Barnwell, Hansfield, near Ongar, Dublin 15

duran

i had similar problems when i moved in, between the manor park plumber and electrician, we got it sorted.

just wondering did the outside lights over the patio doors come as standard with your houses? we didn't get one and just checking before i shell out for one.

thanks for all the tips over the last while neighbours.

central

Hi Duran,

Yes your porch light should be included in your house, and your back light in back garden also.

duran

thanks Central, must be an oversight by the builder, i'm sure we'll get it sorted.

Mammyof2

Hi Guys,

We are seriously thinking of buying the orchid type house, I was wondering if anyone could answer these questions for me.

• How much did you pay for your house if it was this type
• Are there many houses still vacant.
• Have you had any major problems
• What is the story with the roads, they seem in an awful bad way.
• Are there many children around, hoping my 2 would have some playmates eventually.

I love the house hoping we can get the finance, wish me luck.

central

Hi Mammyof2,

I am not in the Orchid but I can answer some of your questions:

There are still quite a few houses empty, some of these are due to people beind made redundant etc and some not getting finances anymore (according to the Site Manager last time I met him).

I have had no major problems at all. Been lucky enough with good neighbours etc .

As for the roads, they were fine until last week when they dug them up and made an obstacle course with no warning. I have no idea what they are doing but it is only newly like that.

Plenty of kids around from what I see (don't have any myself) but decent green space and playground for them.

Good luck with the finances and maybe we'll be welcoming you to Barnwell Hansfield soon!

Bookkeeper09

Mammyof2 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

We are seriously thinking of buying the orchid type house, I was wondering if anyone could answer these questions for me.

• How much did you pay for your house if it was this type
• Are there many houses still vacant.
• Have you had any major problems
• What is the story with the roads, they seem in an awful bad way.
• Are there many children around, hoping my 2 would have some playmates eventually.

I love the house hoping we can get the finance, wish me luck.

Hi there,
Didnt buy the same house type you are looking at but have lived there for the last 17 months.
There are still a fair few houses vacant but there does seem to be a lot of interest in the last couple of weeks.
Havent had any major problems since moving in.
Dont think they plan to finish off the roads until the estate is finished...altho there does seem to be a bit of digging in the last week or so but I presume that will be fixed soon.
There does seem to be a fair few kids around.

Mammyof2

Hi Guys,

Thanks so much, for your responses.
Would love to talk to someone who is living in one of the Orchid type houses.

Regards,

PauloMN

You should also take a look around other estates in the Clonee/Ongar area - there's over-supply of 2nd hand houses and some absolute bargains out there at the minute. If you are a cash buyer you could negotiate even further discounts.

2nd hand houses will have the benefits of being in more settled areas, will have driveways (maybe the one you are looking at in Barnwell has parking) and will probably be cheaper than a new house. You could find that Barnwell is a building site for a long time to come given the current situation.

duran

I have just moved to barnwell 3 weeks ago from Ongar and am lovin the peace and quiet!

i think you will find that most estates at moment have unfinished units (we are in a recession.....) although a friend of mine just signed a contract the other day on a fuscia and is moving in in four weeks so they are gradually being filled.

i have a fuscia myself and really like it, and from what i gather from the other residents everybody seems to be settling in nicely.

hope it all works out for ya Mammyof2 - going by the number of kiddos enjoying the playground, your little ones won't be lacking new friends.

Regards.

oblivious

PauloMN wrote: »

2nd hand houses will have the benefits of being in more settled areas, will have driveways (maybe the one you are looking at in Barnwell has parking) and will probably be cheaper than a new house. You could find that Barnwell is a building site for a long time to come given the current situation.

+1, an Fingal require the development to be full finish before they look at taking it over, that's only beginning in Ongar 6 years on in a full finished estate

prax

Just to say hi to all the residents in Barnwell. I and my wife moved in the orchid few weeks back. Still loads to do with the house, slowly getting it sorted one by one.

We've got wonderful neighbours.
So far so good, already had few issues with the house like minor leakage, etc but builders are fixing these immediately. Ciara is a great help being on-site.

Looking forward to meet up with you all soon...

prax

Mammyof2 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Thanks so much, for your responses.
Would love to talk to someone who is living in one of the Orchid type houses.

Regards,

Hi, sent you a pm, call me if you like to discuss about orchid

dubdec99

prax wrote: »

Just to say hi to all the residents in Barnwell. I and my wife moved in the orchid few weeks back. Still loads to do with the house, slowly getting it sorted one by one.

We've got wonderful neighbours.
So far so good, already had few issues with the house like minor leakage, etc but builders are fixing these immediately. Ciara is a great help being on-site.

Looking forward to meet up with you all soon...

Welcome!!

marksquirt

Guys,

We had an issue with field mice in our house over the weekend. We had in total the lovely sum of 5!!
They were getting in via the flue for the boiler in the kitchen. The space around the flue where it exits the house wasn't sealed properly and they were able to get through.
Thought I'd let you all know so that you can check.

