Residents Must Be Heard on Knocknaheeny Plan- Nugent

Residents Must Be Heard on Knocknaheeny Plan- Nugent

Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent has welcomed the publication of plans for the next phase of the Knocknaheeny Regeneration Project, but said there needs to be improved consultation with residents before the plan is finalised. He was speaking after last night’s meeting of the council’s Housing Committee.

Cllr Nugent said:

“I welcome the announcement of plans for the next phase of the Knocknaheeny Regeneration Project, which are long overdue.”

“However lessons need to be learned from the experience of previous phases. There needs to be greater consultation with the local community, to deal with people’s concerns and ensure that all residents are able to buy in to the project. In this respect I believe the consultation period needs to be extended beyond the date of early August which has been indicated.”

“A number of other issues also need to be addressed. How does the council plan to re-house residents who will be moved out of their homes during the regeneration project, especially those who currently own their properties? This is of particular concern given the shortage of social housing in the city and the length of the housing waiting list.”

“Given that work on the regeneration project is not slated to commence until 2014, and will take several years to complete, the council also needs to put in place a maintenance plan for the upkeep of its housing stock in Knocknaheeny in the interim. It also needs to give residents specific dates for the completion of various phases of the project, so they can plan around the maintenance of their own houses, gardens, etc.”

“Sinn Fein plans on holding a public meeting in Knocknaheeny in the near future which will offer residents the opportunity to have their say on the council’s plans. The feedback we receive will also inform the party’s submission to council on the regeneration plan. Details of the meeting will be forthcoming shortly.”

For further information contact Cllr Mick Nugent @ 087-6755793