While the NRA has already put the N11 upgrade on the long finger, they twisted the knife even more for south Wicklow commuters last week by declaring that they had no plans at all to even consider building Arklow's missing link' the long-awaited Lamberton interchange off the Arklow bypass.Despite fervent appeals from local councillors and traders for the interchange to be buil
While the NRA has already put the N11 upgrade on the long finger, they twisted the knife even more for south Wicklow commuters last week by declaring that they had no plans at all to even consider building Arklow's missing link' the long-awaited Lamberton interchange off the Arklow bypass.
Despite fervent appeals from local councillors and traders for the interchange to be built as part of the original Arklow bypass in 1999, the NRA chose not to construct it (but did design the road so it could be added later).
The link, which would be another exit and entrance point from the bypass to the Vale or Coolgreaney roads, would mean all traffic bound for west Arklow, Avoca and south-west Wicklow towns would no longer have to come through Arklow's town centre.
The town council recently enquired about the NRA's plans for the interchange, but received a dispiriting reply, which was read out at last week's meeting.
The NRA said the focus until 2015 would be initially be on the five main inter-urban routes between Dublin and Cork, Galway, Waterford, Belfast and Limerick. A host of N-roads around Ireland (but not the N11) were next in line for funding once the main routes were finished.
We regret that it's not possible to provide funding for the proposed interchange in the near future,' the letter read.
Cllr Nicky Kelly blamed both the NRA and the government for the shunting of Wicklow road projects.
The NRA is in collaboration with the government on this,' he said.
When the government's not lying, the NRA is.'
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
NRA is not considering the addition of link road
While the NRA has already put the N11 upgrade on the long finger, they twisted the knife even more for south Wicklow commuters last week by declaring that they had no plans at all to even consider building Arklow's missing link' the long-awaited Lamberton interchange off the Arklow bypass.Despite fervent appeals from local councillors and traders for the interchange to be buil
While the NRA has already put the N11 upgrade on the long finger, they twisted the knife even more for south Wicklow commuters last week by declaring that they had no plans at all to even consider building Arklow's missing link' the long-awaited Lamberton interchange off the Arklow bypass.
Despite fervent appeals from local councillors and traders for the interchange to be built as part of the original Arklow bypass in 1999, the NRA chose not to construct it (but did design the road so it could be added later).
The link, which would be another exit and entrance point from the bypass to the Vale or Coolgreaney roads, would mean all traffic bound for west Arklow, Avoca and south-west Wicklow towns would no longer have to come through Arklow's town centre.
The town council recently enquired about the NRA's plans for the interchange, but received a dispiriting reply, which was read out at last week's meeting.
The NRA said the focus until 2015 would be initially be on the five main inter-urban routes between Dublin and Cork, Galway, Waterford, Belfast and Limerick. A host of N-roads around Ireland (but not the N11) were next in line for funding once the main routes were finished.
We regret that it's not possible to provide funding for the proposed interchange in the near future,' the letter read.
Cllr Nicky Kelly blamed both the NRA and the government for the shunting of Wicklow road projects.
The NRA is in collaboration with the government on this,' he said.
When the government's not lying, the NRA is.'
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
While the NRA has already put the N11 upgrade on the long finger, they twisted the knife even more for south Wicklow commuters last week by declaring that they had no plans at all to even consider building Arklow's missing link' the long-awaited Lamberton interchange off the Arklow bypass.
Despite fervent appeals from local councillors and traders for the interchange to be built as part of the original Arklow bypass in 1999, the NRA chose not to construct it (but did design the road so it could be added later).
The link, which would be another exit and entrance point from the bypass to the Vale or Coolgreaney roads, would mean all traffic bound for west Arklow, Avoca and south-west Wicklow towns would no longer have to come through Arklow's town centre.
The town council recently enquired about the NRA's plans for the interchange, but received a dispiriting reply, which was read out at last week's meeting.
The NRA said the focus until 2015 would be initially be on the five main inter-urban routes between Dublin and Cork, Galway, Waterford, Belfast and Limerick. A host of N-roads around Ireland (but not the N11) were next in line for funding once the main routes were finished.
We regret that it's not possible to provide funding for the proposed interchange in the near future,' the letter read.
Cllr Nicky Kelly blamed both the NRA and the government for the shunting of Wicklow road projects.
The NRA is in collaboration with the government on this,' he said.
When the government's not lying, the NRA is.'
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
Council has until April to purchase €2.2m site
Arklow Town Council has begun discussions on a potential new town hall, council office, library, courtroom and community facility on the old Tesco site on the Wexford Road.The council has an option to buy the property for the fire-sale price of €2.2 million, but the offer runs out in April.
Arklow Town Council has begun discussions on a potential new town hall, council office, library, courtroom and community facility on the old Tesco site on the Wexford Road.
The council has an option to buy the property for the fire-sale price of €2.2 million, but the offer runs out in April.
Bryan Doyle, Wicklow County Council director of services (environment), said the management from the county council, town council and library had met to discuss a possible joint venture.
He said the court service was also interested in the project.
Cllr. Dr. Bill O'Connell said the council should also look at a link-up with the Wicklow VEC, which is looking for new premises in Arklow, but is prevented from purchasing its own property.
The one-stop shop could be the perfect solution for cramped council staff, and will also satisfy traders and town councillors, who don't want the new council offices built on existing council land near the leisure centre.
Cllr. Donal O'Sullivan said the Tesco site (which he secured a council purchase option on after dropping an objection to the new Tesco store) was too good an opportunity to miss.
It would be absolute lunacy to pass on this,' he said.
We have funding coming in from the Eirgas acquisition and a substantial increase in out rates base (thanks to Bridgewater).'
The council would be forced to borrow the money to actually build the facility, which requires ministerial approval.
If we are not allowed to borrow the money, we should find whatever idiot in the department is responsible and bash his head against the wall.'
Mr. Doyle said the parties would continue to explore the issue before making a final decision before April.
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
Arklow Town Council has begun discussions on a potential new town hall, council office, library, courtroom and community facility on the old Tesco site on the Wexford Road.
The council has an option to buy the property for the fire-sale price of €2.2 million, but the offer runs out in April.
Bryan Doyle, Wicklow County Council director of services (environment), said the management from the county council, town council and library had met to discuss a possible joint venture.
He said the court service was also interested in the project.
Cllr. Dr. Bill O'Connell said the council should also look at a link-up with the Wicklow VEC, which is looking for new premises in Arklow, but is prevented from purchasing its own property.
The one-stop shop could be the perfect solution for cramped council staff, and will also satisfy traders and town councillors, who don't want the new council offices built on existing council land near the leisure centre.
Cllr. Donal O'Sullivan said the Tesco site (which he secured a council purchase option on after dropping an objection to the new Tesco store) was too good an opportunity to miss.
It would be absolute lunacy to pass on this,' he said.
We have funding coming in from the Eirgas acquisition and a substantial increase in out rates base (thanks to Bridgewater).'
The council would be forced to borrow the money to actually build the facility, which requires ministerial approval.
If we are not allowed to borrow the money, we should find whatever idiot in the department is responsible and bash his head against the wall.'
Mr. Doyle said the parties would continue to explore the issue before making a final decision before April.
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
Kilpeddar interchange to open
We're on target as the project was not due to be finished until the second quarter of 2008.'
There is currently no right turn onto the N11 for motorists from Kilpeddar travelling south towards Wexford; they must first drive north to Kilmacanogue to change onto the southbound carriageway. Motorists turning right for Dublin face a similar problem.
The Kilpeddar interchange will link the Greystones Southern Access route to the N11, facilitating the movement of traffic to and from Delgany, Kilquade, Kilpeddar and Willow Grove. It will greatly reduce the number of vehicles travelling through Delgany on a daily basis.
The interchange was moved from its original planned location after land-filling activity was discovered in a disused gravel pit.
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
There is currently no right turn onto the N11 for motorists from Kilpeddar travelling south towards Wexford; they must first drive north to Kilmacanogue to change onto the southbound carriageway. Motorists turning right for Dublin face a similar problem.
The Kilpeddar interchange will link the Greystones Southern Access route to the N11, facilitating the movement of traffic to and from Delgany, Kilquade, Kilpeddar and Willow Grove. It will greatly reduce the number of vehicles travelling through Delgany on a daily basis.
The interchange was moved from its original planned location after land-filling activity was discovered in a disused gravel pit.
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
Revised boundary expands Limerick city by 50%
ALMOST 7,000 people will become city residents in Limerick as a result of a significant redesignation of the county council boundary.
It follows an agreement between both local authorities to transfer a huge area of the county suburbs to the city as part of the massive regeneration programme planned for Moyross.
With the transfer of 2,000 acres, the city will expand by 50%.
Limerick County Council is to be paid €1.2 million over six years in compensation for loss of revenue.
The areas, which will transfer to the city, will include Caherdavin suburb and a pocket of Moyross which is currently in the county council’s administrative area.
As a result of the changes, the city council will gain rates revenue from a number of retail outlets including the Jetland and a new shopping area being developed at Coonagh Cross.
John Fitzgerald, the former Dublin city manager who was called in by the Government to draw up a regeneration plan for Moyross and Southill, had sought a boundary extension to allow for a balanced renewal of Moyross and its environs on the northside of the city.
Most of the 1,000 houses in Moyross will be razed to the ground and a new development will provide for better access roads to enable greater interaction between communities on the north side of the city.
Limerick county manager Ned Gleeson has backed the transfer of estates on the northside to the city.
However, he pointed out that this move had no bearing on a much wider boundary extension being sought on the south side of the city including Raheen and Dooradoyle and Monaleen on the eastern side.
As part of the new boundary change on the northside, transitional arrangements are being put in place to deal with planning applications lodged with the county council, the retention of the existing county development plan as it affects Caherdavin and debts owed to the county authority.
The decision of Limerick County Council will now give a huge impetus to the plans being drawn up by the North Side Regeneration board.
The board is engaged in a consultative process with local residents and a final master plan will be ready within the next two months.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
It follows an agreement between both local authorities to transfer a huge area of the county suburbs to the city as part of the massive regeneration programme planned for Moyross.
With the transfer of 2,000 acres, the city will expand by 50%.
Limerick County Council is to be paid €1.2 million over six years in compensation for loss of revenue.
The areas, which will transfer to the city, will include Caherdavin suburb and a pocket of Moyross which is currently in the county council’s administrative area.
As a result of the changes, the city council will gain rates revenue from a number of retail outlets including the Jetland and a new shopping area being developed at Coonagh Cross.
John Fitzgerald, the former Dublin city manager who was called in by the Government to draw up a regeneration plan for Moyross and Southill, had sought a boundary extension to allow for a balanced renewal of Moyross and its environs on the northside of the city.
Most of the 1,000 houses in Moyross will be razed to the ground and a new development will provide for better access roads to enable greater interaction between communities on the north side of the city.
Limerick county manager Ned Gleeson has backed the transfer of estates on the northside to the city.
However, he pointed out that this move had no bearing on a much wider boundary extension being sought on the south side of the city including Raheen and Dooradoyle and Monaleen on the eastern side.
As part of the new boundary change on the northside, transitional arrangements are being put in place to deal with planning applications lodged with the county council, the retention of the existing county development plan as it affects Caherdavin and debts owed to the county authority.
The decision of Limerick County Council will now give a huge impetus to the plans being drawn up by the North Side Regeneration board.
The board is engaged in a consultative process with local residents and a final master plan will be ready within the next two months.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
€60m plan for ‘tourist haven’ on Lough Derg
PLANS to create a “tourist haven” in Tipperary, with the development of a €60 million marina on Lough Derg, were announced yesterday.
Project promoters Eclipse Developments said the proposed integrated tourism development scheme in Ballina/Killaloe would generate 70 jobs.
The development, Shoreline, is reportedly one of the biggest investments on the Shannon.
During a proposed two-year construction period, about 120 jobs will be created.
Extensive public car parking and 90 residential units are also planned for the site.
The development will incorporate “a living breathing marina” with 1.5km of public walkways and a plaza with restaurants, cafes and shops.
The overall scheme is expected to positively impact on visitor numbers to the region and would provide a welcome boost to the local economy — reportedly between €2m-€4m.
The developers say they plan to build a world-class marina with top of the range services including marine supplies, telecommunications and wi-fi.
It is also expected the proposed development will extend the tourist season in the Shannon region.
The promoters are seeking planning permission from North Tipperary County Council.
Retail and commercial space is expected to include chandlery and marine services, specialist retail, gallery and health and spa facilities.
One of the key features of the Shoreline proposal is the extension and enhancement of the existing marina facilities which includes public pathways woven around the site employing bridges, links and decking to complete a circuit of 1.5km of uninterrupted pedestrian walkways with exquisite views over the Shannon.
