Works at Balgaddy estates: buildings and play areas
Issued : Tuesday 27 April, 2010
At a meeting of the Lucan-Clondalkin Area Committee on 27 April, I asked the Manager for a report on recent developments at the Balgaddy estates of Meile an Ri, Buirg an Ri and Tor an Ri, in terms of the upgrading of buildings and the provision of play areas.
Summary on the issues I raised:
– Defects were discovered in the roofs of some dwellings in the estates (Meile an Ri and Buirg an Ri) and at Foxdene Avenue. Repair work is underway and will be completed in the coming months.
– Works to enable connection to utilities (gas, electricity, water) have been undertaken on a unit which will be made available as a community centre.
– A sports / play area is proposed at the site of the former builders' compound at Balgaddy, which has now been cleared. The entire site is 6.25 acres (2.53 hectares) in area. A plan for this area will be drawn up in consultation with the Parks Department. A request for funding for various works including a play area has been made to the Department of the Environment and Local Government.
The report in full:
It is proposed to provide the following facilities in the Balgaddy area in the short to medium term:
1. Latent defects were discovered in the roofs of a small number of dwellings at Buirg an Ri Estate, Meile an Ri Estate and Foxdene Avenue. Repair work has been completed at some of these dwellings under the guidance of the Housing Maintenance section and the remaining works will be completed over the coming months.
2. A Unit has been made available to the Ronanstown Youth Service for use as a drop-in centre for young people and as a function room for various programmes and activities to be engaged in by local householders. The Architectural Services Department has recently undertaken works which will facilitate connections to the electricity, gas and water supplies. The Management Agreement for the Unit has been drafted by the Community Department and it is expected that it will be signed early next month, at which stage Ronanstown Youth Service will be free to take up occupation.
3. The future use of the creche facility at Meile an Ri is being explored by the CPLN Partnership in consultation with Atlantic Philanthropies with a view to establishing a child centered facility at the creche building.
4. Clearance work was undertaken on the former builders compound at Balgaddy which consists of a 6.25 acre site, a small portion of which it is proposed to use as a sports / play area. A plan for this area will be formulated in conjunction with the Council's Parks Department.
5. Certain traffic calming measures have been undertaken at Balgaddy and further such measures will be considered in consultation with the Council's Roads and Traffic Department.
6. Works were recently undertaken at the ESB substation site in Buirg an Ri which has improved the appearance of this area.
The Housing Department works in collaboration with other departments of the County Council, with the Local Partnership group, with the Balgaddy Working Together Group and with all other agencies who may have a positive contribution to make to the betterment of the quality of life of these communities.
The Balgaddy area comprises four estates with a total of 401 Local Authority units and the Housing Department has a dedicated team of anti-social officers for this area. These estates include Buirg an Ri (84 units), Meile an Ri (130 units), Tor an Ri (100 units) and Foxdene Avenue (87 units).
Pro-social approach undertaken by the Estate Management Section:
Liaison Committee
The Housing Department has established a Balgaddy Liaison Committee which meets on a monthly basis. The liaison committee consists of the Gardai, Mediation Service and various representatives of the Council. The purpose of this committee is to ensure an integrated response to local service delivery.
Community Development
The council had engaged Nurture Development Ltd to provide Community based development at Balgaddy Estate, Lucan based on the principle of appreciating and mobilising individual and community talents, skills and assets rather than development driven by external agencies. The Estate Officer and Community Worker for this area has continued with this process in conjunction with CPLN Area Partnership and residents of Balgaddy and many projects are coming on stream.
The Estate Management team planned community events for Halloween and Christmas in the Balgaddy area in conjunction with residents. This was a great mechanism for building community spirit and developing the community as a whole.
Environmental Enhancement Programme:
The improvement of the physical environment has continued and a large range of works were undertaken during the year, including:
o Clean-ups
o Planting & landscaping
o Painting and removal of graffiti
o Work done on walls, railings and gates
In addition the Estate Management team has undertaken numerous works with residents of Meile an Ri and the wider Balgaddy area during 2009 including an estate cleanup during August. There is currently an anti-graffiti project being planned for the creche facility in Meile an Ri which will involve the participation of residents. A planting project is being undertaken in conjunction with the Global Action Plan organisation for the area within Meile an Ri for areas where shrubs have been removed.
A submission for funding to carry out additional works, which would finish off the estate, including a play area has been made to the Department of Environment.
