This article is from page 31 of the 2007-07-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 31 JPG
THE allocation of almost €2 mil- lion for a voluntary housing project in Shannon should further reduce housing waiting lists in the town, according to the mayor.
Last week, funding of €1.85 mil- lion was allocated by the Govern- ment for a ten-unit voluntary hous- ing project at Tullyvarraga Hill.
It comes in the wake of Clare County Council announcing details of a new 60-house development at Cluain Airne last month.
That project will consist of 45 three-bed houses and 15 two-bed dwellings. This project is subject to local approval.
With 165 people waiting for social
housing in Shannon, the council be- lieves the project is critically impor- tant. However, local residents have reservations that the number of 60 is too high, in the area.
The Tullyvarraga scheme is under the auspices of Respond, an organi- sation which rents out the accom- modation to those who are waiting to buy houses.
The project is geared towards those who are attempting to purchase pri- vate houses or who have a desire to buy under the affordable scheme.
The mayor of Shannon, Council- lor Sean McLoughlin (FG) believes there is a need to address the hous- ing waiting lists in Shannon. How- ever he stressed the importance of ensuring green areas are maintained
throughout the town.
‘There is a huge need for housing in Shannon. The existing Respond scheme, at Rineanna View, has been a huge success and there are good community facilities there too. The people there are very happy,” said Cllr McLoughlin.
‘“Hopetully the development at Tul- lyvarraga will start shortly and fin- ished within 12 months,” he added.
Along with these projects, a six- unit scheme, for the aged and elderly, is to come on stream in Ballycasey, while a major private housing devel- opment in the Cronan area – of more than 500 units – will also address the need of potential house buyers.
The mayor believes every effort must be made to tackle the waiting
lists.
“It will just take some time. If the development in Cluain Airne goes ahead, it will take people off the list, within the next year or two,” he Sr HTOR
‘There is a huge amount of people who couldn’t get a house in Shannon, because there were none available. They will be able to move back into the town now, with the new develop- ments coming on street,” he said.
‘There is still a need to keep green space in Shannon. We don’t want overcrowding and we should try to balance everything. I would also like to see amenities going into these developments as well,’ added the mayor.