The number of homes being provided in the redevelopment of Labre Park in Ballyfermot is being reduced.
Following several surveys and design reviews, the number of new homes planned has been reduced from 26 to between 14 and 18.
Labre Park is Ireland’s first site built specifically for Travellers by a local authority, and over 12 million euro in funding for the redevelopment was granted in 2016.
20 existing houses will be refurbished, and the project is expected to commence next year.
Update
Clúid Housing, Approved Housing Body and Dublin City Council (DCC), working in partnership with Labre Park residents, Ballyfermot Traveller Action Programme (BTAP) and CENA say there's an update to the redevelopment of Labre Park, Ireland’s first site built specifically for Travellers by a Local Authority.
Following a consultation process with residents and representative groups, Clúid received funding approval from the Department of Housing in late 2016 to redevelop Labre Park. The total cost of the redevelopment was confirmed to be €12.5m.
Following a number of site surveys as part of the design process and consultation with Dublin City Council’s planning and development teams, part of the proposed development has been identified as a flood risk inconsistent with development. As a result, and despite several additional design reviews, the number of new homes planned has been reduced from 26 to between 14 and 18.
Refurbishment
The project includes the creation of the new houses, a community centre, pocket park and the refurbishment of 20 existing houses. Clúid and DCC plan to provide suitable alternative accommodation for those initially included in the redevelopment plans. It is envisaged that over 30 families will be re-homed over the next 12 months.
Brendan Kenny, Deputy Chief Executive of Dublin City Council says: "DCC is committed to the redevelopment of Labre Park and to ensure that appropriate homes are provided to all the current residents of Labre Park. Dublin City Council will work tirelessly to ensure that the redevelopment of Labre Park is given the utmost priority."
Each of the families living on the site have been consulted and their specific individual needs have been considered including the option to select a house, or a caravan bay with a day house.
Clúid Housing New Business Manager, Sarah Owens said: "We’ve been working really hard to get the redevelopment of Labre Park underway and to ensure the voices of existing and future residents inform the design process. Things haven’t moved as fast as we would have liked but we are delighted to be entering a new phase in the redevelopment today and to start the process of rehoming residents and clearing the site in preparation for development work to commence next year."
