‘We are where we are’ with Barrack Street houses

COUNCILLORS were provided with an update on the Barrack Street housing development at last week's October meeting of Carlow County Council.

The development will have eight housing units, which had been derelict for several years.

Senior council management informed members that a design team recommended a two-phase approach for the development. 

Members heard there were considerable difficulties with structure and enabling procedures.

Works began last month during, which time it was found that some of the façades of the building could not be salvaged, while some could be retained.

Councillors were informed that “works are commencing well and completed within” legal requirements and conditions, while the “ultimate goal to redevelop the units is still on track”.

This prompted cllrs Will Paton and John Cassin to question the building façade and cost of funding the development.

Cathaoirleach Fergal Browne pointed out that the key objective is that the development is to “be built on time and within budget”.

Chief executive of the council Coilín O’Reilly explained that the “first thing is that we are trying to build homes and we are moving forward. In fairness to the engineers, there were elements of the structure which couldn’t be seen until it was pared back to the bones.

“They could see so much when the buildings were in situ. The key thing to remember is that they will be built exactly the same as what was there. Everything that could be retained was retained. The project is developing well. We are where we are and the key issue is to move forward as soon as possible. Let’s get keys given to families.”