Builders ‘back on site within weeks’ as row is resolved

A ROW which delayed a social housing scheme for almost four months has been resolved.

The Cluid Housing Association yesterday confirmed builders will be back on the site of a 28-unit housing scheme in Blackpool, Cork, within three weeks. Work stopped on the site off William O’Brien Street last November.

The number of people on the city’s social housing waiting list meanwhile has risen to over 5,200.

Cluid’s southern region director Tim Porter said “contractual difficulties” have been resolved. He declined to go into detail.

“We hope to have builders back on site within a few weeks,” he said.

“The work should take about four or five months to complete and the homes should be ready for people to move in around July.”

He also denied there had been a 12-month delay finishing the project.

Socialist Party Cllr Mick Barry raised the issue and claimed the houses were due to be completed in January 2005 and ready for occupation this time last year.

But Mr Porter said archaeological investigations had delayed the start of the project.

“From our perspective we want to get them finished as soon as possible,” he said.

“There is a significant demand and we aim to finish as quickly as we can.”

Mr Barry welcomed news the project was back on track but he said the delay was unacceptable.

“There are 5,250 on social housing waiting list. It is not acceptable that there has been such a massive delay with this development.”

Meanwhile Cluid is finalising plans for two projects in Blackpool and a 26-unit development in the heart of the city. Work is ongoing on a Carrigaline project and on a 61-unit development on Kenny’s Lane in Youghal.

Work is due to start soon on other Cluid developments in Charleville and Newmarket.