RYANAIR has objected to a €50m expansion of the existing terminal at Dublin Airport.
The low-cost airline, which has already objected to a second €395m terminal, says the extension will only add shops and restaurants to the airport and is an example of 'haphazard' planning.
The Dublin Airport Authority plans a 7,500 square metre extension which would provide additional space for passengers, 20 check-in desks and additional retail space.
But now the Spring 2008 deadline for the new facility to be open might not be met because of the objections from Ryanair, the Portmarnock Community Association and a resident, Angela Lawton.
Inconsistent
Residents claim the extension is 'inconsistent' with EU transport policy guidelines and that it constitutes over-development and over-concentration of airport services in one small area of Dublin.
They also claim it will have a negative impact on residents and cause congestion on the road network.
Ryanair claims it will be used only to add retail and restaurant facilities to Terminal One and will not improve the passenger experience and forms part of a 'haphazard' strategy for the airport.
The airline - which wants an independent terminal for the airport - also claims it will result in funds being unnecessarily spent developing an 'oversized, overly expensive' second terminal which is inconsistent with proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
The extension to Terminal One is part of a €2bn capital development programme to transform Dublin Airport over the next 10 years. It also includes the construction of T2, the second terminal, and a new runway.
Both the new terminal and runway have already been appealed, and both were the subject of lengthy public hearings. Residents have also requested that an oral hearing be held into the terminal extension proposal, but a decision has yet to be made on this.
If granted, it could push back the Spring 2008 opening date by some months.
The new triangular-shaped extension is a two-storey building with a mezzanine that will expand the existing terminal at the departures level, the arrivals level and the mezzanine level.
At the departures level, the new extension will provide space for a reconfigured check-in area that will have 20 desks and additional space for passengers.
Beyond the passenger security area, the project will also have a larger circulation area for passengers travelling to Pier A and the new Pier D, currently being built at a cost of €120m.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Concert hall in line for a €150m revamp
THE €150m redevelopment of the National Concert Hall is due to begin next year.
The huge project - which will be undertaken in three phases - has now been put out to tender on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis.
The historic site on Earlsfort Terrace near St Stephen's Green in Dublin will be redeveloped to include three separate but interlinked auditoriums.
The plans include:
* A new concert hall with capacity for 2,000 people.
* The existing auditorium to be preserved for use as rehearsal and mid-performance space.
* A smaller hall with capacity for 400 people for smaller concerts.
* Earlsfort Terrace buildings to be reunited with the Iveagh Gardens, incorporating new public rooms, cafes and restaurants.
The National Concert Hall building is Ireland's premier venue for classical music events, hosting over 500 music-based events a year to well over 300,000 people. However, the hall currently has to turn away 40pc of enquiries to its box office because of space limitations.
"In developing the Earlsfort Terrace site, it is intended that the new main auditorium will become a major addition to the world's stock of concert halls, with acoustic qualities recognised as first class," said a tender for the works.
"The aspiration is to join that select group of perhaps not more than a dozen halls which musicians, acoustic experts and discriminating patrons know to be the best. The importance of acoustic excellence, outstanding at international level, is paramount."
The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is now seeking to employ a team of technical consultants for the huge project.
However, it will still be some years before construction work begins on the 26-year-old hall as the consultants will only begin their work late next summer.
Financial
Recently Minister John O'Donoghue gave the NCH €1m to meet its immediate financial needs, including the extension of the Terrace Cafe and the purchase of IT equipment.
The €1m fund will also be used for a sales and marketing system and to provide other upgrades in equipment and dressing facilities.
Meanwhile, it is believed that the massive refurbishment of the concert hall will cost over €150m in addition to site costs.
It is hoped that the ambitious redevelopment will enable Dublin to compete for cultural tourism against major European cities.
Edel Kennedy
Irish Independent
The huge project - which will be undertaken in three phases - has now been put out to tender on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis.
The historic site on Earlsfort Terrace near St Stephen's Green in Dublin will be redeveloped to include three separate but interlinked auditoriums.
The plans include:
* A new concert hall with capacity for 2,000 people.
* The existing auditorium to be preserved for use as rehearsal and mid-performance space.
* A smaller hall with capacity for 400 people for smaller concerts.
* Earlsfort Terrace buildings to be reunited with the Iveagh Gardens, incorporating new public rooms, cafes and restaurants.
The National Concert Hall building is Ireland's premier venue for classical music events, hosting over 500 music-based events a year to well over 300,000 people. However, the hall currently has to turn away 40pc of enquiries to its box office because of space limitations.
"In developing the Earlsfort Terrace site, it is intended that the new main auditorium will become a major addition to the world's stock of concert halls, with acoustic qualities recognised as first class," said a tender for the works.
"The aspiration is to join that select group of perhaps not more than a dozen halls which musicians, acoustic experts and discriminating patrons know to be the best. The importance of acoustic excellence, outstanding at international level, is paramount."
The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is now seeking to employ a team of technical consultants for the huge project.
However, it will still be some years before construction work begins on the 26-year-old hall as the consultants will only begin their work late next summer.
Financial
Recently Minister John O'Donoghue gave the NCH €1m to meet its immediate financial needs, including the extension of the Terrace Cafe and the purchase of IT equipment.
The €1m fund will also be used for a sales and marketing system and to provide other upgrades in equipment and dressing facilities.
Meanwhile, it is believed that the massive refurbishment of the concert hall will cost over €150m in addition to site costs.
It is hoped that the ambitious redevelopment will enable Dublin to compete for cultural tourism against major European cities.
Edel Kennedy
Irish Independent
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Dalkey conservation order urged as site faces demolition
An Taisce has called on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to make Dalkey an architectural conservation area, following a decision by An Bord Pleanála to approve the demolition of a historic building on its main street.
The Dalkey tram yard, in the centre of Dalkey village on Castle Street, will be replaced with a three-storey structure containing 20 apartments and a retail unit.
The yard and its four tram sheds date back to the late 19th century and housed Dublin's first electric tram, which began running in May 1896. It is the last remaining tram yard in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area and is next to the 18th century Queen's pub, a protected structure, and close to Dalkey Castle. Dalkey village is the county's only heritage town and is designated by Dúchas, the Irish heritage service, as a "zone of archaeological potential".
An Bord Pleanála approved the development, from J & P Monaghan and R Shiels, despite a recommendation from its inspector that it be rejected. Boundary walls are also to be retained as part of the permission and a photographic record is to be taken of the tram sheds before they are demolished. The original wrought-iron gates are also to be retained, but will be welded in an open position as they will not fit the widened entrance.
An Bord Pleanála attached 24 conditions to its planning approval, including the reduction of the number of apartments from 23 to 20, and the retention of the cobblestones and tramline within the yard, which are protected structures.
Maireád Mehigan, chairwoman of the Dún Laoghaire An Taisce Association, said the planning board's decision was a major disappointment.
"An Bord Pleanála did not address any of its planning concerns," she said.
If the village was designated an Architectural Conservation Area, it would have extra protection under planning laws and this would not have been approved."
Fiona Gartland
© 2007 The Irish Times
The Dalkey tram yard, in the centre of Dalkey village on Castle Street, will be replaced with a three-storey structure containing 20 apartments and a retail unit.
The yard and its four tram sheds date back to the late 19th century and housed Dublin's first electric tram, which began running in May 1896. It is the last remaining tram yard in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area and is next to the 18th century Queen's pub, a protected structure, and close to Dalkey Castle. Dalkey village is the county's only heritage town and is designated by Dúchas, the Irish heritage service, as a "zone of archaeological potential".
An Bord Pleanála approved the development, from J & P Monaghan and R Shiels, despite a recommendation from its inspector that it be rejected. Boundary walls are also to be retained as part of the permission and a photographic record is to be taken of the tram sheds before they are demolished. The original wrought-iron gates are also to be retained, but will be welded in an open position as they will not fit the widened entrance.
An Bord Pleanála attached 24 conditions to its planning approval, including the reduction of the number of apartments from 23 to 20, and the retention of the cobblestones and tramline within the yard, which are protected structures.
Maireád Mehigan, chairwoman of the Dún Laoghaire An Taisce Association, said the planning board's decision was a major disappointment.
"An Bord Pleanála did not address any of its planning concerns," she said.
If the village was designated an Architectural Conservation Area, it would have extra protection under planning laws and this would not have been approved."
Fiona Gartland
© 2007 The Irish Times
Sligo council warns HSE about monument
Sligo Borough Council has expressed concern that work being carried out to provide extra spaces at Sligo General Hospital's car park could permanently damage a national monument at Forthill.
Sligo Borough Council has issued a warning to the HSE West about unauthorised work being carried out there.
The site is a protected structure and it is claimed that part of it has been disturbed by construction work to pave way for additional car parking spaces.
Forthill is a walled fort and one of two protected structures in the borough of Sligo, the other being Sligo Abbey.
The fort was the last stronghold held by the Jacobite forces when they were driven into Connacht by William of Orange, following the defeat of James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
Brian Scanlon of the Green Party said that it is "outrageous" that construction workers were not warned about the Forthill structure.
"It is an absolute disgrace that mounds of earth were just thrown in the air to clear the way for extra car parking spaces.
"This area has never been excavated and there is a complete lack of planning here.
"Why were these men not told of the heritage at the site or an archaeologist brought onsite to show them where and when they could dig?"
He said that Forthill is an important part of Sligo's heritage, but that the area has "slid into disarray".
Sligo Borough Council, in a letter to Sheila Smith, general manager of Sligo General Hospital, said it had come to their attention that unauthorised development was being carried out at land west of the car park at Sligo General Hospital.
"If the following investigation finds that unauthorised development is being carried out, an enforcement notice will issue.
"The planning authority may also apply to the High Court for an injunction to ensure the land is restored to its original condition," it stated.
The letter also states that a person who carried out or is carrying out unauthorised development shall be guilty of an offence on conviction to a fine not exceeding €12,697,381 or imprisonment not exceeding two years.
HSE West has confirmed that a total of 75 additional spaces have been created through the realignment and marking of spaces in Sligo General Hospital's car park.
They say that the work is in response to Donegal Cllr Seán McEniff's call for an extension to the car park at Sligo General Hospital and for all hospitals in the western region.
"It will improve the efficiency of parking, through the development of additional unused areas, said a HSE West spokesman.
"We are continuing to monitor the situation."
© 2007 The Irish Times
Sligo Borough Council has issued a warning to the HSE West about unauthorised work being carried out there.
The site is a protected structure and it is claimed that part of it has been disturbed by construction work to pave way for additional car parking spaces.
Forthill is a walled fort and one of two protected structures in the borough of Sligo, the other being Sligo Abbey.
The fort was the last stronghold held by the Jacobite forces when they were driven into Connacht by William of Orange, following the defeat of James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
Brian Scanlon of the Green Party said that it is "outrageous" that construction workers were not warned about the Forthill structure.
"It is an absolute disgrace that mounds of earth were just thrown in the air to clear the way for extra car parking spaces.
"This area has never been excavated and there is a complete lack of planning here.
"Why were these men not told of the heritage at the site or an archaeologist brought onsite to show them where and when they could dig?"
He said that Forthill is an important part of Sligo's heritage, but that the area has "slid into disarray".
Sligo Borough Council, in a letter to Sheila Smith, general manager of Sligo General Hospital, said it had come to their attention that unauthorised development was being carried out at land west of the car park at Sligo General Hospital.
"If the following investigation finds that unauthorised development is being carried out, an enforcement notice will issue.
"The planning authority may also apply to the High Court for an injunction to ensure the land is restored to its original condition," it stated.
The letter also states that a person who carried out or is carrying out unauthorised development shall be guilty of an offence on conviction to a fine not exceeding €12,697,381 or imprisonment not exceeding two years.
HSE West has confirmed that a total of 75 additional spaces have been created through the realignment and marking of spaces in Sligo General Hospital's car park.
They say that the work is in response to Donegal Cllr Seán McEniff's call for an extension to the car park at Sligo General Hospital and for all hospitals in the western region.
"It will improve the efficiency of parking, through the development of additional unused areas, said a HSE West spokesman.
"We are continuing to monitor the situation."
© 2007 The Irish Times
Campaigners occupy section of M3 site again
Conservationists opposed to the construction of the M3 through the Tara-Skryne valley in Co Meath have again occupied a section of the site following the discovery of what they say are significant underground archeological remains.
Members of the Campaign to Save Tara and the Tara Solidarity Vigil said the man-made structure, which appears to be about nine metres (30ft) long, was revealed when construction workers were using heavy machinery for stripping topsoil on the Collierstown to Roestown section of the site last Saturday.
Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, of the department of medieval Irish studies at NUI Maynooth, said the conservationists would occupy the site until staff from the National Museum of Ireland arrived to assess the find. Its discovery highlighted the "inadequacy of the preliminary investigations" on the route, she said.
The site was the scene of clashes between protesters and construction workers last week.
"Perhaps this discovery explains why construction workers were so heavy-handed with the conservationists. . . Did the NRA [ National Roads Authority] and the contractors realise that there was something to hide here?", Dr Ní Bhrolcháin said.
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
Members of the Campaign to Save Tara and the Tara Solidarity Vigil said the man-made structure, which appears to be about nine metres (30ft) long, was revealed when construction workers were using heavy machinery for stripping topsoil on the Collierstown to Roestown section of the site last Saturday.
Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, of the department of medieval Irish studies at NUI Maynooth, said the conservationists would occupy the site until staff from the National Museum of Ireland arrived to assess the find. Its discovery highlighted the "inadequacy of the preliminary investigations" on the route, she said.
The site was the scene of clashes between protesters and construction workers last week.
"Perhaps this discovery explains why construction workers were so heavy-handed with the conservationists. . . Did the NRA [ National Roads Authority] and the contractors realise that there was something to hide here?", Dr Ní Bhrolcháin said.
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
Incinerator hideous, hearing told
The waste incinerator planned for Poolbeg in Dublin would be "intrusive and hideous" and could pose a terrorism threat, a public hearing was told yesterday.
Conservation adviser Maurice Bryan told the Bord Pleanála hearing that people did not realise the true scale of development and if they knew that it was the size of Croke Park, there would be "a storm of protest".
The retired chartered engineer and scientist was making a submission on his own behalf and on behalf of the Combined Residents Against Incineration group.
The public hearing into the proposed municipal waste incinerator began on April 19th and is now hearing final submissions.
An Bord Pleanála inspector Pádraic Thornton said he hoped to conclude the oral hearing today if at all possible.
Mr Bryan told the hearing that he was not opposed to incineration in the past and had even written in favour of it at one point.
However, his experience with the Poolbeg facility had changed his view. The incinerator was being "foisted on an unwilling community", he said.
Mr Bryan said there was a democratic deficit at work as the local community had almost no resources to put their case opposing the plan while Dublin City Council was able to produce 29 highly-qualified paid experts.
Referring to a 1,984-page environmental impact statement and a further 2,500 pages of technical information, he said it seemed that there was an attempt to "overwhelm" people with documentation.
Mr Bryan claimed the Poolbeg site was agreed on before the assessments on its suitability were carried out. Poolbeg was "politically acceptable" because it already had a lot of chimneys "and they won't notice a couple more".
He also said the incinerator would not be financially sustainable and he warned that the hazardous nature of the facility could make it a target for a terrorist attack.
Environmental consultant Dr Edward Porter said incineration was more favourable to the climate than some other waste disposal options. He produced a report for Dublin City Council which documented the effect in terms of emissions of various forms of waste disposal on the climate.
Using guidelines from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, he found that the incineration of mixed solid waste was a more favourable option from a climate perspective "both currently and into the foreseeable future" than landfilling alone or landfilling combined with anaerobic digestion.
Labour's Cllr Kevin Humphreys told the hearing that Dublin city councillors had never endorsed the plan for an incinerator at Poolbeg.
Alison Healy
© 2007 The Irish Times
Conservation adviser Maurice Bryan told the Bord Pleanála hearing that people did not realise the true scale of development and if they knew that it was the size of Croke Park, there would be "a storm of protest".
The retired chartered engineer and scientist was making a submission on his own behalf and on behalf of the Combined Residents Against Incineration group.
The public hearing into the proposed municipal waste incinerator began on April 19th and is now hearing final submissions.
An Bord Pleanála inspector Pádraic Thornton said he hoped to conclude the oral hearing today if at all possible.
Mr Bryan told the hearing that he was not opposed to incineration in the past and had even written in favour of it at one point.
However, his experience with the Poolbeg facility had changed his view. The incinerator was being "foisted on an unwilling community", he said.
Mr Bryan said there was a democratic deficit at work as the local community had almost no resources to put their case opposing the plan while Dublin City Council was able to produce 29 highly-qualified paid experts.
Referring to a 1,984-page environmental impact statement and a further 2,500 pages of technical information, he said it seemed that there was an attempt to "overwhelm" people with documentation.
Mr Bryan claimed the Poolbeg site was agreed on before the assessments on its suitability were carried out. Poolbeg was "politically acceptable" because it already had a lot of chimneys "and they won't notice a couple more".
He also said the incinerator would not be financially sustainable and he warned that the hazardous nature of the facility could make it a target for a terrorist attack.
Environmental consultant Dr Edward Porter said incineration was more favourable to the climate than some other waste disposal options. He produced a report for Dublin City Council which documented the effect in terms of emissions of various forms of waste disposal on the climate.
Using guidelines from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, he found that the incineration of mixed solid waste was a more favourable option from a climate perspective "both currently and into the foreseeable future" than landfilling alone or landfilling combined with anaerobic digestion.
Labour's Cllr Kevin Humphreys told the hearing that Dublin city councillors had never endorsed the plan for an incinerator at Poolbeg.
Alison Healy
© 2007 The Irish Times
New €200m shopping centre plan for city
A RETAIL centre, worth an estimated €200m, is planned for Waterford city.
Known as First City Quarter, the 32-acre development will include retail space, offices, leisure and sports facilities, and a cinema. It is expected that the development will bring more than 3,000 new jobs to the region in the retail and office sectors, as well as indirectly creating about 3,200 jobs.
