Cllr Sheridan welcomes progress on Dunleer Fire Station site

Mid Louth's Cllr John Sheridan has welcomed positive news on the purchase of a site for the new Dunleer Fire Station.

Cllr Sheridan sought an update at the Louth County Council December meeting on how the plans for the new fire station were progressing, reminding the members that it has been three years since €1.6 million was committed to the project.

The meeting was told in response by Acting Director of Services, Eamon Woulfe, that site acquisition negotiations are now at their final stages with contracts exchanged between the Council and the vendors, Glen Dimplex for a site at Barn Road, Dunleer.

Commenting on the news, Cllr Sheridan said that "this development is long over-due, I visited the existing station this summer and it simply isn't adequate for a modern fire service - it is literally a shed.

"Capital funding of €1.6m was announced by the government three years ago this month and I have pursued this many times in those three years. When the final site paper work is completed, the Acting Director of Services will seek approval from the Department of Housing for the next phase." 

The Fianna Fáil councillor continued: "While we have no indication of when works will actually commence, I understand all works on design are well under way. Consultants have been appointed, a designer is currently working on preliminary proposals and options on site layouts continue. Site surveys completed."

"I also understand that Dunleer Fire Station will include a range of features to limit carbon emissions. These are being discussed and options include a geothermal heat pump, photovoltaic panels, and rainwater harvesting."

He added, "I will continue to to campaign on this issue until the new fire station is completed."