A MULTI-MILLION euro housing development on the city’s northwest suburbs is finally to be completed – almost a decade after people moved in to what has been dubbed “the forgotten estate.”
Cllr Tony Fitzgerald with residents Tom Murray and Dan O’Keeffe with the pot holed road at The Meadows, Knocknacullen. Pictures: Eddie O’Hare
Work is set to begin shortly on roadworks, street lighting and traffic calming measures at The Meadows in Knocknacullen, Gurranabraher, after an agreement was drawn up between Cork County Council, Cork City Council, the receiver, the liquidator and AIB. A contractor will be appointed shortly to carry out the works.
A liquidator was appointed to the developers of the estate, Knocknacullen Ltd, in 2013. The development of 267 homes includes a mix of private, social and affordable housing.
The overgrown green area at The Meadows, Knocknacullen.
One resident, Tom Murray, said he had had been living in the estate for the past eight years and is hoping that work will commence immediately on road improvements, traffic calming and lighting.
He said residents had hoped that works would have started two years ago, with completion last year. However, they are now hopeful that the new agreement in place will pave the way for an immediate start.
Cllr Tony Fitzgerald with one of the boarded up houses at The Meadows.
Local Fianna Fail councilor Tony Fitzgerald also welcomed the agreement, saying that The Meadows is “the forgotten estate located at the highest point of the northside under the city’s water tower.” He said: “The entrance into the estate is in an appalling condition for example, and the traffic calming measures are totally unsuitable. There is also a lack of public lighting.”