Louth’s unfinished estates need to be taken in charge by council, says TD

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

There are 70 housing estates across Louth awaiting ‘Taking in Charge’ by Louth County Council, many of which have no facilities or amenities for residents, it emerged this week..

Louth TD Paula Butterly said she had raised the issue with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, highlighting the large number of housing developments that have not completed their agreed facilities or amenities in County Louth.

“Currently, 70 housing estates across the county are still awaiting “Taking in Charge” by Louth County Council. Many of these developments have been left incomplete, with no developer in place or no bond to fund essential works. In some cases, bonds exist, yet vital infrastructure such as public lighting, safe footpaths, crèche facilities and community amenities remain unfinished,” said Deputy Butterly.

“It is unacceptable that families are being left to live in estates, where they bought on condition of having certain amenities and services, often with the developers having not completed what was agreed, what they were paid for and what they received planning permission for.”

She said communities should not have to “wait years for proper lighting, footpaths, or childcare facilities. Developers must be required to deliver these essentials before or during construction, not years afterwards, if at all.”

Deputy Butterly said the lack of childcare facilities “is a particularly urgent issue in Louth right now.”

"Families are crying out for crèche places across the county, yet many new developments are being built without them. Parents are being forced to travel long distances or go without childcare altogether. Unfortunately, it is women who mainly bear the brunt and are faced with a dilemma on how to maintain their employment, pay their bills and find childcare. It’s simply incompatible and unsustainable in these times.”

“Every new housing estate should provide for childcare facilities where there is clear need,” said Deputy Butterly.

She called on the Minister to introduce regulations for infrastructure, including childcare, before planning permissions are granted to developers.

Deputy Butterly said, “We cannot continue to repeat the mistakes of the past. If we want to build sustainable communities, then essential infrastructure must come first. Families in Louth and across the country deserve safe, complete estates from the moment they move in. At the end of the day, councils have to step in and in reality, is an additional burden on taxpayers.”