Timing of Arcadia housing information event criticised

A local resident has criticised the timing of a public information session taking place today (Thursday) in relation to Westmeath County Council's plans to build 33 social housing units in Arcadia, Athlone.

The development - named 'Gortnadreas’ - would be situated at a site to the rear of St Kieran's Community Centre in Tormey Villas, and to the rear of the Athlone Mixed National School.

The council's Capital Housing Design Team has organised a 'public information session' to outline the plans. This will take place in St Kieran's Community Centre today from 4.30pm to 7pm.

A resident who lives near the site of the proposed development contacted the Westmeath Independent and criticised the decision to stage the information event during the busy pre-Christmas period, and at a time of day when many people would only be getting home from work.

The person, who didn't wish to be named, suggested the timing might have been “strategically done” to minimise the number of people who would be in a position to attend.

In relation to the plans in general, the local resident said many people living nearby were “not happy” because the development would result in “a high concentration of social housing” in the area.

When contacted by the Westmeath Independent about the information event, council official Pat Keating, manager of the Athlone Municipal District, said it had been organised by the council's housing section.

He said local representatives had been notified, but he wasn't aware of the level of advertising beyond that.

Mr Keating said the event was designed to give people an opportunity to ask any questions they might have in relation to the plans.

He said the plans were already on public display at present and could be viewed on the Westmeath County Council website.

The proposed housing development would include 22 three or four-bedroom houses and 11 two-bedroom units. The deadline for public submissions on the plans is 4pm on Wednesday, January 18.