Retail giant Marks & Spencer has confirmed that First City Quarter is the only site that can accommodate its plans for a 50,000 square foot store in the region. Opportunity
For the development to proceed, Waterford City Council needs to rezone the site as a 'mixed use opportunity site' in the city development plan.
Currently, two-thirds of the site complies with this zoning strategy, but one-third does not.
Up to 13 acres of the 32-acre site needs to be rezoned for the development to go ahead.
The Waterford city development plan, which will determine the level and nature of development in Waterford over the next six years, is due to be agreed in the coming weeks.
Sarah Murphy
Irish independent
Known as First City Quarter, the 32-acre development will include retail space, offices, leisure and sports facilities, and a cinema. It is expected that the development will bring more than 3,000 new jobs to the region in the retail and office sectors, as well as indirectly creating about 3,200 jobs.
Retail giant Marks & Spencer has confirmed that First City Quarter is the only site that can accommodate its plans for a 50,000 square foot store in the region. Opportunity
For the development to proceed, Waterford City Council needs to rezone the site as a 'mixed use opportunity site' in the city development plan.
Currently, two-thirds of the site complies with this zoning strategy, but one-third does not.
Up to 13 acres of the 32-acre site needs to be rezoned for the development to go ahead.
The Waterford city development plan, which will determine the level and nature of development in Waterford over the next six years, is due to be agreed in the coming weeks.
Sarah Murphy
Irish independent
Motorists fume stuck beside empty unused bus corridors
SO MANY bus corridors, so few buses.
Over a dozen bus lanes and quality bus corridors in Dublin are finished and ready for use - but there are no buses to serve them.
Yesterday, it emerged that 13 bus lanes had been completed, but that a shortage of buses means they are not being used and motorists are being forced to sit in long tailbacks each day in single-lane traffic.
They include a two-kilometre 24-hour lane on one of the most heavily-congested roads in the capital - the N32 from the M50 junction to the Malahide Road - which has not been commissioned despite being finished two years ago.
Another QBC on the Rock Road linking the city centre to Blackrock is unused, and is not set to open until mid-summer.
The dedicated bus lanes which are finished, but not yet open for business, include the Pennyhill to Ballyowen Road in Clondalkin; Belgard Road; Leopardstown Road to Sandyford; Kingswood north to Ballyowen; Hole in the Wall to the north fringe, Clongriffin; Ongar Road, Dublin 15; Cherrywood Road; Enniskerry to Dundrum; Exit of Sandyford Industrial Estate to the Sandyford Road; Blackthorn Drive to Sandyford and another at Wyckham Way.
They are not being used because of the shortage of buses available to Dublin Bus and because of a spat between the Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrats government over opening new routes to private operators. Local authorities also required developers to install bus lanes when they received planning permission to build new homes, but many of these are unused.
Services
Dublin Bus said it expects to have more services operating later in the summer when 100 new buses go into service.
"We have half the 100 buses in place and by the end of the summer we should have them all in place," a spokesman said. "There would be a relatively limited number of sections unused."
The Dublin Transportation Office said that most bus lanes did not take away road space available to private motorists, and that there was an "overall plan" to roll-out more dedicated bus lanes.
"The Leopardstown Road to Sandyford lane is in place but not yet fully utilised. The QBC has been there for some time but is waiting for bus routes. A decision was taken not to wait until the physical buses were in place.
"There is an overall plan, but there will be some gaps in the service until buses come on stream."
But south Dublin residents could find themselves with a headache when the Rock Road QBC opens later this summer because one lane previously available to cars will be gone.
"The Rock Road QBC is a contentious scheme because there's less road space," a spokesman for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown county council said.
"That will be open after the Leaving Cert but it's been in a state of readiness for the last two or three months. Dublin Bus has said it will reorganise its number four route which will justify opening it, but it's likely to be quite difficult for people when the full force of traffic returns in September."
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Over a dozen bus lanes and quality bus corridors in Dublin are finished and ready for use - but there are no buses to serve them.
Yesterday, it emerged that 13 bus lanes had been completed, but that a shortage of buses means they are not being used and motorists are being forced to sit in long tailbacks each day in single-lane traffic.
They include a two-kilometre 24-hour lane on one of the most heavily-congested roads in the capital - the N32 from the M50 junction to the Malahide Road - which has not been commissioned despite being finished two years ago.
Another QBC on the Rock Road linking the city centre to Blackrock is unused, and is not set to open until mid-summer.
The dedicated bus lanes which are finished, but not yet open for business, include the Pennyhill to Ballyowen Road in Clondalkin; Belgard Road; Leopardstown Road to Sandyford; Kingswood north to Ballyowen; Hole in the Wall to the north fringe, Clongriffin; Ongar Road, Dublin 15; Cherrywood Road; Enniskerry to Dundrum; Exit of Sandyford Industrial Estate to the Sandyford Road; Blackthorn Drive to Sandyford and another at Wyckham Way.
They are not being used because of the shortage of buses available to Dublin Bus and because of a spat between the Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrats government over opening new routes to private operators. Local authorities also required developers to install bus lanes when they received planning permission to build new homes, but many of these are unused.
Services
Dublin Bus said it expects to have more services operating later in the summer when 100 new buses go into service.
"We have half the 100 buses in place and by the end of the summer we should have them all in place," a spokesman said. "There would be a relatively limited number of sections unused."
The Dublin Transportation Office said that most bus lanes did not take away road space available to private motorists, and that there was an "overall plan" to roll-out more dedicated bus lanes.
"The Leopardstown Road to Sandyford lane is in place but not yet fully utilised. The QBC has been there for some time but is waiting for bus routes. A decision was taken not to wait until the physical buses were in place.
"There is an overall plan, but there will be some gaps in the service until buses come on stream."
But south Dublin residents could find themselves with a headache when the Rock Road QBC opens later this summer because one lane previously available to cars will be gone.
"The Rock Road QBC is a contentious scheme because there's less road space," a spokesman for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown county council said.
"That will be open after the Leaving Cert but it's been in a state of readiness for the last two or three months. Dublin Bus has said it will reorganise its number four route which will justify opening it, but it's likely to be quite difficult for people when the full force of traffic returns in September."
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Waterford developers seek help for plans
THE COMPANY behind a proposed €200 million retail centre in Waterford has launched a campaign to attempt to win public support for the project.
According to property developers Edward Holdings, the proposal at Airport Road would bring 3,000 jobs to Waterford and rejuvenate the city section.
Known as First City Quarter, the development includes retail space, offices, leisure and sports facilities and a cinema. Retail giant Marks & Spencer is set to be one of the anchor tenants with a 50,000 square foot flagship store.
For the development to proceed, Waterford City Council needs to rezone the site as a ‘mixed use opportunity site’ in the statutory Waterford City Development Plan. Currently, two- thirds of the 32-acre site complies with this zoning strategy but the rest does not.
The development plan is due to be agreed in the coming weeks.
Independent research was published at yesterday’s campaign launch in Waterford which indicated that 82 % of local residents are in favour of the proposed project.
The survey by Behaviour & Attitudes Marketing Research also highlighted the value of business being lost to the city, estimating that Waterford shoppers spend €19.2 million per annum in retail centres in Cork, Kilkenny, Dublin, Clonmel and New Ross.
The research also found that 72% of people say they want a greater choice of shops in Waterford, with 75% stating that they want more fashion shops. Two-thirds of people are in favour of retail developments both in the city centre and on the ring roads.
“We decided to carry out this research to determine the people of Waterford’s attitudes towards shopping and development in the region,” said Edward Holdings director Gerry Barrett. “The overwhelming response from the people of Waterford is that they are in favour of bringing jobs, investment and leading retailers, such as Marks & Spencer, to the city.”
He said that the company was now calling on the people of Waterford “to help us deliver” on the proposal for First City Quarter. “We need public support to ensure that part of the site is rezoned to allow us to proceed with the development without delay. First City Quarter will give the people of Waterford a much greater choice for retail and leisure. It will create jobs and benefit the local economy and it will facilitate the expansion of the regional airport.”
According to Mr Barrett, if the city council does not agree to rezone part of the site, Edward Holdings will not be able to proceed with this development, “and Waterford will lose out on a huge opportunity for the region”.
A website where the public can learn about the proposed development and vote for First City Quarter can be found at www.firstcity.ie.
Irish Examiner
According to property developers Edward Holdings, the proposal at Airport Road would bring 3,000 jobs to Waterford and rejuvenate the city section.
Known as First City Quarter, the development includes retail space, offices, leisure and sports facilities and a cinema. Retail giant Marks & Spencer is set to be one of the anchor tenants with a 50,000 square foot flagship store.
For the development to proceed, Waterford City Council needs to rezone the site as a ‘mixed use opportunity site’ in the statutory Waterford City Development Plan. Currently, two- thirds of the 32-acre site complies with this zoning strategy but the rest does not.
The development plan is due to be agreed in the coming weeks.
Independent research was published at yesterday’s campaign launch in Waterford which indicated that 82 % of local residents are in favour of the proposed project.
The survey by Behaviour & Attitudes Marketing Research also highlighted the value of business being lost to the city, estimating that Waterford shoppers spend €19.2 million per annum in retail centres in Cork, Kilkenny, Dublin, Clonmel and New Ross.
The research also found that 72% of people say they want a greater choice of shops in Waterford, with 75% stating that they want more fashion shops. Two-thirds of people are in favour of retail developments both in the city centre and on the ring roads.
“We decided to carry out this research to determine the people of Waterford’s attitudes towards shopping and development in the region,” said Edward Holdings director Gerry Barrett. “The overwhelming response from the people of Waterford is that they are in favour of bringing jobs, investment and leading retailers, such as Marks & Spencer, to the city.”
He said that the company was now calling on the people of Waterford “to help us deliver” on the proposal for First City Quarter. “We need public support to ensure that part of the site is rezoned to allow us to proceed with the development without delay. First City Quarter will give the people of Waterford a much greater choice for retail and leisure. It will create jobs and benefit the local economy and it will facilitate the expansion of the regional airport.”
According to Mr Barrett, if the city council does not agree to rezone part of the site, Edward Holdings will not be able to proceed with this development, “and Waterford will lose out on a huge opportunity for the region”.
A website where the public can learn about the proposed development and vote for First City Quarter can be found at www.firstcity.ie.
Irish Examiner
Sunday, 27 May 2007
Planners make profound decisions
My Grandfather's funeral was Friday. Bit of a mortality reminder; if such selfish thought are permitted on such days. I spent most of the day reflecting on what a person is remembered for after they are gone. Tributes paid to the man tended to partially reflect the person I knew. The man was fanatical about his home, birds, biodiversity and wood. He fought in WWII, married and raised a family, taught at university, produced carved regionally significant artworks, produced countless small design feats, could name every bird in the UK from sight and sound, and much much more. He was a quiet over-achiever. In later life, for my family and others, he was the man you contacted for advice on every practical problem.
The reason why this man is relevant to my Blog is, perhaps sadly, due to my lasting memory of a bugbear of his which existed for the part of his lifetime we shared. What I remembered was how he objected to the extent to which the lands around his home, which were once part of the village, into which he moved post-war, were re-zoned, and subsequently developed, for track housing. Over the final three decades of his life, he watched as more and more housing of a dubious quality was built, and less and less of the place he once knew remained. The effect of this was, I think, hardly noticed by my family.
The effect was one familiar in Ireland. He focused on his interests and his work and did not interact with any of this new development. My Grandparents' property became a private enclave surrounded by tall hedges. Beautiful inside, with bird tables, many species of flora, and a peaceful, away from it all, atmosphere. A large site amongst tiny suburban boxes. Sadly, while their interests in nature and especially birds flourished, their lives became hermit-like. Today, like many parts of Ireland, there are houses everywhere. Children and their parents interact on estate roads and cars drive in and around the area with a constant hum. Perhaps the original occupants of all areas eventually become forgotten as development takes over and villages are overwhelmed, their inhabitants blind-sided with such severity their association with the area is circumcised. The death of my Grandfather made me think of all the people who are coping with change in their communities as they get older. It is these people, many of whom never object,who experience the repercussions of what we planners permit today. They live with it from the date of grant. The aim here is not to be moralistic; not to take a potshot at Irish planning; but to try to remind all planners of the profound importance of remembering how planning decisons can alter people's lives.
The celebration of my Grandfather's life was shared by friends, family and associates, but not by neighbours. I hope our new communities will remember to introduce themselves to the existing residents of an area. Anyone who had taken the time to knock on my Grandfather's door could have embarked on an adventure. A perfectionist in all he did all his life. A man who found beauty and happiness in a lump of wood, was a man with whom to share a road.
The question of course is what he thought of my being a planner. He thought you could only change things from the inside. My responsibility, he said, is to plan to protect. By this he meant protect nature. But the lesson is a wider one. The planner's role is one with a great responsibility to protect. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we do not. We must strive to do better: to protect.
Brendan Buck
The reason why this man is relevant to my Blog is, perhaps sadly, due to my lasting memory of a bugbear of his which existed for the part of his lifetime we shared. What I remembered was how he objected to the extent to which the lands around his home, which were once part of the village, into which he moved post-war, were re-zoned, and subsequently developed, for track housing. Over the final three decades of his life, he watched as more and more housing of a dubious quality was built, and less and less of the place he once knew remained. The effect of this was, I think, hardly noticed by my family.
The effect was one familiar in Ireland. He focused on his interests and his work and did not interact with any of this new development. My Grandparents' property became a private enclave surrounded by tall hedges. Beautiful inside, with bird tables, many species of flora, and a peaceful, away from it all, atmosphere. A large site amongst tiny suburban boxes. Sadly, while their interests in nature and especially birds flourished, their lives became hermit-like. Today, like many parts of Ireland, there are houses everywhere. Children and their parents interact on estate roads and cars drive in and around the area with a constant hum. Perhaps the original occupants of all areas eventually become forgotten as development takes over and villages are overwhelmed, their inhabitants blind-sided with such severity their association with the area is circumcised. The death of my Grandfather made me think of all the people who are coping with change in their communities as they get older. It is these people, many of whom never object,who experience the repercussions of what we planners permit today. They live with it from the date of grant. The aim here is not to be moralistic; not to take a potshot at Irish planning; but to try to remind all planners of the profound importance of remembering how planning decisons can alter people's lives.
The celebration of my Grandfather's life was shared by friends, family and associates, but not by neighbours. I hope our new communities will remember to introduce themselves to the existing residents of an area. Anyone who had taken the time to knock on my Grandfather's door could have embarked on an adventure. A perfectionist in all he did all his life. A man who found beauty and happiness in a lump of wood, was a man with whom to share a road.
The question of course is what he thought of my being a planner. He thought you could only change things from the inside. My responsibility, he said, is to plan to protect. By this he meant protect nature. But the lesson is a wider one. The planner's role is one with a great responsibility to protect. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we do not. We must strive to do better: to protect.
Brendan Buck
What can the EU do for your city?
How can European Union policies help towns and cities? How can towns and cities have a bigger say in implementing the policies? Find the answers in the European Commission's new guide for stakeholders, urban managers and anyone interested in urban issues.
The guide, entitled - 'Guide to the Urban Dimension in Community Policies - aims to help all involved to make best use of the opportunities EU policies offer. It identifies initiatives with direct and indirect implications for sustainable development of urban areas and provides a clear overview of the urban dimension of all Community policies over the current funding period, 2007-2013.
"The good governance of urban areas requires quality information. I am convinced that this guide is a key contribution" - Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner says in the foreword to the Guide. The Commissioner will present the first draft of the Guide during the informal Council of Ministers of Urban Affairs - 24-25 May - in Leipzig, Germany.
The guide puts each policy in context and specifies relevant financial resources, exchange mechanisms and information sources available -
* Part One presents cohesion policy for 2007-2013 through its three financial instruments - the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund.
* Part Two describes the urban dimension of Community policies conducted by other Directorates-General:
- Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities;
- the Environment;
- Research;
- Energy and Transport;
- the Information Society and Media;
- Education and Culture;
- Justice, Freedom and Security;
- Enterprise and Industry;
- Health and Consumer Protection;
- Agriculture;
- Competition;
- Internal Market - and
- EuropeAid.
This project was prepared by the Commission inter-service group on urban development, set up in December 2005. It is an up-to-date information tool on EU urban policies.
The guide, entitled - 'Guide to the Urban Dimension in Community Policies - aims to help all involved to make best use of the opportunities EU policies offer. It identifies initiatives with direct and indirect implications for sustainable development of urban areas and provides a clear overview of the urban dimension of all Community policies over the current funding period, 2007-2013.
"The good governance of urban areas requires quality information. I am convinced that this guide is a key contribution" - Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner says in the foreword to the Guide. The Commissioner will present the first draft of the Guide during the informal Council of Ministers of Urban Affairs - 24-25 May - in Leipzig, Germany.
The guide puts each policy in context and specifies relevant financial resources, exchange mechanisms and information sources available -
* Part One presents cohesion policy for 2007-2013 through its three financial instruments - the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund.
* Part Two describes the urban dimension of Community policies conducted by other Directorates-General:
- Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities;
- the Environment;
- Research;
- Energy and Transport;
- the Information Society and Media;
- Education and Culture;
- Justice, Freedom and Security;
- Enterprise and Industry;
- Health and Consumer Protection;
- Agriculture;
- Competition;
- Internal Market - and
- EuropeAid.
This project was prepared by the Commission inter-service group on urban development, set up in December 2005. It is an up-to-date information tool on EU urban policies.
Green light for Slieve Divena wind farm
RES UK & Ireland Ltd has received full planning permission to build a new 12 turbine wind farm at Slieve Divena, near Garvaghy, Co. Tyrone.
