This article is from page 4 of the 2011-01-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
THE Kilbaha-based national organisation Rural Resettlement Ireland (RRI) has called for all NAMAowned ghost estates to be placed into the ownership of local authorities like Clare County Council.
The housing group was invited by the Department of the Environment to submit its proposals for solutions to the growing problem of ghost housing estates.
Chairman and founder of RRI Jim Connolly said priority must be given to social integration when considering the solution to the problem.
In the proposal he said, “Given the unprecedented financial state of the nation, emergency legislation should be passed to vest all NAMA-owned ghost estates in local authority ownership. The only exceptions would be those where private viable solutions were immediately available.”
Under the proposal, each council would consider ghost estates for rehabilitation in their own counties on a case-by-case basis, taking all local factors into account.
“If the main aim incorporates encouragement to establish small enterprises in and around estates, this should be an essential part of the PR campaign seeking tenants,” he said.
The west Clare man, who is also running as an Independent candidate in the upcoming election said many planning restrictions must be subservient to the main aim in this respect.
“Recognition must be given to the practicalities faced by people relocating to set up small enterprises. Two essential requirements in all cases are a place to live and a place to work. Depending on many factors, including the nature of the enterprise, the workplace could be a small addition to the house, e.g. IT business, office work, art work or similar; other cases may require separate workshop space, three phase electricity, broadband, etc,” said Mr Connolly.
“Many ghost estates are unfinished. Once ownership was transferred to local authorities, community employment schemes similar to FÁS schemes might be considered to finish the work required. This could provide opportunities for unemployed construction workers, craftsmen and apprentices needing work experience,” he added.
“Given that these developments were never subjected to common sense analysis as to location, local housing need, potential customer base, possibility of a property crash or above all, how this type of urbanisation adjacent to towns and villages throughout the country was compatible with Irish culture in the broad sense, or indeed with the historical growth of these communities, the nation is now left with a problem of epic proportions. We are faced with the prospect of social, economic and environmental disasters.”
Therefore local development of services and jobs must be encouraged around such estates RRI argued.