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Work on 33 social homes to begin next month

Work on 33 social homes to begin next month

Deputy Mayor of Waterford believes private developers have a large role to play in solving the housing crisis.

Councillor John Cummins has welcomed the allocation of over €5 million from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government for the construction of thirty-three social housing units on the Airport Road on a site formally occupied by the Salvage Shop. Under the terms agreed, Liam Neville Developments will construct thirty-three units on the site which already has planning permission. Ground works are expected to begin in February.

The development will comprise of five; one bed houses, thirteen; two bed houses and fifteen; three bed houses. He said “The development will have its access on to the Airport road opposite Killure Manor/Birchwood and will put a derelict site which has been a blot on the community for a considerable amount of time to very good use.

Cllr. Cummins added “This is the second turnkey development I have been involved in, having worked on the Ard Phiaris development which is currently under construction at Carrickpherish. Some people say that private developers are not the solution to the housing crises and that construction should be done by local councils themselves. As I’ve said before I believe this is a flawed argument; developers have the land, staff and resources to increase the supply of social housing quicker than Local Authorities and this model should be replicated nationwide. It is important to point out that between these two developments 64 social housing units will be delivered in quicker timeframe than it has taken council to progress 17 direct builds at Larchville, Doyle Street and Ardmore Park/Priory Lawn without a single brick being laid”.

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Cllr. Cummins concluded by saying “I look forward to the delivery of these high quality housing units which will assist us in our continuing battle to lower our housing waiting list. I am also engaging with the Waterford Council Housing Department and Government in relation to a number of other turnkey and acquisition projects which I’m confident will pass appraisal stage in due course”.

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