Deal to allow repairs at Longboat Quay imminent

A plan to allow developer Bernard McNamara fix the fire safety defects at Longboat Quay, the Dublin docklands apartment complex he built in 2006, is close to being finalised.

The deal, which could see work completed at no cost to residents, will be presented to the owners of the 299 apartments at an emergency general meeting once the results of tests on the remedial solution proposed by the developer have been received.

Dublin Fire Brigade last October issued a fire safety notice ordering work, including the installation of a smoke ventilation system and fire-stopping materials.

The cost of repair works had been estimated at in the region of €3.5 million.

Part-fund

The

Dublin Docklands Development Authority

(DDDA) and the receiver to Mr McNamara’s company,

Gendsong

, last year offered €2.5 million to the residents to part-fund the work. However, Longboat Quay management company said the offer and its terms were not acceptable.

The authority’s involvement in Longboat Quay arose from its ownership of the common areas in apartment blocks and its interest in 37 apartments bought under the affordable housing scheme. The receiver had control of 18 apartments in the complex.

Earlier this year the authority was dissolved by the Government and its powers and responsibilities transferred to Dublin City Council.

Longboat Quay management company has in recent days written to residents to say new detailed proposals had been received from Mr McNamara which could result in “minimal, or zero, cost implication for owners”.

Tests

Some elements of the proposals required tests to be conducted, the letter said, and there had been some delay in completing these tests.

However even if the results of the tests were not positive, the costs would still be lower than the €3.88 million originally envisaged, the letter said.

“What we can say, at this stage, is that the McNamara proposal will result in significant cost savings.”