RONAN FAGAN
Westmeath County Council has confirmed that the local authority is in talks with Alanna Roadbridge Developments Ltd to enable construction of the 576-home strategic housing development and major new road at Lissywollen, Athlone, to progress, upon news that a receiver has been appointed to Roadbridge Holdings Ltd.
Roadbridge Holdings Ltd, is part of the Alanna-Roadbridge joint venture, working on the Lissywollen development which was granted formal planning permission by An Bord Pleanála in June of last year.
The largest residential project ever proposed for Athlone, the ambitious housing project located on 17.6 hectares of land in the ownership of Westmeath County Council, to the west of Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí and to the east and west of the existing housing at Brawny Road, will realise a contemporary scheme of 576 residential units.
This emerging news was the focus of a motion raised by Cllr Frankie Keena during Monday’s Athlone-Moate Municipal District meeting at which he queried the options now available to the local authority in light of the receivership development.
“I must say that it is with complete sadness that I am raising this particular motion here today. We are in the midst of a housing crisis at both local and national levels and although there are currently five developments under construction in Athlone at this time, the Lissywollen build is due to be largest of its kind to be constructed in our town.
“The need for social, affordable and private housing developments is vast. To get to this particular stage of the Lissywollen development was a long process and now we are faced with this arising scenario regarding the appointment of receivers to Roadbridge Holdings Ltd. This is devastating news and I can only foresee significant delays to the build,” Cllr Keena asserted.
Addressing the issue further, Cllr Keena queried if Alanna were in a position to continue with construction of the housing development as a sole entity or would it be necessary for the company to form a new business partnership to enable works to progress.
“The receivership appointment is a significant sign that necessary financial analysis must be thoroughly conducted on such companies who tender for housing construction projects with this local authority as we do not want to be faced with a similar scenario in the future. I am just thankful that we were not midway through the build when this news emerged,” Cllr Keena commented.
Athlone Deputy Mayor, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, echoed similar sentiments, empathising with the employees of Roadbridge Holdings Ltd who were now in a precarious financial position.
“Many employees of Roadbridge Holdings Ltd live in Athlone and are unfortunately looking at uncertain futures in light of this receivership news. However, there is no information to suggest that Roadbridge Holdings Ltd will not survive and it is positive to hear that there are discussions underway to ensure this construction project continues.
“There has been huge investment from private consortia to bring the Lissywollen development to design stage and hopefully it will be ‘back on track’ in due course,” Cllr O’Rourke remarked.
Fine Gael Councillor, John Dolan, noted that there was much reliance on the housing development coming to fruition by those seeking permanent housing accommodation.
“I have every confidence that this project will come to fruition as so many are relying on its construction in our town. I believe that it is best that we, as a council, host an in committee’ meeting in due course to allay any relevant fears relating to the project. This development cannot be let fail at this stage of the process,” Cllr Dolan stated.
In response, the council executive noted that it was aware of the receivership appointment to Roadbridge Holdings Ltd confirming that discussions were ongoing with the joint venture to determine a viable solution.
‘Westmeath County Council is aware that Roadbridge Holdings Limited, part of the Alanna-Roadbridge Joint Venture working on the Lissywollen Housing Development in Athlone, has appointed receivers.
‘The procurement documentation provides for an event such as this and there are a range of remedies that can be pursued that would facilitate the continuation of the project.
‘In this regard, the council has been in discussion with the joint venture to determine the potential solutions to the situation with a view to proceeding with the project and has issued correspondence seeking additional information and outlining the provisions of the tender document that provide for the joint venture to propose alternative members.
‘While a formal response is awaited, Alanna Homes, who, with Roadbridge, formed the joint venture that tendered for the Lissywollen project, has indicated that it is in the process of determining their position with the receiver but anticipate that they will be making a proposal that would allow Alanna Homes continue with the development.
