Council confirms it may take over contract for delayed 65-house development in Wexford village

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Almost two years on from an announcement that 65 new social houses were to built in Bunclody, Co Wexford there are no signs of any works commencing. The development, which was to be delivered under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme, was first announced by then housing minister Darragh O’Brien in November 2023.

However, in the intervening months, and now years, local public representatives have bemoaned the lack of progress on a scheme which, when complete, would be the first of its kind in Bunclody for almost 20 years. But now Wexford County Council (WCC) has confirmed that it is exploring the possibility of taking over the contract for the houses and building them itself.

Art the November meeting of WCC, Bunclody councillor Barbara-Anne Murphy once more asked for an update on the status of the houses which were to built on Hospital Hill.

“Can WCC begin to take those houses back? Start to build at least some of them, begin with ten?” she asked. “There haven’t been any houses built in Bunclody for a long time, 20 years or so.”

“We do have an interest in acquiring that land back from the housing agency,” replied director of services Carolyne Godkin. “My understanding is the PPP programme is currently under review and we’re awaiting a decision on that from the department (of housing) before we progress any further.”