Roche called on to sort out delay

INTERVENTION from environment minister Dick Roche was sought yesterday, amid claims that government bureaucracy was delaying major housing developments in Co Limerick.

Fianna Fáil councillor Niall Collins said several housing developments cannot proceed due to hold-ups in sewerage and water schemes.

Insisting there was an urgent need to rezone land in the Adare area for housing, the Limerick County Council member claimed it could not proceed because of a delays in the Adare /Patrickswell water and sewerage scheme.

Cllr Collins said: “We need to examine the housing situation in Adare now that the route of the proposed by-pass of the village has been decided on.”

He said local people wishing to settle in Adare could not do so because there were very few houses for sale, while those on the market were out of the financial reach of middle income earners.

He said: “We now must rezone more land on the outskirts of the village to enable developers plan housing which local couples buying a first time house, could afford.”

However, he said the rezoning would be pointless if the Adare /Patrickswell water and sewerage scheme did not proceed.

Cllr Collins said: “I am now calling on the Minister Roche to intervene with his own officials in the department and sort out the delay in approving this scheme.”

Cllr Collins said he was satisfied that Limerick County Council had fulfilled their duties towards the proposed project but were being frustrated by unnecessary bureaucracy in Dublin.

Cllr Collins said: “As soon as the council respond to some matter raised by the department, another issue is raised. The Adare /Patrickswell scheme is essential as it will open up badly needed housing schemes in that general area.”

He said that delays with other water and sewerage schemes proposed for Athea and Abbeyfeale were also hampering housing in these parts of the county.

“The housing is badly needed and builders want to proceed knowing that the buyers are there. But we need urgent action in getting approval for water and sewerage schemes,” he said.