Tag Archives: Ard na Deirge

A KILLALOE couple have embarked on another planning battle opposing a new housing development near a former ghost estate where they were “locked out” of their home for eight years. Michele Burke and William Buck have requested An Bord Pleanála to overturn Clare County Council’s planning approval to construct one block containing two semi-detached houses, boundary treatments, connection to necessary services and infrastructure at Ard na Deirge, Knockyclovaun, Killaloe. A few years ago, they lodged their first appeal with the board after AIB were granted permission to construct two houses, along with retention and completion of 25 houses, estate roads, boundary treatments, street lighting, entrance from public roadway and all associated site works at Ard na Deirge. Although the board upheld the council’s decision to grant planning permission, it modified the planning conditions, which included a requirement to finish off the connection of public services for house purchasers who couldn’t access their homes. The couple paid a booking deposit on …

THE Government has been urged to introduce new legislation to provide legal protection for home-owners in unfinished ghost estates where the builder has gone bust. The call was made this week by Michele Burke and William Buck, who are due to move into their new detached home in Ard na Deirge within the next week, eight years after paying a booking deposit. The couple have been paying almost €1,400 on a mortgage and rent every month for the past number of years. John Ryan Senior and his wife, Breda, along with their son, John Ryan Junior, who purchased a neighbouring dwelling, are also putting the finishing touches to their houses, as they prepare for the long-awaited move. Ms Burke said there was no legal protection for people living in unfinished estates where the builder has gone bust. She urged all local authorities to engage in “active dialogue” with people in similar situations, like director of services, Ger Dollard did since …

Clare County Council has taken in charge 29 housing developments comprising hundreds of residential and other properties throughout the county since the beginning of 2013. The council has confirmed it  is making “steady progress” in addressing difficulties at 180 developments around Clare brought about through the collapse of many companies in the building sector. In 2013, a total of 14 developments were formally taken in charge by the local authority, while an additional 15 developments have been fully taking in charge during 2014. “Each taking in charge involves a complex process culminating in a public consultation and a resolution of the elected members,” said Gerard Dollard, director of services, Clare County Council. The council has made a comprehensive submission to the department on the issue and has secured funding under the Special Resolutions Fund for two developments at Aisling on the Shanaway Road, Ennis and Bruachlan Grianán on the Westbury development in South East Clare, according to Mr Dollard. Meanwhile, Mr. Dollard said the council also …

A RETIRED businessman is hoping to reside permanently in a Killaloe ghost estate in March, after making substantial progress with the connection of services. Fed up of waiting for the completion of the sale of Ard na Deirge and the completion of connections such as water, sewerage and public lighting, John Ryan Snr decided to try to progress matters himself. In recent weeks, Mr Ryan has been busy tiling the hallway, kitchen and bathrooms and fitting out the house he purchased in 2006 but was subsequently “locked out” of for over seven years. Thanks to the provision of the watermains past his house, Mr Ryan hopes to have running water within the next two weeks, once a plumber completes some relatively minor connection works. This will, in turn, pave the way for an electrician to connect his electricity supply, which will make it habitable on a permanent basis in late February or March. John Ryan Snr has also been working …