One of the most spectacular viewing points will be from atop the signature building which slopes upwards from ground level. Members of the public will be able to access a viewing platform at the highest point, with views towards Béal Boru and the lake beyond, and southwards towards Ballina and Killaloe. This building will act as a marker for boats on the Shannon and signal their arrival at Ballina/Killaloe.
The Lough Derg Marina site historically functioned as a departure point for day-trippers taking the steamship to and from Banagher.
Eclipse Developments said it plans to recommence the service to allow visitors to take a trip along the river and lake, departing from and returning to the marina site.
David Lehane of Eclipse Developments said: “With Shoreline, we are seeking to create a haven on the Shannon for visitors to the region and locals alike.
“The public spaces, walkways and facilities on site will make it the ideal destination for those who want to enjoy Shannon life on or off the water.
“We want to create something that is world-class and truly unique on the waterways in Ireland — in a way that is sustainable and sensitive to local heritage and the environment,” he said.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Project promoters Eclipse Developments said the proposed integrated tourism development scheme in Ballina/Killaloe would generate 70 jobs.
The development, Shoreline, is reportedly one of the biggest investments on the Shannon.
During a proposed two-year construction period, about 120 jobs will be created.
Extensive public car parking and 90 residential units are also planned for the site.
The development will incorporate “a living breathing marina” with 1.5km of public walkways and a plaza with restaurants, cafes and shops.
The overall scheme is expected to positively impact on visitor numbers to the region and would provide a welcome boost to the local economy — reportedly between €2m-€4m.
The developers say they plan to build a world-class marina with top of the range services including marine supplies, telecommunications and wi-fi.
It is also expected the proposed development will extend the tourist season in the Shannon region.
The promoters are seeking planning permission from North Tipperary County Council.
Retail and commercial space is expected to include chandlery and marine services, specialist retail, gallery and health and spa facilities.
One of the key features of the Shoreline proposal is the extension and enhancement of the existing marina facilities which includes public pathways woven around the site employing bridges, links and decking to complete a circuit of 1.5km of uninterrupted pedestrian walkways with exquisite views over the Shannon.
One of the most spectacular viewing points will be from atop the signature building which slopes upwards from ground level. Members of the public will be able to access a viewing platform at the highest point, with views towards Béal Boru and the lake beyond, and southwards towards Ballina and Killaloe. This building will act as a marker for boats on the Shannon and signal their arrival at Ballina/Killaloe.
The Lough Derg Marina site historically functioned as a departure point for day-trippers taking the steamship to and from Banagher.
Eclipse Developments said it plans to recommence the service to allow visitors to take a trip along the river and lake, departing from and returning to the marina site.
David Lehane of Eclipse Developments said: “With Shoreline, we are seeking to create a haven on the Shannon for visitors to the region and locals alike.
“The public spaces, walkways and facilities on site will make it the ideal destination for those who want to enjoy Shannon life on or off the water.
“We want to create something that is world-class and truly unique on the waterways in Ireland — in a way that is sustainable and sensitive to local heritage and the environment,” he said.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Councillors set for U-turn on controversial rezoning
CORK’S city councillors are poised to do a controversial U-turn on a policy of not rezoning sports land for development.
A motion calling for the rezoning of former sports pitches on the grounds of Farranferris College in Cork was submitted to the city council yesterday.
The rezoning is crucial to secure the €50 million redevelopment of the former seminary as an educational campus to tackle social deprivation in the northside, councillors said. But it comes just months after they voted against rezoning a portion of the Tank Field, also zoned for sports, which would have facilitated the construction of a new school for Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn in Montenotte.
Eleven councillors have signed a motion calling for the adoption of a local area plan to facilitate the regeneration of the college.
If cleared, the former sports grounds will be rezoned for 108 housing units, which help fund the regeneration. The local area plan describes the sports ground as not suitable — or big enough — for competitive use.
The blueprint for the refurbishment of Farranferris College was drawn up, at the request of the diocese, by property developer and past pupil Michael O’Flynn. His plan calls for the development of an educational campus on the 22-acre site.
It is envisaged that 700 people will be accommodated on the campus.
The 40,688 sq ft college will be retained and refurbished, while six new buildings will be constructed next to it
The main building will be used by Cork city VEC, FÁS and Northside Community Enterprises, which will provide adult education and training courses. The others will accommodate Cope Foundation, Rehab Care and Cabas.
Mr O’Flynn will not be involved in building homes on the site. It is envisaged that the campus will also have a crèche, a three-acre regional park and decked car parking.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
A motion calling for the rezoning of former sports pitches on the grounds of Farranferris College in Cork was submitted to the city council yesterday.
The rezoning is crucial to secure the €50 million redevelopment of the former seminary as an educational campus to tackle social deprivation in the northside, councillors said. But it comes just months after they voted against rezoning a portion of the Tank Field, also zoned for sports, which would have facilitated the construction of a new school for Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn in Montenotte.
Eleven councillors have signed a motion calling for the adoption of a local area plan to facilitate the regeneration of the college.
If cleared, the former sports grounds will be rezoned for 108 housing units, which help fund the regeneration. The local area plan describes the sports ground as not suitable — or big enough — for competitive use.
The blueprint for the refurbishment of Farranferris College was drawn up, at the request of the diocese, by property developer and past pupil Michael O’Flynn. His plan calls for the development of an educational campus on the 22-acre site.
It is envisaged that 700 people will be accommodated on the campus.
The 40,688 sq ft college will be retained and refurbished, while six new buildings will be constructed next to it
The main building will be used by Cork city VEC, FÁS and Northside Community Enterprises, which will provide adult education and training courses. The others will accommodate Cope Foundation, Rehab Care and Cabas.
Mr O’Flynn will not be involved in building homes on the site. It is envisaged that the campus will also have a crèche, a three-acre regional park and decked car parking.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Councillors set for U-turn on controversial rezoning
CORK’S city councillors are poised to do a controversial U-turn on a policy of not rezoning sports land for development.
A motion calling for the rezoning of former sports pitches on the grounds of Farranferris College in Cork was submitted to the city council yesterday.
The rezoning is crucial to secure the €50 million redevelopment of the former seminary as an educational campus to tackle social deprivation in the northside, councillors said. But it comes just months after they voted against rezoning a portion of the Tank Field, also zoned for sports, which would have facilitated the construction of a new school for Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn in Montenotte.
Eleven councillors have signed a motion calling for the adoption of a local area plan to facilitate the regeneration of the college.
If cleared, the former sports grounds will be rezoned for 108 housing units, which help fund the regeneration. The local area plan describes the sports ground as not suitable — or big enough — for competitive use.
The blueprint for the refurbishment of Farranferris College was drawn up, at the request of the diocese, by property developer and past pupil Michael O’Flynn. His plan calls for the development of an educational campus on the 22-acre site.
It is envisaged that 700 people will be accommodated on the campus.
The 40,688 sq ft college will be retained and refurbished, while six new buildings will be constructed next to it
The main building will be used by Cork city VEC, FÁS and Northside Community Enterprises, which will provide adult education and training courses. The others will accommodate Cope Foundation, Rehab Care and Cabas.
Mr O’Flynn will not be involved in building homes on the site. It is envisaged that the campus will also have a crèche, a three-acre regional park and decked car parking.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
A motion calling for the rezoning of former sports pitches on the grounds of Farranferris College in Cork was submitted to the city council yesterday.
The rezoning is crucial to secure the €50 million redevelopment of the former seminary as an educational campus to tackle social deprivation in the northside, councillors said. But it comes just months after they voted against rezoning a portion of the Tank Field, also zoned for sports, which would have facilitated the construction of a new school for Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn in Montenotte.
Eleven councillors have signed a motion calling for the adoption of a local area plan to facilitate the regeneration of the college.
If cleared, the former sports grounds will be rezoned for 108 housing units, which help fund the regeneration. The local area plan describes the sports ground as not suitable — or big enough — for competitive use.
The blueprint for the refurbishment of Farranferris College was drawn up, at the request of the diocese, by property developer and past pupil Michael O’Flynn. His plan calls for the development of an educational campus on the 22-acre site.
It is envisaged that 700 people will be accommodated on the campus.
The 40,688 sq ft college will be retained and refurbished, while six new buildings will be constructed next to it
The main building will be used by Cork city VEC, FÁS and Northside Community Enterprises, which will provide adult education and training courses. The others will accommodate Cope Foundation, Rehab Care and Cabas.
Mr O’Flynn will not be involved in building homes on the site. It is envisaged that the campus will also have a crèche, a three-acre regional park and decked car parking.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Plan to rezone sports lands for homes and education campus
A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to rezone sports land for houses on the site of one of country’s most famous hurling schools in a €50 million redevelopment plan was submitted yesterday.
The move, to secure the redevelopment of St Finbarr’s-Farranferris College in the northside of Cork city, was backed by over a third of the city’s councillors — most from the northside.
This is despite the council repeatedly warning developers to keep their hands off city lands zoned for sport.
The rezoning of the college’s former training grounds is crucial to secure the development of an education campus on the rest of the site, the developer behind the project said.
A motion signed by 11 councillors was submitted to City Hall yesterday, calling for the adoption of a local area plan for the former Farranferris seminary site, owned by the diocese of Cork and Ross.
It was closed last year and developer and former past pupil Michael O’Flynn prepared a blueprint for its future last April. It called for:
* A total refurbishment of the main building.
* Construction of six new high-tech office buildings.
* The development of 108 private residential units on the site’s former training pitches.
The buildings will house services by Cork VEC, FÁS, Cope Foundation, Rehab, Cabas (special needs services) and Northside Community Enterprises, UCC and CIT. The entire project is aimed at tackling social disadvantage.
Proceeds of the sale of houses on 4.6 hectares (11.25 acres) would help fund the rest of the project.
A draft local area plan, which has been obtained by the Irish Examiner, describes the housing element as crucial to realise the education and training campus — a stated aim in the city development plan.
“This plan contends that there is therefore a conflict between this policy and another policy which seeks to prevent development occurring on sports pitches.
“A key aim of this area plan, therefore, is to resolve this conflict and prioritise the educational aims of the city plan over the sporting aims,” the plan says.
Mr O’Flynn said he could not see how councillors could be accused of doing a U-turn on their stated policy of preventing development on land zoned for sport: “This is an integrated plan which contains an education campus, and the refurbishment of old buildings.
“This is a unique opportunity for an area that needs investment.
“Councillors have a responsibility to examine all projects on their merits.
“I have consulted widely on this. I feel I have broad local and council support.”
Cllr Damian Wallace (FF), who was among those to sign the motion, said the Farranferris blueprint meets the aim of providing a third-level college on the city’s northside.
“These sports grounds are not active,” he said. “This is an opportunity to provide something of substance for the northside. On balance, it’s far better to rezone these lands than to do nothing.”
The blueprint also contains proposals to provide a three-acre regional park.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The move, to secure the redevelopment of St Finbarr’s-Farranferris College in the northside of Cork city, was backed by over a third of the city’s councillors — most from the northside.
This is despite the council repeatedly warning developers to keep their hands off city lands zoned for sport.
The rezoning of the college’s former training grounds is crucial to secure the development of an education campus on the rest of the site, the developer behind the project said.
A motion signed by 11 councillors was submitted to City Hall yesterday, calling for the adoption of a local area plan for the former Farranferris seminary site, owned by the diocese of Cork and Ross.
It was closed last year and developer and former past pupil Michael O’Flynn prepared a blueprint for its future last April. It called for:
* A total refurbishment of the main building.
* Construction of six new high-tech office buildings.
* The development of 108 private residential units on the site’s former training pitches.
The buildings will house services by Cork VEC, FÁS, Cope Foundation, Rehab, Cabas (special needs services) and Northside Community Enterprises, UCC and CIT. The entire project is aimed at tackling social disadvantage.
Proceeds of the sale of houses on 4.6 hectares (11.25 acres) would help fund the rest of the project.
A draft local area plan, which has been obtained by the Irish Examiner, describes the housing element as crucial to realise the education and training campus — a stated aim in the city development plan.
“This plan contends that there is therefore a conflict between this policy and another policy which seeks to prevent development occurring on sports pitches.
“A key aim of this area plan, therefore, is to resolve this conflict and prioritise the educational aims of the city plan over the sporting aims,” the plan says.
Mr O’Flynn said he could not see how councillors could be accused of doing a U-turn on their stated policy of preventing development on land zoned for sport: “This is an integrated plan which contains an education campus, and the refurbishment of old buildings.
“This is a unique opportunity for an area that needs investment.
“Councillors have a responsibility to examine all projects on their merits.
“I have consulted widely on this. I feel I have broad local and council support.”
Cllr Damian Wallace (FF), who was among those to sign the motion, said the Farranferris blueprint meets the aim of providing a third-level college on the city’s northside.
“These sports grounds are not active,” he said. “This is an opportunity to provide something of substance for the northside. On balance, it’s far better to rezone these lands than to do nothing.”
