Construction work which is not compliant with building regulations has been identified at Dublin City Council’s flagship affordable purchase housing estate, Oscar Traynor Woods.
The State-subsidised estate of 853 homes in Coolock is under construction by developer Glenveagh following a deal with the council finalised in 2021. However, the council said it had discovered “non-compliant work” and that work was “not progressing in a workmanlike manner” in accordance with building regulations.
Some work may have to be “paused”, the council said, while investigations are carried out.
The council drew considerable criticism last summer when the first 16 affordable purchase homes, aimed at low- and middle-income workers, went on sale at Oscar Traynor Woods at prices of up to €475,000.
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[ Oscar Traynor Woods ‘affordable’ homes attract 260 applicantsOpens in new window ]
It subsequently widened eligible income bands for buyers, introducing lower household income limits, with prices starting at €254,358 but still rising to €475,000 for those on higher incomes. A total of 260 buyers applied for the 16 homes which were due to be completed early this year.
Construction started in December 2023 and council building control officials have since carried out five site inspections, most recently on December 17th.
“During the course of inspection, concerns regarding compliance of the works with relevant parts of the building regulations were brought to the attention of site management and the assigned certifier,” council chief executive Richard Shakespeare said in a report to councillors on Monday.
“Concerns were raised with Glenveagh site management and the assigned certifier that the works were not progressing in a workmanlike manner in accordance with the requirements of the building regulations,” Mr Shakespeare said. “It is essential that where defects are identified that they are dealt with promptly and comprehensively.”
Glenveagh is engaging with the process, Mr Shakespeare said, and investigations are continuing “to identify all potential issues including pausing of some works to allow for these investigations to be carried out”.
Discussions are ongoing “to agree what works are required to rectify non-compliant work and these works will then need to be carried out by Glenveagh in a timely manner”.
Independent councillor Mannix Flynn said he was “deeply concerned”, given the houses were being built on what was council-owned land, with the approval of councillors. “It is imperative that the public have confidence in Dublin City Council regarding this development and ensure it doesn’t end up a shambles,” he said.
Glenveagh declined to comment.
Councillors in 2017 approved the plan for a 50 per cent private, 30 per cent social and 20 per cent affordable housing mix for Oscar Traynor. They later voted to shelve the deal to seek more public housing on the land.
Agreement was eventually reached with Glenveagh for the construction of 853 homes. An application was lodged with An Bord Pleanála in December 2022 and approved in February 2023.
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