Council analysis of ‘ghost estates’ at odds with department

Clare County Council’s analysis of “ghost estates” in the county has produced results that are completely at odds with a recent national survey conducted by the Department of the Environment.
The department survey, which was based on its own research and had no input from the council, found there was 2,955 unfinished houses, which included Ennis and its environs and Kilrush Town Council.
However, Clare County Council this week insisted the number of unfinished houses around the county is, in fact, 315 units.
According to the National Survey of Ongoing Housing Developments published recently by the Department of Environment, Clare has a total of 72 unfinished housing estates, of which work is ongoing at just eight.
The survey stated the number of incomplete housing developments in the county was six times that of Limerick City, higher than Limerick County and Galway City but less than Galway County.
It showed almost nine out of every ten developments do not have any construction activity on site. The developments examined consisted of nearly 3,000 units in the county, including houses, apartments and duplexes. More than half of the houses in the 72 estates are complete and occupied with 22% complete but vacant.
However, acting planning director of service, Nora Kaye has insisted a detailed examination by the county council produced different results.
The department survey, which was based on its own research and had no input from the council, found there was 2,955 unfinished houses, which included Ennis and its environs and Kilrush Town Council.
Of this 2,955 , Ms Kaye pointed out 1,493 are complete and occupied, 485 have not yet commenced construction and some of these permissions may now have expired while 662 are complete and vacant. This leaves a figure of 315 houses, which are not complete.
She acknowledged the council survey didn’t include about 50 housing estates where some minor works had to be completed but stressed they could in no way be classified as “ghost estates” as most of the houses were fully completed and most of the associated services were provided.
Asked about the huge divergence in the findings of the two surveys, she explained it may be down to classification as the department survey took everything into consideration and deemed an estate as unfinished even if a name plate, some minor landscaping or other works were not fully completed.
She noted the exact number of unfinished estates was constantly changing as works were still ongoing in some estates following the issuing of enforcement notices while a small level of
She said in most cases the council dealt with relatively minor planning compliance issues when an estate was being taken in charge when the developer was presented with a snag list to ensure full completion.
“Clare County Council doesn’t have a big problem with ‘ghost estates’ in the county. While they do exist, it is on a small scale. It is also important to note that Clare has a large number of holiday homes in the county and there were also two seaside resort renewal schemes in Lahinch and Kilkee,” she said.
Clare County Council is examining all options to progress the various issues relating to unfinished estates and is examining the Guidance Manual issued by the Department of the Environment to ensure a comprehensive approach is taken.