Major housing development planned for derelict Ardfinnan factory site
The derelict Ardfinnan Paper Sack factory has been purchased by Tipperary County Council for the development of housing .
The move will be widely welcomed in Ardfinnan as the building has been an eyesore for a long number of years.
The building was sold in an online auction last week. There was an asking price on the site of €200,000. Four bidders became involved in the process which finished with a buyer for €290,500.
AUCTION
The building was purchased by the Housing Section of Tipperary County Council in the auction by Stokes & Quirke.
“It is great news for the village of Ardfinnan, the site which was formerly owned by Munster Paper Sacks and Packaging facility has been vacant for several years now and had entered a state of dereliction in the village centre,” said Cllr Máirín McGrath.
“Confirmation that the local authority has purchased the site for a future housing development is very welcome news especially in the midst of the dreadful housing crisis we are living in. The auction which took place online on Tuesday ended after 124 bids on the property. While definite plans for the site are not yet available, I look forward to engaging with Tipperary County Council housing section throughout this project and believe it is an exciting prospect to bring this site back to life,” said Cllr McGrath.
ADVANCE WORKS
Jonathan Cooney, Executive Engineer with the Housing Section of Tipperary County Council, confirmed that the authority had purchased the site.
The council engineer said that significant advance works had to be carried out on the site.
“The site is in a good location and the housing development would be close to the school and other facilities,” said Jonathan Cooney.
HOUSING TARGETS
He pointed out that the council had significant social targets to reach in the Housing for All 2022-2026 programme and beyond.
“The council is looking to secure lands for future housing development around the county,” he said.
Deputy Martin Browne said it was most welcome that the site has been sold.
“I am pleased to hear that the council has purchased the premises with a view to developing housing on the site. At a time when housing is in extremely short supply, and when many families and individuals are uncertain about their future accommodation, progress of this nature has to be welcomed,” he said.