Big plans for small age-friendly housing schemes countywide

Meath County Council has extensive plans to provide small age-friendly housing developments around the county.

The council has a number of small infill sites they are trying to develop to add to existing communities.

Plans for four age friendly bungalows at Balreask Cross in Navan as well as five bungalows at Riverside, Carnaross were unveiled last week.

Plans for the houses at Carnaross were unveiled at a meeting of Kells Municipal District, while the proposed houses at Balreask were discussed at last week's meeting of Navan Municipal Council where plans for the Johnstown Public Realm, which will also include infill housing were discussed.

The Navan meeting was told the small cottage on the corner opposite the Balreask Arms would be demolished and four age friendly bungalows would be constructed. The proposals would not interfere with the planned signalised junction at that crossroads.

Cllr Frances Deane asked where the entrance would be and was told the houses would be accessed from the Gainstown Road,

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said it was an excellent use of council land. “Whoever is fortunate enough to be accommodated there will enjoy the comfort of country living with ease of access to the town via the local town bus service or a short drive in the Trim Road.

“Age Friendly developments are becoming more and more important. Through my constituency work I come across increasing numbers of pensioners in accommodation difficulty. Current rental rates are unaffordable and many of them are at extreme risk of homelessness, poverty and deprivation. We need more of this type of housing and we need it yesterday.”

Also at the Navan meeting, Senior Engineer, Wendy Bagnall said that there were three aspects to the Old Johnstown Public Realm scheme.

She said that during public consultation, people asked that the redevelopment of Mrs Butterly's house be careful and measured. “Residents have been active in being custodians of the building without being owners and I'd like to acknowledge that. They want us to be careful in our consideration of how it is redeveloped,” she said.

“The plan talks about a public plaza and open space. Mrs Butterly's house will have a community focus. It is in the heart of the village and has to assume the importance that deserves.”

She said they would be working in tandem with the Active Travel team in the development of the plan.

“There is a housing development to this so there will be a couple of part eight planning applications relating to it,” she said.

He asked when could they see Mrs Butterly’s being redeveloped.

Director of Services, Martin Murray said they wanted to reflect heritage of Mrs Butterly's, wanted to provide a community facility. “We want to provide housing and a more sustainable active travel scheme within the village and link Old Johnstown to New Johnstown and Navan.

“The housing may come first, possibly followed by either Mrs Butterly's or active travel.”

Last week's meeting of Kells Municipal Council, heard there was an open unused area at the front of Riverside, Carnaross.

The council has plans for five bungalows that would accommodate older people or people with mobility issues.

The proposal is for two bedroom houses and three one bedroom houses.

Each unit would be accessed by a shared paved and planted approach with each dwelling having a generous open space at the back accessed from within each dwelling or by side entrances.

Cllr Michael Gallagher said one bedroom units were restrictive for elderly people who may need a carer to stay with them.

Cllr Sean Drew said the issue of one bedroom houses being inadequate had been raised within the age friendly group in Meath County Council.

They were told that the council would look at substituting one bedroom units with two bedrooms.