The woes of Cherrygarth residents seem to run and run without any hope of respite.
A recent meeting of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County council seemed to offer hope that restoration work on roads, footpaths and general environment would commence on May 23 and this was a date the council seemed committed to.
To date there is no sign of any work starting and the entrance road was described by a resident I spoke to as being “worse than the road to Kabul Airport after the US withdrawal”.
Only the most robust vehicle chassis survive regular use there.
Footpaths, trees, and grass verges display all the hallmarks of a battlefield.
The new development on the grounds of Oatlands Monastery (pictured above) is now complete and this shiny new development is in stark contrast to the battle scarred old Cherrygarth estate.
However, work continues on the Thornhill development.
On Thursday, June 15, Southside People was told by several residents that the Waste Collection contractor is refusing to collect bins in parts of Cherrygarth due to difficulties in accessing homes because of construction traffic related to Thornhill.
Residents say they’re angry because construction workers on the Thornhill site are blocking access roads when they could be accommodated in the underground car park on the site.
These are the same residents who for prolonged periods were unable to access their homes due to sewer construction, who were subject constant noise, dirt, dangerous parking, and general disruption to their lives for up to 18 months.
They say they are angry at both DLR County Council and the developers.
These issues have been repeatedly raised over the past year by Southside People and also raised at meetings of the Dundrum Area Committee Municipal Services Business by Councillor John Kennedy who has been acting as an advocate on the Cherrygarth issues.
There have been some promises of action by the council but to date these promises are seen by residents as just ‘empty promises.’
So, why has this happened?
Why are Council officials so reluctant to enforce building and planning regulations?
What if any responsibility has the Council for monitoring the project?
Has DLRCC ever acted against a corporate entity for breaches of planning regulations?
Why is it left to construction companies to monitor dust and noise impacts on neighbouring communities?
The Planning process doesn’t seem to work in protecting communities and Local Authorities seem to wash their hands of any responsibility for the actions of developers once Planning permissions have been granted.
Councillors, TDS, and Ministers seem to ignore the plight of both residents and communities impacted by large construction projects.
Is it any surprise that individuals and community organisations look to the courts for protection?