Construction finally to begin on €5.5m housing project

BUILDING is finally set to commence on one of the country’s largest regeneration programmes, after contracts for a €5.5 million development in Limerick’s Moyross housing estate were signed yesterday.

The Cliona Park project, part of Limerick’s massive regeneration programme, will involve 33 units in all, comprising 13 houses (mix of two and three-bedroom) and a courtyard sheltered development for the elderly of 20 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Limerick Regeneration Agencies chief executive Brendan Kenny said that construction would begin next month.

He said the signing of the contract with Clancy Construction, in the presence of Minister of State &&Willie Penrose, was a pivotal moment for the regeneration areas.

“We have had our stumbling blocks and delays but, in the fullness of time, the signing of these contracts will be seen as a key moment for Limerick Regeneration,” Mr Kenny said.

Planning issues and a problem with an earlier construction company resulted in a number of delays to the project, which was originally expected to begin in February this year.

The regeneration project overall is about two years behind schedule but a total of 700 houses have been demolished in Limerick since the process began three-and-a-half years ago. About 200 more houses are due to demolished before the end of the year.

A total of 900 families have been relocated since regeneration first got under way and the Cliona Park development is the first of 26 housing projects to take place over the next four years at a cost of €337m.

Former Dublin City Manager John Fitzgerald who compiled the hard-hitting report which led to the project, admitted plans were up to two years behind schedule but said there was no alternative other than regeneration.

Work on the Cliona Park development is to start in early July, with a completion date set for November 2012. Mr Kenny said the process of selecting tenants for the new houses will begin immediately.

Deirdre Bond, chairperson of the local Residents Forum, said that the contract signing will give great hope to the citizens of Moyross and other regeneration areas that better days are ahead.