Work could begin this year on stalled 576-house project
Construction could yet commence on the planned massive road and housing project in Lissywollen, Athlone, this year, it has now emerged.
The news came after the progress of the project comprising a major new road and 576 housing units appeared to be somewhat uncertain following the appointment of receivers to Roadbridge Holdings Ltd earlier this year.
Roadbridge Holdings Ltd, is part of the Alanna-Roadbridge joint venture, which was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála in June of last year, for the Lissywollen project, as part of the Strategic Housing Development process.
The proposed development is on 17.6 hectares of land in the ownership of Westmeath County Council, which is partnering with Alanna-Roadbridge on the project.
In a written response to a question from Cllr Frankie Keena recently, Westmeath County Council said: “The proposed development at Lissywollen is being advanced through the procurement process and progress is being made. It is anticipated that this process will be complete and construction to commence in 2022.”
The development, which is situated alongside the existing Brawy housing estate between the Scoil na gCeithre Maistri Gaelscoil and Garrycastle, will see the construction of 285 houses and 291 apartments and duplexes to be built in phases over a number of years, in what is the largest housing project in Athlone.
A total of 174 of the Lissywollen units are due to be sold to the local authority as social housing, with the remaining 402 housing units to be sold on the private market.
A key road linking Brawny with Garrycastle, known as the Lissywollen Avenue, is also part of the project.
Cllr Keena welcomed the council's response and told the Westmeath Independent it was something he had been pursuing with the local authority.
"It's so important for us in the Athlone area that we get this Strategic Housing Development back on track," he said. Cllr Keena urged the council to work closely with local residents, particularly in relation to the road aspect of the project and said he would continue to follow up the progress of the housing development with the council.
In March last, Westmeath County Council confirmed that it was in discussions with Alanna Roadbridge Developments Ltd., to find ways to proceed with the construction of the 576-home strategic housing development and major new road at Lissywollen, Athlone, following the appointment of receivers to Roadbridge Holdings Ltd.
It said: “Westmeath County Council is aware that Roadbridge Holdings Limited, part of the Alanna-Roadbridge Joint Venture working on the Lissywollen Housing Development in Athlone, has appointed receivers.
The procurement documentation provides for an event such as this and there are a range of remedies that can be pursued that would facilitate the continuation of the project. In this regard, the Council has been in discussion with the Joint Venture to determine the potential solutions to the situation with a view to proceeding with the project.”
At the April meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District of Westmeath County Council, Senior Engineer Damien Grennan, said: “We need to afford Alanna Homes that opportunity to engage with the receiver with a view to progressing the project. Obviously, whatever support that's needed from the local authority perspective will be there and we'll certainly keep the members appraised over the coming days or weeks.”