A WHOLE new vision is required to inject new life and new vibrancy to the Ballyspillane housing estate in Killarney, the local council has been told.
Cllr Michael Gleeson has lamented the fact that the government’s estate renewal grant is no longer available as, he said, it would have been a perfect fit for the densely populated Killarney estate.
”There are wonderful people there but the area has experienced difficulties and tensions and pressures. There is a whole new vision needed and I regret that the grant has gone,” said Cllr Gleeson who lived in Ballyspillane several years ago.
Cllr John Joe Culloty acknowledged that there are “some brilliant people” living in Ballyspillane but the residents have had a difficult few years.
“They have problems and they need help,” he said.
Killarney Municipal District Council management said they have a strong working relationship with the tenants and if the resident’s association in Ballyspillane has specific proposals, the council will be happy to discuss them and explore them.
In 2017 residents’ representatives from the estate met with councillors and officials in the Killarney Municipal Area to outline their priorities and top of their agenda was the installation of a CCTV system in the area as soon as possible. Over two years later, that has still to happen.
The residents said that although Ballyspillane was built 40 years ago, they feel that the estate has never had a natural maturing cycle.
“Over the last number of years this has been more acutely felt and it is taking its toll on community cohesion and community spirit,” they said in a comprehensive written report presented to the council.
Research in the estate showed that the highest age category of residents was in the 30-49 and 18-29 age categories. It found the more positive aspects of living in Ballyspillane were its proximity to town, good neighbours and being close to family and friends but concerns were also expressed about anti-social behaviour, litter and cars blocking roadways.
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