Gorey councillor warns against creating housing ‘super-estates’ with rat runs

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Homeowners in Gorey are unwittingly purchasing properties in what will eventually become ‘super-estates’ consisting of 200 homes or more. With Gorey designated as a key town under the government’s Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIFF) existing estates may soon be linked up to new developments, something which Fine Gael councillor Darragh McDonald has reservations about.

“There’s a scenario where someone buys a house in an estate and thinks it’s going to be a quiet area with a cul-de-sac and a certain amount of neighbours, and then a field beside it is rezoned for houses and a new estate is built,” he said at the September meeting of the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District (GKMD).

“Does Wexford County Council (WCC) have a view on this? In my opinion, the estates that work best have between 50–70 houses in them. We’re in danger of creating super-estates with rat runs through them.”

Although director of services Liz Hore reminded the councillor that WCC had housing targets it had to fulfil under government criteria, Cllr McDonald said it was unfair on those whose estates will be linked up in the future.

“You’re buying a house under the impression there’ll be one hundred homes in the estate, you think your estate is complete and then another one opens up beside you with its own entrance and one into your estate. I don’t think it’s particularly fair.”

Executive planner Eoghan Nolan said that ultimately it came down to the discretion of the person purchasing the house.

“We see it in applications that come into us, where it might say that it will allow for possible links,” he said. “If a field to the north is zoned for residential use the developer would have to suggest a possible connection. If someone is buying a home and they’re not aware of the possible links that’s not a planning matter.”

“If there’s an estate of 150 houses should we be opening up land adjoining it for another 150?” asked Cllr McDonald. “Is that creating a super-estate that will have its own issues? Is it the right thing to do?”

“With regard to super-estates we would still assess it on the density and overall impact on the area,” replied Mr Nolan.