Two South Mayo housing estates need to be taken in charge

Housing developers have a responsibility to aid the process of a housing estate being taken in charge by Mayo Co Council, according to members of the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District.

Fine Gael Cllr Tom Connolly put forward a motion at last week’s meeting calling on the council to take Árd Loughalisheen Estate in Ballindine in charge. He also followed up on his motion from November’s meeting, where he called on the local authority to take Mayfield estate in Claremorris in charge. Cllr Connolly blamed Uisce Éireann, formerly Irish Water, for stalling the process, as bonds have been paid in both estates.

“I want a full report on those two estates for the next meeting because enough is enough now," he said. "These people have paid well for these houses and paid their household tax. Some parts of the estates are half-finished, and manholes are sticking up. It’s absolutely disgraceful,” Cllr Connolly said.

Cllr Patsy O’Brien said that it was not the local authority’s fault, adding that there is an onus on housing developers to help residents.

Senior engineer Conrad Harley said the reason Mayfield estate has been held up is because there is a defect in the sewerage system. He said funding is in place, but he hopes there will be an agreement between the developer, the council and Uisce Éireann to obtain a solution.