‘Joke’ as ‘goal posts constantly being moved’ on issue of taking Laois housing estate in charge

A Laois County Councillor has branded a response he received in relation to the taking in charge of a housing estate ‘a joke’.

Cill Beg Manor in Stradbally was originally constructed around a 15 years ago but was never been properly finished.

The developer completed the last house in 2016 and just before Christmas of 2017, the driveway was properly laid with tarmacadam.

In March 2018, Fianna Fail Councillor Paschal McEvoy was told that the process for taking the estate into the charge of the council was almost complete. 

But five years on – the situation has not changed and Cllr McEvoy sought another update.

Director of Services Angela McEvoy, who was not present at the meeting, said that there were a number of issues with the developer that needed to be resolved.

She said: “These include plastering of boundary wall, the provision of As Built drawings and wayleaves where foul and storm sewers pass through private lands.

“The Council will use the bond to complete the works if the developer does not resolve same.”

Cllr McEvoy said: “This is a joke of a response and I will have to speak to Angela about it.

“Last year, I put in another motion where I was told the work would be completed in six weeks meaning the estate should have been done in July or August.

“This is the same story only the goalposts have moved – and it is worse now as not even a date is being provided.”

Cllr Aisling Moran said that any developer who does not carry out required work should not be given further jobs by the Council.

She said: “They should not be allowed to do any further work if they are carrying on like this.

“They should be put on the naughty list and then named and shamed.”

Cllr McEvoy also asked about the Drominin Housing Estate in Church Avenue in Stradbally.

He was told that this would be advertised for taking in charge in March.