'You really need to fight for your privacy'

Residents anger over new development that overlooks their homes and has left a large open drain beside their properties

RESIDENTS of Moatville in Navan have voiced their concerns about a large open drain beside their properties and the green area, which has been dug out by the developers of a new housing development adjacent to the estate.

There is also widespread anger among residents at the way their homes are overlooked by the new development, Mine View, which is very close to some of the houses.

“They took away trees, told us it would be replaced with a wall but that hasn't happened," says resident Maurice Darcy.

"They cut down trees and told us they would replace them with a wall, but that hasn't happened and they dug out an open trench that is now filled with water.

"This trench is at the back of some of the houses and the green area and it seems very dangerous to me".

Mr Darcy said that some of the Moatville houses are overlooked. "They are right on top of us, even the ground floor of the Mine View properties is a metre higher than our houses and you will be able to see right into our bedroom windows from their windows and even their doors.

"We didn't object to them taking down the trees because they said they would build a wall but that hasn't happened."

Karen Darcy points out that the new development, which is being built for the Respond housing body, will have full view into their bedroom windows.

"Both our bedroom window and my son's bedroom window are overlooked.

"What I want people to know is that you really need to fight for your privacy. We didn't realise we would lose it so badly.

"We thought maybe it would block our sunlight, but we could live with that as people need housing, but we had no idea we would be so badly overlooked."

Padraig O'Brien whose mother's home is in Moatville recalls being told a wall would be built when they took away the trees. "They took away the trees and left it wide open at the back. The wall hasn't been built.

"Our house isn't as bad as some of the others, where the new houses are right up on top of them."

Another local resident who didn't want to be named said the new houses were completely on top of them. "Three storeys are overlooking us.

"The planning permission stipulated that there shouldn't be any first floor windows overlooking us, but the development is so much higher than ours that even the ground floor overlooks our houses.

"Our privacy is completely gone. They can see straight into our windows and into our gardens."

Carmel Rennicks expressed serious concern about drainage. "The development is on a flood plain and we have experienced issues with flooding before.

"There was a small open drain running along the boundary but the developers excavated a much bigger open drain, which also runs adjacent to the green area, where my niece and nephew and local children play.

"In the warm weather it was filled with stagnant water."

She said they cut trees she had planted 20 years ago, knocking one of them into the trench.

"They told us they would build a wall, but we want that in writing because it was promised a long time ago and hasn't been build.

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Eddie Fennessy said he has worked with the residents for a number of years to try and resolve issues caused by the new development.

"Flooding has been an historic problem in Moatville. We are concerned that surface water run off from the new estate into an existing stream will cause serious flooding on the estate.

“Works were carried out by the council and developer to address this issue. We won't know how successful they've been and won't until the new estate is finished.

"A second area of concern is the boundary between both estates. We lobbied the council who requested the construction of a wall two years ago. The developer hasn't done anything with it to date.

"All the residents want is a guarantee that he will build the boundary wall. Were he to give that guarantee, tension would ease off considerably."

A spokesperson for Meath County Council said it carries out regular inspections on building sites to ensure they are being developed in accordance with the planning permission as granted.

A spokesperson for Respond said they were an Approved Housing Body and service provider, delivering social and affordable homes for people who need them and provide services in local communities.

"We have been actively engaging with residents in Moatville who raised concerns with us in relation to boundary issues between their properties and the new development. Respond are working to reach an agreement on the necessary works so that they may be completed as soon as possible.

"The windows on the elevation which may have meant possible oversight have been removed from the scheme in accordance with conditions of planning grant. The land of the new development is higher and so there is naturally some height difference.

"Both surface and foul water drainage have been significantly upgraded with a new pumping station installed. This will ensure there is no flooding behind the houses in Moatville.

Respond are very keen that the 63 households that eventually move into this new development become part of the community in Navan and have a positive experience there.

“We are always happy to hear from local residents and engage with them on any concerns that they might have.”