In a letter circulated to some residents of Ballinfoile Park this week, the City Council notified them of a public discussion on building houses on the green spaces in the estate.
However, the manner of the communication has angered Sinn Féin’s Mark Lohan who said that this is not the way to proceed with much needed housing delivery.
“Particularly when the council has over 60 acres of land in its ownership zoned and ready for housing development.
“A plan needs to be put in place to build on the sites the council has not yet developed and not on the recreation space of our public estates,” said Mr Lohan.
“Greens, playgrounds and planted areas of our estates are an essential part of the required amenities for residents. They add to the quality of life for residents and they add value to homes. Removing them is a mistake. It didn’t work in the past and it won’t work now, said the City Council candidate.
“In addition, the short notice of this discussion and the fact that not all residents got the letter is disappointing.
“The city councillors have enough new sites to begin the process of building social and affordable homes and they should not be touching our greens and playgrounds, “ he concluded.
