Contracts signed to redevelop dilapidated Tuam estate

Contractors for the new €8 million redevelopment of a mainly County Council estate in Tuam are expected to be in place over the next couple of months, with works to commence as early as this autumn.

And when completed, this will see a massive transformation of Gilmartin Road with the construction of 40 new houses and the refurbishment of more than 20 others in the biggest development since the estate was built in the 1950s.

The project is currently working through the planning process with residents being consulted – the date for the final submissions on the project expired earlier this week.

Galway County Council Director of Services for Housing Michael Owens told The Connacht Tribune that once planning is granted, the process of engaging a contractor will commence and it is hoped that this will be finalised before the summer. The redevelopment involves the demolition of 30 existing houses on Gilmartin Road and the construction of 40 new two and three bedroom homes, along with the demolition of a house on Cloonthue Road and the landscaping of the whole area.

It is also the intention of Galway County Council to renovate and refurbish 21 local authority owned houses on Gilmartin Road and St. Enda’s Avenue. There are currently more than 20 houses in the estate that are boarded up and unoccupied.

Mr Owens said that the preliminary stage of the procurement process to allow for the appointment of a contractor to undertake the works associated with the redevelopment proposal has commenced.

He added that it was intended to bring the planning proposal before a meeting of Galway County Council shortly. He hopes that, subject to planning approval, a contractor will be in place before the summer. Once started, the redevelopment will take 18 months to complete.

“The successful delivery of the redevelopment will require ongoing consultation and engagement with all of the residents on Gilmartin Road, St. Enda’s Avenue and Cloonthue Road and other stakeholders.

“This consultation process will remain a priority for the Council throughout the project. An engagement process with the existing tenants directly impacted by the redevelopment is ongoing in relation to various stages of the redevelopment project.

“It is also recognised that the success of the redevelopment will require an effective long term estate management and tenancy sustainment programme.

“The redevelopment proposal is a priority for the council and we are committed to delivering the redevelopment and most importantly we are fully committed to ensuring its success into the future,” Mr Owens said.

The Director went on to say that the refurbishment of the existing houses will not require the residents to relocate for the duration of the works.

He said that until such time as the Council receive a works programme from the successful contractor, it is not possible to confirm a definite timeframe for the works – but he still anticipated that the full project will be delivered within 18 months.

Local councillors have already impressed on Galway County Council the importance of estate management into the future.

They have said that they do not want a repeat of the estate falling into a dilapidated condition with houses boarded up.