60+ housing units in Donegal Municipal District have been completed

The official openings of two new housing developments in the Donegal Town area are expected to take place this November.

Members of the Donegal Municipal District (MD) were told at their October meeting that 24 units of the phase three development of the Railway Park development and construction work in Donegal Town had been completed and that final commissioning had commenced.

The (Donegal County Council) DCC Housing Capital Unit is set to complete the handover to Donegal MD area this month.  

It was also revealed that construction works to the approved turnkey development at Brookfield, Donegal Town were now also complete.

This development provides a total of 38 “high quality and energy efficient social housing units in Donegal Town”, councillors were told.

Linda McCann, the acting area manager for the Donegal MD said that while it was hoped that November would see the official openings take place, they would not be waiting until then for occupation and that the new tenants would be notified accordingly.

The council were making contact with tenants this week, to sign off on the tenancies.

In addition the Council are continuing to dialogue with Developers in relation to an additional valid proposal for Donegal Town for 35 units.

This proposal has now received its connection offer from Uisce Eireann. A Stage three approval request was submitted to the Department in August and that subject to approval the developer will be issued with an invitation to submit a final tender and final approval will then be sought from the Department.

The Area Manager  also mentioned that a further five two bedroomed properties at the Rock in Ballyshannon were also now complete.

Final contractual matters are now complete and the units are in the process of being handed over to the approved applicants.

A number of suitable parcels of land for social housing purposes had also been identified across the Donegal MD and engagement and negotiations were taking place with the landlord or their agents. 

She said that one offer, had been accepted, subject to contract, in Ballyshannon.  

Cllr Michael McMahon raised the issue of the final starting date of the 42 unit development at Drumacrin in Bundoran. 

He was being asked constantly about the updated start and, while all were working hard, including working with residents regarding traffic management issues both during the construction and post construction, as a result of the extra housing itself, he appealed, “can we nail a date on this”.

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Cllr Barry Sweeny said that social housing is the number one issue in the country and its impact on many people’s lives was huge. 

He expressed gratitude to the housing team for their efforts on the Ballyshannon situation and he hoped by the November meeting, that tenants would have been approved for occupation from the housing list.  

Cllr Michael Naughton said he warmly welcomed the new houses in Donegal Town that were coming on stream.

“Today is a good news story for Donegal Town with many new families in new houses by Christmas. I would like to thank everyone who helped make this happen," he said.