I hope to god it's the last of them!!

marksquirt

BTW anyone have anumber for Ciara, can't find it anywhere!

prax

Hi, just sent you pm with Ciara's number

marksquirt

Did everyone receive their letter from the management company yesterday?

Let me know if you didn't and I'll scan a copy and put it up. It's a generic letter and not specific to any resident.

central

Marksquirt

Received my letter alright, not sure where I stand to be honest. When I moved in they would not issue me with keys until they had received payment of the €300 odd. That was over 18 months ago and I have not paid it since as nobody came looking for it. How about you?

Bookkeeper09

central wrote: »

Marksquirt

Received my letter alright, not sure where I stand to be honest. When I moved in they would not issue me with keys until they had received payment of the €300 odd. That was over 18 months ago and I have not paid it since as nobody came looking for it. How about you?

Yep thats the same as me. Paid 300 when I got the keys In October 08 and havent paid anything since

central

Hmmm I really want to know what's happening with the estate, is going to be left as is, are they going to cease all building works, will I have to look at metal fences forever more......

So many questions to ask, I wonder will I be fobbed off?

Bookkeeper09

I certainly wont be quick about handing over any more money until those questions are answered!
Cant really see there being more building work done in the estate in the near future

central

I know ye, they won't be getting a penny out of me that's for sure. I don't see them doing anymore building either but it would be nice not to have to look at the mounds of muck and dirt at the end of my road.......

The metal fencing is such an eye sore. If it was covered by the nice wooden fencing I don't think it would be so bad you know.

Bookkeeper09

I know what ya mean! Out the front of my house is done in a wooden fence which isnt bad looking! But out the side is a bid metal fence and a bit of an eyesore! They could also do with putting a better surface on the roads!

central

Bookkeeper09 wrote: »

I know what ya mean! Out the front of my house is done in a wooden fence which isnt bad looking! But out the side is a bid metal fence and a bit of an eyesore! They could also do with putting a better surface on the roads!

They really do need a better surface alright and a walkway to the bus at Ongar roundabout there would be great too. I think we are expecting alot and none of which will be delivered anytime soon though.

Bookkeeper09

Sure we can always hope

oblivious

Bookkeeper09 wrote: »

Sure we can always hope

With manor park I would not, best form a resident association an campaign to get them to complete/finish current development and make safe the boundary to sites that are still to be developed.

central

oblivious wrote: »

With manor park I would not, best form a resident association an campaign to get them to complete/finish current development and make safe the boundary to sites that are still to be developed.

The day they launched there was a protest outside from residence of the Ongar area I think saying things were left unfinished etc for years. I fear we are in the same boat here. I guess buying off the plans used to be a good thing but not in these recessionary times it seems. Nobody has the money these days to complete phases and boundaries etc.

Bookkeeper09

oblivious wrote: »

With manor park I would not, best form a resident association an campaign to get them to complete/finish current development and make safe the boundary to sites that are still to be developed.

Sounds like a good idea in theory but if the money is not there and people are not buying the houses they arent going to finish the development anytime soon!.

oblivious

Bookkeeper09 wrote: »

Sounds like a good idea in theory but if the money is not there and people are not buying the houses they arent going to finish the development anytime soon!.

Money or no money there are health and safety issue for those unfinished sites an the current boundary do not look any secure to keep children out

Bookkeeper09

The developers have put up railings. What else do you think they should be doing to secure the sites??....obviously besides finishing the houses.

marksquirt

Bookkeeper09 wrote: »

The developers have put up railings. What else do you think they should be doing to secure the sites??....obviously besides finishing the houses.

they may have put railings up but it hasn't stopped the kids getting in! I've railings at the end of my road and i've seen the kids behind them playing. A bit more of the nice fencing wouldn't go astray just to tidy the estate up until its finished (if ever!)
It might also help make the estate a bit more attractive to potential buyers.

In relation to the management fees as far as I'm aware no one has paid anymore than the deposit that was given on signing and the recent letter is the first bit of contact we've all had from the management company.
I won't be making any payments until I've had a look at the audited accounts. I've no problem paying my share once I know what my share is actually paying for!!

marksquirt

For anyone that is looking to change to UPC they are now available in our estate! YAY!!

This will resolve the problem with the satelite dishes!

Bookkeeper09

marksquirt wrote: »

they may have put railings up but it hasn't stopped the kids getting in! I've railings at the end of my road and i've seen the kids behind them playing. A bit more of the nice fencing wouldn't go astray just to tidy the estate up until its finished (if ever!)

I completely agree that the fencing is more attractive than railings and would certainly improve the look of the estate but I dont think its going to be much more effective at keeping kids out!

Bookkeeper09

marksquirt wrote: »

For anyone that is looking to change to UPC they are now available in our estate! YAY!!

This will resolve the problem with the satelite dishes!

