A NUMBER of city councillors have called for an infill housing scheme to be developed at the Tarry Path in Mayfield in an attempt to deter persistent littering.

The pathway on Cork’s northside, which runs adjacent to a number of housing estates in the area — including Glenamoy Lawn, Mount Brosnan, and Avonmore Park — has yet again become the target of illegal dumping.

Independent councillor Ken O’Flynn praised the city council’s attempts to keep the area clean but said an alternative solution for the site is ultimately required.

“The city council has been proactive in its approach to tackling the issue,” he said.

“Before the local elections, they sent in a skip to clear the rubbish and send in clean up crews on a regular basis.

“The by-laws which came into effect in June were also an important step but littering in the area is still an issue.

“An alternative solution needs to be established and either the path needs to be closed off or infill housing needs to be developed.

“The dumping is coming from locals who have no respect for their neighbourhood and those individuals need to be penalised.”

The prospect of an infill housing scheme was also welcomed by Workers Party councillor Ted Tynan, who said he intends to highlight the issue with City Hall once again.

“I have spoken to the director of housing at Cork City Council, Brian Geaney, on this matter before who has been in favour of this development and I intend to raise this once again,” he told The Echo.

Antisocial behaviour has also been an issue due to the enclosed nature of the pedestrian site, which is located between two gable-end houses.

Mr Tynan said that, although it is still an issue, it is “not as bad as it used to be” and that he hoped, if infill housing was developed, it would further ameliorate the issue.

An infill housing scheme has previously been proposed for the Tarry Path.

In November, Fine Gael councillor Joe Kavanagh told The Echo that the city council had “looked into” the matter.

“There is a serious problem with fly-tipping,” he said. “It’s actually unbelievable on the Tarry Path and the access causes many serious issues and the distribution of lots of unwanted goods.

“The residents have asked for houses and the council looked into it and the city architect developed plans for three infill houses there.

“This will be welcomed by everybody because it’s a source of antagonism for local people.”

When contacted by The Echo yesterday, Cork City Council said the infill housing scheme for Tarry Path will be discussed with councillors next month.

A statement issued by the housing directorate said: “Plans are at an advanced stage and the consultation with elected members will take place in March.”

The Echo has repeatedly reported on issues along the Tarry Path.

Closer to the North Ring Rd, at Lagan Grove, residents have complained at being peppered by stones thrown from the path.

The situation became so bad that some residents erected wire mesh protection on their windows to protect them.

Last year, the city council’s executive agreed to facilitate meetings with ward councillors to discuss a possible interim solution to tackle the anti-social behaviour being experienced by people in the Mayfield housing estate.

The council has previously dealt with motions calling for a €40,000 fence to be built behind the houses and for the section of the Tarry Path to be blocked off to public access.

Dumping has repeatedly been reported in the area.

New by-laws which allow City Hall officials to quiz homeowners and social housing tenants on how they dispose of their waste were passed in March of last year.

The regulations see strict enforcement on waste storage and presentation for collection outside homes, and city residents must prove how they dispose of their waste or face fixed fines and possible prosecution.

Council workers now operate door-to-door operations in areas where many instances of dumping have been reported.

If the householder uses a civic amenity site, they need to keep receipts for at least a year to prove this, or face fines of up to €2,500, while fixed penalties of €75 can be issued to households that are without waste removal contracts or do not have documentation to prove lawful disposal.