A ghost estate in Dunmanway. Pic: Google
RESIDENTS of 29 estates across West Cork will be breathing a sigh of relief to find they are exempt from paying the controversial new €100 Household Charge this year.
The 29 estates are among just under 300 estates nationwide that have been granted an exemption from paying the charge because they are deemed to be incomplete in terms of public infrastructure such as lighting, footpaths and road surfaces.
Many of the developments exempted would be considered as so-called ghost estates with significant numbers of properties left unfinished following the collapse of the property market.
The West Cork estates that have been exempted are:
Moneview, Dunmanway
Abbey Fort, Kinsale
Altan, Drimoleague
An Faithin, Macroom
Barr na Claisse , Innishannon
Carraig Naofa, Durrus
Carrig Rua, Ballinagree
Castleoaks, Bandon
Cluain Reidh, Ballyvourney
Cois Atha, Skibbereen
Colmans Park, Macroom
Elm Grove, Macroom
Fernhill Drive, Clonakilty
Glenduff, Kilbrittain
Gort Mhiclil, Coolea
Inis Orga, Enniskeane
Reendessert, Ballylickey
Ros Alainn, Macroom
Rosewood Manor, Innishannon
The Granary, Macroom
Kilbarry Road, Dunmanway
The Orchards, Kinsale
And un-named developments at:
Oliver Plunkett St, Bandon
Downeen Road, Rosscarbery
The Miles, Clonakilty
Killarney Road, Macroom
Castle Heights, Bandon
Mariners View, Castletownbere
The Village Kealkil
A full list of all the exempted estates across the country can be views at www.householdcharge.ie.
Not familiar with most of these estates, but I believe the one in Ballylickey is uninhabitable due to flooding and there is a question over who now owns it (CAB, NAMA or some other acronym) and the one in Durrus (if I’ve identified it correctly) is uninhabitable also due to lack of connection to mains/sewage, etc. Going on that pattern, is this simply a list of unfinished/uninhabitable ghost estates?