The blueprint also contains proposals to provide a three-acre regional park.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Safety fear over plans for gas terminal
Safety was the main concern of residents alongside the country's proposed first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the Shannon estuary, a meeting of Kerry County Council heard yesterday.
Fears of explosions and terrorist attack had been raised at local meetings, former senator Cllr Dan Kiely confirmed. However, he and other councillors welcomed the proposal and deemed it "top tier" in terms of hazardous sites and one in which the major accident directive of the EU applied.
At full capacity, up to 125 tankers a year would arrive with gas and this would have "a major impact" on the estuary requiring an exclusion zone around the jetty when the ships arrived. The terminal is planned for a 257-acre site between Tarbert and Ballylongford.
Earlier this year An Bord Pleanála deemed the €500 million terminal proposal by Shannon LNG (a subsidiary of the US company Hess LNG) a "strategic infrastructure" under the terms of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006.
The application has gone directly to the planning appeal board, with public submissions closing two weeks ago. The county council finalised its submission at the council's monthly meeting yesterday.
The council believes the proposal had "significant" positive benefits and was not located on land with an amenity designation. It will also say the terminal will not be prejudicial to public health and safety, subject to compliance with conditions.
Senior executive with the council's planning department, Tom Sheehy, assured councillors the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) had also received the planning application and they will report separately to the planning appeal board. The Environmental Protection Agency is also to be involved and will be setting out the monitoring programme to be implemented by Shannon LNG.
An oral hearing was likely to be held on the proposal, Mr Sheehy said. The council wants the developer to contribute over €7.2 million towards infrastructural costs, which include upgrading water supply to the site and buying specialist fire-fighting equipment and training before the terminal is built.
The council is also asking that a bond of €5 million should be lodged to ensure completion of the project. It is also seeking an annual contribution of €200,000 from the developer to the local community.
Up to 750 jobs will be created during the construction of four giant storage tanks, platforms, new marine jetty and associated works.
Anne Lucey
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Fears of explosions and terrorist attack had been raised at local meetings, former senator Cllr Dan Kiely confirmed. However, he and other councillors welcomed the proposal and deemed it "top tier" in terms of hazardous sites and one in which the major accident directive of the EU applied.
At full capacity, up to 125 tankers a year would arrive with gas and this would have "a major impact" on the estuary requiring an exclusion zone around the jetty when the ships arrived. The terminal is planned for a 257-acre site between Tarbert and Ballylongford.
Earlier this year An Bord Pleanála deemed the €500 million terminal proposal by Shannon LNG (a subsidiary of the US company Hess LNG) a "strategic infrastructure" under the terms of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006.
The application has gone directly to the planning appeal board, with public submissions closing two weeks ago. The county council finalised its submission at the council's monthly meeting yesterday.
The council believes the proposal had "significant" positive benefits and was not located on land with an amenity designation. It will also say the terminal will not be prejudicial to public health and safety, subject to compliance with conditions.
Senior executive with the council's planning department, Tom Sheehy, assured councillors the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) had also received the planning application and they will report separately to the planning appeal board. The Environmental Protection Agency is also to be involved and will be setting out the monitoring programme to be implemented by Shannon LNG.
An oral hearing was likely to be held on the proposal, Mr Sheehy said. The council wants the developer to contribute over €7.2 million towards infrastructural costs, which include upgrading water supply to the site and buying specialist fire-fighting equipment and training before the terminal is built.
The council is also asking that a bond of €5 million should be lodged to ensure completion of the project. It is also seeking an annual contribution of €200,000 from the developer to the local community.
Up to 750 jobs will be created during the construction of four giant storage tanks, platforms, new marine jetty and associated works.
Anne Lucey
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Heritage projects scoop international awards
TWO mid-west visitor attractions yesterday emerged triumphant in an international tourism honours list.
The 2007 Interpret Britain and Ireland Awards went to the Atlantic Edge Exhibition at the Cliffs of Moher and Foynes Flying Boat Museum.
Both were described as “magnificent” and “fascinating” in the prestigious award scheme run by the Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI).
Actor Frank Kelly presented the awards at the Cliffs of Moher centre.
Judges said the Atlantic Edge Exhibition, designed by Martello Media, was a world-class facility.
Foynes Flying Boat Museum, designed by Jack Harrison, according to the judges panel, re-created a unique period in flying history.
A third award was won by Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, while commendations were given to five heritage sites in England.
Katherine Webster, director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, said: “We are delighted that the AHI has staged their awards ceremony here at the cliffs, the first time it has been held outside of Britain. We, along with Foynes Flying Boat Museum, are proud to have received these awards. It goes to show that the Shannon Region is leading the world in the quality of the experience visitors will find here.”
Frank Kelly expressed delight that two Irish sites had been officially recognised by the AHI. The actor, who spent much time in Clare during the filming of the television series, Father Ted, said: “Acting is all about telling stories and bringing people and places to life. So I am fascinated to see how heritage sites are using interpretation to tell stories, and inspire and excite people about history, culture and the environment.”
The award scheme, in its 23rd year, is supported by English Heritage, the Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage.
The Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI) is the British membership body for people working and teaching in the field of heritage and environmental interpretation.
AHI members are drawn from a range of fields including museums, government agencies, local authorities, trusts, charities, universities, colleges, national and country parks, and consultancies. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in communicating about their natural and cultural surroundings.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The 2007 Interpret Britain and Ireland Awards went to the Atlantic Edge Exhibition at the Cliffs of Moher and Foynes Flying Boat Museum.
Both were described as “magnificent” and “fascinating” in the prestigious award scheme run by the Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI).
Actor Frank Kelly presented the awards at the Cliffs of Moher centre.
Judges said the Atlantic Edge Exhibition, designed by Martello Media, was a world-class facility.
Foynes Flying Boat Museum, designed by Jack Harrison, according to the judges panel, re-created a unique period in flying history.
A third award was won by Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, while commendations were given to five heritage sites in England.
Katherine Webster, director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, said: “We are delighted that the AHI has staged their awards ceremony here at the cliffs, the first time it has been held outside of Britain. We, along with Foynes Flying Boat Museum, are proud to have received these awards. It goes to show that the Shannon Region is leading the world in the quality of the experience visitors will find here.”
Frank Kelly expressed delight that two Irish sites had been officially recognised by the AHI. The actor, who spent much time in Clare during the filming of the television series, Father Ted, said: “Acting is all about telling stories and bringing people and places to life. So I am fascinated to see how heritage sites are using interpretation to tell stories, and inspire and excite people about history, culture and the environment.”
The award scheme, in its 23rd year, is supported by English Heritage, the Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage.
The Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI) is the British membership body for people working and teaching in the field of heritage and environmental interpretation.
AHI members are drawn from a range of fields including museums, government agencies, local authorities, trusts, charities, universities, colleges, national and country parks, and consultancies. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in communicating about their natural and cultural surroundings.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
900 homes to undergo tests for potentially lethal gas
TESTS for a potentially lethal gas that can cause cancer are to be carried out on almost 900 homes in Co. Cork.
County manager Martin Riordan confirmed yesterday that the county council, in conjunction with the Radiological Protection Institute, intends to check local authority houses in the north Cork region for radon gas.
The pilot scheme will focus specifically on north Cork as parts of the region were identified by the institute as having potentially high levels of the gas.
The serious threat posed by radon gas came to light recently when it emerged that staff working in The Corkman newspaper office in Mallow had been exposed to very high levels of radiation from the gas.
Mr Riordan said a programme for the works was currently being arranged by county council staff and he was confident testing would begin soon.
The council is to purchase €30,000 of testing equipment.
The local authority owns a total of 1,924 houses in the region, but is initially going to test 893 homes in areas which the institute has deemed to be at greater risk.
The county manager said if any houses were found to have dangerous levels of the gas, steps would be immediately taken to rectify the problem.
“Have no doubt that any houses that need to be protected will be,” Mr Riordan told councillors at a meeting in County Hall. Tests will continue over a six-month period.
Once testing has been completed in north Cork, it is likely that the scheme will be extended to other parts of the county identified by the institute as having potential problems.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
County manager Martin Riordan confirmed yesterday that the county council, in conjunction with the Radiological Protection Institute, intends to check local authority houses in the north Cork region for radon gas.
The pilot scheme will focus specifically on north Cork as parts of the region were identified by the institute as having potentially high levels of the gas.
The serious threat posed by radon gas came to light recently when it emerged that staff working in The Corkman newspaper office in Mallow had been exposed to very high levels of radiation from the gas.
Mr Riordan said a programme for the works was currently being arranged by county council staff and he was confident testing would begin soon.
The council is to purchase €30,000 of testing equipment.
The local authority owns a total of 1,924 houses in the region, but is initially going to test 893 homes in areas which the institute has deemed to be at greater risk.
The county manager said if any houses were found to have dangerous levels of the gas, steps would be immediately taken to rectify the problem.
“Have no doubt that any houses that need to be protected will be,” Mr Riordan told councillors at a meeting in County Hall. Tests will continue over a six-month period.
Once testing has been completed in north Cork, it is likely that the scheme will be extended to other parts of the county identified by the institute as having potential problems.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 26 November 2007
€2bn rail link to go ahead despite working 'ghost line' existing
A new underground Dart service linking Heuston Station to the Docklands which is scheduled to cast €2bn is set to go ahead -- despite the fact the two destinations are already linked by a fully functioning but little used railway known as "The Ghost Line". .
The existing high speed railway travels from Heuston through the Phoenix Park tunnel before surfacing again and travelling through Cabra, Phibsboro, Drumcondra and onto Connolly Station and on to the Docklands
The neglected rail link is fully functioning and occasionally carries freight and is used to shunt locomotives between Dublin's two main railway stations.
Now a rail user lobby group have questioned the vast amount of money which is earmarked for a new tunnel under the city when the old Victorian railway line could be used to service some of the city's most densely populated areas.
"They are wasting an incredible asset and instead ploughing vast sums of money into a new inter-connector tunnel," said Derek Wheeler of Rail Users Ireland. "The rail lines have been there for over one hundred years and have carried passenger trains in the past and are begging to be used again. It is a rapid rail service that can be up and running within a year. The whole system is just about ready to go."
In the past, the Phoenix Park tunnel was portrayed as an unsuitable, crumbling and leaky vestige of Victorian engineering. But in reality the tunnel was engineered to the highest standards and is vast and cavernous. Approximately 757 yards in length, it was built to accommodate two wide gauge 9 foot 10 inch trains travelling in either direction.
"Transit time to either Connolly or the North Wall from Heuston would be about 10 to 12 minutes and the Phoenix Park route would have the benefit of servicing a lot of densely populated areas," said Wheeler.
"Currently, the lines through the Phoenix Park are fully signalled to passenger standards, with signal spacing adequate to support trains at approximately five minute intervals in both directions." However, Iarnrod Eireann insists that the Phoenix Park route is a non runner and would only add to the congestion at Connolly Station:
"The Phoenix Park tunnel is currently used for freight services and special train services, particularly during the GAA season," said spokesperson, Barry Kenny. "Using the park tunnel would result in cancellations of other services. Connolly station is at full capacity at peak times, and using the park tunnel in this way would not generate any additional commuter capacity in the greater Dublin area. Kildare services could not serve Heuston without an additional platform and track work being provided there, and could not serve docklands without track modifications at a multi-million euro cost."
Three years ago, Iarnrod Eireann had an entirely different view. On February 25 2004, Joe Maher, the then chief executive of the company told the Dail Transport Committee: "We certainly intend to use the park tunnel in the short-term to bring trains from the Kildare/Newbridge area into Spencer Dock because there is demand for that."
Meanwhile, Transport 21's proposed inter-connector tunnel which would extend the Dart service to Heuston and onwards to Park West, Adamstown and Hazelhatch is being hailed as a panacea to all the city's public transport needs. In 2003, it was estimated that the new inter-connector would cost €1.3bn. However, the cost of major infrastructure projects have a history of spiralling out of control, and some critics have suggested that the new tunnel could eventually end up costing €2bn.
Tom Prendeville
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The existing high speed railway travels from Heuston through the Phoenix Park tunnel before surfacing again and travelling through Cabra, Phibsboro, Drumcondra and onto Connolly Station and on to the Docklands
The neglected rail link is fully functioning and occasionally carries freight and is used to shunt locomotives between Dublin's two main railway stations.
Now a rail user lobby group have questioned the vast amount of money which is earmarked for a new tunnel under the city when the old Victorian railway line could be used to service some of the city's most densely populated areas.
"They are wasting an incredible asset and instead ploughing vast sums of money into a new inter-connector tunnel," said Derek Wheeler of Rail Users Ireland. "The rail lines have been there for over one hundred years and have carried passenger trains in the past and are begging to be used again. It is a rapid rail service that can be up and running within a year. The whole system is just about ready to go."
