County Waterford Housing Updates: New developments, retrofitting issues and dire need for houses in Stradbally
local representatives have raised concerns over issues currently facing residents across the county.
A number of new housing developments are in the works in Waterford, whilst local representatives have raised concerns over issues currently facing residents across the county.
Fresh plans were lodged last week for the construction of 99 dwellings near Lacken Road in Waterford city.
Planned is a mix of two-bed, three-bed and four-bed units.
The construction of a creche building was also submitted as part of the plans.
A similar application was previously submitted for the development of the area in June 2023, but was subsequently deemed withdrawn.
A decision on the new application is expected by September 10.
At Church Field in Aglish, fourteen new houses have been approved by the local authority for construction.
Twelve of these houses will be semi-detached, two-storey dwellings, and two of the houses will be detached, two-storey dwellings.
The dire need for housing in Stradbally was once again raised at this month’s Comeragh district meeting.
Cllr Liam Brazil pleaded with Council Senior Management to get the process of providing houses in the area moving.
“This is going on for a long, long time," he said.
"We have a housing crisis and we need to overcome this crisis. If we sit back and do nothing, we’re going to get nothing."
Meanwhile at this month's Plenary Council meeting, Cllr Catherine Burke asked if it is possible to inform Choice-Based Letting applicants when properties have been allocated.
Currently, applicants do not get notified through the CBL system if the property they have applied for has been allocated to another applicant.
“I think all 32 members on the council here get phone calls daily from people wondering if they were allocated a house or not," Cllr Burke said.
“I think it’s unfair. People when they’re looking for housing often experience the worst of the worst, they’re uncertain about their future and about their families, and then not to be even told if they’ve been successful or unsuccessful is just not at all ok."
At the same meeting, Cllr Joeanne Bailey asked Senior Management about additional retrofitting of council properties.
"Can we request more funding going forward from government? I feel we’re not getting a fair crack at getting the houses done," she said.
"I’m getting calls every day about areas that are struggling with windows and doors that cant be done because they’re stuck on a retrofitting list and the list is getting longer and longer. It’s not good enough."
