Residents left in limbo by hidden problem

GHOST estates stand out as skeletal reminders of a Celtic Tiger halted suddenly in its tracks.

However, one estate’s ghost is a hidden one.

Cluain Dara, which is located near Ivan’s shop on Limerick’s Ennis Road, has been completed and there are no vacant or incomplete buildings.

The problem which residents insist renders their estate incomplete is hidden — the temporary sewerage system. It has already caused problems and residents fear its life span could come back to cause further problems.

The developer when getting planning permission was obliged to put in place a permanent gravity-based system.

However, the developer has gone and a court move by Limerick City Council has failed to have the sewerage system upgraded to a permanent one.

Pat O’Neill, who works in the engineering department at Analog in Raheen Industrial estate, bought a detached house in Cluain Dara six years ago for almost €500,000.

Continuing efforts to replace the temporary sewerage system have failed and residents believe that the estate is unfinished given a critical part of the infrastructure has not been installed.

They claim they should not have to pay the property tax given the State has fallen down on ensuring a proper sewerage system was installed.

Householders believe they may have to dig deep in their pockets down the line to tackle the issue.

And their fears are compounded by the decision of Limerick City Council not to take the Cluain Dara estate in charge.

Mr O’Neill, 45, said: “We believe the council are not moving to take the estate in charge because they know the cost of putting in a permanent gravity based system.”

The father-of-three said part of the development, Knocklyon, was exempt from the household charge as some of the houses were vacant.

Mr O’Neill said their situation has been complicated that the original planning permission was granted by Limerick County Council but the area was then transferred into the jurisdiction of Limerick City Council with a change in the city/county boundary after the estate was built.

“When we bought out houses, we did so on the basis the local authority would ensure all aspects of the planning would be acted on. It wasn’t for us to ensure the developer acted on his bond.

“If we pay property tax, we should get proper services for this money. We have no way out at present and what is happening is unfair and unjust.”