In the past, the Phoenix Park tunnel was portrayed as an unsuitable, crumbling and leaky vestige of Victorian engineering. But in reality the tunnel was engineered to the highest standards and is vast and cavernous. Approximately 757 yards in length, it was built to accommodate two wide gauge 9 foot 10 inch trains travelling in either direction.
"Transit time to either Connolly or the North Wall from Heuston would be about 10 to 12 minutes and the Phoenix Park route would have the benefit of servicing a lot of densely populated areas," said Wheeler.
"Currently, the lines through the Phoenix Park are fully signalled to passenger standards, with signal spacing adequate to support trains at approximately five minute intervals in both directions." However, Iarnrod Eireann insists that the Phoenix Park route is a non runner and would only add to the congestion at Connolly Station:
"The Phoenix Park tunnel is currently used for freight services and special train services, particularly during the GAA season," said spokesperson, Barry Kenny. "Using the park tunnel would result in cancellations of other services. Connolly station is at full capacity at peak times, and using the park tunnel in this way would not generate any additional commuter capacity in the greater Dublin area. Kildare services could not serve Heuston without an additional platform and track work being provided there, and could not serve docklands without track modifications at a multi-million euro cost."
Three years ago, Iarnrod Eireann had an entirely different view. On February 25 2004, Joe Maher, the then chief executive of the company told the Dail Transport Committee: "We certainly intend to use the park tunnel in the short-term to bring trains from the Kildare/Newbridge area into Spencer Dock because there is demand for that."
Meanwhile, Transport 21's proposed inter-connector tunnel which would extend the Dart service to Heuston and onwards to Park West, Adamstown and Hazelhatch is being hailed as a panacea to all the city's public transport needs. In 2003, it was estimated that the new inter-connector would cost €1.3bn. However, the cost of major infrastructure projects have a history of spiralling out of control, and some critics have suggested that the new tunnel could eventually end up costing €2bn.
Tom Prendeville
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Marchers protest at airport beach plan
Over 200 people donned their waterproofs and walked across Dorrin's Strand to Coney island in Sligo Bay at low tide yesterday in protest at controversial plans to extend the airport across the beach.
The walk is just the first step in the campaign by a local environmental group to prevent the extension of the runway at Sligo Airport across Dorrin's Strand.
They say the expansion will block access, wipe out a thriving shellfish industry and do untold environmental damage.
The planning application for the development is currently with Sligo County Council which has sought further information.
"We will wait the outcome of that application and depending on what that is, our next step will be An Bord Pleanala and then Europe," said a member of the Dorrin's and Cummeen Strand Conservation Group, Frank Carter.
He pointed out that the strand is a special protected area, subject to European legislation, with its north east facing orientation making it a safe habitat for wintering Brent geese.
The protesters took the traditional "short strand" route, which has been used for hundreds of years to gain access to the popular island.
The group claims that the proposed works associated with the runway extension would render Dorrin's strand impassable and derelict, while also seriously threatening the road to Coney Island.
Freedom
"The proposal to redirect the drainage channel, by building a nine hundred metre long stone channel, reinforced by rock armour, together with the building of an enormous stone platform across half of the strand, and navigation lights over the remainder, would render Dorrin's Strand a no-go area for travellers to and from Coney Island and for walkers, bird watchers, fishermen and the many families who enjoy safe swimming there," he said.
He added that the freedom to walk around the peninsula was one which has been taken for granted for so long that most people considered it a civil right.
"If the principle of building airports on beaches is to be established in Sligo, what a proud record we will have to hand on to our grandchildren," he said.
Sligo County Council has sought further information on the planning application by the board of Sligo Airport to extend the runway almost 260 metres over Dorrin's Strand.
The board claims that the extension is necessary to comply with new aviation standards and without it, there is no commercial future for the airport.
Anita Guidera
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The walk is just the first step in the campaign by a local environmental group to prevent the extension of the runway at Sligo Airport across Dorrin's Strand.
They say the expansion will block access, wipe out a thriving shellfish industry and do untold environmental damage.
The planning application for the development is currently with Sligo County Council which has sought further information.
"We will wait the outcome of that application and depending on what that is, our next step will be An Bord Pleanala and then Europe," said a member of the Dorrin's and Cummeen Strand Conservation Group, Frank Carter.
He pointed out that the strand is a special protected area, subject to European legislation, with its north east facing orientation making it a safe habitat for wintering Brent geese.
The protesters took the traditional "short strand" route, which has been used for hundreds of years to gain access to the popular island.
The group claims that the proposed works associated with the runway extension would render Dorrin's strand impassable and derelict, while also seriously threatening the road to Coney Island.
Freedom
"The proposal to redirect the drainage channel, by building a nine hundred metre long stone channel, reinforced by rock armour, together with the building of an enormous stone platform across half of the strand, and navigation lights over the remainder, would render Dorrin's Strand a no-go area for travellers to and from Coney Island and for walkers, bird watchers, fishermen and the many families who enjoy safe swimming there," he said.
He added that the freedom to walk around the peninsula was one which has been taken for granted for so long that most people considered it a civil right.
"If the principle of building airports on beaches is to be established in Sligo, what a proud record we will have to hand on to our grandchildren," he said.
Sligo County Council has sought further information on the planning application by the board of Sligo Airport to extend the runway almost 260 metres over Dorrin's Strand.
The board claims that the extension is necessary to comply with new aviation standards and without it, there is no commercial future for the airport.
Anita Guidera
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Council to stop funding childcare facilities
Just 18 months after it announced it would begin playing a role in providing childcare in the city, Dublin City Council is to stop funding creches.
City manager John Tierney has warned that pumping €1m a year into city-centre creches is "not sustainable" and that other state agencies should pay for the service.
In his draft budget report, to be presented to councillors today, Mr Tierney says the council has funded services "that are properly provided and funded by other state agencies", and that it would pull out of childcare provision over the next three years.
Faced with increasing budget constraints, the council says investing in childcare leads to "fewer resources for core services", and will take steps to ensure that other agencies take responsibility.
In April last year, the council announced it would run its first childcare facility in the inner city at Buckingham Street.
Responsibility
At the time, the council said no community group would take on management responsibility for the creche, and it subsidised places for the lower-paid or those seeking employment.
But the budget for next year shows €540,000 is earmarked for operational costs at four community creches in the city. Another €460,000 is earmarked to progress other creches.
But Mr Tierney said over the next three years the council will seek to reduce its resource allocation to such areas. However, there is no suggestion that any of the facilities will be closed.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
City manager John Tierney has warned that pumping €1m a year into city-centre creches is "not sustainable" and that other state agencies should pay for the service.
In his draft budget report, to be presented to councillors today, Mr Tierney says the council has funded services "that are properly provided and funded by other state agencies", and that it would pull out of childcare provision over the next three years.
Faced with increasing budget constraints, the council says investing in childcare leads to "fewer resources for core services", and will take steps to ensure that other agencies take responsibility.
In April last year, the council announced it would run its first childcare facility in the inner city at Buckingham Street.
Responsibility
At the time, the council said no community group would take on management responsibility for the creche, and it subsidised places for the lower-paid or those seeking employment.
But the budget for next year shows €540,000 is earmarked for operational costs at four community creches in the city. Another €460,000 is earmarked to progress other creches.
But Mr Tierney said over the next three years the council will seek to reduce its resource allocation to such areas. However, there is no suggestion that any of the facilities will be closed.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Docklands forum hugely significant, says Ahern
FOUR of the biggest landowners in Cork’s sprawling docklands confirmed last night they have combined to drive forward the region’s multibillion regeneration.
The Docklands Landowners Group made the announcement during Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s visit to the city yesterday.
Mr Ahern was briefed by senior officials with developers Howard Holdings on their plans for a €1bn mixed-use project, which will include a conference centre, in the south docks.
It is understood a planning application will be lodged in January.
But McCarthy Developments, owned by Thomas McCarthy, the Marina Commercial Park’s Jerry Wycherley, Origin, a development company set up by IAWS, and Top Oil issued a joint statement last night welcoming Mr Ahern’s establishment of a national Docklands Steering Forum.
Chaired by former UCC president, Gerry Wrixon, it will provide a vital link between State agencies and Cork City Council, the lead partner in the docklands regeneration project.
“We also welcome the appointment of John Travers, as the nominee of the landowners,” a spokesman for the group said.
Other nominations to the forum include Sylvester Carruth, Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism; Clare Dunne, Department of Enterprise; Cork city manager, Joe Gavin; Conor Healy, from the Chamber of Commerce; Brendan Keating, Cork Port; John Martin, Department of the Environment; community representatives Mary Moloney, Finbarr Murphy, and Frank Murphy; Úna Nic Giolla Choille, Department of Communications; Fintan O’Brien, Department of Transport; Cork’s county manager, Martin Riordan; Paul Ryan, Department of Finance; John Shaw, Department of the Taoiseach; and Dominic Sullivan from the Department of Education.
Mr Ahern said the formal establishment of the forum was a “hugely significant step in the development of Cork’s docklands as a residential, economic and cultural centre to rival anywhere in Europe”.
“The wide range of experience of the participants will ensure that the redeveloped docklands will become a new hub of activity for all Cork people,” he said.
The forum will meet next month and report back to Government by June 2008.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The Docklands Landowners Group made the announcement during Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s visit to the city yesterday.
Mr Ahern was briefed by senior officials with developers Howard Holdings on their plans for a €1bn mixed-use project, which will include a conference centre, in the south docks.
It is understood a planning application will be lodged in January.
But McCarthy Developments, owned by Thomas McCarthy, the Marina Commercial Park’s Jerry Wycherley, Origin, a development company set up by IAWS, and Top Oil issued a joint statement last night welcoming Mr Ahern’s establishment of a national Docklands Steering Forum.
Chaired by former UCC president, Gerry Wrixon, it will provide a vital link between State agencies and Cork City Council, the lead partner in the docklands regeneration project.
“We also welcome the appointment of John Travers, as the nominee of the landowners,” a spokesman for the group said.
Other nominations to the forum include Sylvester Carruth, Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism; Clare Dunne, Department of Enterprise; Cork city manager, Joe Gavin; Conor Healy, from the Chamber of Commerce; Brendan Keating, Cork Port; John Martin, Department of the Environment; community representatives Mary Moloney, Finbarr Murphy, and Frank Murphy; Úna Nic Giolla Choille, Department of Communications; Fintan O’Brien, Department of Transport; Cork’s county manager, Martin Riordan; Paul Ryan, Department of Finance; John Shaw, Department of the Taoiseach; and Dominic Sullivan from the Department of Education.
Mr Ahern said the formal establishment of the forum was a “hugely significant step in the development of Cork’s docklands as a residential, economic and cultural centre to rival anywhere in Europe”.
“The wide range of experience of the participants will ensure that the redeveloped docklands will become a new hub of activity for all Cork people,” he said.
The forum will meet next month and report back to Government by June 2008.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Approvals bring project closer
Now that both An Bord Pleanala and the Environmental Protection Agency have given their blessing to the Poolbeg incinerator the actual construction of the project draws closer.
However, the EPA has issued only a draft licence. The public have 28 days in which to object or make observations.
The EPA may then deem it necessary to have another public hearing, which would delay the project.
Because the incinerator will be generating power for up to 100,000 homes, the council will have to apply to the Commission for Energy Regulation, but this should not take long.
Barring any successful court challenges, it is expected that construction work will start towards the end of 2008 or early 2009.
The incinerator should be running two years later.
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
However, the EPA has issued only a draft licence. The public have 28 days in which to object or make observations.
The EPA may then deem it necessary to have another public hearing, which would delay the project.
Because the incinerator will be generating power for up to 100,000 homes, the council will have to apply to the Commission for Energy Regulation, but this should not take long.
Barring any successful court challenges, it is expected that construction work will start towards the end of 2008 or early 2009.
The incinerator should be running two years later.
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Incinerator safe, says EPA -- as long as it's run properly
THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told worried residents yesterday that the Poolbeg incinerator will not cause any health problems - if operated correctly.
Approving a draft operating licence for the incinerator yesterday, the EPA said that when running in accordance with its 109 conditions it would "not adversely affect human health or the environment".
The EPA said it was debarred in law from granting a waste licence unless satisfied the project would not cause environmental pollution if run properly.
The incinerator will also meet all national and EU standards, it added.
The EPA pollution licence approval, days after An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the project, is another rebuff for Environment Minister John Gormley. The minister opposed the incinerator in his constituency and pledged it would not go ahead if the Greens got into office.
The announcement by the EPA means work can start on the incinerator if the ruling is upheld after a 28-day period for public consultation.
One of the key conditions is that the plant can only take residual waste. This means any waste that has been subjected to pre-treatment, which includes pre-segregation, sorting, mechanical-biological treatment to extract recyclable and reusable components.