Eimear Lenehan, Project Manager for RES UK & Ireland, said - "Wind energy makes sense for Northern Ireland, as we are still over 95% dependent on polluting and insecure imported fuels like oil and gas. Slieve Divena Wind Farm will generate electricity equivalent to the annual needs of nearly 17,000 homes annually, providing a local source of energy and helping to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas."
The wind farm will be located to the east of Garvaghy, 7km north-west of Ballygawley and 6km south-east of Beragh and Sixmilecross. Planning permission was granted for 12 turbines, site tracks, a substation and meteorological mast.
The project will be built by Renewable Energy Systems Construction Ltd., using local company - WH Alexander Construction Ltd of Omagh - to undertake all the civil works.
The planning application, accompanied by a full environmental statement, was made in 2005, following a six-month long information programme for the local community and their representatives - involving door-to-door visits, letters and public exhibitions.
Eimear continued - "The Slieve Divena project has been well received by the local community and we would like to thank them for their continued support."
RES UK & Ireland Ltd is a member of the Renewable Energy Systems Group (RES Group), which is one of the world's leading wind farm companies, involved in the development, construction and operation of wind farms across the UK and Ireland, Europe, North America and Australia. It is part of the Sir Robert McAlpine group of companies.
RES Group has developed six of the existing wind farms in Northern Ireland (Rigged Hill, Corkey, Elliott's Hill, Lendrum's Bridge, Altahullion and Callagheen) and the single turbine Slievenahanaghan. A further four RES-developed Northern Ireland projects have been granted planning permission and are in the process of being constructed/awaiting construction (Lough Hill, Altahullion Extension, Wolf Bog, Slieve Divena).
The planning application for Slieve Divena was submitted under Wind Farm Developments Ltd - a joint venture between RES Ltd and B9 Energy Services Ltd. RES Group has fully-owned Wind Farm Developments since May 2006. Wind Farm Developments Ltd's business has been conducted by RES UK & Ireland Ltd since February 2007.
Eimear Lenehan, Project Manager for RES UK & Ireland, said - "Wind energy makes sense for Northern Ireland, as we are still over 95% dependent on polluting and insecure imported fuels like oil and gas. Slieve Divena Wind Farm will generate electricity equivalent to the annual needs of nearly 17,000 homes annually, providing a local source of energy and helping to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas."
The wind farm will be located to the east of Garvaghy, 7km north-west of Ballygawley and 6km south-east of Beragh and Sixmilecross. Planning permission was granted for 12 turbines, site tracks, a substation and meteorological mast.
The project will be built by Renewable Energy Systems Construction Ltd., using local company - WH Alexander Construction Ltd of Omagh - to undertake all the civil works.
The planning application, accompanied by a full environmental statement, was made in 2005, following a six-month long information programme for the local community and their representatives - involving door-to-door visits, letters and public exhibitions.
Eimear continued - "The Slieve Divena project has been well received by the local community and we would like to thank them for their continued support."
RES UK & Ireland Ltd is a member of the Renewable Energy Systems Group (RES Group), which is one of the world's leading wind farm companies, involved in the development, construction and operation of wind farms across the UK and Ireland, Europe, North America and Australia. It is part of the Sir Robert McAlpine group of companies.
RES Group has developed six of the existing wind farms in Northern Ireland (Rigged Hill, Corkey, Elliott's Hill, Lendrum's Bridge, Altahullion and Callagheen) and the single turbine Slievenahanaghan. A further four RES-developed Northern Ireland projects have been granted planning permission and are in the process of being constructed/awaiting construction (Lough Hill, Altahullion Extension, Wolf Bog, Slieve Divena).
The planning application for Slieve Divena was submitted under Wind Farm Developments Ltd - a joint venture between RES Ltd and B9 Energy Services Ltd. RES Group has fully-owned Wind Farm Developments since May 2006. Wind Farm Developments Ltd's business has been conducted by RES UK & Ireland Ltd since February 2007.
€150m redevelopment of Dominick Street
An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern has welcomed the selection of a preferred bidder for the €150 million redevelopment of Dominick Street Lower flat complex through a Public Private Partnership.
The Taoiseach said - "This redevelopment will result in a state-of-the-art mixed-use city development, with public and private open space, community, leisure and retail facilities and sustainable urban housing."
The project will be managed by Dublin City Council, on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government - together with Michael McNamara & Co. when a Project Agreement has been successfully negotiated by the parties. The estimated duration of the project will be five years.
Upon completion, the project will deliver 120 Social Dwellings, Private Dwellings, circa 1,600 square metres of Community Space and circa 7,623 square metres of Retail Space.
The Taoiseach added - "This development will re-invigorate the area. Importantly, the developer's plans will be presented to the residents for their consideration before and during the redevelopment. It will be an excellent example of what can be achieved through such partnerships and this project will be used as a yardstick for future developments."
The Taoiseach said - "This redevelopment will result in a state-of-the-art mixed-use city development, with public and private open space, community, leisure and retail facilities and sustainable urban housing."
The project will be managed by Dublin City Council, on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government - together with Michael McNamara & Co. when a Project Agreement has been successfully negotiated by the parties. The estimated duration of the project will be five years.
Upon completion, the project will deliver 120 Social Dwellings, Private Dwellings, circa 1,600 square metres of Community Space and circa 7,623 square metres of Retail Space.
The Taoiseach added - "This development will re-invigorate the area. Importantly, the developer's plans will be presented to the residents for their consideration before and during the redevelopment. It will be an excellent example of what can be achieved through such partnerships and this project will be used as a yardstick for future developments."
Dublin Chamber - 5-point plan to tackle traffic gridlock
A 5-point plan to tackle traffic gridlock in Dublin has been announced by Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
Dublin Chamber state that, in the absence of an adequate public transport system, many employees are forced to commute the equivalent of a day and half of working time each week - nearly 10 hours. The Chamber believes that action must be taken immediately to address this issue and have produced an emergency plan to sort out Dublin's traffic gridlock.
In the plan, Dublin Chamber urges that the following emergency actions be taken immediately -
1. Increase the bus fleet currently serving the Dublin Region by 200 within a year. Private operators should be given unfettered access to the city with immediate effect - in particular in relation to the development of new routes not covered by Dublin Bus.
2. Work on the M50 extension should be conducted 24 hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week in order to ensure that this project of national strategic importance is completed ahead of schedule.
3. Accelerate progress on all projects listed in T21 to the stage that they are ready for procurement by the end of 2008, if resources permit.
This will require that the NRA, RPA and CIE are adequately resourced - perhaps by the deployment of public servants from other State Agencies and bodies, such as local authorities.
4. Build 3,000 Park and Ride spaces for DART and bus users on land in public ownership.
5. Require, from September next, all secondary schools to provide a bus service for their pupils. This service should be tendered.
As a Public Service Obligation may arise, some routes should be subsidised where this need is clearly demonstrated.
Dublin Chamber state that, in the absence of an adequate public transport system, many employees are forced to commute the equivalent of a day and half of working time each week - nearly 10 hours. The Chamber believes that action must be taken immediately to address this issue and have produced an emergency plan to sort out Dublin's traffic gridlock.
In the plan, Dublin Chamber urges that the following emergency actions be taken immediately -
1. Increase the bus fleet currently serving the Dublin Region by 200 within a year. Private operators should be given unfettered access to the city with immediate effect - in particular in relation to the development of new routes not covered by Dublin Bus.
2. Work on the M50 extension should be conducted 24 hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week in order to ensure that this project of national strategic importance is completed ahead of schedule.
3. Accelerate progress on all projects listed in T21 to the stage that they are ready for procurement by the end of 2008, if resources permit.
This will require that the NRA, RPA and CIE are adequately resourced - perhaps by the deployment of public servants from other State Agencies and bodies, such as local authorities.
4. Build 3,000 Park and Ride spaces for DART and bus users on land in public ownership.
5. Require, from September next, all secondary schools to provide a bus service for their pupils. This service should be tendered.
As a Public Service Obligation may arise, some routes should be subsidised where this need is clearly demonstrated.
Dublin Chamber - 5-point plan to tackle traffic gridlock
A 5-point plan to tackle traffic gridlock in Dublin has been announced by Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
Dublin Chamber state that, in the absence of an adequate public transport system, many employees are forced to commute the equivalent of a day and half of working time each week - nearly 10 hours. The Chamber believes that action must be taken immediately to address this issue and have produced an emergency plan to sort out Dublin's traffic gridlock.
In the plan, Dublin Chamber urges that the following emergency actions be taken immediately -
1. Increase the bus fleet currently serving the Dublin Region by 200 within a year. Private operators should be given unfettered access to the city with immediate effect - in particular in relation to the development of new routes not covered by Dublin Bus.
2. Work on the M50 extension should be conducted 24 hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week in order to ensure that this project of national strategic importance is completed ahead of schedule.
3. Accelerate progress on all projects listed in T21 to the stage that they are ready for procurement by the end of 2008, if resources permit.
This will require that the NRA, RPA and CIE are adequately resourced - perhaps by the deployment of public servants from other State Agencies and bodies, such as local authorities.
4. Build 3,000 Park and Ride spaces for DART and bus users on land in public ownership.
5. Require, from September next, all secondary schools to provide a bus service for their pupils. This service should be tendered.
As a Public Service Obligation may arise, some routes should be subsidised where this need is clearly demonstrated.
Dublin Chamber state that, in the absence of an adequate public transport system, many employees are forced to commute the equivalent of a day and half of working time each week - nearly 10 hours. The Chamber believes that action must be taken immediately to address this issue and have produced an emergency plan to sort out Dublin's traffic gridlock.
In the plan, Dublin Chamber urges that the following emergency actions be taken immediately -
1. Increase the bus fleet currently serving the Dublin Region by 200 within a year. Private operators should be given unfettered access to the city with immediate effect - in particular in relation to the development of new routes not covered by Dublin Bus.
2. Work on the M50 extension should be conducted 24 hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week in order to ensure that this project of national strategic importance is completed ahead of schedule.
3. Accelerate progress on all projects listed in T21 to the stage that they are ready for procurement by the end of 2008, if resources permit.
This will require that the NRA, RPA and CIE are adequately resourced - perhaps by the deployment of public servants from other State Agencies and bodies, such as local authorities.
4. Build 3,000 Park and Ride spaces for DART and bus users on land in public ownership.
5. Require, from September next, all secondary schools to provide a bus service for their pupils. This service should be tendered.
As a Public Service Obligation may arise, some routes should be subsidised where this need is clearly demonstrated.
Some views on the housing boom of interest to planners
Much has been said of late about the level of housing development in Ireland, with some concerns being expressed as to whether Ireland’s housing market is oversupplied.
There is no doubt that Ireland has enjoyed a very buoyant period of expansion in recent years, significantly ahead of our European counterparts.
In the past decade alone, we have effectively increased our housing stock by over 40 per cent, which is a significant achievement.
The latest available data shows that the housing stock in Ireland has increased to 1.8 million units. This trend peaked in 2006when construction was completed on over 93,000 residential units, equivalent to building almost 22 houses per thousand of our population.
By contrast, completion levels in mainland Europe ranged from about three to five houses per thousand of the population.
With such a significant uplift in housing stock, it is perhaps not surprising that concerns are being raised about whether we have oversupplied our housing market.
To address this issue, it is important that we view the housing stock level within the context of the population data.
At the time of Census 2006, Ireland had achieved a housing supply of 417 houses per thousand of our population. This is a significant improvement on the position at the start of the period of expansion, when it was just over 334 houses per thousand of the population.
Despite the significant increase in this period, Ireland’s housing stock per capita is still below that of most of our European counterparts, where the average housing stock per thousand of the population stood at 460 per thousand of the population at the end of 2005.
For comparison purposes, it is worth noting that established economies in mainland Europe such as Germany and France would have a housing supply of 461 and 504 units per thousand of the population.
Interestingly, Spain has a housing stock of 522 units per thousand of their population, while developing economies such as Poland and Slovakia would have a much lower housing stock, of 338 and 361 respectively.
Clearly, this analysis suggests that within the context of the wider European market, the Irish housing market is certainly not oversupplied. However, it is worth mentioning that within Ireland, the supply of property differs considerably between different counties.
Some counties, particularly those with a stronger tourist trade, have a higher stock level per capita while others, and perhaps in particular Dublin, have a much lower stock level.
This trend of lower housing density is most prevalent in the eastern corridor and regional centres. The average housing density level in the greater Dublin area, which includes Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, stood at 403 units per thousand of the population, while surrounding counties such as Carlow and Kilkenny also have lower density levels of 400 and 392 units respectively.
The average stock per thousand of the population in Dublin at the time of the last census was 403. Unsurprisingly, the density levels were strongest in the Dublin City Council area at 441 per thousand of population, with lower levels in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin at 399, 376 and 354 respectively.
Such low stock levels suggest that the Dublin housing market is still undersupplied, a factor which will underwrite the performance of property prices in this location in the future.
This county analysis of housing stock also reveals a strong correlation between high housing stock and high vacancy rates in certain counties, while counties on the eastern corridor and the major regional centres display lower housing density levels and lower vacancy rates. This is perhaps best illustrated in South Dublin, where the vacancy rate is only 6.2 per cent.
In conclusion, it would appear that concerns about the housing supply levels in Ireland are largely unfounded - indeed, one could go so far as to say that there are still locations within the country that are significantly undersupplied.
This and the projected reduction in the supply of residential units delivered to the market this year suggest that we may see a more disparate housing market in the future, with above trend price inflation being achieved in locations which have not yet achieved equilibrium in their housing stock.
For the country as a whole, it is fair to say that we have gone a long way to reduce this historical imbalance between demand and supply, a commendable achievement in a relatively short period of time.
Furthermore, the market has now clearly taken a more conservative view as regards the delivery of units, a factor which will underwrite the performance of the market in the medium term. Both of these factors bode well for the future price performance of the housing market, which is positive news for the economy overall.
Marian Finnegan is chief economist with the Sherry FitzGerald Group
Sunday Business Post
There is no doubt that Ireland has enjoyed a very buoyant period of expansion in recent years, significantly ahead of our European counterparts.
In the past decade alone, we have effectively increased our housing stock by over 40 per cent, which is a significant achievement.
The latest available data shows that the housing stock in Ireland has increased to 1.8 million units. This trend peaked in 2006when construction was completed on over 93,000 residential units, equivalent to building almost 22 houses per thousand of our population.
By contrast, completion levels in mainland Europe ranged from about three to five houses per thousand of the population.
With such a significant uplift in housing stock, it is perhaps not surprising that concerns are being raised about whether we have oversupplied our housing market.
To address this issue, it is important that we view the housing stock level within the context of the population data.
At the time of Census 2006, Ireland had achieved a housing supply of 417 houses per thousand of our population. This is a significant improvement on the position at the start of the period of expansion, when it was just over 334 houses per thousand of the population.
Despite the significant increase in this period, Ireland’s housing stock per capita is still below that of most of our European counterparts, where the average housing stock per thousand of the population stood at 460 per thousand of the population at the end of 2005.
For comparison purposes, it is worth noting that established economies in mainland Europe such as Germany and France would have a housing supply of 461 and 504 units per thousand of the population.
Interestingly, Spain has a housing stock of 522 units per thousand of their population, while developing economies such as Poland and Slovakia would have a much lower housing stock, of 338 and 361 respectively.
Clearly, this analysis suggests that within the context of the wider European market, the Irish housing market is certainly not oversupplied. However, it is worth mentioning that within Ireland, the supply of property differs considerably between different counties.
Some counties, particularly those with a stronger tourist trade, have a higher stock level per capita while others, and perhaps in particular Dublin, have a much lower stock level.
This trend of lower housing density is most prevalent in the eastern corridor and regional centres. The average housing density level in the greater Dublin area, which includes Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, stood at 403 units per thousand of the population, while surrounding counties such as Carlow and Kilkenny also have lower density levels of 400 and 392 units respectively.
The average stock per thousand of the population in Dublin at the time of the last census was 403. Unsurprisingly, the density levels were strongest in the Dublin City Council area at 441 per thousand of population, with lower levels in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin at 399, 376 and 354 respectively.
Such low stock levels suggest that the Dublin housing market is still undersupplied, a factor which will underwrite the performance of property prices in this location in the future.
This county analysis of housing stock also reveals a strong correlation between high housing stock and high vacancy rates in certain counties, while counties on the eastern corridor and the major regional centres display lower housing density levels and lower vacancy rates. This is perhaps best illustrated in South Dublin, where the vacancy rate is only 6.2 per cent.
In conclusion, it would appear that concerns about the housing supply levels in Ireland are largely unfounded - indeed, one could go so far as to say that there are still locations within the country that are significantly undersupplied.
This and the projected reduction in the supply of residential units delivered to the market this year suggest that we may see a more disparate housing market in the future, with above trend price inflation being achieved in locations which have not yet achieved equilibrium in their housing stock.
For the country as a whole, it is fair to say that we have gone a long way to reduce this historical imbalance between demand and supply, a commendable achievement in a relatively short period of time.
Furthermore, the market has now clearly taken a more conservative view as regards the delivery of units, a factor which will underwrite the performance of the market in the medium term. Both of these factors bode well for the future price performance of the housing market, which is positive news for the economy overall.
Marian Finnegan is chief economist with the Sherry FitzGerald Group
Sunday Business Post
Some views on the housing boom of interest to planners
Much has been said of late about the level of housing development in Ireland, with some concerns being expressed as to whether Ireland’s housing market is oversupplied.
There is no doubt that Ireland has enjoyed a very buoyant period of expansion in recent years, significantly ahead of our European counterparts.
In the past decade alone, we have effectively increased our housing stock by over 40 per cent, which is a significant achievement.
The latest available data shows that the housing stock in Ireland has increased to 1.8 million units. This trend peaked in 2006when construction was completed on over 93,000 residential units, equivalent to building almost 22 houses per thousand of our population.
By contrast, completion levels in mainland Europe ranged from about three to five houses per thousand of the population.
With such a significant uplift in housing stock, it is perhaps not surprising that concerns are being raised about whether we have oversupplied our housing market.
