COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

MOTION NO. 2

MOTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

"That the Manager would present for discussion at the meeting an updated report on works carried out on the homes of owners and tenants of units at Foxford Court units, to bring the homes into compliance with Fire Regulations, and if will particularly advise whether owners or the Management Company have had to make a contribution to the costs of remedial works, and if so to advise as to why has this been necessary."

REPORT:

Foxford Court consists of 52 housing units in 3 blocks.

It was developed as an Affordable Housing scheme in an agreement between South Dublin County Council and Newlyn Ltd. These dwellings are all in private ownership, with the exception of 3 units repossessed by South Dublin County Council.

Fire-safety issues have arisen in the construction of the scheme and opinions of compliance in relation to Planning and Building Control were provided by the developers and their agents in title deeds accompanying the sale of these dwellings to the Council.

Although liability has not been established, the Council agreed to act in concert with the developers and the Management Company to find an equitable way forward to carry out repairs and ensure the dwellings complied in full with the Building Regulations and were made safe.

A building construction strategy for fire-safety repairs for the dwellings in Foxford Court has been carried out by fire safety consultants Pro-Fire and agreed in principle with the Dublin City Fire Safety Officer.  A tender process for the implementation of these works has been carried out by Newlyn Ltd., original developers of the project.

Agreement has been reached between South Dublin County Council, Newlyn Ltd and the Management Company of Foxford Court to carry out these repairs commencing in January 2014 and lasting for approximately 12 weeks.  Each party will contribute differing amounts in accordance with this agreement, the terms of which are confidential.  The terms of this agreement were approved by a majority of residents attending the Annual General meeting of the Management Company of Foxford Court held on 21st November 2013 and works will now go ahead as agreed.