On Monday, September 11th, 2023, the Oaklee Housing Team and residents of Ashfield, Clonminch, Co. Offaly, welcomed the Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage, Darragh O'Brien, Cathaoirleach Declan Harvey and CEO of Offaly Co. Co. AnnaMarie Delaney, to celebrate the launch of the new estate
As our CEO, Sharon Cosgrove mentioned on the day, it was apparent following our last visit in November of last year, when this development was still a site, that this scheme was going to be something special.
Comprising 19 single-storey, purpose-built homes for the over 55s, the estate features a central landscaped recreational space into which each of the bungalows faces, providing a safe, secure and homely community environment for its new residents.
In the current cost of living crisis, these A3 rate homes, complete with gas boiler and photovoltaic panel system have been built to a higher than minimum building standard, which is good news to the ears of the new Ashfield residents who will no doubt feel the benefit of the 'fabric first' approach to the design of these homes as winter creeps in.
Fully tenanted, Ashfield is a great example of the excellent working relationship Oaklee Housing has with the housing team in Offaly CoCo.
The addition of these 19 homes in Ashfield, Clonminch, plus the 41 homes nearing completion in Kearney's Drive, also in Co. Offaly, will, we hope, strengthen that relationship as further opportunities in the county are explored.
COFFEE and CAKE
Despite the awful weather on the day, Ashfield residents, members of the Oaklee Housing team and representatives of Offaly County Council gathered to welcome The Minister.
Thankful for the Gazebo, a wonderful spread of sandwiches and sweet treats had been laid out for the event with the Minister cutting the cake to officially celebrate the launch of the scheme at Ashfield, Clonminch.
Minister O'Brien was very complimentary about the scheme, saying that, for him, it is one of the most memorable social housing schemes he has had the pleasure of visiting. He complimented the Oaklee Housing and Offaly County Council teams and agreed that this estate was indeed a testament to the solid working relationship between the two organisations.
WALKABOUT
Residents, members of the Oaklee Housing team, as well as representatives from Offaly County Council, accompanied The Minister on a walkabout of the estate, where he admired the design of the homes, the relaxing community spaces and the efficiency of the homes.
The Minister thanked both Oaklee Housing and the Ashfield residents for hosting him on the day and wished residents the very best and brightest futures in their new homes.