To address this issue, it is important that we view the housing stock level within the context of the population data.
At the time of Census 2006, Ireland had achieved a housing supply of 417 houses per thousand of our population. This is a significant improvement on the position at the start of the period of expansion, when it was just over 334 houses per thousand of the population.
Despite the significant increase in this period, Ireland’s housing stock per capita is still below that of most of our European counterparts, where the average housing stock per thousand of the population stood at 460 per thousand of the population at the end of 2005.
For comparison purposes, it is worth noting that established economies in mainland Europe such as Germany and France would have a housing supply of 461 and 504 units per thousand of the population.
Interestingly, Spain has a housing stock of 522 units per thousand of their population, while developing economies such as Poland and Slovakia would have a much lower housing stock, of 338 and 361 respectively.
Clearly, this analysis suggests that within the context of the wider European market, the Irish housing market is certainly not oversupplied. However, it is worth mentioning that within Ireland, the supply of property differs considerably between different counties.
Some counties, particularly those with a stronger tourist trade, have a higher stock level per capita while others, and perhaps in particular Dublin, have a much lower stock level.
This trend of lower housing density is most prevalent in the eastern corridor and regional centres. The average housing density level in the greater Dublin area, which includes Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, stood at 403 units per thousand of the population, while surrounding counties such as Carlow and Kilkenny also have lower density levels of 400 and 392 units respectively.
The average stock per thousand of the population in Dublin at the time of the last census was 403. Unsurprisingly, the density levels were strongest in the Dublin City Council area at 441 per thousand of population, with lower levels in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin at 399, 376 and 354 respectively.
Such low stock levels suggest that the Dublin housing market is still undersupplied, a factor which will underwrite the performance of property prices in this location in the future.
This county analysis of housing stock also reveals a strong correlation between high housing stock and high vacancy rates in certain counties, while counties on the eastern corridor and the major regional centres display lower housing density levels and lower vacancy rates. This is perhaps best illustrated in South Dublin, where the vacancy rate is only 6.2 per cent.
In conclusion, it would appear that concerns about the housing supply levels in Ireland are largely unfounded - indeed, one could go so far as to say that there are still locations within the country that are significantly undersupplied.
This and the projected reduction in the supply of residential units delivered to the market this year suggest that we may see a more disparate housing market in the future, with above trend price inflation being achieved in locations which have not yet achieved equilibrium in their housing stock.
For the country as a whole, it is fair to say that we have gone a long way to reduce this historical imbalance between demand and supply, a commendable achievement in a relatively short period of time.
Furthermore, the market has now clearly taken a more conservative view as regards the delivery of units, a factor which will underwrite the performance of the market in the medium term. Both of these factors bode well for the future price performance of the housing market, which is positive news for the economy overall.
Marian Finnegan is chief economist with the Sherry FitzGerald Group
Sunday Business Post
There is no doubt that Ireland has enjoyed a very buoyant period of expansion in recent years, significantly ahead of our European counterparts.
In the past decade alone, we have effectively increased our housing stock by over 40 per cent, which is a significant achievement.
The latest available data shows that the housing stock in Ireland has increased to 1.8 million units. This trend peaked in 2006when construction was completed on over 93,000 residential units, equivalent to building almost 22 houses per thousand of our population.
By contrast, completion levels in mainland Europe ranged from about three to five houses per thousand of the population.
With such a significant uplift in housing stock, it is perhaps not surprising that concerns are being raised about whether we have oversupplied our housing market.
To address this issue, it is important that we view the housing stock level within the context of the population data.
At the time of Census 2006, Ireland had achieved a housing supply of 417 houses per thousand of our population. This is a significant improvement on the position at the start of the period of expansion, when it was just over 334 houses per thousand of the population.
Despite the significant increase in this period, Ireland’s housing stock per capita is still below that of most of our European counterparts, where the average housing stock per thousand of the population stood at 460 per thousand of the population at the end of 2005.
For comparison purposes, it is worth noting that established economies in mainland Europe such as Germany and France would have a housing supply of 461 and 504 units per thousand of the population.
Interestingly, Spain has a housing stock of 522 units per thousand of their population, while developing economies such as Poland and Slovakia would have a much lower housing stock, of 338 and 361 respectively.
Clearly, this analysis suggests that within the context of the wider European market, the Irish housing market is certainly not oversupplied. However, it is worth mentioning that within Ireland, the supply of property differs considerably between different counties.
Some counties, particularly those with a stronger tourist trade, have a higher stock level per capita while others, and perhaps in particular Dublin, have a much lower stock level.
This trend of lower housing density is most prevalent in the eastern corridor and regional centres. The average housing density level in the greater Dublin area, which includes Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, stood at 403 units per thousand of the population, while surrounding counties such as Carlow and Kilkenny also have lower density levels of 400 and 392 units respectively.
The average stock per thousand of the population in Dublin at the time of the last census was 403. Unsurprisingly, the density levels were strongest in the Dublin City Council area at 441 per thousand of population, with lower levels in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin at 399, 376 and 354 respectively.
Such low stock levels suggest that the Dublin housing market is still undersupplied, a factor which will underwrite the performance of property prices in this location in the future.
This county analysis of housing stock also reveals a strong correlation between high housing stock and high vacancy rates in certain counties, while counties on the eastern corridor and the major regional centres display lower housing density levels and lower vacancy rates. This is perhaps best illustrated in South Dublin, where the vacancy rate is only 6.2 per cent.
In conclusion, it would appear that concerns about the housing supply levels in Ireland are largely unfounded - indeed, one could go so far as to say that there are still locations within the country that are significantly undersupplied.
This and the projected reduction in the supply of residential units delivered to the market this year suggest that we may see a more disparate housing market in the future, with above trend price inflation being achieved in locations which have not yet achieved equilibrium in their housing stock.
For the country as a whole, it is fair to say that we have gone a long way to reduce this historical imbalance between demand and supply, a commendable achievement in a relatively short period of time.
Furthermore, the market has now clearly taken a more conservative view as regards the delivery of units, a factor which will underwrite the performance of the market in the medium term. Both of these factors bode well for the future price performance of the housing market, which is positive news for the economy overall.
Marian Finnegan is chief economist with the Sherry FitzGerald Group
Sunday Business Post
Town centre set to transform Athlone
The developer of the Athlone Town centre believes it will act as a catalyst for the growth of the midlands town.
John O’Sullivan of Gallico Developments believes the opening of the firm’s €500 million Athlone Towncentre in October will reinvigorate the centre of the midlands town and provide a catalyst for its future growth.
‘‘When our development is open there will be around one million square feet of retail in total in a pedestrian friendly zone in the town centre,” he said.’ ‘Within that you can get all of the offerings of Dublin or Galway without getting into your car and driving from place to place.”
He also believes the opening of the development will help Athlone to grow into a city.
‘‘The government came up with the idea and facilitated it with infrastructure, and the National Spatial Strategy will help, but it is really private enterprise that will make this town a city. Athlone Towncentre will hopefully be a catalyst towards that,” he said.
The scheme, which is now 85 per cent let, will be anchored by Marks & Spencer, while other tenants include Tommy Hilfiger and Best Menswear.
The Athlone Towncentre scheme first started becoming a reality when the Royal Hoey Hotel in the town came on the market.’ ‘We were developing Manor Mills in Maynooth at the time the hotel in Athlone came up. I had been interested in acquiring it over the years but certain problems came up and it had never been sold,” O’Sullivan recalled.
‘‘I subsequently bought the hotel on 3.5 acres. It was next to a site which had been bought by the local authority; I approached them and acquired the remaining portion of that site after they had built civic offices and a civic square on part of it. We then acquired other properties around the site, so there were about 20 properties bought in total. Everything was acquired within three years and we then went for planning.”
According to O’Sullivan, the planners did not think that the original proposals for the site had enough mixed uses, and even though planning was approved at local level it was refused permission by An Bord Pleanala.
‘‘We went away to lick our wounds, then chartered a small plane and went to shopping centres around England to see what was happening there,” he said.
‘‘One of the trends we saw was a multi-anchored approach, with a number of department stores and very little food offering.
‘‘We decided to go for a Grafton Street-type environment as a result and that’s been the key to our success. We got more fashion retail in and there’s no major anchor. T hat is key to the whole project, because if you have that situation, their success or failure impacts on everything else.”
The new scheme comprises 27,870 square metres of retail space over two levels, a four-star 160-bedroom hotel, a 1,300 space car park and a spa and leisure centre.
Designed by Murray O’Laoire, it will be laid out in a mix of single and double height units with a fully glazed roof structure.
‘‘It’s a very clever scheme that takes advantage of the typography,” said O’Sullivan.
‘‘The architect created an east-west street at lower level and a north-south street facing onto Mardyke Street, which intersect at a large square. In general the retailers are very happy with the scheme.”
O’Sullivan hired Demographics Ireland to research the catchment area for the centre, and it estimated the disposable spend of the target population was €800 million.
‘‘We started to do marketing on that basis, but Marks & Spencer decided to get a company in Britain to check the figures. T hey found there was a catchment population of 680,000 and a comparison spend of €1.3 billion. Marks & Spencer then wanted to be there. In Maynooth we maybe needed to drag retailers in, but in Athlone we haven’t had to do that,” he said.
‘‘Although it’s in the centre of Athlone, the centre is only 800metres from the motorway intersection, meaning people in places like Kilbeggan who might have gone to Liffey Valley or Galway will come to us. Our offering is equal to any of the big regional centres.”
O’Sullivan also owns the Hodson Bay and Galway Bay hotels. He said that the new hotel in Athlone will be run by that hotel group but will be branded under an international hotel chain’s name. He added they are looking for other opportunities as he believes many hotels will be coming on the market in the coming years as capital allowances expire.
‘‘People built them to get the capital allowances and only then went looking for an operator,” he said.
‘‘That was alright when things were good, but I think there will be acquisition opportunities in the next while. We’re certainly on the acquisition trail but we’re going to take them one at a time, because hotels take a lot of management.”
O’Sullivan is originally from south Kerry and graduated from Bolton Street before teaching engineering and technical drawing in Tallaght Community College.’ ‘In Dublin I had been doing some small scale development - buying a site, building a house and living there before selling it on,” he said.
He eventually moved to Athlone with his wife, who is from the town.
‘‘I bought a couple of buildings in the town when we moved here and knocked them together and made a pub. I also went back to teaching for a while,” he said.
H e eventually developed the Hodson Bay and Galway Bay hotels and is now looking for other retailled opportunities with his partners.
‘‘We’re looking at a number of opportunities,” he said.
‘‘We’re looking at three different locations that might be suitable for another development like Athlone Towncentre.”
Sunday Business Post
John O’Sullivan of Gallico Developments believes the opening of the firm’s €500 million Athlone Towncentre in October will reinvigorate the centre of the midlands town and provide a catalyst for its future growth.
‘‘When our development is open there will be around one million square feet of retail in total in a pedestrian friendly zone in the town centre,” he said.’ ‘Within that you can get all of the offerings of Dublin or Galway without getting into your car and driving from place to place.”
He also believes the opening of the development will help Athlone to grow into a city.
‘‘The government came up with the idea and facilitated it with infrastructure, and the National Spatial Strategy will help, but it is really private enterprise that will make this town a city. Athlone Towncentre will hopefully be a catalyst towards that,” he said.
The scheme, which is now 85 per cent let, will be anchored by Marks & Spencer, while other tenants include Tommy Hilfiger and Best Menswear.
The Athlone Towncentre scheme first started becoming a reality when the Royal Hoey Hotel in the town came on the market.’ ‘We were developing Manor Mills in Maynooth at the time the hotel in Athlone came up. I had been interested in acquiring it over the years but certain problems came up and it had never been sold,” O’Sullivan recalled.
‘‘I subsequently bought the hotel on 3.5 acres. It was next to a site which had been bought by the local authority; I approached them and acquired the remaining portion of that site after they had built civic offices and a civic square on part of it. We then acquired other properties around the site, so there were about 20 properties bought in total. Everything was acquired within three years and we then went for planning.”
According to O’Sullivan, the planners did not think that the original proposals for the site had enough mixed uses, and even though planning was approved at local level it was refused permission by An Bord Pleanala.
‘‘We went away to lick our wounds, then chartered a small plane and went to shopping centres around England to see what was happening there,” he said.
‘‘One of the trends we saw was a multi-anchored approach, with a number of department stores and very little food offering.
‘‘We decided to go for a Grafton Street-type environment as a result and that’s been the key to our success. We got more fashion retail in and there’s no major anchor. T hat is key to the whole project, because if you have that situation, their success or failure impacts on everything else.”
The new scheme comprises 27,870 square metres of retail space over two levels, a four-star 160-bedroom hotel, a 1,300 space car park and a spa and leisure centre.
Designed by Murray O’Laoire, it will be laid out in a mix of single and double height units with a fully glazed roof structure.
‘‘It’s a very clever scheme that takes advantage of the typography,” said O’Sullivan.
‘‘The architect created an east-west street at lower level and a north-south street facing onto Mardyke Street, which intersect at a large square. In general the retailers are very happy with the scheme.”
O’Sullivan hired Demographics Ireland to research the catchment area for the centre, and it estimated the disposable spend of the target population was €800 million.
‘‘We started to do marketing on that basis, but Marks & Spencer decided to get a company in Britain to check the figures. T hey found there was a catchment population of 680,000 and a comparison spend of €1.3 billion. Marks & Spencer then wanted to be there. In Maynooth we maybe needed to drag retailers in, but in Athlone we haven’t had to do that,” he said.
‘‘Although it’s in the centre of Athlone, the centre is only 800metres from the motorway intersection, meaning people in places like Kilbeggan who might have gone to Liffey Valley or Galway will come to us. Our offering is equal to any of the big regional centres.”
O’Sullivan also owns the Hodson Bay and Galway Bay hotels. He said that the new hotel in Athlone will be run by that hotel group but will be branded under an international hotel chain’s name. He added they are looking for other opportunities as he believes many hotels will be coming on the market in the coming years as capital allowances expire.
‘‘People built them to get the capital allowances and only then went looking for an operator,” he said.
‘‘That was alright when things were good, but I think there will be acquisition opportunities in the next while. We’re certainly on the acquisition trail but we’re going to take them one at a time, because hotels take a lot of management.”
O’Sullivan is originally from south Kerry and graduated from Bolton Street before teaching engineering and technical drawing in Tallaght Community College.’ ‘In Dublin I had been doing some small scale development - buying a site, building a house and living there before selling it on,” he said.
He eventually moved to Athlone with his wife, who is from the town.
‘‘I bought a couple of buildings in the town when we moved here and knocked them together and made a pub. I also went back to teaching for a while,” he said.
H e eventually developed the Hodson Bay and Galway Bay hotels and is now looking for other retailled opportunities with his partners.
‘‘We’re looking at a number of opportunities,” he said.
‘‘We’re looking at three different locations that might be suitable for another development like Athlone Towncentre.”
Sunday Business Post
Scheme stuck between a rock and a hard place
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 50m mixed-use scheme including a trade centre and a residential development near the Rock of Cashel have stalled after South Tipperary County Council served an enforcement order on the developer instructing him to demolish a number of cottages already constructed on the site.
Independent general-election candidate councillor Tom Wood has raised the issue of whether or not parts of the development already constructed are in compliance with the terms of the planning permission granted for the scheme. There is concern locally that some of the residential units already built are terraced houses rather than the semi-detached dwellings sanctioned in the development plans.
"A warning letter was sent to the developer on 27 March and prior to that an in-depth investigation was done, " said Marie McGivern, senior administrator in the council's planning department.
"The planning department has to be fair to everyone."
Developer Liam Campion says the controversy is "a storm in a tea cup" and claims there is widespread support for the scheme."I have been badly wronged."
He says the issue is causing Cashel to be portrayed in a bad light.
Sunday Tribune
Independent general-election candidate councillor Tom Wood has raised the issue of whether or not parts of the development already constructed are in compliance with the terms of the planning permission granted for the scheme. There is concern locally that some of the residential units already built are terraced houses rather than the semi-detached dwellings sanctioned in the development plans.
"A warning letter was sent to the developer on 27 March and prior to that an in-depth investigation was done, " said Marie McGivern, senior administrator in the council's planning department.
"The planning department has to be fair to everyone."
Developer Liam Campion says the controversy is "a storm in a tea cup" and claims there is widespread support for the scheme."I have been badly wronged."
He says the issue is causing Cashel to be portrayed in a bad light.
Sunday Tribune
Transport developments spur industrial park boom
Industrial parks in Ireland tend to fall into two main categories . . . the estates constructed in suburban locations in the 1970s and 1980s and modern parks built along the new road networks from the 1990s on.
With more pressure than ever on space, it is no surprise that a number of new industrial park developments have been announced over the last year, while developers have also released details of redevelopments for many existing sites.
North Dublin has been the focus of much of this activity, with the opening of the Port Tunnel and other transport developments giving the area a major boost. But the industrial park phenomenon is not confined to the major cities - just about every major town has a facility of this kind as they seek to attract new investment.
Port Tunnel Business Park/Orion Business Centre/Broomhill Road Port Tunnel Business Park is a development of 38 owndoor office suites and 57 business units in Clonshaugh, Dublin 17 just minutes from the entrance to the Port Tunnel and the M1 motorway.
The office units range in size from 76 to 423 square metres, while the business units are between 150 and 658 square metres. All but five of the office suites and 18 of the business units are reserved.
Prices range from EUR 370,000 - 390,000 for the office units and from EUR 395,000 to EUR 1.475 million for the business units. They are also all available to rent.
Jones Lang LaSalle has another development of high quality industrial/office units available to buy or rent at the Orion Business Centre at Ballycoolin, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. These range in size from 205 - 309 square metres and prices start at EUR 350,000.
Orion is beside Northwest Business Park and about five minutes drive from Blanchardstown Town Centre.
Access to the M2 is being improved through the Corduff Road extension and the centre is about 2 kilometres from the M50.
