Housing is needed for derelict Longford town site

A Fianna Fáil councillor has called on Longford County Council to take steps to address the longstanding dereliction of the former Midland Clothing factory site.

Cllr Uruemu Adejinmi (pictured) submitted a motion at last week's monthly meeting where she stated this should happen with a view to facilitating future housing development at this strategically located site.

The local representative suggested this should happen by either engaging with the property owners or, where necessary, initiating a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of the site in Glack.

The site in Glack was formerly the location of the Midland Clothing factory site where over 260 people were employed during the 1980s before staff were laid off in 1989.

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The factory was taken over in 1990 by Dutch clothing company Ten Cate and up to 100 people were employed before Irish company Dublin-based Philmic Ltd, took over in 1993 and operated out of the plant for about seven years.

The Fianna Fáil councillor has called on Longford County Council to take steps to address the longstanding dereliction of the site.

She stated this should happen with a view to facilitating future housing development at this strategically located site.

Cllr Adejinmi stated the the site in Glack is an ideal location and a residential area and local representatives are tasked with regenerating local towns.

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"That is a site that has the sewage, water infrastructure already because you have Teffia Park and you have Glack and you have Pauric Colum Heights.

"It makes sense to convert that space to additional space which would then improve the aesthetics of the area as well, and make it more environmentally friendly.

"We have a derelict site, the building is coming apart.

"We had a statement from Pats in Glack which is progressing this year so that is also going to affect the houses opposite, across the road from the site.

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"So we have a location that is suitable for additional housing so it makes sense for the council to engage with the owners and possibly take over that site to deliver more housing accommodation in the community.

Cllr Adejinmi said it has been unoccupied for far too long and many years.

"We cannot let it remain in that state and even for health and safety reasons for the residents in the area as well.

"There was a suggestion at the council meeting that if we can bring accommodation in there for older persons that would be great too because it's close to the services in the town and it is within walking distance of everywhere.

"It would be great to have people living there and they could walk to the train station, to the town, they could walk to the shops so it really supports the 15-minute cities that are so popular these days.

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"It also would improve the value of the properties around the area as well.

"So we are trying to deliver more housing in the area and reduce homelessness and support people who are struggling financially."

Cllr Adejinmi's party colleague, Cathaoirleach, Cllr Seamus Butler seconded the motion and there was unanimous support from the other local representatives.

Cllr Butler said he felt the Glack site would be an ideal location for supported and independent housing for older people.

He said given the scarcity of housing options there is an urgency to find housing solutions and the need for developing housing at thr Glack site was “badly needed”.

Cllr Adejinmi said she was pleased and encouraged the council executive had acknowledged the motion.
would engage with the owners of the site before exploring a CPO.