New social housing for Buncrana
The site of the housing at Crana Crescent.
Much-needed social housing is to be built near the Cockhill Road in Buncrana.
Sixteen new homes, a mixture of two and three-bed semi-detached two-story houses and apartments, will be built on a site behind the existing Crana View/Crana Crescent development in Buncrana.
Donegal County Council is seeking tenders from building contractors to construct the estate. The estate is expected to be built by 2024.
Construction was completed earlier this year on a social housing development of 21 homes at Rockytown in Buncrana.
The council is currently seeking planning consent for a further 54 units there.
Cllr Nicholas Crossan said the new homes are badly needed in the area.
“I take calls almost daily from people looking for housing,” he said.
“There’s huge demand for homes not just in Buncrana but in Donegal and all around the country.
“I’m glad to hear the council is seeking tenders. The funding is in place from the Department of Housing and I’d be hopeful construction could get under way next spring or summer.”
Tenders close on 30 November. It will be 2023 before the council selects the winning bid.
“The people who’ve moved into Baile na Carraige [Rockytown] are more than happy with their new homes, and I’m sure it will be the same at Crana Crescent,” Cllr Crossan said.
Previous objections
Objections TO the new housing estate had been lodged by residents of the Crana View estate, citing road safety and the dangers posed by increased traffic as well as having their homes over-looked by the development, with some residents querying the need for social housing in the area.
A decision on whether to proceed with the new estate was debated at the full council meeting in Lifford in December 2020.
Cllr Jack Murray, seconded by Cllr Terry Crossan, proposed that it should not go ahead owing to a lack of roads infrastructure around the site.
Cllr Nicholas Crossan, seconded by Cllr Ian McGarvey, proposed that the construction proceed.
The vote to approve the construction of the 16 social housing units went to a vote of councillors, and was carried with 19 in favour and 9 against.
Amongst the Inishowen councillors voting in favour of the development were Paul Canning, Nicholas Crossan and Bernard McGuinness, while Rena Donaghey, Terry Crossan, Albert Doherty and Jack Murray voted against.
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