Meanwhile, Jones Lang LaSalle is selling a redevelopment opportunity on Broomhill Road in Tallaght where a 3,752 square metre building on a 1.41 hectare site is for sale by tender. The area is zoned 'mainly industrial' under the Tallaght Town Centre Local Area Plan 2006 and the closing date for tenders is 28 June.
Further information can be obtained from Woody O'Neill at Jones Lang LaSalle.
Industrial parks address work/life balance CB Richard Ellis has noticed a trend over the last few years for small to medium enterprises to be located in the hinterland of large towns and cities. This is particularly evident in Dublin, where examples include M1 Business Park along the M1 motorway and Kingswood Business Park along the N7 corridor. This trend is set to continue as new business locations are emerging around Dublin's hinterland such as Ashbourne Business Park along the N2 or Osberstown at Naas, adjacent to the N7.
It has been the company's experience that those enterprises who move to new industrial and business areas (in particular those close to residential areas) experience a real improvement to their quality of life, which in turn has a positive impact on their business. The advent of these smaller enterprise units and larger industrial facilities being located adjacent to residential areas means businesses can attract experienced and willing employees from the local areas.
This has been the case at locations such as Centrepoint Business Park in Rosemount, Ballycoolin, Dublin 11, while mixed use developments like Northern Cross in Dublin 17 have started to attract high profile tenants such as JP Morgan and Experion.
Blanchardstown has more to offer Blanchardstown has seen phenomenal industrial development over the last few years but there are still site opportunities for serviced and zoned industrial land, explained Frank Frisby of FJ Frisby & Associates.
One such opportunity is Millennium Business Park, a high spec development by Hillview Developments, a McInerney company.
Hillview Developments has established itself as a leading developer of industrial property in the Dublin area, including Westpoint Business Park, Blanchardstown, Glasnevin Business Park, Tolka Valley Business Park, Whitestown Business Park at Tallaght and Newtown Business & Enterprise Centre in Newtownmountkennedy.
Millennium Business Centre is now sold out but the final phase . . . Millennium Trade Park . . . comprising approximately 70,000 square feet divided into 36 units is underway. These units, which can be combined in a variety of sizes from 1550 square feet upwards are in a highly visible position on the entrance to the development.
Further information in relation to Millennium Trade Park is available from sole agents FJ Frisby & Associates.
Low vacancy rates illustrate strength of sector Savills Hamilton Osborne King research indicates that the overall vacancy rate in the industrial sector fell from 11.5 per cent at the beginning of 2006 to 9.9 per cent in January 2007, with take-up particularly strong in northwest Dublin.
The total amount of space available on the market fell from 398,000 square metres at the beginning of 2006 to 338,000 square metres in January 2007. Take-up last year totalled approximately 231,400 square metres across the Greater Dublin Area and the rate of take-up was accelerating in the last six months of the year.
Activity in northwest Dublin was greater than anywhere else in the Greater Dublin Area in 2006 with demand being fuelled by similar factors as in northeast Dublin.
Transport links boost Greenogue Business Park Greenogue Business Park in Rathcoole has experienced a 16 per cent increase in prices over the last six months. According to Rory Penrose, managing director of Coldwell Banker Penrose & O'Sullivan Auctioneers, demand has been driven by its accessibility to the M50/N7 and the link to the N4, which is due for completion next year.
Units range from 1000 to 20,000 square feet. A new 12,000 square feet services centre, 4000 square feet restaurant, branded retail outlet and petrol station store are all opening soon.
Sunday Tribune
Coldwell Banker Penrose & O'Sullivan is now taking enquiries on 4500 square feet of prime office space and two 1000 square feet retail units to let.
With more pressure than ever on space, it is no surprise that a number of new industrial park developments have been announced over the last year, while developers have also released details of redevelopments for many existing sites.
North Dublin has been the focus of much of this activity, with the opening of the Port Tunnel and other transport developments giving the area a major boost. But the industrial park phenomenon is not confined to the major cities - just about every major town has a facility of this kind as they seek to attract new investment.
Port Tunnel Business Park/Orion Business Centre/Broomhill Road Port Tunnel Business Park is a development of 38 owndoor office suites and 57 business units in Clonshaugh, Dublin 17 just minutes from the entrance to the Port Tunnel and the M1 motorway.
The office units range in size from 76 to 423 square metres, while the business units are between 150 and 658 square metres. All but five of the office suites and 18 of the business units are reserved.
Prices range from EUR 370,000 - 390,000 for the office units and from EUR 395,000 to EUR 1.475 million for the business units. They are also all available to rent.
Jones Lang LaSalle has another development of high quality industrial/office units available to buy or rent at the Orion Business Centre at Ballycoolin, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. These range in size from 205 - 309 square metres and prices start at EUR 350,000.
Orion is beside Northwest Business Park and about five minutes drive from Blanchardstown Town Centre.
Access to the M2 is being improved through the Corduff Road extension and the centre is about 2 kilometres from the M50.
Meanwhile, Jones Lang LaSalle is selling a redevelopment opportunity on Broomhill Road in Tallaght where a 3,752 square metre building on a 1.41 hectare site is for sale by tender. The area is zoned 'mainly industrial' under the Tallaght Town Centre Local Area Plan 2006 and the closing date for tenders is 28 June.
Further information can be obtained from Woody O'Neill at Jones Lang LaSalle.
Industrial parks address work/life balance CB Richard Ellis has noticed a trend over the last few years for small to medium enterprises to be located in the hinterland of large towns and cities. This is particularly evident in Dublin, where examples include M1 Business Park along the M1 motorway and Kingswood Business Park along the N7 corridor. This trend is set to continue as new business locations are emerging around Dublin's hinterland such as Ashbourne Business Park along the N2 or Osberstown at Naas, adjacent to the N7.
It has been the company's experience that those enterprises who move to new industrial and business areas (in particular those close to residential areas) experience a real improvement to their quality of life, which in turn has a positive impact on their business. The advent of these smaller enterprise units and larger industrial facilities being located adjacent to residential areas means businesses can attract experienced and willing employees from the local areas.
This has been the case at locations such as Centrepoint Business Park in Rosemount, Ballycoolin, Dublin 11, while mixed use developments like Northern Cross in Dublin 17 have started to attract high profile tenants such as JP Morgan and Experion.
Blanchardstown has more to offer Blanchardstown has seen phenomenal industrial development over the last few years but there are still site opportunities for serviced and zoned industrial land, explained Frank Frisby of FJ Frisby & Associates.
One such opportunity is Millennium Business Park, a high spec development by Hillview Developments, a McInerney company.
Hillview Developments has established itself as a leading developer of industrial property in the Dublin area, including Westpoint Business Park, Blanchardstown, Glasnevin Business Park, Tolka Valley Business Park, Whitestown Business Park at Tallaght and Newtown Business & Enterprise Centre in Newtownmountkennedy.
Millennium Business Centre is now sold out but the final phase . . . Millennium Trade Park . . . comprising approximately 70,000 square feet divided into 36 units is underway. These units, which can be combined in a variety of sizes from 1550 square feet upwards are in a highly visible position on the entrance to the development.
Further information in relation to Millennium Trade Park is available from sole agents FJ Frisby & Associates.
Low vacancy rates illustrate strength of sector Savills Hamilton Osborne King research indicates that the overall vacancy rate in the industrial sector fell from 11.5 per cent at the beginning of 2006 to 9.9 per cent in January 2007, with take-up particularly strong in northwest Dublin.
The total amount of space available on the market fell from 398,000 square metres at the beginning of 2006 to 338,000 square metres in January 2007. Take-up last year totalled approximately 231,400 square metres across the Greater Dublin Area and the rate of take-up was accelerating in the last six months of the year.
Activity in northwest Dublin was greater than anywhere else in the Greater Dublin Area in 2006 with demand being fuelled by similar factors as in northeast Dublin.
Transport links boost Greenogue Business Park Greenogue Business Park in Rathcoole has experienced a 16 per cent increase in prices over the last six months. According to Rory Penrose, managing director of Coldwell Banker Penrose & O'Sullivan Auctioneers, demand has been driven by its accessibility to the M50/N7 and the link to the N4, which is due for completion next year.
Units range from 1000 to 20,000 square feet. A new 12,000 square feet services centre, 4000 square feet restaurant, branded retail outlet and petrol station store are all opening soon.
Sunday Tribune
Coldwell Banker Penrose & O'Sullivan is now taking enquiries on 4500 square feet of prime office space and two 1000 square feet retail units to let.
Longford to get fifth shopping centre despite negative recommendation from Planning Inspector
LONGFORD town is set to get a fifth shopping centre, despite a planning inspector having recommended that permission be refused for the proposed development. An Bord Pleanala has given the green light for the threestorey centre on a 1.92 hectare brownfield site at the Richmond Street/Connaught Road junction in the centre of the midlands town. The site is currently occupied by derelict agricultural sheds and disused creamery buildings.
The new development will include an anchor store covering 3,000sq m of floor space, 14 retail units with a total area of 1,834 sq m, an enclosed mall area measuring 962sq m, a foodhall (445sq m), a restaurant (506sq m) of floor space and a creche (195sq m). Four hundred and nineteen car park spaces are also included in the plan.
In sanctioning the scheme, An Bord Pleanala overruled the recommendation of inspector Michael Dillon who stated in his report that the planned centre would constitute "a wasteful use of scarce, serviced, urban land".
He said: "The design of the proposed building would be detrimental to the amenities of the area." And he claimed:
"The development would be contrary to the policies of the council, as set out in Section 2.11 of the current development plan for the area, in terms of design, layout and contribution to the streetscape and built fabric of the town."
However, An Bord Pleanala ruled that "the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity, would enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre, would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."
The Longford County Development Plan 2003-2009 identifies Longford town as the provider of both a county and inter-regional level of shopping facilities.
Two substantial shopping centres are already under construction in the town, one at the Weavers factory site on the Dublin road and a second at the AIBP site on Church Street.
The Lanternsford development on the old factory site will include 21 retail units, offices and 264 car park spaces.
The Church Street development, known locally as the Dunnes Stores shopping centre, is expected to open soon.
The town already has two functioning retail centres known as the Tesco shopping centre and the Supervalu shopping centre.
Local estate agent Jonathan Quinn says a steady increase in the town's population justifies the expansion of retail facilities in Longford.
"The town has been expanding quickly for some time now, " he says. "The number of jobs being created has brought Longford on quite a bit. The Irish prison services is moving to town. There's Abbott Laboratories which is still ramping up employee numbers. Other companies are increasing staff numbers at a steady rate.
"Recently there was an announcement of 45 local job losses. But Longford should be able to deal with that. The employment base is quite diverse, so a shock like that doesn't have too much impact. Although Athlone is the regional centre and a magnet for shoppers, Longford is an attraction for people in this general area and for residents of smaller towns in the county who don't enjoy the same level of retail facilities."
Sunday Tribune
The new development will include an anchor store covering 3,000sq m of floor space, 14 retail units with a total area of 1,834 sq m, an enclosed mall area measuring 962sq m, a foodhall (445sq m), a restaurant (506sq m) of floor space and a creche (195sq m). Four hundred and nineteen car park spaces are also included in the plan.
In sanctioning the scheme, An Bord Pleanala overruled the recommendation of inspector Michael Dillon who stated in his report that the planned centre would constitute "a wasteful use of scarce, serviced, urban land".
He said: "The design of the proposed building would be detrimental to the amenities of the area." And he claimed:
"The development would be contrary to the policies of the council, as set out in Section 2.11 of the current development plan for the area, in terms of design, layout and contribution to the streetscape and built fabric of the town."
However, An Bord Pleanala ruled that "the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity, would enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre, would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."
The Longford County Development Plan 2003-2009 identifies Longford town as the provider of both a county and inter-regional level of shopping facilities.
Two substantial shopping centres are already under construction in the town, one at the Weavers factory site on the Dublin road and a second at the AIBP site on Church Street.
The Lanternsford development on the old factory site will include 21 retail units, offices and 264 car park spaces.
The Church Street development, known locally as the Dunnes Stores shopping centre, is expected to open soon.
The town already has two functioning retail centres known as the Tesco shopping centre and the Supervalu shopping centre.
Local estate agent Jonathan Quinn says a steady increase in the town's population justifies the expansion of retail facilities in Longford.
"The town has been expanding quickly for some time now, " he says. "The number of jobs being created has brought Longford on quite a bit. The Irish prison services is moving to town. There's Abbott Laboratories which is still ramping up employee numbers. Other companies are increasing staff numbers at a steady rate.
"Recently there was an announcement of 45 local job losses. But Longford should be able to deal with that. The employment base is quite diverse, so a shock like that doesn't have too much impact. Although Athlone is the regional centre and a magnet for shoppers, Longford is an attraction for people in this general area and for residents of smaller towns in the county who don't enjoy the same level of retail facilities."
Sunday Tribune
Bertie and the builder
T was Bertie's day in the sun. Behold the Taoiseach, applauded by priests and poets, by businessmen and actors, by princesses and prime ministers. Up there in the Royal Gallery of the Palace of Westminster, it was Bertie's finest hour.
His predecessors as guests of honour in the holiest of parliamentary holies included Boris Yeltsin, Bill Clinton and Francois Mitterand. On Wednesday, the list of political dignitaries in attendance embraced John Major, Gordon Brown, Neil Kinnock, Peter Brooke, General John de Chastelaine , Senator Maurice Hayes. All had been players in the peace effort. They came to honour Bertie.
Sportsmen Eddie Jordan and Keith Wood arrived to bow the knee to Bertie.
Ireland's business elite in the UK greeted Bertie. BA chief Willie Walsh was there; investment banker Hugo McNeill was invited; so was designer Paul Costelloe.
The Great and the Good of the Irish in England rubbed shoulders.
Suddenly, along the Royal Gallery strode the slimmeddown figure of Sean Dunne (or Lord Ballsbridge' as he is sometimes known).
One of the invited guests told me that he gasped at the sight of Sean.
The same shock must have passed through the mind of every guest who recognised the colourful builder from Carlow. Here was the greatest day in Anglo Irish history. All the main players in the peace process seemed to be on parade and there in the middle was property mogul Sean Dunne.
Despite the dogfight for tickets, Sean somehow bagged one.
Dunne's presence was peculiar enough. After all, he is merely an Irish builder with a beautiful wife. A multi-millionaire, probably a Fianna Fail supporter.
But even stranger, there was a remarkable absentee. The man who played the noblest role from our side of the Irish Sea was not invited.
Albert Reynolds failed to make the cut.
Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness can put the past behind them. Bertie Ahern, great peacemaker that he is, can still not salute the role of his predecessor.
The unsung hero of the peace process was excluded while Sean Dunne, speculator supreme, was a feted guest. There was room for 625 others too, but no seat for Albert.
Echoes of the snub delivered to Seamus Mallon just a week earlier. The loyal deputy- leader to John Hume in the darkest years of the Northern troubles was excluded from the opening of the Assembly in Stormont. On that day, where was the man who held the peace line deep in the provo stronghold of South Armagh despite severe pressure from violent republicans? Mallon never flinched when he was under threat ; it would have suited him to make more militant noises.
His reward: Mallon, from Markethill, South Armagh, was last year appointed a board member of the ailing ESB.
Quite a consolation prize; but the 17,500 director's fee would be useful income to a guy who does not enjoy the same resources as Sean Dunne.
Perhaps Dunne was in Westminster sizing up the joint? Maybe he thinks that the Palace would be a prime development site?
Perhaps he plans to ask her majesty the Queen for a wing or two to build a few 32-storey apartments?
Bertie's decision to invite Sean Dunne to place his backside on a seat at one of the most coveted events in Irish history is a mystery. Was this man meant to represent Irish business? Or was he just a friend?
Last week I put the question to the Taoiseach's office. Why was Dunne there? What did Lord Ballsbridge ever do for the peace process? Who else was on the Taoiseach's list? And why was Albert Reynolds slighted?
The reply was comical: the poor spokesman was sent out to say that "if someone was in London and rang up and asked to attend , the Taoiseach tried to facilitate them.,There was a silence when I asked what Dunne had done for the peace process. Next, the spokesman failed to respond to the Albert question. He muttered that the gig should be seen in the whole context of Anglo-Irish relations.
And what had Sean done for them? Another silence. Perhaps we are about to discover the Dunne Peace Foundation for cross-border communities? Somehow I doubt it.
Perhaps Bertie wanted to honour the booming construction industry? If that is the case, then Sean was a strange choice. Because Sean is currently negotiating the most sensitive planning application of his life. And the plann- ing process is still politically driven.
The noble Lord Ballsbridge may have been strutting his stuff around Westminster last week, but back home his plans for the controversial Jurys/ Berkeley Court site were running into a spot of bother.
The whole world now knows that Sean paid a stunning 370m for the Jurys/ Doyle and Berkeley Court sites. Today he must be under pressure to fast track a planning application to help fund this massive purchase. As every day passes, the interest bill could be rocketing.
More pressing still for Sean must be the knowledge that many of his competitors have publicly suggested that he paid too much for the sites, that it was vanity purchasing.
And even more stressful for him could be the sudden tremors in Ireland's property market and the hikes in interest rates.
The night before the big event in Westminster, Dublin City Councillors had made a pre-emptive strike against Sean's plans for Ballsbridge. They were against re-zoning Ballsbridge to suit one man.
Wendy Hederman, the energetic local councillor and guardian of the area's planning process, pointedly insisted that no different planning considerations should apply just because a sky-high price had been paid for the sites.
More directly she told me: "There should be no special treatment for Sean Dunne.,Wendy should have whispered the same message in Bertie's ear.
Sean Dunne is suddenly facing an uphill struggle in his Ballsbridge ambitions.
The presence of Sean at the Westminster gig tells us a lot about Ireland. Pride of place today goes to property billionaires. Guys who have not manufactured as much as a paper clip are honoured, while real wealth creators are ignored.