Have you had anyone say anything about satelite dishes?

central

marksquirt wrote: »

they may have put railings up but it hasn't stopped the kids getting in! I've railings at the end of my road and i've seen the kids behind them playing. A bit more of the nice fencing wouldn't go astray just to tidy the estate up until its finished (if ever!)
It might also help make the estate a bit more attractive to potential buyers.

In relation to the management fees as far as I'm aware no one has paid anymore than the deposit that was given on signing and the recent letter is the first bit of contact we've all had from the management company.
I won't be making any payments until I've had a look at the audited accounts. I've no problem paying my share once I know what my share is actually paying for!!

Totally agree, no money until I see evidence of its use.

So we are paying €300 per house for landscaping etc, does it really cost that much per annum? Sorry I have no idea about the cost of cutting grass and doing some weeding.... etc.

marksquirt

central wrote: »

Totally agree, no money until I see evidence of its use.

So we are paying €300 per house for landscaping etc, does it really cost that much per annum? Sorry I have no idea about the cost of cutting grass and doing some weeding.... etc.

That I don't know, it would be dependant on what landscapers are used etc. although I might do some investigative work and actually count the number of occupied houses along and then calculate how much in total has been paid to date!! That way when we get the audited account we will be able to see if Manor Park have contributed anything

marksquirt

Bookkeeper09 wrote: »

Have you had anyone say anything about satelite dishes?

Yeah I've had a letter from Fingal threatening legal action if it wasn't removed from the front of our house (Sky couldn't get a signal from the back)

central

marksquirt wrote: »

That I don't know, it would be dependant on what landscapers are used etc. although I might do some investigative work and actually count the number of occupied houses along and then calculate how much in total has been paid to date!! That way when we get the audited account we will be able to see if Manor Park have contributed anything

Good thinking Marksquirt. I am not sure though if all houses pay €300 or is it dependent on which type of house you have.......

marksquirt

central wrote: »

Good thinking Marksquirt. I am not sure though if all houses pay €300 or is it dependent on which type of house you have.......

Well if we take €300 as an average and work off that? The duplex/apartments will be paying more as they will have to contribute to the insurance of their building but i can't imagine it's too substantial.

Daragh11080

Hi lads, just had a look at 4 bed and was impressed only 2 left.

They are looking for 320,000, bit over my budget - how much you think I could bargain for?????????????

oonions

Hi Folks,
Does anyone know whats happening with Metro West? There seems to be activity in the field adjacent every now and then. Am I fooling myself to think that they are working there

marksquirt

Hi Oonions,

this link might provide some useful info. Looks like our train station won't be opening until the developer finishes the road off!!!!!:eek:

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/general_news.asp?action=view&news_id=866

central

Heard on the radio this AM on the news it is ready for opening and will be opened next month, that is, the line is opening next month, said nothing about our stop though. The train is going to be going to Docklands, I think this is madness, they need way more trains going to Connolly in my opinion.

central

Thanks for the link Marksquirt, the way things are looking and going on the development side of things, I think Barnwell Hansfield will be a ghost station for many years to come :-( Grrrr

thomasj

central wrote: »

Heard on the radio this AM on the news it is ready for opening and will be opened next month, that is, the line is opening next month, said nothing about our stop though. The train is going to be going to Docklands, I think this is madness, they need way more trains going to Connolly in my opinion.

Ah come on it's not that bad, docklands is central enough you have the Luas nearby, Macken St bridge to pearse street the 151 and can change at Clonsilla for Connolly and maynooth. Plus trains will go to Connolly not docklands at the weekend

central

Have to disagree Thomasj, especially since I work the far southside of the city centre. Docklands is great if you work there, I don't. I just think from getting the train myself ( I don't anymore) that more trains should be going to Connolly for the crowds that get the train in the mornings. Its weekdays they need more trains, not weekends so going to Connolly at weekends is pointless really.

thomasj

But there is no space in Connolly, hence the reason why docklands was built for pace services

You can always change over in Clonsilla or coolmine if you are heading south of connolly

Ironically, it was a planning decision on hansfield that helped bring about docklands now it doesn't even look like the station at hansfield will be open first day the line is in operation

duran

jees, that is annoying! the major selling point of these houses was that we would have a train station on the estate! there seems to be quite a bit of activity on the estate lately and in the area at the station so hopefully they'll start on that road soon. looks like savills will have to change that huge banner at the entrance of the estate promising the opening of the train station in summer 2010.........

oblivious

duran wrote: »

jees, that is annoying! the major selling point of these houses was that we would have a train station on the estate!

More importantly there was an Strategic Development Zone which it supposed to be legally binding agreement but looks like *again* planning is always in favour of the builders

Pat Dunne

I have followed this thread for since it's start, it's now running two and ahalf years and this is post number 601.

It is obvious that there are some serious issues in relation to the management company. By just ignoring them and or not paying your annual management fee the problems will remain.

It is now time that the residents come together and have an actual meeting to discuss the massive range of issues that had been mentioned here.