New housing scheme for older people planned in Tipperary after land disposal
There are plans for a new housing scheme for older people in Tipperary after councillors voted to sell a property to a voluntary housing association.
At the July meeting of Tipperary County Council, local representatives were asked to vote on proposals to sell the derelict property at 25, Morton Street in Clonmel to the FHIST voluntary housing body.
FHIST provides accommodation for older people, and already operates a sheltered housing development on Morton Street.
At the meeting, it was proposed to sell the property to the housing body for €45,000, plus legal fees, under the condition that the property will be used to provide housing for older people.
According to council documents, the proposal is “considered to represent a long-term community benefit, supporting older people to live in Clonmel town centre.”
The plan was proposed by Fine Gael councillor Tom Acheson, and was seconded by Fianna Fáil councillor Siobhán Ambrose.
The Fine Gael councillor said the move was “very welcome”.
“There is fantastic work that FHIST do, and the sheltered housing that’s in Morton Street has a great reputation and this is going to be a super addition to it,” he said.
Councillor Siobhán Ambrose said that the committee of FHIST had worked hard to get the project across the line.
“I want to pay tribute to Gerry Flynn and all the committee of FHIST because as Cllr Acheson has said, it’s going to be another block of accommodation, that, once it’s realised, will also support the provision of accommodation in the town.
“FHIST do wonderful work and again, it’s a very positive development for Clonmel,” Cllr Ambrose said.
According to council documentation, the site that was disposed of was bought by Tipperary County Council from Bill and Mary Lee using a compulsory purchase order (CPO).
FHIST operate under the umbrella of the Irish Council for Social Housing. They have 11 sheltered housing units currently on Morton Street, and last year, they were granted planning permission to add six units to their existing social housing offering.
According to planning files submitted with this development, each unit will be capable of independent living, where the resident can sleep, eat and do basic cooking.
A communal sitting room, dining room and kitchen with four cooking stations makes up part of the main building, allowing the residents more space if needed.
The additional units are intended to allow older residents to live independently while benefiting from shared facilities and support within the development.