If Bertie wanted to give the world a view of successful Irish business, why was Michael O'Leary of Ryanair the most brilliant Irish entrepreneur of his generation not invited?
Bertie is not mad about Michael. Bertie is not mad about Albert. Granted, the peace process is partly his creation, but it does not belong to Bertie Ahern.
Property developers are often decent, honourable businessmen; but it is a measure of their uncomfortable ascension to the top of the Irish business scene that their most flamboyant but certainly not their most successful member was chosen to view a historic event for Ireland from a seat of honour.
Better business people were left on this side of the Irish Sea.
It was a good week for Bertie. His speech at Westminster was masterly. He won the debate with Enda. He deserves credit for his management of the Irish economy. A pity he cannot detach himself from the developers.
Shane Ross
Sunday Independent
His predecessors as guests of honour in the holiest of parliamentary holies included Boris Yeltsin, Bill Clinton and Francois Mitterand. On Wednesday, the list of political dignitaries in attendance embraced John Major, Gordon Brown, Neil Kinnock, Peter Brooke, General John de Chastelaine , Senator Maurice Hayes. All had been players in the peace effort. They came to honour Bertie.
Sportsmen Eddie Jordan and Keith Wood arrived to bow the knee to Bertie.
Ireland's business elite in the UK greeted Bertie. BA chief Willie Walsh was there; investment banker Hugo McNeill was invited; so was designer Paul Costelloe.
The Great and the Good of the Irish in England rubbed shoulders.
Suddenly, along the Royal Gallery strode the slimmeddown figure of Sean Dunne (or Lord Ballsbridge' as he is sometimes known).
One of the invited guests told me that he gasped at the sight of Sean.
The same shock must have passed through the mind of every guest who recognised the colourful builder from Carlow. Here was the greatest day in Anglo Irish history. All the main players in the peace process seemed to be on parade and there in the middle was property mogul Sean Dunne.
Despite the dogfight for tickets, Sean somehow bagged one.
Dunne's presence was peculiar enough. After all, he is merely an Irish builder with a beautiful wife. A multi-millionaire, probably a Fianna Fail supporter.
But even stranger, there was a remarkable absentee. The man who played the noblest role from our side of the Irish Sea was not invited.
Albert Reynolds failed to make the cut.
Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness can put the past behind them. Bertie Ahern, great peacemaker that he is, can still not salute the role of his predecessor.
The unsung hero of the peace process was excluded while Sean Dunne, speculator supreme, was a feted guest. There was room for 625 others too, but no seat for Albert.
Echoes of the snub delivered to Seamus Mallon just a week earlier. The loyal deputy- leader to John Hume in the darkest years of the Northern troubles was excluded from the opening of the Assembly in Stormont. On that day, where was the man who held the peace line deep in the provo stronghold of South Armagh despite severe pressure from violent republicans? Mallon never flinched when he was under threat ; it would have suited him to make more militant noises.
His reward: Mallon, from Markethill, South Armagh, was last year appointed a board member of the ailing ESB.
Quite a consolation prize; but the 17,500 director's fee would be useful income to a guy who does not enjoy the same resources as Sean Dunne.
Perhaps Dunne was in Westminster sizing up the joint? Maybe he thinks that the Palace would be a prime development site?
Perhaps he plans to ask her majesty the Queen for a wing or two to build a few 32-storey apartments?
Bertie's decision to invite Sean Dunne to place his backside on a seat at one of the most coveted events in Irish history is a mystery. Was this man meant to represent Irish business? Or was he just a friend?
Last week I put the question to the Taoiseach's office. Why was Dunne there? What did Lord Ballsbridge ever do for the peace process? Who else was on the Taoiseach's list? And why was Albert Reynolds slighted?
The reply was comical: the poor spokesman was sent out to say that "if someone was in London and rang up and asked to attend , the Taoiseach tried to facilitate them.,There was a silence when I asked what Dunne had done for the peace process. Next, the spokesman failed to respond to the Albert question. He muttered that the gig should be seen in the whole context of Anglo-Irish relations.
And what had Sean done for them? Another silence. Perhaps we are about to discover the Dunne Peace Foundation for cross-border communities? Somehow I doubt it.
Perhaps Bertie wanted to honour the booming construction industry? If that is the case, then Sean was a strange choice. Because Sean is currently negotiating the most sensitive planning application of his life. And the plann- ing process is still politically driven.
The noble Lord Ballsbridge may have been strutting his stuff around Westminster last week, but back home his plans for the controversial Jurys/ Berkeley Court site were running into a spot of bother.
The whole world now knows that Sean paid a stunning 370m for the Jurys/ Doyle and Berkeley Court sites. Today he must be under pressure to fast track a planning application to help fund this massive purchase. As every day passes, the interest bill could be rocketing.
More pressing still for Sean must be the knowledge that many of his competitors have publicly suggested that he paid too much for the sites, that it was vanity purchasing.
And even more stressful for him could be the sudden tremors in Ireland's property market and the hikes in interest rates.
The night before the big event in Westminster, Dublin City Councillors had made a pre-emptive strike against Sean's plans for Ballsbridge. They were against re-zoning Ballsbridge to suit one man.
Wendy Hederman, the energetic local councillor and guardian of the area's planning process, pointedly insisted that no different planning considerations should apply just because a sky-high price had been paid for the sites.
More directly she told me: "There should be no special treatment for Sean Dunne.,Wendy should have whispered the same message in Bertie's ear.
Sean Dunne is suddenly facing an uphill struggle in his Ballsbridge ambitions.
The presence of Sean at the Westminster gig tells us a lot about Ireland. Pride of place today goes to property billionaires. Guys who have not manufactured as much as a paper clip are honoured, while real wealth creators are ignored.
If Bertie wanted to give the world a view of successful Irish business, why was Michael O'Leary of Ryanair the most brilliant Irish entrepreneur of his generation not invited?
Bertie is not mad about Michael. Bertie is not mad about Albert. Granted, the peace process is partly his creation, but it does not belong to Bertie Ahern.
Property developers are often decent, honourable businessmen; but it is a measure of their uncomfortable ascension to the top of the Irish business scene that their most flamboyant but certainly not their most successful member was chosen to view a historic event for Ireland from a seat of honour.
Better business people were left on this side of the Irish Sea.
It was a good week for Bertie. His speech at Westminster was masterly. He won the debate with Enda. He deserves credit for his management of the Irish economy. A pity he cannot detach himself from the developers.
Shane Ross
Sunday Independent
'Entire town is dying on its feet' as the builders bicker
MORE than 400 angry residents held a silent vigil in the Diamond in Donegal town last Sunday morning to protest against a bitter seven-year rivalry between developers that locals claim is killing the town.
The protest flies in the face of other urban centres around the country, where ordinary residents' groups often actively campaign against yet another new retail development, rather than lobby for more shops, apartments and car parks.
However, Donegal is crying out for commercial and residential construction to breathe life into a town that has been left behind by the Celtic Tiger.
For more than 40,000 people in the northwest, Donegal is the natural commercial hub and market centre and a designated "tier 2" area in the Retail Planning Strategy 2000.
But according to its mayor, Ernan McGettigan, the town is stagnating.
He says Donegal is still reeling from the recent loss of 650 jobs at Hospira and Magees. "Now the town is standing still. If something isn't done to stop this madness, Donegal town will be dead as a commercial entity," he said.
While Letterkenny is the fastest-growing rural town in Europe, Donegal has been virtually undeveloped for nearly a decade.
Since 2001, ambitious plans for retail schemes capable of providing both jobs and a commercial kick-start have been stymied by objections to An Bord Pleanala - made by rival developers, or individuals with links to the owners of other potential development sites in the town.
In the latest twist in a long-running saga, local builders Michael Kelly Snr and Jnr were given permission by Donegal County Council to build a €40m mixed-use development near the centre.
The development proposal includes a major retail anchor tenant, a multi-screen cinema, business units, extra parking spaces, office suites, cafes and 52 apartments overlooking Donegal Bay.
Construction was due to begin by the end of the year and would have provided 50 jobs during construction and employment for another 150 people in the finished development. But the Sunday Independent has learned that An Bord Pleanala has received two detailed objections to the Kelly plan.
One is from rival London-based developer Danny Keeney, of Keeney Construction, who heads up a consortium that controls the old Magee factory in the town and who was recently granted permission for a €100m project on that site.
Mr Keeney's firm has a history of objecting to other developments in Donegal town. Applications from Bennett Construction for a Dunnes Stores anchored development was objected to by Tesco (Ireland) with Keeney Construction Limited as an observer. Permission was refused.
Another application, for the construction of an Atlantic Homecare, was also refused by An Bord Pleanala. Keeney Construction Limited was the sole objector.
In another objection by Keeney Construction - to proposed altered ground gradients in and around the River Eske - the company expressed its desire to protect the freshwater-pearl mussel population and to "ensure that this animal can once again breed in the waters upstream from Donegal town".
The second objection to the latest Kelly plan for Donegal town centre is from a Portmarnock resident, Oliver Byrne, who has also objected in the past to other developments in Donegal town.
The Sunday Independent has learned that Mr Byrne has a connection with the principals behind other development lands in Donegal town.
The connection is this. A Kildare solicitor, John Reidy, holds a one-eighth share in development lands at Revlin outside Donegal town, along with Danny Keeney and others. John Reidy is also a director of Revlin Property Ltd.
John Reidy's son, Barry Reidy, was a co-director of a company called Blueberry Cottons Ltd along with Oliver Byrne. Barry Reidy has also been a director of Revlin Property Ltd. Keeney Properties Ireland Ltd also holds a one-eighth share in the same lands at Revlin and also 15 ordinary shares, (an identical holding to John Reidy) in Revlin Property Ltd.
In an interview with the Sunday Independent, Danny Keeney, a former Donegal Emigrant of the Year and a self-made multimillionaire who started his career working on building sites in Germany, defended his right to object to planning permission.
"Over the past few years we in Keeney Construction have faced 25 objections to An Bord Pleanala against developments. I didn't see any silent protests or meetings about that," he said, adding that his objection to the Kelly plan was extremely detailed and could be viewed online. He said that extra traffic congestion was the central reason for objecting. He admitted he was concerned that extra traffic could impact on the "integrity" of his proposed development on the Magee lands.
"An Bord Pleanala is an independent body and will make its decision based on sound planning," he added.
"There is another detailed objection. It is not just us who are objecting," he added. Asked if he knew the other objector, Oliver Byrne, Mr Keeney said: "I do not know him."
Mr Byrne did not return phone calls.
Meanwhile, Ernan McGettigan says local people are fed up to the back teeth with delay after delay in getting retail developments off the ground.
"Not a brick has been laid in seven years. It is a scandal that an entire town is dying on its feet. Donegal town will be left behind while Ballyshannon and Dungloe thrive and Letterkenny thrives. We are fighting for the life of this town," he added.
Sunday Independent
The protest flies in the face of other urban centres around the country, where ordinary residents' groups often actively campaign against yet another new retail development, rather than lobby for more shops, apartments and car parks.
However, Donegal is crying out for commercial and residential construction to breathe life into a town that has been left behind by the Celtic Tiger.
For more than 40,000 people in the northwest, Donegal is the natural commercial hub and market centre and a designated "tier 2" area in the Retail Planning Strategy 2000.
But according to its mayor, Ernan McGettigan, the town is stagnating.
He says Donegal is still reeling from the recent loss of 650 jobs at Hospira and Magees. "Now the town is standing still. If something isn't done to stop this madness, Donegal town will be dead as a commercial entity," he said.
While Letterkenny is the fastest-growing rural town in Europe, Donegal has been virtually undeveloped for nearly a decade.
Since 2001, ambitious plans for retail schemes capable of providing both jobs and a commercial kick-start have been stymied by objections to An Bord Pleanala - made by rival developers, or individuals with links to the owners of other potential development sites in the town.
In the latest twist in a long-running saga, local builders Michael Kelly Snr and Jnr were given permission by Donegal County Council to build a €40m mixed-use development near the centre.
The development proposal includes a major retail anchor tenant, a multi-screen cinema, business units, extra parking spaces, office suites, cafes and 52 apartments overlooking Donegal Bay.
Construction was due to begin by the end of the year and would have provided 50 jobs during construction and employment for another 150 people in the finished development. But the Sunday Independent has learned that An Bord Pleanala has received two detailed objections to the Kelly plan.
One is from rival London-based developer Danny Keeney, of Keeney Construction, who heads up a consortium that controls the old Magee factory in the town and who was recently granted permission for a €100m project on that site.
Mr Keeney's firm has a history of objecting to other developments in Donegal town. Applications from Bennett Construction for a Dunnes Stores anchored development was objected to by Tesco (Ireland) with Keeney Construction Limited as an observer. Permission was refused.
Another application, for the construction of an Atlantic Homecare, was also refused by An Bord Pleanala. Keeney Construction Limited was the sole objector.
In another objection by Keeney Construction - to proposed altered ground gradients in and around the River Eske - the company expressed its desire to protect the freshwater-pearl mussel population and to "ensure that this animal can once again breed in the waters upstream from Donegal town".
The second objection to the latest Kelly plan for Donegal town centre is from a Portmarnock resident, Oliver Byrne, who has also objected in the past to other developments in Donegal town.
The Sunday Independent has learned that Mr Byrne has a connection with the principals behind other development lands in Donegal town.
The connection is this. A Kildare solicitor, John Reidy, holds a one-eighth share in development lands at Revlin outside Donegal town, along with Danny Keeney and others. John Reidy is also a director of Revlin Property Ltd.
John Reidy's son, Barry Reidy, was a co-director of a company called Blueberry Cottons Ltd along with Oliver Byrne. Barry Reidy has also been a director of Revlin Property Ltd. Keeney Properties Ireland Ltd also holds a one-eighth share in the same lands at Revlin and also 15 ordinary shares, (an identical holding to John Reidy) in Revlin Property Ltd.
In an interview with the Sunday Independent, Danny Keeney, a former Donegal Emigrant of the Year and a self-made multimillionaire who started his career working on building sites in Germany, defended his right to object to planning permission.
"Over the past few years we in Keeney Construction have faced 25 objections to An Bord Pleanala against developments. I didn't see any silent protests or meetings about that," he said, adding that his objection to the Kelly plan was extremely detailed and could be viewed online. He said that extra traffic congestion was the central reason for objecting. He admitted he was concerned that extra traffic could impact on the "integrity" of his proposed development on the Magee lands.
"An Bord Pleanala is an independent body and will make its decision based on sound planning," he added.
"There is another detailed objection. It is not just us who are objecting," he added. Asked if he knew the other objector, Oliver Byrne, Mr Keeney said: "I do not know him."
Mr Byrne did not return phone calls.
Meanwhile, Ernan McGettigan says local people are fed up to the back teeth with delay after delay in getting retail developments off the ground.
"Not a brick has been laid in seven years. It is a scandal that an entire town is dying on its feet. Donegal town will be left behind while Ballyshannon and Dungloe thrive and Letterkenny thrives. We are fighting for the life of this town," he added.
Sunday Independent
Inner city motorists face bigger fuel bill
MOTORISTS in the inner cities are facing a growing shortage of petrol stations, leading to fears they could be forced to pay over the odds for fuel.
Developers are snapping up city petrol stations so they can build houses on the plots, leading to a shortage of garages and reduced competition.
Now AA Ireland, which campaigns for motorists, is concerned that a lack of competition in urban areas is affecting consumer choice.
“This is a growing concern of ours and the lack of competition is not good for motorists,” said AA Ireland spokesman Conor Faughnan.
“It’s difficult to say with any accuracy if urban motorists are having to pay more for fuel but choice is diminishing and that’s not a good thing.”
City petrol stations are closing because the owners can make more money from selling the land to developers than from selling petrol on tight profit margins, he said.
The average price of a litre of unleaded petrol is now 115.9c while diesel is 108.5c, according to the AA Ireland’s latest survey of prices at the pump.
Yet motorists nationwide can find petrol as low as 110.9c and as high as 120.9c as fuel prices have been unregulated in Ireland since 1993.
Mr Faughnan said: “Prices will vary by around 10c and we’re not too concerned about that as long as the consumer has choice.
“But with relatively few service stations in urban areas there is no incentive (for stations to compete) and that has a negative effect on prices and the consumer’s ability to shop around.”
Based on the AA’s average petrol prices, a family will spend around 173.85 a month on a typical saloon car.
By using the cheapest stations they could cut that bill to 166.35, a saving of 7.50 a month or 90 a year.
But by filling up at the costliest stations they would pay 181.35, which works out at 15 a month or 180 annually more expensive than the best deals.
Now AA Ireland is advising drivers to beat high prices by planning ahead when buying fuel and ensuring they never run low.
Motorists are advised to get to know the locations of the cheapest garages and fill up in advance as the lack of stations in urban areas could leave drivers stranded or out of pocket.
“Rather than waiting for the tank to run low and then have to fill up at an expensive place it makes more sense to plan your petrol and buy early if you can,” he said.
One solution to the disappearance of urban filling stations could be the introduction of unmanned self-service pumps as used in France.
At the fuel stops, which have just one or two pumps and take up less space, drivers fill up their cars, pay by bank card and then drive off.
Irish Examiner
Developers are snapping up city petrol stations so they can build houses on the plots, leading to a shortage of garages and reduced competition.
Now AA Ireland, which campaigns for motorists, is concerned that a lack of competition in urban areas is affecting consumer choice.
“This is a growing concern of ours and the lack of competition is not good for motorists,” said AA Ireland spokesman Conor Faughnan.
“It’s difficult to say with any accuracy if urban motorists are having to pay more for fuel but choice is diminishing and that’s not a good thing.”
City petrol stations are closing because the owners can make more money from selling the land to developers than from selling petrol on tight profit margins, he said.
The average price of a litre of unleaded petrol is now 115.9c while diesel is 108.5c, according to the AA Ireland’s latest survey of prices at the pump.
Yet motorists nationwide can find petrol as low as 110.9c and as high as 120.9c as fuel prices have been unregulated in Ireland since 1993.
