PBP candidate in the recent General Election Una Dunphy says the plan to build 45 units on this site is unsuitable, and ignores the concerns of residents on the impact it will have on the Estate.
She says her party has supported the submission to An Bord Pleanála by the Brill Family Resource Centre which believe this development would have a negative effect on the area.
The Party statement says -
The proposal to build a forty five unit high-rise apartment block at the vacant site of a former public house in Ballybeg is unsuitable, and ignores the concerns of residents on the impact it will have on the Estate, says Úna Dunphy of People Before Profit. Ms Dunphy said she had been contacted by a number of Ballybeg residents regarding the suitability of a high rise building on this site.
People Before Profit in Waterford has supported the submission to An Bord Pleanála by the Brill Family Resource Centre which provides a comprehensive analysis of the negative effects of what is proposed.
"Ballybeg and similar estates", says Ms Dunphy, "were the product of a type of residential planning much loved by planners who would never have to live there. This type of very large estate on the outskirts of towns, lacking in basic facilities, such as a post office, a Doctor's clinic, public house etc., has long been considered to be poor planning". Examples of this type of apartment block in other areas of the city do not generate enthusiasm to repeat this kind of development in Ballybeg.
Over the last 40 years residents, despite neglect and the lack of resources, fought hard to turn Ballybeg into a viable community, where people today are proud to live, and call home. People Before Profit are calling for a house building program, but it must be of high quality and infill housing on estates must enhance the location, the area and the community.
Ms Dunphy went on to say "this proposed development must be rethought. Full and meaningful consultation with residents is essential, design and planning must be of the highest standard and must blend with the estate as a whole. The estate will have to cater for an influx of new residents, and sufficient facilities for this next generation must feature in any future development".