Mr Gormley, in a statement, said he was legally prohibited from becoming involved in an ongoing waste licensing process but insisted his position on incineration is well known.
However, Green Party chairperson Senator Dan Boyle claimed the condition that the incinerator could only take residual waste meant the plan would be unviable. It meant it would be handling vastly reduced waste volumes and make "the 600,000 tonne monster" economically unfeasible.
In its ruling the EPA laid down a raft of conditions.
As well as only residual waste being allowed to be incinerated at the facility, it will not be allowed to take hazardous material.
The EPA said its Office of Environmental Enforcement will monitor and enforce these conditions.
Treacy Hogan Environment Correspondent
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Approving a draft operating licence for the incinerator yesterday, the EPA said that when running in accordance with its 109 conditions it would "not adversely affect human health or the environment".
The EPA said it was debarred in law from granting a waste licence unless satisfied the project would not cause environmental pollution if run properly.
The incinerator will also meet all national and EU standards, it added.
The EPA pollution licence approval, days after An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the project, is another rebuff for Environment Minister John Gormley. The minister opposed the incinerator in his constituency and pledged it would not go ahead if the Greens got into office.
The announcement by the EPA means work can start on the incinerator if the ruling is upheld after a 28-day period for public consultation.
One of the key conditions is that the plant can only take residual waste. This means any waste that has been subjected to pre-treatment, which includes pre-segregation, sorting, mechanical-biological treatment to extract recyclable and reusable components.
Mr Gormley, in a statement, said he was legally prohibited from becoming involved in an ongoing waste licensing process but insisted his position on incineration is well known.
However, Green Party chairperson Senator Dan Boyle claimed the condition that the incinerator could only take residual waste meant the plan would be unviable. It meant it would be handling vastly reduced waste volumes and make "the 600,000 tonne monster" economically unfeasible.
In its ruling the EPA laid down a raft of conditions.
As well as only residual waste being allowed to be incinerated at the facility, it will not be allowed to take hazardous material.
The EPA said its Office of Environmental Enforcement will monitor and enforce these conditions.
Treacy Hogan Environment Correspondent
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Limerick's heritage inventory angers councillor
LIMERICK, one of the oldest cities in Ireland, has no buildings of "international interest", according to an inventory of architectural heritage drawn up by the Department of the Environment.
The majority of the city's 700-plus buildings, earmarked as protected structures, were solely of "regional importance".
Details of the inventory for Limerick city were read out at a meeting of the local Special Policy Committee (SPC) for Economic Development and Planning.
The city's senior planner Dick Tobin said the Environment Minister wrote to the. local authority last April recommending" 732 buildings.
The Treaty of Limerick, he said, was one of the most significant historical events to occur in Ireland and, accordingly, the Treaty Stone on which the treaty was signed shouldn't be excluded.
"I would say St Mary's Cathedral, as one of the oldest still-used Christian church's in Europe, should have been included and the Treaty Stone certainly has to be included - given the signing of the treaty brought an end to the largest war ever fought on Irish soil and it was also an international conflict," he said.
Mr Tobin agreed to take on board Mr Scully's remarks and said his suggestions would be passed on to the new Environment Minister John Gormley. Meanwhile, the Limerick City Centre Strategy 2007 is a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to promote the regeneration of the city's Georgian core, according to the Irish Georgian Society.
Donough Cahill, director of the Irish Georgian Society, said the regeneration of Limerick's Georgian area - Newtown Pery - will require a big vision that aims to form the basis of applications to Government for major funding and other tax incentives.
Town centre management, he told the SPC meeting, could also work to identify and attract public and private investment into Newtown Pery that was geared specifically towards protected structures. The Limerick City-Centre Strategy 2007, meanwhile, is being prepared in response to the National Spatial Strategy, the National Development Plan and the Atlantic Gateways Initiative.
The deadline for submissions on the recently published draft plan is Monday next.
Kathryn Hayes
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The majority of the city's 700-plus buildings, earmarked as protected structures, were solely of "regional importance".
Details of the inventory for Limerick city were read out at a meeting of the local Special Policy Committee (SPC) for Economic Development and Planning.
The city's senior planner Dick Tobin said the Environment Minister wrote to the. local authority last April recommending" 732 buildings.
The Treaty of Limerick, he said, was one of the most significant historical events to occur in Ireland and, accordingly, the Treaty Stone on which the treaty was signed shouldn't be excluded.
"I would say St Mary's Cathedral, as one of the oldest still-used Christian church's in Europe, should have been included and the Treaty Stone certainly has to be included - given the signing of the treaty brought an end to the largest war ever fought on Irish soil and it was also an international conflict," he said.
Mr Tobin agreed to take on board Mr Scully's remarks and said his suggestions would be passed on to the new Environment Minister John Gormley. Meanwhile, the Limerick City Centre Strategy 2007 is a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to promote the regeneration of the city's Georgian core, according to the Irish Georgian Society.
Donough Cahill, director of the Irish Georgian Society, said the regeneration of Limerick's Georgian area - Newtown Pery - will require a big vision that aims to form the basis of applications to Government for major funding and other tax incentives.
Town centre management, he told the SPC meeting, could also work to identify and attract public and private investment into Newtown Pery that was geared specifically towards protected structures. The Limerick City-Centre Strategy 2007, meanwhile, is being prepared in response to the National Spatial Strategy, the National Development Plan and the Atlantic Gateways Initiative.
The deadline for submissions on the recently published draft plan is Monday next.
Kathryn Hayes
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Builders launch 420m court bid
This is now an old story within planning circles, but I thought it should be included.
FOUR construction companies are seeking to be indemnified by three companies in the Lagan Group for the estimated E20m costs of repairing damage allegedly caused by the use of "defective'' infill in the construction of houses on three housing estates in Co Dublin.
The proceedings came before the Commercial Court yesterday and relate to houses on estates at Drynam Hall, Kettles Lane, Kinsealy, Co Dublin; Beaupark, Clongriffin, Dublin 13; and Myrtle, The Coast, Baldoyle, Dublin 13.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly admitted to the Commercial Court list the proceedings by Hansfield Developments, Viking Construction, Menolly Properties and Menolly Homes against Irish Asphalt Limited, Lagan Holdings Ltd and Lagan Construction Ltd.
The judge was told by a solicitor for the defendants' insurers that there was a dispute between it and the defendants which may be resolved this week.
The plaintiffs claim the defendants were negligent and in breach of contract in relation to the infill and are obliged to indemnify the plaintiffs for remedial works and related expenditure on the estates.
It is claimed that the cost of addressing the problems is some E12.4m in relation to Drynam Hall; E4.32m for Beaupark and some E2.97m for Myrtle.
Tim Healy
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
FOUR construction companies are seeking to be indemnified by three companies in the Lagan Group for the estimated E20m costs of repairing damage allegedly caused by the use of "defective'' infill in the construction of houses on three housing estates in Co Dublin.
The proceedings came before the Commercial Court yesterday and relate to houses on estates at Drynam Hall, Kettles Lane, Kinsealy, Co Dublin; Beaupark, Clongriffin, Dublin 13; and Myrtle, The Coast, Baldoyle, Dublin 13.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly admitted to the Commercial Court list the proceedings by Hansfield Developments, Viking Construction, Menolly Properties and Menolly Homes against Irish Asphalt Limited, Lagan Holdings Ltd and Lagan Construction Ltd.
The judge was told by a solicitor for the defendants' insurers that there was a dispute between it and the defendants which may be resolved this week.
The plaintiffs claim the defendants were negligent and in breach of contract in relation to the infill and are obliged to indemnify the plaintiffs for remedial works and related expenditure on the estates.
It is claimed that the cost of addressing the problems is some E12.4m in relation to Drynam Hall; E4.32m for Beaupark and some E2.97m for Myrtle.
Tim Healy
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Minister lists Frenchfort Wetlands for EPA protection
Galway West Deputy Michael D Higgins has welcomed the response from the Minister for the Environment to his requests for action on protection of Frenchfort Wetlands and related environmental matters in the Oranmore area. But he said it was a a great pity that it had taken State agencies so long to respond.
"I had conveyed concerns to them, on behalf of local residents in Oranmore and myself, at works that were impacting on protected ecological areas. I had spoken to the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Parks and Wildlife Service at around the same time as I placed a number of Dail Questions to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
"Nevertheless, I welcome the arrival, on site, even at this stage of those whom I hope will communicate to Galway County Council, the consequences of actions- of a pre-emptive kind being taken in an area that had been the subject of an Environmental Impact Assessment," he said.
The Labour Deputy said there appeared to be good news in relation to his replies from the Minister, as far as the River Basin Management Plan is concerned.
"I asked the Minister if, in the context of the river basin proposals the Frenchfort Wetlands in their entirety, that is, the current special areas of conservation to the East and the Westland to the west, which are dissected by the dual carriageway, are both to be protected insofar as they are integrally related, forming the one water plain; and if the River Basin Study acknowledges the integral connection of the water plain and its significance as water flows through it before making its egress to the sea?
"The Minister in his latest reply states that all three wetlands in this area will be listed in the Environmental Protection Agency's Register of Protected Areas.
"The relevant draft River Basin Management Plan is due to be published for Public consultation in 2008 and to be adopted in 2009.
"It is only reasonable that Galway County Council should bear this in mind in the interim period between now and the adoption of the River Basin Management Plan.
"One might also reasonably expect that Galway County Council will issue a statement on such reclamation as has interfered with the Wetlands in such a way as to be in breach of the National Biodiversity Plan, and which undermines the future execution of important Environmental Impact Assessments, and indeed might render them useless," Deputy Higgins concluded.
Connacht Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
"I had conveyed concerns to them, on behalf of local residents in Oranmore and myself, at works that were impacting on protected ecological areas. I had spoken to the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Parks and Wildlife Service at around the same time as I placed a number of Dail Questions to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
"Nevertheless, I welcome the arrival, on site, even at this stage of those whom I hope will communicate to Galway County Council, the consequences of actions- of a pre-emptive kind being taken in an area that had been the subject of an Environmental Impact Assessment," he said.
The Labour Deputy said there appeared to be good news in relation to his replies from the Minister, as far as the River Basin Management Plan is concerned.
"I asked the Minister if, in the context of the river basin proposals the Frenchfort Wetlands in their entirety, that is, the current special areas of conservation to the East and the Westland to the west, which are dissected by the dual carriageway, are both to be protected insofar as they are integrally related, forming the one water plain; and if the River Basin Study acknowledges the integral connection of the water plain and its significance as water flows through it before making its egress to the sea?
"The Minister in his latest reply states that all three wetlands in this area will be listed in the Environmental Protection Agency's Register of Protected Areas.
"The relevant draft River Basin Management Plan is due to be published for Public consultation in 2008 and to be adopted in 2009.
"It is only reasonable that Galway County Council should bear this in mind in the interim period between now and the adoption of the River Basin Management Plan.
"One might also reasonably expect that Galway County Council will issue a statement on such reclamation as has interfered with the Wetlands in such a way as to be in breach of the National Biodiversity Plan, and which undermines the future execution of important Environmental Impact Assessments, and indeed might render them useless," Deputy Higgins concluded.
Connacht Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Prevent destruction of Slane' plea over councils proposal
CONSERVATION groups and residents in Slane are furious at a proposal which they fear will lead to construction of housing units in the village centre on land containing protected structures.
They have called for support at a public meeting next week to "prevent the destruction of Slane".
Their concerns arise from proposals in a variation of the new Meath County Council Development Plan, 2007-13. Known as the 'order of priority', the controversial proposal is a response to Dept of the Environment anxieties about the huge amount of land in Meath zoned for residential use although not yet built upon.
It offers a blueprint for the order in which land in 30 towns and villages around Meath, including Slane, could be released for planning applications up to 2013. '
The site's at issue in Slane are in the gardens of the former parochial house and on ground between this historic structure and the local church, as well as within the Cillrian and Mount Charles Lodge sites.
The Boyne Valley Trust (BVT), Slane Combined Residents Association (SCRA) and the Meath branch of An Taisce already have voiced grave concerns.
The BVT is hosting a public meeting in the ConyngHam Arms Hotel, Slane, next Tuesday, 27th November, at 8.30pm and has urged the public to attend to provide support "to prevent the destruction of Slane".
The new county development plan already has identified the need for 65 extra residential units in the village up to 2013, according to the SCRA. It is the naming of the location for the units, 30 in the grounds of Cillrian and Mount Charles Lodge and 35 in the gardens of the old parochial house and dwellings between this and the church, that has deeply perturbed and angered the residents and other interests in Slane.
According to the SCRA, these sites largely comprise protected structures, are within the core of the Slane village Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) and were considered "unsuitable for significant development within the last 12 months".
