Westbury residents angry over delay in council takeover

FEARS about a possible extension of Limerick City’s boundary into Westbury and Shannon Banks are fuelling anger and frustration among residents over the delay in the public takeover of one of the largest housing estates in the Mid-West.
Last week, Shannon Development raised the ire of some residents when it suggested in its submission to the Limerick Local Government Committee that the city boundary should be extended into Shannon Banks and Westbury.
Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald said the threat of the boundary extension has increased the anger among householders in the Westbury Housing Estate, who are fearful that the long-awaited takeover by Clare County Council may not happen before the new Limerick Local Government Committee makes its final recommendation.
Speaking to The Clare Champion, Councillor Fitzgerald said he had been approached by a number of residents who do not want the estate to be left in limbo and want Clare County Council to fulfil its promise to take the estate in charge.
He said he hopes to meet representatives of McInerney Builders this Thursday to address a number of issues in the estate, including road surfaces, public lighting, tree pruning and road markings.
“I would like to see the county council and McInerneys sitting down to sort out what issues are outstanding within a specific deadline. People in Westbury are getting angry over the long delay in taking over the estate, which is going on for the last 10 years.
“People would prefer if Clare County Council took over the Westbury Housing Estate and got the whole takeover process done and dusted. If it is deemed necessary, the council could consider looking at redeeming the bonds to fast-track the process.
“I have also met representatives of Chieftain Construction, who also feel they have completed most of the work that needed to be done prior to the takeover,” he said.