Councillors Approve Plans To Build Homes For Elderly And Disabled At Killeen

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Kerry County Council 3COUNCILLORS voted by seven votes to one to give the go-ahead for a development of 21 houses for the elderly and people with disabilities at Killeen, Oakpark.

The matter came up for consideration at the meeting of Tralee Municipal District councillors on Monday. Before the meeting, representatives of residents in the surrounding areas handed in a petition to the Council with hundreds of signatures, raising concerns about the development, its suitability for elderly and disabled residents and the local environment.

During a discussion on the plans, Cllr Sam Locke (Ind) asked if there were other lands available in town for this type of development.

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Cllr Jim Finucane (FG) said there were concerns raised about landscaping in the area and clarification about the definition of a disabled person qualifying for housing there. He also said the residents in the area should be kept informed by the Council in the future.

Cllr Pa Daly (SF) was satisfied that some amendments to the plans  had been made after submissions, but he had concerns about traffic in the general area and  – considering there were elderly people were involved – he asked that a pedestrian crossing be looked at so they can cross safely to the shop in Oakpark.

Cllr Toireasa Ferris (SF) said the houses were needed now and not three years down the road. She saw it as an opportunity not just for those who are to be housed, but also to address issues that already exist for residents in the area.

Cllr Pat McCarthy (FG) had a problem with the development. He said it wasn’t close enough to the town centre for elderly people and people with a disability. He said the bus service would not be sufficient to cater for their needs. He also had concerns about the environment in the area, saying there was already a huge amount of development there.

Cllr Tom McEllistrim (FF) said that protection of trees was an issue as well as the definition of disability for potential residents.

Cllr Norma Foley (FF) acknowledged concerns on all sides, but said there was a great opportunity to build specialised housing for the elderly and disabled. She also stressed there needs to be consultation with the local community going forward.

Cllr Terry O’Brien (Lab) said he didn’t want to be part of a Council that said no to this type of development. He said while he understood some of the concerns, he said that he only ever saw rubbish in the area which is to be developed.

Director of Services at Kerry County Council, Michael Scannell, said there was no other area closer to town where the development could take place. He said there were other lands in Council ownership, but they were not ready for development and they were not any closer to the town centre.

He acknowledged concerns about the environment, but said that by the time the development is finished the area will be enhanced from this perspective.

He said that the type of housing needed was not suitable to source from housing available on the market and needed to be built due to the needs of the elderly and people with disabilities.

Mr Scannell said there was a well-developed, strong community in the area and it will be strengthened with the addition of senior citizens. He also said the bus service will stop by the development on a regular basis. There will also be consultation with the HSE about regular transport to day care centres from the houses.

 

A vote was taken on approving the development with Cllr Pat McCarthy the only councillor opposing.  The project will now go to the tendering stage.

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