Mr Faughnan said: “Prices will vary by around 10c and we’re not too concerned about that as long as the consumer has choice.
“But with relatively few service stations in urban areas there is no incentive (for stations to compete) and that has a negative effect on prices and the consumer’s ability to shop around.”
Based on the AA’s average petrol prices, a family will spend around 173.85 a month on a typical saloon car.
By using the cheapest stations they could cut that bill to 166.35, a saving of 7.50 a month or 90 a year.
But by filling up at the costliest stations they would pay 181.35, which works out at 15 a month or 180 annually more expensive than the best deals.
Now AA Ireland is advising drivers to beat high prices by planning ahead when buying fuel and ensuring they never run low.
Motorists are advised to get to know the locations of the cheapest garages and fill up in advance as the lack of stations in urban areas could leave drivers stranded or out of pocket.
“Rather than waiting for the tank to run low and then have to fill up at an expensive place it makes more sense to plan your petrol and buy early if you can,” he said.
One solution to the disappearance of urban filling stations could be the introduction of unmanned self-service pumps as used in France.
At the fuel stops, which have just one or two pumps and take up less space, drivers fill up their cars, pay by bank card and then drive off.
Irish Examiner
M3 protesters claim bones visible
Conservationists protesting at the site of the proposed M3 motorway in Co Meath yesterday claimed ancient gravestones have been dumped in piles of topsoil and bones were visible in excavated spoil from the route of the motorway.
The claims were rejected by the National Roads Authority (NRA).
Six conservationists, some of whom are part of a vigil camp near Dunshaughlin yesterday postponed their blockade of a construction compound, concentrating instead on a known ancient burial ground at Collierstown. A conservationist who did not want to be identified said she had been "trying for a week to get the NRA to do something about the gravestones".
She said human and animal bones have been identified at the Collierstown cemetery as part of the archaeological excavations. But she insisted that stones which had been used to line the graves were now visible piled in heaps beside hard core, in spoil and lying about exposed to the elements.
She also maintained "bones are visible in the topsoil, in spoil and around the graves. She said she had removed a number of bones to give to the National Museum.
However, the NRA chief archaeologist Mary Deevey said the claims represented typical "misinformation".
She said the excavation had identified the burial ground as far back as 2004 and excavations began in earnest in 2005. Some 50 burials had been
identified in circular enclosures. The entire site had been hand excavated and all human bones were removed. She said there were no headstones and the gravestones referred to by the conservationist would have been stones used to line the graves. While these were recorded through photography and drawing, and any decorated stones saved, "ordinary" stones were simply set aside if they were not wanted by the National Museum.
Regarding bones she said they were most likely animal bones. She maintained any field in Ireland would yield animal bones "But this site was excavated by hand. The human bones were removed. I think what the conservationist was seeing was simply animal bones."
Ms Deevey said the site was thought to be early Christian, dating from the sixth or seventh centuries and in use for about 150 years. "The burials were laid on their backs and aligned east- west, which suggests a Christian burial", she said.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
The claims were rejected by the National Roads Authority (NRA).
Six conservationists, some of whom are part of a vigil camp near Dunshaughlin yesterday postponed their blockade of a construction compound, concentrating instead on a known ancient burial ground at Collierstown. A conservationist who did not want to be identified said she had been "trying for a week to get the NRA to do something about the gravestones".
She said human and animal bones have been identified at the Collierstown cemetery as part of the archaeological excavations. But she insisted that stones which had been used to line the graves were now visible piled in heaps beside hard core, in spoil and lying about exposed to the elements.
She also maintained "bones are visible in the topsoil, in spoil and around the graves. She said she had removed a number of bones to give to the National Museum.
However, the NRA chief archaeologist Mary Deevey said the claims represented typical "misinformation".
She said the excavation had identified the burial ground as far back as 2004 and excavations began in earnest in 2005. Some 50 burials had been
identified in circular enclosures. The entire site had been hand excavated and all human bones were removed. She said there were no headstones and the gravestones referred to by the conservationist would have been stones used to line the graves. While these were recorded through photography and drawing, and any decorated stones saved, "ordinary" stones were simply set aside if they were not wanted by the National Museum.
Regarding bones she said they were most likely animal bones. She maintained any field in Ireland would yield animal bones "But this site was excavated by hand. The human bones were removed. I think what the conservationist was seeing was simply animal bones."
Ms Deevey said the site was thought to be early Christian, dating from the sixth or seventh centuries and in use for about 150 years. "The burials were laid on their backs and aligned east- west, which suggests a Christian burial", she said.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Bronze Age burial urn unearthed in test dig
A BURIAL urn dating back to 1700 B.C. and containing the cremated remains of at least an adult and one young person, has been recovered during archaeological test excavations at the Airport Road Realignment at Monamintra crossroads a short distance from the city.
The early Bronze Age collared urn was uncovered on Wednesday last by archaeologist Orla Scully as she carried out archaeological test excavations on behalf of Waterford Co. Council.
The area of the find was highlighted by previous non-intrusive archaeological investigations as a location of archaeological potential.
The burial consists of a circular bowl shaped pit approximately 85cm in diameter and 45cm in depth, the bottom of which was lined with stones. The collared urn, approximately 35cm in height and 34cm in maximum width, contained the cremated remains of at least two individuals.
Originally the urn would have been slightly taller but the base has been damaged. Its collar is decorated by two bands of criss-cross motifs separated by a series of lines encir-cling the entire circumference of the urn.
The urn was inverted with the remains inside and placed on a stone lining within the pit. A layer of charcoal rich soil, possibly pyre material, was placed around the urn to a depth of approximately 10-15cm and then the remaining burial pit was filled with redeposited subsoil.
The urn is now with an archaeological conservator. As a result of the find, additional test trenches will be dug by Orla Scully to establish the extent of the site.
A full topsoil strip will be carried out at the location prior to the construction of the airport road.
Marion O’Mara
© Waterford News and Star
The early Bronze Age collared urn was uncovered on Wednesday last by archaeologist Orla Scully as she carried out archaeological test excavations on behalf of Waterford Co. Council.
The area of the find was highlighted by previous non-intrusive archaeological investigations as a location of archaeological potential.
The burial consists of a circular bowl shaped pit approximately 85cm in diameter and 45cm in depth, the bottom of which was lined with stones. The collared urn, approximately 35cm in height and 34cm in maximum width, contained the cremated remains of at least two individuals.
Originally the urn would have been slightly taller but the base has been damaged. Its collar is decorated by two bands of criss-cross motifs separated by a series of lines encir-cling the entire circumference of the urn.
The urn was inverted with the remains inside and placed on a stone lining within the pit. A layer of charcoal rich soil, possibly pyre material, was placed around the urn to a depth of approximately 10-15cm and then the remaining burial pit was filled with redeposited subsoil.
The urn is now with an archaeological conservator. As a result of the find, additional test trenches will be dug by Orla Scully to establish the extent of the site.
A full topsoil strip will be carried out at the location prior to the construction of the airport road.
Marion O’Mara
© Waterford News and Star
Concern at Annabella housing decision
MAJOR concern has been expressed by residents in Mallow that a large development in the town could set a negative precendent for future plans. The decision by An Bord Pleanala to grant permission for 104 residential units at
Annabella Park, despite objections from residents, has led town councillors to call for more authority in planning decisions.
Meanwhile, planning appeals ahave been lodge with An Bord regarding Castlelands Construction plans for 422 dwelling, also in Annabella.
IN Annabella Park, Canonbridge Ltd have been granted planning permission to build 104 dwellings, including three apartment blocks containing 26 apartments and a children’s play area.
The major concern voiced by residents is that the development is too big for the current infrastructure. A key part of the appeal was in relation to the inadequacy of the road network.
Mayor of Mallow Jerry Mullaly has voiced his deep concern about the road network in the area.
“I thought that there would be no further development until the roads were improved. This development will make the traffic situation worse,” said Mayor Mullally.
The frustration at the Canonbridge development has now escalated in the light of planning being sought for 30 apartments in Kennell Hill, Mallow.
Cllr Sean Sherlock voiced outrage at last Tuesday’s town council meeting that planning is being sought to knock a dwelling house at Springwood, and construct 30 apartments.
“A monstrosity like this is incongruous to a well established area of Mallow,’ said Cllr Sherlock.
Louise McCarthy
© The Corkman
Annabella Park, despite objections from residents, has led town councillors to call for more authority in planning decisions.
Meanwhile, planning appeals ahave been lodge with An Bord regarding Castlelands Construction plans for 422 dwelling, also in Annabella.
IN Annabella Park, Canonbridge Ltd have been granted planning permission to build 104 dwellings, including three apartment blocks containing 26 apartments and a children’s play area.
The major concern voiced by residents is that the development is too big for the current infrastructure. A key part of the appeal was in relation to the inadequacy of the road network.
Mayor of Mallow Jerry Mullaly has voiced his deep concern about the road network in the area.
“I thought that there would be no further development until the roads were improved. This development will make the traffic situation worse,” said Mayor Mullally.
The frustration at the Canonbridge development has now escalated in the light of planning being sought for 30 apartments in Kennell Hill, Mallow.
Cllr Sean Sherlock voiced outrage at last Tuesday’s town council meeting that planning is being sought to knock a dwelling house at Springwood, and construct 30 apartments.
“A monstrosity like this is incongruous to a well established area of Mallow,’ said Cllr Sherlock.
Louise McCarthy
© The Corkman
150 protest over housing development
Close to 150 people attended a protest meeting in a small town in Co Cork yesterday aimed at stopping a planned housing development which villagers claim will inhibit future expansion of their national school.
Members of Cloughduv National School Parents' Association say that the school, which was opened in 1995, will be turned into a "prefab slum" if developer Owen O'Callaghan is allowed to go ahead with plans to construct 120 houses around the facility.
The chairwoman of Cloughduv NS, Dr Mary Groarke, insists the land surrounding the primary school should never have been zoned for residential development as it will be needed for continued expansion of the school.
The school has 159 pupils at present but Dr Groarke says that projected population growth in the area means that in a few years up to 2½ times that number could be enrolled.
She says that the school needs room to expand in order to avert a crisis in the provision of educational services in Cloughduv in future years.
"This school was a treasure that we fought hard to get. We don't want to end up with oversized classes, no play area and multiple prefabricated buildings," she said. Local people also wanted to ensure that their national school did not become "yet another symptom of a malfunctioning planning policy".
Dr Groarke points out that while the developer has to adhere to certain stipulations regarding water, sewerage, road infrastructure, local amenities and green areas, no obligations are in place to secure the educational facilities to service such new housing developments.
Last month, Cork County Council gave planning permission to Mr O'Callaghan when he modified his development after the council had received 56 objections to the application from parents, teachers, the school board of management, GPs and the local parish priest.
Villagers are adamant that the housing development will prevent the national school from being able to expand to meet the educational needs of Cloughduv's growing population.
Members of the parents' association say there are a number of developments at the planning application and appeal stage in Cloughduv and in the surrounding areas which will almost treble the number of schoolgoing children to 500 in the next 5-8 years.
A spokesman for Mr O'Callaghan said yesterday that the housing development was at an advanced stage of planning and it would be inappropriate to comment on the matter.
Olivia Kelleher
© 2007 The Irish Times
Members of Cloughduv National School Parents' Association say that the school, which was opened in 1995, will be turned into a "prefab slum" if developer Owen O'Callaghan is allowed to go ahead with plans to construct 120 houses around the facility.
The chairwoman of Cloughduv NS, Dr Mary Groarke, insists the land surrounding the primary school should never have been zoned for residential development as it will be needed for continued expansion of the school.
The school has 159 pupils at present but Dr Groarke says that projected population growth in the area means that in a few years up to 2½ times that number could be enrolled.
She says that the school needs room to expand in order to avert a crisis in the provision of educational services in Cloughduv in future years.
"This school was a treasure that we fought hard to get. We don't want to end up with oversized classes, no play area and multiple prefabricated buildings," she said. Local people also wanted to ensure that their national school did not become "yet another symptom of a malfunctioning planning policy".
Dr Groarke points out that while the developer has to adhere to certain stipulations regarding water, sewerage, road infrastructure, local amenities and green areas, no obligations are in place to secure the educational facilities to service such new housing developments.
Last month, Cork County Council gave planning permission to Mr O'Callaghan when he modified his development after the council had received 56 objections to the application from parents, teachers, the school board of management, GPs and the local parish priest.
Villagers are adamant that the housing development will prevent the national school from being able to expand to meet the educational needs of Cloughduv's growing population.
Members of the parents' association say there are a number of developments at the planning application and appeal stage in Cloughduv and in the surrounding areas which will almost treble the number of schoolgoing children to 500 in the next 5-8 years.
A spokesman for Mr O'Callaghan said yesterday that the housing development was at an advanced stage of planning and it would be inappropriate to comment on the matter.
Olivia Kelleher
© 2007 The Irish Times
Council secures order against quarry
Meath County Council yesterday secured an interim court order restricting the hours of operation and volume of material removed from a quarry near Slane.
Trim Circuit Court heard that the blasting, rock crushing, traffic, noise and dust from the quarry at Knockmooney, Slane, have made the lives of nearby residents a "living hell". The motion seeking the order was taken by the council against Patrick Shiels, the owner of the quarry.
Mr Shiels's barrister said more than 60 quarry employees had been put on protective notice.
Thomas Clarke, for the council, argued that the intensification of activity at the quarry, which began last year, was unauthorised and it was seeking an order restraining Mr Shiels from continuing with it.
Mr Clarke said that when Mr Shiels registered the quarry in 2004, he said it operated on an occasional basis and there would be from zero to 20 loads extracted a day, the court heard. However, in early 2006 the council began to receive complaints from residents and it was claimed there are now between 50 and 60 loads moved a day.
The council said the level of activity "is five times the average previously suggested" and the amount of materials extracted "is more than double that suggested". The council sent a warning letter and an enforcement notice last year and then began the legal proceedings.
Mr Clarke said he had a number of affidavits, including one from Robert Newman, who lives 300 metres from the quarry. He said his home changed from an "idyllic rural setting" to being a "living hell". His family could not use their back garden last summer because "of the horrendous noise, dust and emissions".
John Gibbons SC, for Mr Shiels, said it would be submitted that a document attached to the registration form for the quarry referred to up to 200 movements a day or 1,400 a week.
Judge Mary Flaherty said the concerns outlined should be dealt with as speedily as possible by replying affidavits and in the interim she imposed levels on the activities at the quarry based on the registration document.
She said the hours of operation were to be from 8am to 6pm and that traffic should not exceed 15 loads a day.
The matter is expected before the court again next month.
Elaine Keogh
© 2007 The Irish Times
Trim Circuit Court heard that the blasting, rock crushing, traffic, noise and dust from the quarry at Knockmooney, Slane, have made the lives of nearby residents a "living hell". The motion seeking the order was taken by the council against Patrick Shiels, the owner of the quarry.
Mr Shiels's barrister said more than 60 quarry employees had been put on protective notice.
Thomas Clarke, for the council, argued that the intensification of activity at the quarry, which began last year, was unauthorised and it was seeking an order restraining Mr Shiels from continuing with it.
Mr Clarke said that when Mr Shiels registered the quarry in 2004, he said it operated on an occasional basis and there would be from zero to 20 loads extracted a day, the court heard. However, in early 2006 the council began to receive complaints from residents and it was claimed there are now between 50 and 60 loads moved a day.
The council said the level of activity "is five times the average previously suggested" and the amount of materials extracted "is more than double that suggested". The council sent a warning letter and an enforcement notice last year and then began the legal proceedings.
Mr Clarke said he had a number of affidavits, including one from Robert Newman, who lives 300 metres from the quarry. He said his home changed from an "idyllic rural setting" to being a "living hell". His family could not use their back garden last summer because "of the horrendous noise, dust and emissions".
John Gibbons SC, for Mr Shiels, said it would be submitted that a document attached to the registration form for the quarry referred to up to 200 movements a day or 1,400 a week.
Judge Mary Flaherty said the concerns outlined should be dealt with as speedily as possible by replying affidavits and in the interim she imposed levels on the activities at the quarry based on the registration document.
She said the hours of operation were to be from 8am to 6pm and that traffic should not exceed 15 loads a day.
The matter is expected before the court again next month.
Elaine Keogh
© 2007 The Irish Times
Outcry over discharge of raw sewage into river
A poster protesting against the discharge of raw sewage into the Avoca river in Arklow, Co Wicklow, and the lack of any sewage treatment facilities for the town, has been placed in the middle of the river.
The poster erected by Independent town councillor Peter Dempsey, shows a cartoon figure sitting on a toilet alongside the words: "Cut the crap, stop the objections, Arklow needs its sewage plant now."
A sewage treatment facility was originally planned for the town 14 years ago, but its development has been held up because of objections to the council's site selection.
An Bord Pleanála finally granted permission for construction of the plant at Seabank, on the coast near Arklow town, in January 2005; however, the decision was appealed to the High Court by Arklow Holidays Ltd, a company that owns a caravan park at Seabank.
The case will come before the court again on July 10th and work cannot commence on the plant unless the court decides against the appellants.
Mr Dempsey said the delays were unacceptable. "While this is being dragged through the court, turds are running down the river less than 30ft from people's front doors," he said.
The smell from the river was particularly bad during the summer months, he said, in addition to the public health risks posed by raw sewage.
"The stink is absolutely vile. We're going to have a typhoid epidemic on our hands unless something is done about this."
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
The poster erected by Independent town councillor Peter Dempsey, shows a cartoon figure sitting on a toilet alongside the words: "Cut the crap, stop the objections, Arklow needs its sewage plant now."
A sewage treatment facility was originally planned for the town 14 years ago, but its development has been held up because of objections to the council's site selection.
An Bord Pleanála finally granted permission for construction of the plant at Seabank, on the coast near Arklow town, in January 2005; however, the decision was appealed to the High Court by Arklow Holidays Ltd, a company that owns a caravan park at Seabank.
