Ongar residents demonstrate at showhouses
by Martin Ryan

A major rift has developed between Manor Park Homes developers and residents of Ongar who are angered at what they claim is “the shoddy way in which we have been treated by their management company.” The complaints allege a failure to develop, maintain and repair amenities in the community as well as a number of other issues.

A two and half hour meeting held on Wednesday 20th February between residents and Manor Park Homes made limited progress but has led to a promise from the developers to revisit the matter in six weeks time, after consultation with the management agent.

Samantha Dooley, Chairperson of the Ongar Resident’s Association Committee, says they remain hopeful if a little sceptical about this possible resolution. Previously the residents say they have had serious difficulties in getting Manor Park Homes representatives to attend meetings which has exacerbated the situation. However they have expressed concerned about the vagueness of the assurances received as no specific dates have been given.

The Manor Park Homes estates in Ongar are run by three management companies which have David Wallis as agent. The directors of the Ongar estates management groups are also the directors of Manor Park Homes, so residents believe that the situation could have been resolved long before now.

Many Ongar residents and local politicians demonstrated in large numbers at the recent launch of Manor Park Homes’ new development in the area at Barnwell Hansfield, which is adjacent to Ongar. At the demonstration Samantha Dooley spoke of the many concerns of residents. She referred specifically to the problem of getting in contact with the developers coupled with the lack of a proper forum at which to address the outstanding issues.

She indicated some of the areas in the estate which have been left unfinished, describing them as a “total mess” and spoke of how many are maintenance problems going back three or four years. According to Samantha, “there are a number of major works left unfinished. Another example of the problem is the fountain on North Street which has been damaged and left unrepaired.”

“Prior to Wednesday’s meeting, I had previously arranged another meeting with Manor Park Homes for last week. At the last minute we once again got a call cancelling the meeting because ‘something had come up’. That’s not good enough when there are people taking time off work to attend. The impression we get is that they don’t really care about this phase anymore now that they have sold it. It is up to us to highlight how they operate and we will do so right across Dublin 15 if necessary,” said Samantha.

Many of the demonstrators spoke to potential buyers who had come to view the new housing development and they outlined the issues at stake. Among the demonstrators was Joan Burton TD, deputy leader of the Labour Party. She spoke of the “disgraceful management fees” that are being charged all over the city and the “poor return” people are getting for them. She added that “it is essentially a rip-off and I think it is time to put pressure on the management company to at least agree to sit down with the residents and acknowledge the issues.”

Deputy Lord Mayor and party colleague of Joan Burton, Cllr. Peggy Hamill, was also present to voice her disapproval. “I think it is a disgrace. I have seen a drain just around the corner filled with builder’s rubble. What on earth are management fees being paid for? Is it just basic landscaping?

According to Samantha Dooley there are many other issues which could be highlighted but they are still hoping that many of them will be resolved in a reasonable manner first. “We have had some dealings with the Council on this matter and are disappointed not to have heard back from them at all, as happened in one recent case. It seems to us that the demonstration is the only way to get anyone to sit up and take notice.

“It is good that we had the media present so they can the level of annoyance there is on this issue, even if for some reason some don’t seem to regard it as a worthwhile story. But for local residents this has been going on for too long at this stage and something is going to have to be done. I must have had a hundred emails over the past year to the management agent which have not been replied to and I know I am just one of many who have had the same experience,” she claimed

When contacted by Community Voice, Gerry Friel of Manor Park Homes said that the question is not whether they will do the necessary work but when they will be in a position to do so. “We are not in the business of leaving work unfinished. We built the place out there in Ongar and are agreed on 95% of what is required, but it takes time. I am quite happy to meet with residents at any time to discuss the matter.”

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