Home from Home... Before and after on Navan's Brews Hill

A new social housing development at Brews Hill in Navan is almost complete and will be allocated in the next few months.

The town centre ‘Sunnymount Court’ project which has transformed three derelict buildings into two blocks of 12 apartments has been hailed as “a prime example of regeneration’.”

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said the project had put what had been a derelict site to great use.

“It has provided 12 housing units, slap bang in the middle of town. Most of the homes are smaller units and are ideal for the elderly, the disabled and smaller households.

“Most of the pressure on housing lists is concentrated on the one and two bed lists. This scheme will provide secure homes for twelve households.

“It is very near town, so people won't have to drive. It is a great scheme and has been a great use of public funds.

“This is exactly the type of scheme we want to encourage. It replaces dereliction - one of those properties was boarded up for over 20 years. It has been a great use of space. It enhances Brews Hill and will be the start of a mini regeneration in that area.”

The development involved the demolition of the derelict properties at no 42, 43 and 44 Brews Hill.

The project comprises six one-bedroom apartments and six first and second floor duplex apartments in two blocks, one looking onto Brews Hill and one fronting on to Emmet Terrace, with a shared communal space including a landscaped courtyard.

Its construction was not without incident - residents and workers in the Emmet Terrace/Brews Hill area had a narrow escape early last year when the arm of a giant crane being used in the construction snapped while carrying a loaded skip and crashed to the ground.

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, which stalled construction for a short period.

Emmet Terrace was closed to traffic while specialist lifting equipment removed the collapsed crane, while some local businesses and homes suffered temporary power and broadband outages as a result of wires being hit in the crane collapse.

The project was also held up for almost a year to treat Japanese knotweed that was growing on the site.

The invasive plant is becoming a huge problem across the country and while Meath County Council has been ahead of the game in dealing with the stubborn and pervasive weed, it took many months to successfully get rid of the plant.