Unoccupied maisonettes are 'attracting antisocial behaviour'
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Sligo Borough Council has sought funding from the Department of the Environment to demolish two blocks of fifty years old Maisonettes at Forthill (pictured right).
Subject to funding and approval from the Department, the council plans to demolish blocks of eight and four units at Fr. O'Flanagan Terrace this Spring.
In a report to a council meeting, responding to a motion tabled by Clr. Arthur Gibbons, Senior Executive Engineer, Ms. Margaret McConnell explained that there are currently 18 two-bed units on the site, arranged in blocks of eight, six and four, all owned by the Borough Council.
They were over 50 years old and in a poor state of repair, and the basic fabric of the units was in need of renewal.
Because of the design and condition of the units, the council had made an assessment that the preferred option was to demolish and rebuild alternative units rather than seek to refurbish the existing scheme, she said.
The proposed plan, subject to Department approval and funding, was to gradually vacate the blocks so that the site could be available for clearance and re-design. The blocks of eight and four units were vacated, with the block of six units, which was in best condition, remaining occupied in the short to medium term.
Ms. McConnell explained that the initial proposal to the Department would be seeking to fund the demolition costs and general tidy up of the wider site as part of the first phase of the project.
It was hoped, subject to approval and funding, that the demolition works for the two vacant blocks would be carried out this Spring, following consultation with the remaining residents.
The matter of upgrading the remaining six unit block would be considered as part of the maintenance budget for 2010.
She added that it was not clear at this stage when capital funding would be available from the Department to follow on with the further redevelopment of the site, but it was considered important from a housing point of view that a decision in terms of the current occupation of the units be taken in the context of condition/unsuitability of the units and demands on the housing maintenance budget.
Calling for urgent action, Clr. Gibbons said the unoccupied units were an "absolute eyesore" and were attracting anti-social behaviour on an ongoing basis.
Clr. Matt Lyons hoped there would be movement on the demolition of the vacant blocks "sooner rather than later."
According to Clr. Tony McLoughlin, the number of boarded up houses in the town was a disgrace, particularly at a time where there were so many young families on the housing waiting list.
- JIM GRAY REPORTS
