County councils spend more than €2 million on unfinished housing estates

COUNTY councils have spent more than €2 million on roads, lighting, sewers and footpaths in unfinished housing estates.

Documents acquired under the Freedom of Information Act show that more than 10,000 complaints have been made to various local authorities over the past four years concerning development issues and unfinished housing estates.

Documents from Donegal County Council revealed that it took 2,380 planning enforcement cases over a four-year period from 2006 to 2009.

Limerick County Council cited 2,922 complaints resulting in 143 prosecutions. It had 63 requests for estates to be taken in charge.

Wexford County Council, which has one of the most proactive enforcement policies in the country, has received more than 2,000 complaints over the past five years. It has carried out more than 5,000 site inspections, issued more than 2,000 warning letters and secured 479 prosecutions

It has had 115 requests to take developments in charge.

While generally, it is not the policy of county councils to use their own funds to carry out remedial works on estates, many have ended up footing substantial bills for remedial works.

Dún Laoghaire County Council stated it has taken 36 estates taken in charge – 12 of which the council has had to fund. Another 37 remain to be taken in charge and legal proceedings underway in respect of 10 estates.

Limerick County Council has spent €204,500 on what it called low-level completion across 15 estates.

Galway spent €100,000 spent on sewers, public lighting and roads while Kildare County Council spent €98,000.

Fingal County Council stated it had acquired €300,000 from lodged securities to complete roads and water services.

While Laois has spent about €500,000 in bonds on roads, footpaths and sewers.

What is also clear from an analysis of various responses from local authorities is the vastly differing practices in operation around the country.

The way in which information is collated and maintained varies across councils, so while some could provide a breakdown of costs and complaints, others could not.