problem with modular homes. Everybody needs somewhere to live and the protest is not about modular homes. It’s about how the Co-Op members have been messed around for so long. We’ve had years of broken promises and don’t believe anything the council is telling us now.”

CTSL Co-Op spokesperson Deirdre Ní Tháilliúir called on housing groups, activists and local residents to stand with them in the protest.

“We are fighting against a great and shambolic injustice that has been thrown onto a group of families who had worked alongside Dublin City Council to build 40 Co-Op homes,” she said.

“Families have been left out of pocket, have no alternative sites and, to make it all worse, they were never informed of any of the plans going on behind the scenes.

“Forty social houses should have been built on this land, not 22 sheds for a general election stunt at great cost and insult to families and human beings in general.”

Despite the protest, Hugh Brennan of O’Cualann Co-Housing Alliance said that following discussions with Dublin City Council officials, he believes the project will go ahead and new planning permission could be obtained by April.

“The new application won’t be fast-tracked but no objections are expected,” he added.

Dublin City Council, who had hoped to have the modular homes occupied by Decebmer 21, said if the protest continued 22 homeless families would remain in hotel accommodation over Christmas and into early 2016.

The Peter McVerry Trust called on all parties involved in the site dispute to engage in dialogue to avoid jeopardising the provision of the modular homes.

“People know that we are in the middle of an acute housing emergency,” a spokesperson said.

“We understand that people and communities have genuine and sincere concerns. We would urge the all parties involved in the dispute in Ballymun to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve any issues.

“This process can take place alongside the construction process which will keep the project on time and deliver these homes as quickly as possible.

“The bottom line is that the 22 families need homes before Christmas.”

Dublin Lord Mayor, Críona Ní Dhálaigh, echoed the trust’s call.

“I respect everybody’s right to peacefully protest,” she said. I would ask these protestors to allow the work to commence.”

The modular homes will be two-storey, three-bedroom homes and will cost an estimated €4.2 million. The estate will be called Baile na Laochra (Town of Heroes) after the 1916 rebels.