People in 'unfinished' housing estate in Offaly call on council to take it in charge

Described as an unfinished housing estate, the people of Philips Vale in Daingean are calling on Offaly County Council to take charge of the estate.

Patrick Rundle, who has been living there for the past 20 years, says the road needs an extra layer of tar and there are exposed manholes and shores.

''The main thing is the estate is chock-a-block with cars and there are a lot of young children playing on the road. Cars are speeding and there are trucks parked on the footpaths. We have asked for speed ramps, to slow down the traffic. There is one 10k speed sign.''

Mr Rundle says the residents themselves have been maintaining the estate as best they can, even down to changing light bulbs. They also bought a ride-on lawnmower. The developer has no interest in finishing the estate he says and so they are left in limbo.

In April this year, Offaly County Council announced that it was proposing to take  charge of three estates including Heather Drive, Daingean, Castle View, Mucklagh, Tullamore and Jacksons Hill, Tullamore.

If the council takes charge of the estate it is responsible for certain public areas and structures. However, prior to that happening the estate must be completed to the satisfaction of the local authority and comply with all planning requirements.

Responding to a letter from MEP Barry Cowen on July 2, Offaly County Council said the Roads Department had been in contact with the Department of Housing in October 2020 and was advised that no new funding was available for taking in charge of private housing estates. The Department was contacted again on January 17, 2022 regarding the above and it was advised that no funding is available or planned for taking in charge at present.

The letter continued, ''Philips Vale housing estate requires significant structural works before it can be considered for taking in charge, the cost of these works are significant. Currently there are no funds available to Offaly County Council to complete such works.''

Responding to a Tribune query, Offaly County Council stated: ''The estate in question is currently in private ownership and not in the charge of Offaly County Council. Offaly County Council have notified the developer of the defects onsite and it is the sole responsibility of the developer to complete the works onsite.''