The case will come before the court again on July 10th and work cannot commence on the plant unless the court decides against the appellants.
Mr Dempsey said the delays were unacceptable. "While this is being dragged through the court, turds are running down the river less than 30ft from people's front doors," he said.
The smell from the river was particularly bad during the summer months, he said, in addition to the public health risks posed by raw sewage.
"The stink is absolutely vile. We're going to have a typhoid epidemic on our hands unless something is done about this."
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
River Slaney development plans
THE DEVELOPMENT of the River Slanley was discussed in a well-attended public meeting in the Boat Club in Wexford last week.
The feeling from all of those present was that development of the River Slaney has fallen behind New Ross, Courtown, Arklow and Kilmore.
Lorcan Scott, Divisional Wildlife Conservation Officer for Wexford, spoke before the meeting convened and outlined the status of the river as a Special Area of Conservation under EU Law. He noted that development must not be at the cost of protected wild-life and fauna, and he voiced his concern about the effect of development on vulnerable eco-systems.
Despite Mr Scott’s concerns, everyone present was in agreement that development of the river and its environs is essential.
Colette Browne
© Wexford Echo
The feeling from all of those present was that development of the River Slaney has fallen behind New Ross, Courtown, Arklow and Kilmore.
Lorcan Scott, Divisional Wildlife Conservation Officer for Wexford, spoke before the meeting convened and outlined the status of the river as a Special Area of Conservation under EU Law. He noted that development must not be at the cost of protected wild-life and fauna, and he voiced his concern about the effect of development on vulnerable eco-systems.
Despite Mr Scott’s concerns, everyone present was in agreement that development of the river and its environs is essential.
Colette Browne
© Wexford Echo
Shellfish industry warns of rezoning threat
Ireland could be in breach of EU regulations on protecting water quality if coastal land is rezoned for development in the south Galway village of Clarinbridge.
The warning is from the Irish Shellfish Association (ISA), which has appealed for "common sense" to prevail among Galway county councillors, who meet to vote on Clarinbridge's local area plan next week.
Otherwise, the ISA believes Galway could lose its international reputation for oysters, as a €50 million local shellfish industry is put in jeopardy.
"Galway is already in the middle of an environmental crisis over drinking water quality, and we really don't want to lose Clarinbridge bay," Michael Egan, of the Clarinbridge Oyster Co-Op, has said.
ISA chief executive Richie Flynn says it fully supports the co-op's stance in seeking no further development in the area until a proper sewage treatment system is commissioned and installed. It also believes a permanent buffer zone on the eastern, northern and southern shores of the bay must be secured.
Clarinbridge oysters still maintain class A quality status, but if waters are polluted and oysters are relegated to grade B status, it would have an "immediate catastrophic effect" on the historic fishery - and on the annual oyster festival - both the ISA and co-op point out. The oyster co-op supplies top quality shellfish to France, and some of its less active members are seeking to return to coastal cultivation due to a slowdown in the construction industry, Mr Egan points out.
Galway county councillors are due to vote early next week on 17 material alterations to the Clarinbridge local area plan, and the Clarinbridge Community Development Association believes the net effect would be to zone an additional 115 acres of land over and above an undeveloped 93 acres already zoned in the draft plan.
Lorna Siggins
© 2007 The Irish Times
The warning is from the Irish Shellfish Association (ISA), which has appealed for "common sense" to prevail among Galway county councillors, who meet to vote on Clarinbridge's local area plan next week.
Otherwise, the ISA believes Galway could lose its international reputation for oysters, as a €50 million local shellfish industry is put in jeopardy.
"Galway is already in the middle of an environmental crisis over drinking water quality, and we really don't want to lose Clarinbridge bay," Michael Egan, of the Clarinbridge Oyster Co-Op, has said.
ISA chief executive Richie Flynn says it fully supports the co-op's stance in seeking no further development in the area until a proper sewage treatment system is commissioned and installed. It also believes a permanent buffer zone on the eastern, northern and southern shores of the bay must be secured.
Clarinbridge oysters still maintain class A quality status, but if waters are polluted and oysters are relegated to grade B status, it would have an "immediate catastrophic effect" on the historic fishery - and on the annual oyster festival - both the ISA and co-op point out. The oyster co-op supplies top quality shellfish to France, and some of its less active members are seeking to return to coastal cultivation due to a slowdown in the construction industry, Mr Egan points out.
Galway county councillors are due to vote early next week on 17 material alterations to the Clarinbridge local area plan, and the Clarinbridge Community Development Association believes the net effect would be to zone an additional 115 acres of land over and above an undeveloped 93 acres already zoned in the draft plan.
Lorna Siggins
© 2007 The Irish Times
Group opposes Dublin water project
Campaigners are to step up their protest against proposals by Dublin City Council to draw water from the Shannon.
The Shannon Protection Alliance (SPA) is planning a poster campaign next month in the Lough Ree area in opposition to any attempt by the council to pump water from the lake to Dublin, a distance of 107 kilometres.
Dublin City Council is currently considering either pumping water from the Shannon or a desalination programme using water from Dublin Bay in response to an expected shortage in the next decade. It maintains that these are the only viable options to cope with demand for water in the coming decades.
The council estimates that the population of the greater Dublin area will reach 2.2 million within a decade and 350 million extra litres of water a day will be needed.
The alliance, which involves fishermen, guest-house owners and cruise hire companies, said it has extracted promises from all the candidates standing in the Westmeath-Longford constituency that they will oppose any attempt to extract water from the lake.
Alliance spokesman Michael Barrett, who owns the Lakeside Marina on the shores of Lough Ree, said they are fearful that the proposal will lead to dangerous water levels in the years ahead.
"For the last three years, we've been down to the minimum water levels in July, August and September, barely enabling boats to cruise or to allow Lough Ree to function as a tourist lake.
Dublin City Council deputy engineer Tom Leahy said the cost of either the Shannon or desalination options would be about €600 million at current prices, but the operating costs of desalination at approximately €100 million a year would be four times that of taking water from the Shannon.
He said the amount of water involved would be equal to only 2 per cent of the volume of water in the Shannon in a given year.
Ronan McGreevy
© 2007 The Irish Times
The Shannon Protection Alliance (SPA) is planning a poster campaign next month in the Lough Ree area in opposition to any attempt by the council to pump water from the lake to Dublin, a distance of 107 kilometres.
Dublin City Council is currently considering either pumping water from the Shannon or a desalination programme using water from Dublin Bay in response to an expected shortage in the next decade. It maintains that these are the only viable options to cope with demand for water in the coming decades.
The council estimates that the population of the greater Dublin area will reach 2.2 million within a decade and 350 million extra litres of water a day will be needed.
The alliance, which involves fishermen, guest-house owners and cruise hire companies, said it has extracted promises from all the candidates standing in the Westmeath-Longford constituency that they will oppose any attempt to extract water from the lake.
Alliance spokesman Michael Barrett, who owns the Lakeside Marina on the shores of Lough Ree, said they are fearful that the proposal will lead to dangerous water levels in the years ahead.
"For the last three years, we've been down to the minimum water levels in July, August and September, barely enabling boats to cruise or to allow Lough Ree to function as a tourist lake.
Dublin City Council deputy engineer Tom Leahy said the cost of either the Shannon or desalination options would be about €600 million at current prices, but the operating costs of desalination at approximately €100 million a year would be four times that of taking water from the Shannon.
He said the amount of water involved would be equal to only 2 per cent of the volume of water in the Shannon in a given year.
Ronan McGreevy
© 2007 The Irish Times
Fun back on the beach as council lifts by-law bans
SINGING on a beach in Kerry will no longer have the potential for breaking the law - unless it is very out of tune.
And the simple act of barbecuing will not need a permit under new amended beach laws adopted by Kerry County Council.
Two years ago the by-laws which promised to clamp down on anything considered "a nuisance" and which outlawed a range of activities without a permit provoked a storm of protest.
Now, following public consultation, the council has amended the laws governing Kerry's 13 blue flag beaches and dozens of smaller beaches.
Horses are still banned from most fragile dune systems, as are illegal dumping and off-road vehicles, as well as water craft in areas where bathers frequent.
There is a clampdown, too, on unauthorised caravans, and a new beach warden is to take up duty shortly. Rangers and officers from the OPW will have powers to enforce the by-laws along with Gardai and the warden.
Football and regatta and community club barbecues will no longer need a permit from the county council after an amendment.
Cllr Paul O'Donoghue FF has welcomed the more sensible approach being adopted by the council.
He led the protest against the by-laws, describing them as "draconian" and as "the nanny state gone too far".
© Irish Independent
And the simple act of barbecuing will not need a permit under new amended beach laws adopted by Kerry County Council.
Two years ago the by-laws which promised to clamp down on anything considered "a nuisance" and which outlawed a range of activities without a permit provoked a storm of protest.
Now, following public consultation, the council has amended the laws governing Kerry's 13 blue flag beaches and dozens of smaller beaches.
Horses are still banned from most fragile dune systems, as are illegal dumping and off-road vehicles, as well as water craft in areas where bathers frequent.
There is a clampdown, too, on unauthorised caravans, and a new beach warden is to take up duty shortly. Rangers and officers from the OPW will have powers to enforce the by-laws along with Gardai and the warden.
Football and regatta and community club barbecues will no longer need a permit from the county council after an amendment.
Cllr Paul O'Donoghue FF has welcomed the more sensible approach being adopted by the council.
He led the protest against the by-laws, describing them as "draconian" and as "the nanny state gone too far".
© Irish Independent
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Three-bed Martello to fetch €1.5m
POLITICAL party canvassers didn’t make it to the door of this unusual home, a rounded Martello tower with the ‘For Sale’ boards going up, just as the election posters come down.
Built in the early 1800s to keep military and naval marauders, as well as the French forces of the politically astute Napoleon Bonaparte out, this Irish Martello tower is now inviting people in. If they have €1.5 million or more to hand to breach its defences, that is.
With walls 9’ thick, of stone and brick, it is literally bomb-proof: in fact, back during the War of Independence its stored munitions went up with a bang. The internal walls came down, but the rest stood steady.
Bunker-like in its character and fortitude, it has now been made over into a fairly spectacular home which doesn’t quite fit the usual property description boxes.
Ironically, this ‘three-bed detached’ hits the market today as a national conference, des/Ire, at the National Sculpture Factory in Cork explores the limited range of housing options open to most house hunters.
U2 singer Bono had his spell in a Martello tower, and the James Joyce museum in Dublin’s Sandymount is housed in another, while several more around the coastline are also in domestic usage.
This island tower been fully renovated by a couple who have worked on lots of older properties, none until now as distinctive as this spot by Belvelly bridge, beside Fota Island on the way to Cobh, They are selling up to restore an inland riverside castle.
Selling agents are Sherry FitzGerald in Cork City, who say a buyer can come from literally anywhere in the world for such a show-off, one-off (speaking of which, Michael Flatley’s architect Peter Inston owns the ruined Belvelly castle across the road from this Martello tower). Viewing is by appointment only, don’t try coming by boat, with guns blazing. . .
Irish Examiner
Built in the early 1800s to keep military and naval marauders, as well as the French forces of the politically astute Napoleon Bonaparte out, this Irish Martello tower is now inviting people in. If they have €1.5 million or more to hand to breach its defences, that is.
With walls 9’ thick, of stone and brick, it is literally bomb-proof: in fact, back during the War of Independence its stored munitions went up with a bang. The internal walls came down, but the rest stood steady.
Bunker-like in its character and fortitude, it has now been made over into a fairly spectacular home which doesn’t quite fit the usual property description boxes.
Ironically, this ‘three-bed detached’ hits the market today as a national conference, des/Ire, at the National Sculpture Factory in Cork explores the limited range of housing options open to most house hunters.
U2 singer Bono had his spell in a Martello tower, and the James Joyce museum in Dublin’s Sandymount is housed in another, while several more around the coastline are also in domestic usage.
This island tower been fully renovated by a couple who have worked on lots of older properties, none until now as distinctive as this spot by Belvelly bridge, beside Fota Island on the way to Cobh, They are selling up to restore an inland riverside castle.
Selling agents are Sherry FitzGerald in Cork City, who say a buyer can come from literally anywhere in the world for such a show-off, one-off (speaking of which, Michael Flatley’s architect Peter Inston owns the ruined Belvelly castle across the road from this Martello tower). Viewing is by appointment only, don’t try coming by boat, with guns blazing. . .
Irish Examiner
Dunne hit with another blow to building plans
DEVELOPER Sean Dunne has been hit with another blow to his plans to build homes in leafy Dublin 4.
An Bord Pleanala yesterday refused permission to the Carlow businessman to build houses off Serpentine Avenue in Ballsbridge. It is the second time in recent weeks Mr Dunne has been set back in relation to a number of planned developments he has for the country's most expensive suburb.
Just last week, city councillors rejected a plan which would have allowed him build a 32-storey high-rise apartment and hotel complex on the Jury's Hotel/Berkeley Court site, which he bought for a reported €380m in 2005.
Interfere
Yesterday, An Bord Pleanala rejected an appeal from the 52-year-old businessman seeking permission to build four three-bedroom semi-detached houses on a site behind Serpentine Avenue.
The application, lodged in the name of Mr Dunne, his wife Gayle and children Steven, Elaine and John, was rejected by Dublin City Council last December as it would involve overdevelopment of the site.
The council also ruled that it would impact on neighbouring properties because of overshadowing, and there was not enough open space included.
The grounds for refusal in Mr Dunne's appeal were the same as those handed down by the council, but it also ruled that the proposal could interfere with the width of a laneway at the rear of the site.
"The proposed development would be contrary to the sustainable development of the area," its inspector noted.
Now Mr Dunne finds himself sitting on a large land bank in Dublin 4 with no guarantee he can make a return from it.
On May 15 last, city councillors rejected a draft area plan for Ballsbridge which would have allowed high-rise development in the area. But the decision might yet be overturned as the decision to accept or reject an area plan must be made by a full council meeting.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
An Bord Pleanala yesterday refused permission to the Carlow businessman to build houses off Serpentine Avenue in Ballsbridge. It is the second time in recent weeks Mr Dunne has been set back in relation to a number of planned developments he has for the country's most expensive suburb.
Just last week, city councillors rejected a plan which would have allowed him build a 32-storey high-rise apartment and hotel complex on the Jury's Hotel/Berkeley Court site, which he bought for a reported €380m in 2005.
Interfere
Yesterday, An Bord Pleanala rejected an appeal from the 52-year-old businessman seeking permission to build four three-bedroom semi-detached houses on a site behind Serpentine Avenue.
The application, lodged in the name of Mr Dunne, his wife Gayle and children Steven, Elaine and John, was rejected by Dublin City Council last December as it would involve overdevelopment of the site.
The council also ruled that it would impact on neighbouring properties because of overshadowing, and there was not enough open space included.
The grounds for refusal in Mr Dunne's appeal were the same as those handed down by the council, but it also ruled that the proposal could interfere with the width of a laneway at the rear of the site.
"The proposed development would be contrary to the sustainable development of the area," its inspector noted.
Now Mr Dunne finds himself sitting on a large land bank in Dublin 4 with no guarantee he can make a return from it.
On May 15 last, city councillors rejected a draft area plan for Ballsbridge which would have allowed high-rise development in the area. But the decision might yet be overturned as the decision to accept or reject an area plan must be made by a full council meeting.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
Tara protesters block depot to halt road works
OPPONENTS of the M3 motorway in Co Meath continued their protest yesterday with a day-long stand-off at a depot near Dunshaughlin.
Up to 10 protesters stopped construction machinery from leaving a depot at Cookstown to prevent further works being carried out on the controversial 60km motorway being built through the Tara/Skryne Valley.
Yesterday, Fine Gael released a statement saying it would re-route the road away from the Hill of Tara if the National Museum recommended it.
It emerged last month that a prehistoric ritual site, deemed to be a national monument, had been discovered on the route at Lismullin, but a decision has yet to be made to destroy it or leave it in place.
Transport spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said that while the party supported the €850m motorway, no national monuments should be destroyed during its construction.
"Fine Gael supports the development of the M3, given that the existing road is overcapacity, causes significant congestion and affects the quality of life of those who rely on it each day," she said.
Gardai were called to Dunshaughlin yesterday as protesters spent their second day trying to stop work on the motorway by preventing machinery from leaving the depot which is situated a kilometre from Dunshaughlin.
There were some scuffles between demonstrators and construction workers, but no arrests were made.
"We started a peaceful protest," one protester Debbie Reilly said.
"Gardai told me I wasn't in breach of the peace so I could continue my protest.
"Gardai told the workers they couldn't do anything because we weren't breaking the law." Contractors Siac Ferrovial were not available for comment.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Up to 10 protesters stopped construction machinery from leaving a depot at Cookstown to prevent further works being carried out on the controversial 60km motorway being built through the Tara/Skryne Valley.
Yesterday, Fine Gael released a statement saying it would re-route the road away from the Hill of Tara if the National Museum recommended it.
It emerged last month that a prehistoric ritual site, deemed to be a national monument, had been discovered on the route at Lismullin, but a decision has yet to be made to destroy it or leave it in place.
Transport spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said that while the party supported the €850m motorway, no national monuments should be destroyed during its construction.
"Fine Gael supports the development of the M3, given that the existing road is overcapacity, causes significant congestion and affects the quality of life of those who rely on it each day," she said.
Gardai were called to Dunshaughlin yesterday as protesters spent their second day trying to stop work on the motorway by preventing machinery from leaving the depot which is situated a kilometre from Dunshaughlin.
There were some scuffles between demonstrators and construction workers, but no arrests were made.
"We started a peaceful protest," one protester Debbie Reilly said.
"Gardai told me I wasn't in breach of the peace so I could continue my protest.
"Gardai told the workers they couldn't do anything because we weren't breaking the law." Contractors Siac Ferrovial were not available for comment.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
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