Louth County Council to purchase more turnkey properties

Cllr Edel Corrigan has welcomed the purchase of new housing units by Louth County Council, but has voiced concerns over purchasing properties where earlier phases of the development are not yet complete.

Cllr Corrigan raised the matter at the Louth County Council February meeting, mentioning Coulter Place on the Armagh Road as an example, saying that the first phase of that development still has a number of outstanding issues that need to be resolved.

Cllr Corrigan said that there were additional phases that had been completed but houses were being accessed through first phase of development, where there are no footpaths or road markings in place, and that public areas were not finished.

Director of Services Paddy Donnelly told the meeting in response that the local authority would be purchasing more turnkey projects in the coming year.

He added that the priority was to to get access to good quality housing, and while there may be some outstanding works to be completed, they were satisfied that they would be carried out. Mr Donnelly said that they couldn't “stand around and wait” but added that they would continue to monitor the situation.