A group of 21 Ferrybank residents, opposed to the construction of a road to access a boundary wall, have forced construction workers to temporarily down tools.
The residents of Castle Oaks, Rockshire Road along with local Kilkenny County Councillor Ger Frisby (FF), met with an employee of PC Groundworks on Friday morning last, demanding the immediate cessation of works on the estate green.
The dispute reportedly arose when the owners of a newly purchased house in Rockenham, Ferrybank sought access via Castle Oaks green to demolish a garden wall to the rear of their property.
Cllr Ger Frisby (far left), pictured with locals and construction officials at Castle Oaks, on Friday morning last.
In doing so, PC Groundworks constructed a temporary gravel road through the park – a move residents claimed had been undertaken without licence from Kilkenny County Council. Locals felt additionally aggrieved given that they pay an annual fee of €45 for the upkeep of the green.
Resident Tony Power who regularly maintains the estate, said what had occurred had “made his blood boil,” upon first noticing it on his morning walk, stating that the construction site was hazardous for children who regularly play on the green.
Kevin Freeman, also of Castle Oaks, voiced his concern, commenting that the demolished wall provides “an open door for thieves to burgle houses adjacent to the site”.
On arrival, Cllr Frisby commented that he had “never seen anything quite like it,” but assured residents that an open road permit had been obtained by the company to complete the works. Planning permission, it’s worth noting, was not required for the works to go ahead.
The sole construction worker on site at the time told residents that he and his co-workers would “down tools to avoid further aggravation” and that a bond of €650 would be paid to ensure the green is restored to its former state.