There’s been a fair bit of discussion in the media as to whether unfinished developments will be demolished. The Mullingar Advertiser is reporting that a six acre site in village of Ballynagore, Westmeath is being returned to greenfield status by the local authority at a cost of 40,000 euro after local residents pressed for action. The site presently comprises three almost complete bungalows that were erected in 2009 (I’ve had a look on Google Street View and I think the photo is the site as of May 2010) and was due to double the size of the village if completed. The site has been described as dangerous posing health and safety concerns, with several large holes and an absence of secure fencing preventing access. There have been reports of anti-social behavior, with the houses badly vandalised. It was also unsightly, with several graffiti tags.
Unfinished estate, Ballynagore
There seems to be some confusion as to who owns the site and the person believed to be the developer is refusing to engage with the Westmeath County Council. Given the lack of cooperation the Council is using the Derelict Sites Act to take action, including knocking down the three bungalows. At present, the Mullingar Advertiser is reporting that it seems unlikely that the Council will be able to recover the costs of demolition.
Whilst it is good to see Westmeath County Council being proactive in tackling the site, it also raises a couple of questions including: Why is there confusion over who is the owner/developer? Why can’t the bond be drawn to down to contribute/cover costs? If the developer has defaulted, why can’t the bank be called on to cover costs? Is there any possibility of the site transferring to local authority ownership in lieu of costs? It seems a shame to knock three almost complete bungalows, six kilometres from the M6 at Kilbeggan, but clearly they are in a poor state of repair and the local authority feel they and the site are past saving at this point without the developer’s input.
What the story does make clear is that some unfinished estates are now starting to be levelled and returned to greenfield status. It’ll be interesting to see the extent to which other sites follow suit.
Rob Kitchin
Ireland after NAMA 
August 16, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Probably the most disgracful decision in Planning history is what was done to Tallsght village one of the most historical in country. ?Over 500″Ballymun Flats”, and 2,000 section 23 flats overall in Tallaght. Ghettoisation is rampant and everyone listened to but the community. They should be demolished. what happened to Tallaght would never be tolerated elsewhere. The SDcC had their agenda and “consultatio” was an academic exercise just to cover ass.
August 16, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Charge it to the taxpayer!
(i.e. ratepayer/shopkeeper/ negative equity householder) as usual.
But will they keep paying??
August 22, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Good article. But I have to ask why is it better to demolish these houses than to give them away. I would give them free ( and repaired) to one-off house dwellers who would agree to disconnect their remote houses from the need to be serviced thereby saving the tax payer.
September 28, 2011 at 10:59 am
[…] (reported by Claire O’Brien in the Mullingar Advertiser at the start of August 2011 with pictures here from irelandafternama.wordpress.com) The council has demolished the houses in the small estate behind the pub in Ballynagore and the […]
June 11, 2012 at 11:01 am
Why were they not put up for sale on the open market?