In addition, the number of houses seem out of scale with Slane's character and quality, would damage "irretrievably" the unique heritage quality of the village's designed integration of woodland, trees and buildings, they say. The group adds that the proposal overlooks a large land bank zoned for residential development in the 2001-2007 plan and does not take account of "serious infrastructural deficiencies" in the area, in terms of water and sewerage.
The BVT is "outraged", saying that it has complained to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley. It understands that no Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has been carried out.
A Meath An Taisce spokesperson was concerned on broadly similar grounds.
Meath County Council said that the proposed variation was subject to much consultation with members at area level before the full council resolved to put it on public display at the October meeting. The area council deliberations took place in private.
A county council statement added that the order of priority effectively identified available lands in each settlement which were "considered most suitable for release". This meant that priority would be given for the quantum of units available.
However, it added: "It should be noted that the identification of lands in phase one does not assume the lands will/can be developed upon immediately, as each planning application received by the planning authority for units on these lands will be assessed on its own merits and will be dependent upon the availability of necessary infrastructure. This is clearly set out in the supporting document for the Order of Priority currently on display". Regarding the SEA issue, the council said the law required that a variation be screened to ascertain if a full SEA was needed. The screening report prepared concluded that it was not required as the proposed variation sought to "phase the release of existing residentially zoned lands and as such will have a neutral impact on the wider environmental resources". The report was submitted to the prescribed bodies.
The order of priority variation (written text including the screening report and the maps) for all the 30 locations involved is available for inspection during normal working hours at the council's main offices, including the new location of the Meath planning department at Abbey Mall, Abbey Road, Navan.
Meath Chronicle
www.buckplanning.ie
They have called for support at a public meeting next week to "prevent the destruction of Slane".
Their concerns arise from proposals in a variation of the new Meath County Council Development Plan, 2007-13. Known as the 'order of priority', the controversial proposal is a response to Dept of the Environment anxieties about the huge amount of land in Meath zoned for residential use although not yet built upon.
It offers a blueprint for the order in which land in 30 towns and villages around Meath, including Slane, could be released for planning applications up to 2013. '
The site's at issue in Slane are in the gardens of the former parochial house and on ground between this historic structure and the local church, as well as within the Cillrian and Mount Charles Lodge sites.
The Boyne Valley Trust (BVT), Slane Combined Residents Association (SCRA) and the Meath branch of An Taisce already have voiced grave concerns.
The BVT is hosting a public meeting in the ConyngHam Arms Hotel, Slane, next Tuesday, 27th November, at 8.30pm and has urged the public to attend to provide support "to prevent the destruction of Slane".
The new county development plan already has identified the need for 65 extra residential units in the village up to 2013, according to the SCRA. It is the naming of the location for the units, 30 in the grounds of Cillrian and Mount Charles Lodge and 35 in the gardens of the old parochial house and dwellings between this and the church, that has deeply perturbed and angered the residents and other interests in Slane.
According to the SCRA, these sites largely comprise protected structures, are within the core of the Slane village Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) and were considered "unsuitable for significant development within the last 12 months".
In addition, the number of houses seem out of scale with Slane's character and quality, would damage "irretrievably" the unique heritage quality of the village's designed integration of woodland, trees and buildings, they say. The group adds that the proposal overlooks a large land bank zoned for residential development in the 2001-2007 plan and does not take account of "serious infrastructural deficiencies" in the area, in terms of water and sewerage.
The BVT is "outraged", saying that it has complained to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley. It understands that no Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has been carried out.
A Meath An Taisce spokesperson was concerned on broadly similar grounds.
Meath County Council said that the proposed variation was subject to much consultation with members at area level before the full council resolved to put it on public display at the October meeting. The area council deliberations took place in private.
A county council statement added that the order of priority effectively identified available lands in each settlement which were "considered most suitable for release". This meant that priority would be given for the quantum of units available.
However, it added: "It should be noted that the identification of lands in phase one does not assume the lands will/can be developed upon immediately, as each planning application received by the planning authority for units on these lands will be assessed on its own merits and will be dependent upon the availability of necessary infrastructure. This is clearly set out in the supporting document for the Order of Priority currently on display". Regarding the SEA issue, the council said the law required that a variation be screened to ascertain if a full SEA was needed. The screening report prepared concluded that it was not required as the proposed variation sought to "phase the release of existing residentially zoned lands and as such will have a neutral impact on the wider environmental resources". The report was submitted to the prescribed bodies.
The order of priority variation (written text including the screening report and the maps) for all the 30 locations involved is available for inspection during normal working hours at the council's main offices, including the new location of the Meath planning department at Abbey Mall, Abbey Road, Navan.
Meath Chronicle
www.buckplanning.ie
Experts to ban wind farms from West Mayo
THERE was a large turnout for last Wednesday night's public meeting to discuss the Draft Wind Energy Strategy which forms part of the draft Mayo County Development Plan.
The meeting, chaired by Councillor Michelle Mulherin, heard from representatives of the Mayo Wind Energy Agency, Surface Power, Kilalla Community Wind Farm, the Irish Wind Energy Association and Eirgrid who all gave there opinion on the current state of wind energy in Ireland and in Mayo in particular.
However there was no representative from the Dublinbased officials that drafted the current plan.
The large audience asked why no one was present to explain their decision to exclude half the county from putting up any new wind farms. Cllr Mulherin and her fellow Cllr Eddie Staunton claimed that the senior planner had agreed to attend the meeting but that he had been blocked from doing so by Mayo County Council.
The meeting was a chance for the public to hear from experts in the field of wind energy and to give their opinion on the current proposed plan for Mayo. On the way into the meeting a copy of the plan was available for viewing but from the outset there were some concerned voices. With regard to planning permission for wind farms, or even single wind turbines, the county is to be split down the middle.
A line running North- South down the centre of the county shows that no permission will be given for wind farms in the West of the county even though this is where the highest winds speeds are found and where it would be most economically viable to set up a wind turbine. This draft plan had been prepared by experts in Dublin who were attempting to preserve the scenic beauty of the West of the county and to protect the peat lands in the area.
There was serious issues raised by people at the meeting last night regarding this blanket ban on the western half of the county. Pat Brett from IWEA maintained that it was possible to retain the beauty of the West and that there were also best practice guidelines with regard erecting wind turbines in peat lands.
One dissenting voice in the audience didn't have much regard for the experts who drew up these plans. "I think that it must have been Swampy the eco-warrior that drew up these plans while he was protesting underground at the Newgrange bypass and has never even seen the West of Ireland," the audience member said.
County Council members have until next Friday (November 23) to make final changes to the Draft County Development Plan.
David Gilbert
Western People
www.buckplanning.ie
The meeting, chaired by Councillor Michelle Mulherin, heard from representatives of the Mayo Wind Energy Agency, Surface Power, Kilalla Community Wind Farm, the Irish Wind Energy Association and Eirgrid who all gave there opinion on the current state of wind energy in Ireland and in Mayo in particular.
However there was no representative from the Dublinbased officials that drafted the current plan.
The large audience asked why no one was present to explain their decision to exclude half the county from putting up any new wind farms. Cllr Mulherin and her fellow Cllr Eddie Staunton claimed that the senior planner had agreed to attend the meeting but that he had been blocked from doing so by Mayo County Council.
The meeting was a chance for the public to hear from experts in the field of wind energy and to give their opinion on the current proposed plan for Mayo. On the way into the meeting a copy of the plan was available for viewing but from the outset there were some concerned voices. With regard to planning permission for wind farms, or even single wind turbines, the county is to be split down the middle.
A line running North- South down the centre of the county shows that no permission will be given for wind farms in the West of the county even though this is where the highest winds speeds are found and where it would be most economically viable to set up a wind turbine. This draft plan had been prepared by experts in Dublin who were attempting to preserve the scenic beauty of the West of the county and to protect the peat lands in the area.
There was serious issues raised by people at the meeting last night regarding this blanket ban on the western half of the county. Pat Brett from IWEA maintained that it was possible to retain the beauty of the West and that there were also best practice guidelines with regard erecting wind turbines in peat lands.
One dissenting voice in the audience didn't have much regard for the experts who drew up these plans. "I think that it must have been Swampy the eco-warrior that drew up these plans while he was protesting underground at the Newgrange bypass and has never even seen the West of Ireland," the audience member said.
County Council members have until next Friday (November 23) to make final changes to the Draft County Development Plan.
David Gilbert
Western People
www.buckplanning.ie
Minister moves to protect limestone heritage
THREATS posed to limestone landscapes in Killarney National Park and other areas could lead to their designation as natural heritage areas, it has emerged.
Environment Minister, John Gormley, has warned that the endangered limestone pave-ments were a priority under the EU Habitats Directive and that he would move to protect them.
"In many places farming is still the main force shaping the landscape of limestone pavements and indeed it is essential to maintain the variety of habitats and their associated biodiversity.
"The direct destruction of limestone pavement is another serious cause for concern," the minister stressed.
"This is occurring as a result of housing development and the removal of surface rocks for landscaping and the garden trade," he added.
The minister highlighted the importance of the Killarney limestone pavements and the habitat they provide to a wealth of biodiversity and he noted that Ireland has the most significant area of ice-sculpted limestone pavement in the EU.
"In order to protect this very important habitat I may consider heretofore undesignated areas for their suitability for designation as natural heritage areas under our Wildlife Act," Minister Gormley revealed.
Killarney's limestone pavements are geological features formed during the last ice age, during which the ice sheets removed much of the overlying material to expose the bare rock.
The pavements were created by rainwater falling onto the rocks or percolating through the soil enlarged the faults and cracks in the rock to produce a landscape of fissures and blocks, known as grykes and clints.
The result is a unique and spectacular landscape and over 36,000 ha, has the most significant area of ice-sculpted limestone pavement in the EU.
The vast majority of this occurs in the Burren region of counties Clare and Galway, although smaller areas occur elsewhere, as far apart as Fermanagh, Donegal and Killarney National Park.
Mary Murphy
The Kingdom
www.buckplanning.ie
Environment Minister, John Gormley, has warned that the endangered limestone pave-ments were a priority under the EU Habitats Directive and that he would move to protect them.
"In many places farming is still the main force shaping the landscape of limestone pavements and indeed it is essential to maintain the variety of habitats and their associated biodiversity.
"The direct destruction of limestone pavement is another serious cause for concern," the minister stressed.
"This is occurring as a result of housing development and the removal of surface rocks for landscaping and the garden trade," he added.
The minister highlighted the importance of the Killarney limestone pavements and the habitat they provide to a wealth of biodiversity and he noted that Ireland has the most significant area of ice-sculpted limestone pavement in the EU.
"In order to protect this very important habitat I may consider heretofore undesignated areas for their suitability for designation as natural heritage areas under our Wildlife Act," Minister Gormley revealed.
Killarney's limestone pavements are geological features formed during the last ice age, during which the ice sheets removed much of the overlying material to expose the bare rock.
The pavements were created by rainwater falling onto the rocks or percolating through the soil enlarged the faults and cracks in the rock to produce a landscape of fissures and blocks, known as grykes and clints.
The result is a unique and spectacular landscape and over 36,000 ha, has the most significant area of ice-sculpted limestone pavement in the EU.
The vast majority of this occurs in the Burren region of counties Clare and Galway, although smaller areas occur elsewhere, as far apart as Fermanagh, Donegal and Killarney National Park.
Mary Murphy
The Kingdom
www.buckplanning.ie
Residents furious as plan gets go-ahead
FENAGH residents were left reeling this week after planning permission for 15 houses was granted despite an expert assessment that "planning permission be refused".
Tonight (Wednesday, November 21) they will meet to discuss why Carlow County Council's director of services overruled the planning official's decision and how they can appeal the granted application.
"The area is already overdeveloped. We've gone from a small village of 45 houses to over 200 being planned or built. Speaking to local schools they tell you that they would not be able to cope with another influx of students from new Fenagh residents," said Kevin Kennedy, chair of Fenagh Improvement Group who is puzzled as to why planning was given the go-ahead.
"There are not enough facilities and no provision has been made to build them. Social problems will arise from this if it goes ahead - but isn't an ounce of prevention now better than letting it happen and trying to find a cure in the future?
"We're reduced to holding our meetings in a pub because other facilities just don't exist."
Six lengthy objections to the construction were also made by local residents within the planner's report. "The development would be injurious to the village of Fenagh,"said one. "It is totally out of character with the existing village and its listed and protected structures," said another. "Currently there are no proper facilities for bus stops, road signs and pedestrian crossings," one objection stated.
But the county council granted planning this week, rejecting the executive planning advice, after an alternative way for planning to be granted was outlined by the director of services and accepted by the County Manager.
A spokesperson for the county council planning division said the executive planner was legitimately overruled by the director of services who could find ways to accept planning based on conditions.
"It is not uncommon for the director of services to overrule the executive planner. It happens more than once a year, and the director of services has that right, according to the Planning Act 2000, and found reason to do so," said the spokesperson.
