Forty-two families can look forward to a fresh start next year after the sod was turned today (Monday) on a new housing scheme at Kilbride Lane, Bray.
The ceremony was performed by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Mr Eoghan Murphy TD, together with the Leas Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Clrl Pat Vance, Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District and Council Chief Executive, Mr Frank Curran.
Welcoming the development, the Minister said: “Today is further progress in a vigorous programme of development by Wicklow County Council which will provide accommodation for over 197 households on the Council’s social housing list over the next two years.
“The Council currently has 16 schemes at various stages of construction and tendering and funding of over €51.6m has been sanctioned by the Department for these schemes. The Council has a further 21 Schemes with potential for a further 434 units in the pipeline for its Capital Programme out to 2021. The development of this 42-house scheme is another good news story for Wicklow and I wish to commend the elected members and the Chief Executive for their support and commitment to this project and the development programme.”
The Leas Cathaoirleach, Cllr Pat Vance, acknowledged the assistance and support of the Minister and his Department saying: “Without whose help we wouldn’t be investing the money that we are currently investing in the Wicklow community”.
He reiterated that “this development of 42 houses is part of over 197 new housing units that Wicklow County Council has at various stages of construction as well as a further 434 units in the pipeline for submission to the Department for approval . We are looking to bring these developments forward as quickly as possible with the assistance of the Department.”
Mr Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, welcomed the commencement of the development, stating that he wanted to “publicly acknowledge the valued assistance we had from the Minister’s Department at every stage of this process.”
He noted that “other streams of delivering new units to address the Housing crisis are well advanced, including Part V units on new developments and units being delivered in partnership with Approved Housing Bodies”. Mr Curran acknowledged the expertise and commitment of the Director of Housing & Corporate Estate, Joe Lane and each member of his project team, in progressing the development programme and in bringing this scheme to fruition.”
The main contractors for the 42-unit scheme are MDY Construction Ltd and the expected completion date is November 2019.