"In this case the overruling was authorised by the County Manager."
Fenagh residents will meet tonight in the Hunter's Rest, Fenagh to discuss the implications of the planning and the possibility of approaching An Bord Pleanla.
Cornelia Lucey
Carlow Nationalist
www.buckplanning.ie
Tonight (Wednesday, November 21) they will meet to discuss why Carlow County Council's director of services overruled the planning official's decision and how they can appeal the granted application.
"The area is already overdeveloped. We've gone from a small village of 45 houses to over 200 being planned or built. Speaking to local schools they tell you that they would not be able to cope with another influx of students from new Fenagh residents," said Kevin Kennedy, chair of Fenagh Improvement Group who is puzzled as to why planning was given the go-ahead.
"There are not enough facilities and no provision has been made to build them. Social problems will arise from this if it goes ahead - but isn't an ounce of prevention now better than letting it happen and trying to find a cure in the future?
"We're reduced to holding our meetings in a pub because other facilities just don't exist."
Six lengthy objections to the construction were also made by local residents within the planner's report. "The development would be injurious to the village of Fenagh,"said one. "It is totally out of character with the existing village and its listed and protected structures," said another. "Currently there are no proper facilities for bus stops, road signs and pedestrian crossings," one objection stated.
But the county council granted planning this week, rejecting the executive planning advice, after an alternative way for planning to be granted was outlined by the director of services and accepted by the County Manager.
A spokesperson for the county council planning division said the executive planner was legitimately overruled by the director of services who could find ways to accept planning based on conditions.
"It is not uncommon for the director of services to overrule the executive planner. It happens more than once a year, and the director of services has that right, according to the Planning Act 2000, and found reason to do so," said the spokesperson.
"In this case the overruling was authorised by the County Manager."
Fenagh residents will meet tonight in the Hunter's Rest, Fenagh to discuss the implications of the planning and the possibility of approaching An Bord Pleanla.
Cornelia Lucey
Carlow Nationalist
www.buckplanning.ie
Residents furious as plan gets go-ahead
FENAGH residents were left reeling this week after planning permission for 15 houses was granted despite an expert assessment that "planning permission be refused".
Tonight (Wednesday, November 21) they will meet to discuss why Carlow County Council's director of services overruled the planning official's decision and how they can appeal the granted application.
"The area is already overdeveloped. We've gone from a small village of 45 houses to over 200 being planned or built. Speaking to local schools they tell you that they would not be able to cope with another influx of students from new Fenagh residents," said Kevin Kennedy, chair of Fenagh Improvement Group who is puzzled as to why planning was given the go-ahead.
"There are not enough facilities and no provision has been made to build them. Social problems will arise from this if it goes ahead - but isn't an ounce of prevention now better than letting it happen and trying to find a cure in the future?
"We're reduced to holding our meetings in a pub because other facilities just don't exist."
Six lengthy objections to the construction were also made by local residents within the planner's report. "The development would be injurious to the village of Fenagh,"said one. "It is totally out of character with the existing village and its listed and protected structures," said another. "Currently there are no proper facilities for bus stops, road signs and pedestrian crossings," one objection stated.
But the county council granted planning this week, rejecting the executive planning advice, after an alternative way for planning to be granted was outlined by the director of services and accepted by the County Manager.
A spokesperson for the county council planning division said the executive planner was legitimately overruled by the director of services who could find ways to accept planning based on conditions.
"It is not uncommon for the director of services to overrule the executive planner. It happens more than once a year, and the director of services has that right, according to the Planning Act 2000, and found reason to do so," said the spokesperson.
"In this case the overruling was authorised by the County Manager."
Fenagh residents will meet tonight in the Hunter's Rest, Fenagh to discuss the implications of the planning and the possibility of approaching An Bord Pleanla.
Cornelia Lucey
Carlow Nationalist
www.buckplanning.ie
Tonight (Wednesday, November 21) they will meet to discuss why Carlow County Council's director of services overruled the planning official's decision and how they can appeal the granted application.
"The area is already overdeveloped. We've gone from a small village of 45 houses to over 200 being planned or built. Speaking to local schools they tell you that they would not be able to cope with another influx of students from new Fenagh residents," said Kevin Kennedy, chair of Fenagh Improvement Group who is puzzled as to why planning was given the go-ahead.
"There are not enough facilities and no provision has been made to build them. Social problems will arise from this if it goes ahead - but isn't an ounce of prevention now better than letting it happen and trying to find a cure in the future?
"We're reduced to holding our meetings in a pub because other facilities just don't exist."
Six lengthy objections to the construction were also made by local residents within the planner's report. "The development would be injurious to the village of Fenagh,"said one. "It is totally out of character with the existing village and its listed and protected structures," said another. "Currently there are no proper facilities for bus stops, road signs and pedestrian crossings," one objection stated.
But the county council granted planning this week, rejecting the executive planning advice, after an alternative way for planning to be granted was outlined by the director of services and accepted by the County Manager.
A spokesperson for the county council planning division said the executive planner was legitimately overruled by the director of services who could find ways to accept planning based on conditions.
"It is not uncommon for the director of services to overrule the executive planner. It happens more than once a year, and the director of services has that right, according to the Planning Act 2000, and found reason to do so," said the spokesperson.
"In this case the overruling was authorised by the County Manager."
Fenagh residents will meet tonight in the Hunter's Rest, Fenagh to discuss the implications of the planning and the possibility of approaching An Bord Pleanla.
Cornelia Lucey
Carlow Nationalist
www.buckplanning.ie
Safety and amenity concerns over Rickardstown homes
CONCERNS about road safety and a lack of amenities are overshadowing the allocation of the first homes in the new Rickardstown development in Newbridge. A total of 68 twobed apartments in the development, which comprises a mixture of private, social and affordable housing, will be occupied before Christmas. The Rickardstown project is one of the largest ever undertaken in the county, with a total of 600 homes planned.
The new occupants of the apartments will not, however, have easy access to shops or other amenities as the development does not as yet have any commercial element attached. A planning application for shops and further housing, to be located in the Rickardstown area, directly facing the en-trance to the Sarsfields clubhouse and grounds, was turned down by the council just last week.
The application, by JT Nugent and Declan Gardener, c/o McCrossan, O'Rourke, Manning Architects, with an address at Harcourt Road, Dublin, was for a mixed commercial and housing development. It was turned down by the council on the basis that it was premature, pending the construction and commissioning of a proposed ‘foul sewer link' from the site to the Osberstown waste water treatment plant, and the construction of the Newbridge East sewerage link.
A second reason cited was the fact that under the Newbridge local area plan, development in the area was contingent on the provision of a five-acre site for community use. The council's refusal notes: "The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the proposal to locate same on public lands is consistent with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. In this case, the application is considered premature, pending agreement on same." The council's final reason for refusing the application related to the fact that a proposed access road, with associated carparking and landscaping, would be on land currently zoned agricultural.
Local councillor Pat Black commented that, had the planning application been accepted, there would have been what he termed "consid-erable community gain," including sports facilities. "I would be extremely concerned about the lack of infrastructure in the area generally," he said, adding that the nearest shop to the apartments that are about to be occupied will be at Mount Carmel, a considerable distance down the road.
"The council has cited the inadequacy of the current sewerage scheme as a reason for refusing this latest application for the area in question and it is true that sewerage facilities are a major issue," he said. "But an even greater concern relates to the traffic along that roadway and the capacity of Sex's Bridge to take the volume of traffic, which is going to increase considerably with all of the new residents." Cllr Black stated that while there was a desperate need to provide housing in the area, he was dissatisfied in respect of the attention to infrastructure. "The route across Sex's Bridge is the main road into the town of Newbridge and there is considerable concern about the effects of increased use," he said.
The Rickardstown scheme has already incorporated a small playground area and a hall that can be used for community purposes, but it is acknowledged that a far greater level of amenities will be required before all 600 new homes are actually completed and occupied. Rickardstown is also the site for the new primary school, Scoil na Naomh Uilig, to eventually replace the current temporary facilities located in the grounds of St Conleth's VEC school in the town centre.
It is understood that the design for the new school has been completed and a planning application is expected to be submitted prior to the end of the year. Contruction would need to get underway quickly, however, given the pressure on schools in the area.
The temporary Scoil na Naomh Uilig buildings are already accommodating up to 100 children, although it was initially estimated that only around 40 youngsters would require places in the current academic year. Parish priest Fr Joe McDermott, the members of the school board, staff and parents are all demanding that the project be given priority, with work commencing as early as possible in the New Year.
Meanwhile, it had been hoped that Kildare County Council would be in a position to complete agreements and hand out the keys to a greater number of houses at Rickardstown (including three- and four-bed family homes) before the end of the year, but this has not proved possible. Those on the county council's waiting list, who are destined to be housed in the new homes, are hoping that they will now be allocated in early 2008.
Vicki Weller
Kildare Nationalist
wwwuckplanning.ie
The new occupants of the apartments will not, however, have easy access to shops or other amenities as the development does not as yet have any commercial element attached. A planning application for shops and further housing, to be located in the Rickardstown area, directly facing the en-trance to the Sarsfields clubhouse and grounds, was turned down by the council just last week.
The application, by JT Nugent and Declan Gardener, c/o McCrossan, O'Rourke, Manning Architects, with an address at Harcourt Road, Dublin, was for a mixed commercial and housing development. It was turned down by the council on the basis that it was premature, pending the construction and commissioning of a proposed ‘foul sewer link' from the site to the Osberstown waste water treatment plant, and the construction of the Newbridge East sewerage link.
A second reason cited was the fact that under the Newbridge local area plan, development in the area was contingent on the provision of a five-acre site for community use. The council's refusal notes: "The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the proposal to locate same on public lands is consistent with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. In this case, the application is considered premature, pending agreement on same." The council's final reason for refusing the application related to the fact that a proposed access road, with associated carparking and landscaping, would be on land currently zoned agricultural.
Local councillor Pat Black commented that, had the planning application been accepted, there would have been what he termed "consid-erable community gain," including sports facilities. "I would be extremely concerned about the lack of infrastructure in the area generally," he said, adding that the nearest shop to the apartments that are about to be occupied will be at Mount Carmel, a considerable distance down the road.
"The council has cited the inadequacy of the current sewerage scheme as a reason for refusing this latest application for the area in question and it is true that sewerage facilities are a major issue," he said. "But an even greater concern relates to the traffic along that roadway and the capacity of Sex's Bridge to take the volume of traffic, which is going to increase considerably with all of the new residents." Cllr Black stated that while there was a desperate need to provide housing in the area, he was dissatisfied in respect of the attention to infrastructure. "The route across Sex's Bridge is the main road into the town of Newbridge and there is considerable concern about the effects of increased use," he said.
The Rickardstown scheme has already incorporated a small playground area and a hall that can be used for community purposes, but it is acknowledged that a far greater level of amenities will be required before all 600 new homes are actually completed and occupied. Rickardstown is also the site for the new primary school, Scoil na Naomh Uilig, to eventually replace the current temporary facilities located in the grounds of St Conleth's VEC school in the town centre.
It is understood that the design for the new school has been completed and a planning application is expected to be submitted prior to the end of the year. Contruction would need to get underway quickly, however, given the pressure on schools in the area.
The temporary Scoil na Naomh Uilig buildings are already accommodating up to 100 children, although it was initially estimated that only around 40 youngsters would require places in the current academic year. Parish priest Fr Joe McDermott, the members of the school board, staff and parents are all demanding that the project be given priority, with work commencing as early as possible in the New Year.
Meanwhile, it had been hoped that Kildare County Council would be in a position to complete agreements and hand out the keys to a greater number of houses at Rickardstown (including three- and four-bed family homes) before the end of the year, but this has not proved possible. Those on the county council's waiting list, who are destined to be housed in the new homes, are hoping that they will now be allocated in early 2008.
Vicki Weller
Kildare Nationalist
wwwuckplanning.ie
Building boom bubble bursts
PROOF of the slowdown in the house building industry in Laois was brought home this week after two major employers let off over 60 of their workers. And more lay offs are expected.
ONS, formerly known as Owenass Development Limited, called in its 400+ workers at their site on the Ridge Road in Portlaoise three weeks ago and told them they were placing them all on protective notice.
A week later 53 of their workers were let go.
An employee with the company told the Laois Nationalist at that meeting they were told by Pat Flanagan, one of the company directors, the reason they were being placed on protective notice was because of the slowdown in the house construction industry.
He said Mr Flanagan told them "where normally they would complete eight houses a week that figure was being reduced to four houses a week."
Pat Flanagan from ONS said he had reduced his employee figures by a "small percent-age," but put the layoff down to the completion of the Fairgreen Retail and Commercial Centre development along the Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise.
He said he had hoped a decision on his planning application for his other retail and commercial development at Derrycloney in Mountmellick would have been completed by now, but it was still making its way through the planning process.
Mr Flanagan said he did not expect to lay off any more workers between now and Christmas.
Asked if he thought there was a slow down in house developments in Laois Mr Flanagan said: "It could not possibly continue at the rate it was going or there'd be no fields left for farmers."
Pat Moore Builders in Emo let off eight of his workforce and placed an additional seven on notice in the past two weeks, again citing the slowdown in the sector as the reason.
Mr Moore said out of his 190 employees he expects another 15 to 20 to be let off before Christmas. "The national media predicted in mid-July 40,000 construction workers would lose their jobs and referred to it as Black Friday.
"That never happened. There may be a slowdown but it's not as damaging as they make out. The general building construction industry, which includes commercial and civil, seems to be doing ok." Pat McCabe from the construction branch of SIPTU in the Midlands said there was "every indication" of a slowdown in the construction of houses in Laois, while at the same time pointing to the positive element of the buoyancy in the civil construction sector in the county.
He said while general labourers may find it easy to transfer from house developments to civil projects, he would have concerns for those in the trades, electricians, plasterers and carpenters and how the house-building slowdown could affect them.
"If ever you wanted proof that the house building sector is in decline here in Laois, just look around you," one industry insider told the Laois Nationalist. "There have been no major housing projects started in the last few months. Those that are there, they're putting the finishing touches to them and tidying them up. I predict it will be the middle of next year when the real slowdown will hit and house building will grid to a halt," he added.
"Nobody's going to get new jobs. It's all infrastructural works now like the Portlaoise to Cullohill and the Castletown to Neagh motorways. All attention in the industry is now focused on the likes of those development."
Joe Barrett
Laois Nationalist
www.buckplanning.ie
ONS, formerly known as Owenass Development Limited, called in its 400+ workers at their site on the Ridge Road in Portlaoise three weeks ago and told them they were placing them all on protective notice.
A week later 53 of their workers were let go.
An employee with the company told the Laois Nationalist at that meeting they were told by Pat Flanagan, one of the company directors, the reason they were being placed on protective notice was because of the slowdown in the house construction industry.
He said Mr Flanagan told them "where normally they would complete eight houses a week that figure was being reduced to four houses a week."
Pat Flanagan from ONS said he had reduced his employee figures by a "small percent-age," but put the layoff down to the completion of the Fairgreen Retail and Commercial Centre development along the Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise.
He said he had hoped a decision on his planning application for his other retail and commercial development at Derrycloney in Mountmellick would have been completed by now, but it was still making its way through the planning process.
Mr Flanagan said he did not expect to lay off any more workers between now and Christmas.
Asked if he thought there was a slow down in house developments in Laois Mr Flanagan said: "It could not possibly continue at the rate it was going or there'd be no fields left for farmers."
Pat Moore Builders in Emo let off eight of his workforce and placed an additional seven on notice in the past two weeks, again citing the slowdown in the sector as the reason.
Mr Moore said out of his 190 employees he expects another 15 to 20 to be let off before Christmas. "The national media predicted in mid-July 40,000 construction workers would lose their jobs and referred to it as Black Friday.
"That never happened. There may be a slowdown but it's not as damaging as they make out. The general building construction industry, which includes commercial and civil, seems to be doing ok." Pat McCabe from the construction branch of SIPTU in the Midlands said there was "every indication" of a slowdown in the construction of houses in Laois, while at the same time pointing to the positive element of the buoyancy in the civil construction sector in the county.
He said while general labourers may find it easy to transfer from house developments to civil projects, he would have concerns for those in the trades, electricians, plasterers and carpenters and how the house-building slowdown could affect them.
"If ever you wanted proof that the house building sector is in decline here in Laois, just look around you," one industry insider told the Laois Nationalist. "There have been no major housing projects started in the last few months. Those that are there, they're putting the finishing touches to them and tidying them up. I predict it will be the middle of next year when the real slowdown will hit and house building will grid to a halt," he added.
"Nobody's going to get new jobs. It's all infrastructural works now like the Portlaoise to Cullohill and the Castletown to Neagh motorways. All attention in the industry is now focused on the likes of those development."
Joe Barrett
Laois Nationalist
www.buckplanning.ie
Why go green?
PLENTY of people say it, and the rest of us probably think it as we browse the energy-efficient light bulbs, unplug our TV or leave the car and walk to the shops instead. What's the point in cutting our personal carbon footprint when more than a billion Chinese and most of the rest of the planet are jacking up their emissions as if there were no tomorrow?
It's a fair question. After all, the atmosphere doesn't distinguish between a tonne of Chinese carbon dioxide and a tonne emitted by the west. As the rest of the world carries on regardless, are the paltry savings from recycling your beer cans or insulating your roof anything more than a drop in the ocean?
If you just stopped trying, would the planet notice? In this special investigation, we crunch the numbers to find out whether going green is worth all the bother.
First though, the big picture. Every year human activities add about 30 billion tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere, largely through burning fossil fuels but also through destroying natural carbon sinks, such as forests. Half of this CO2 is absorbed by the remaining forests, soils and oceans, but the rest accumulates in the atmosphere.
Since pre-industrial times, the concentration of CO2 in the air has risen by a little over one-third, from 270 parts per million to 380 ppm - or from 2.2 trillion tonnes to almost 3 trillion. Most scientists think it would be unsafe to let CO2 concentrations rise beyond 450 ppm - an additional 500 billion tonnes. That level would be reached by around 2040 if emissions continue at today's rates. But as developing countries industrialise, global emissions are unlikely to stay the same. Last year, China hiked its emissions by 8 per cent, or around 450 million tonnes - an increase almost as great as the UK's entire annual carbon footprint. Emissions of other large developing countries like India, Brazil and Mexico are increasing at a similar pace.
Against this remorseless rise of CO2 from the developing world, can the individual actions of a few concerned westerners really make any difference? To answer this we first need to work out what our personal emissions are. That means including items omitted from the UN statistics - particularly international air travel - and the carbon footprint of goods made in foreign countries but imported for our use. When these are taken into account, the CO2 footprint of the average western European amounts to some 12 tonnes. For Americans and Australians, the figure is almost twice that, mainly because they drive more, in cars with bigger engines.
In general, just under half of the emissions for which each of us is responsible come from things over which we have personal control, such as how much we drive and fly and how we heat and power our homes. Of the rest, about 25 per cent of the total arises indirectly through powering our workplaces, about 10 per cent comes from maintaining public infrastructure and government, and about 20 per cent is emitted during the production of the things we buy, including food. We can still influence some of these indirect emissions through what we buy - or we could if we had access to the right kind of information - but by and large it makes sense to concentrate on the emissions we can control directly.
So how much can we realistically save and, more to the point, will it be worth it in terms of global emissions? Chris Goodall, author of How to Live a Low Carbon Life, believes so. He reckons it is possible to cut individual emissions by around 75 per cent without seriously altering our lifestyles. For a western European, that means slashing personal emissions from about 12 tonnes of CO2 to just 3 tonnes.
Cutting down
So how do we do it? Like charity, reducing your emissions begins at home (see Diagram). Of course, individual emissions will vary a fair bit, depending on the size of your house, how many people live in it, and how carbon-conscious you are. But a typical western home, with a total power throughput of about 20,000 kilowatt-hours per year, might generate emissions of around 5 tonnes. For each individual in the typical household this would average 2.3 tonnes, of which 1.2 tonnes is from heating the house, 0.4 tonnes from heating water and cooking, and 0.7 tonnes from general use of electricity for lighting and appliances.
Many people are surprised at the importance of heating to most homes' carbon footprint, and clearly there are big hits to be made here. You can cut heating-related emissions by 40 per cent or more by replacing an inefficient old-style boiler with a condensing model, by improving house insulation, and by turning down the thermostat by 2 °C in winter. But the biggest gain here can be from installing a wood-burning stove in your living room. These are attractive features and heat the house using a renewable fuel. Such a stove could cut household emissions by 2 tonnes of CO2 per year or 0.9 tonnes per inhabitant, on average.
You can halve the emissions for heating water and cooking by cutting out baths, taking short showers (no power-showers please - they are as bad as baths) and by using a microwave or pressure cooker. You can also halve electricity bills. The big four energy guzzlers in most households are refrigerators, tumble dryers, computers and lighting. Of these, the tumble dryer is the worst offender. Using it for 1 hour less per week could cut a household's annual emissions by 0.07 tonnes, and cutting it out entirely will double that saving. A computer left switched on through waking hours but turned off at night will be responsible for up to 0.4 tonnes of CO2 in a year. Switching to a laptop, which is more energy-efficient, could save you 0.2 tonnes.
Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs is another smart move, saving 0.25 tonnes for a household with 25 bulbs. A digital TV set-top box on standby uses enough energy to emit 0.06 tonnes of CO2 in a year (roughly the total emissions of an average citizen of Burundi), so you can save most of that by unplugging every time you switch off the TV, and maybe half if you switch off only at night. And think about all the other kit you leave on standby. Get rigorous about unplugging every time and a typical household can save another 0.1 tonnes. It is small compared to some other savings, but significant nonetheless.
A final option is to buy into green electricity tariffs. Read the small print, though, because some companies are simply asking you to subsidise what they are already obliged to do by law. In the best schemes, however, you will be helping to ensure that more wind turbines and other green sources of electricity are built. The annual carbon savings from these greener energy sources could be as much as 0.8 tonnes of CO2 per person.
In the UK, road transport accounts for nearly one-sixth of a typical citizen's emissions, or about 1.8 tonnes per head. In the US, at 5.6 tonnes per head, it makes up more than one-quarter of a rather larger total. The average car there, carrying an average of 1.2 people, emits 556 grams of CO2 for every person-kilometre. A typical British car, also carrying 1.2 people, emits less than half this, at 180 grams of CO2 for every person-kilometre travelled. There are numerous ways of getting these figures down. The average American driver could save a whopping 2.5 tonnes per year by changing to a gasoline-electric hybrid car. In the UK the gains would be lower, but still significant, at 0.8 tonnes. Buying a smaller, more efficient car running on diesel or liquified petroleum gas could cut emissions by 0.4 tonnes per car per year. Turning off car air conditioning can save 0.1 tonnes, while driving moderately and at the most fuel-efficient speeds will enable some drivers to cut emissions by 0.2 tonnes a year.
Another idea is to delay buying a new car. A typical car takes between 3 and 5 tonnes of CO2 to manufacture. That is twice what it typically emits in a year. So even if the new model would be more fuel-efficient, it is probably better to put off buying it.
The bottom line, of course, is that we should all drive less. Getting rid of the car would be best, but is rarely practical. Sadly, cutting out short journeys to the shops does little to cut emissions. For most people it will be less than 0.1 tonnes, though cutting out a daily short journey might double that saving.
Taking public transport to work makes a much more useful contribution. With every 1500 kilometres of commuting, you save 0.5 tonnes of CO2. Public transport is generally a greener option, but there are exceptions.
Trains, for example, are quite variable. In the UK, the average emissions are 40 grams per passenger-kilometre (g/p-km) but, depending on the engine, the source of power and the journey, the figure varies from more than 70 g/p-km down to 27 g/p-km. So going by train is usually better, but a small, fuel-efficient car with four passengers may be more carbon-efficient than taking one of the less efficient trains. Be warned, too, that taking a sleeper train from, say, London to Edinburgh or Paris to Venice may not always be greener than flying. Sleeper cars carry fewer passengers than regular carriages, and that could push the carbon footprint of the typical sleeper passenger above that of someone flying the same route at a typical CO2 emission rate for short-haul flights of 150 g/p-km.
For longer journeys, coaches such as Greyhound in the US or National Express in the UK could be just the ticket. In the UK, this would save about 140 grams per kilometre for each passenger who would otherwise have made the journey by car - the difference between the 180 g/p-km from driving a typically laden car and the 40 g/p-km on a typical coach ride - while in the US you could save 516 g/p-km. Over a 200-km drive that amounts to nearly 30 kg per trip in the UK and over 100 kg in the US.
Truth about flying
If you fly more than once a year, cutting back on those journeys will be the best single thing you could do to cut your emissions. Cut out that long return flight from Europe to Miami, or the US to Rome, and you have saved 2.5 tonnes of CO2 - which is probably more than you emit from your car all year. The simple truth is that frequent fliers have carbon footprints tens of times bigger than the rest of us.
Thanks to abundant cheap flights, Britons are the world's worst offenders on this score, with average emissions equivalent to 1.6 tonnes of CO2 per person - more than double the rate for the average American. Cheap flights are booming in China and India too, but the annual carbon footprint for travel for average citizens in those two countries is still only around one-tenth of those in Europe and North America.
Of the things we buy, food makes up about another 2 tonnes of CO2 per head. Concerned consumers often make an effort to cut their carbon footprint from food by buying locally, which reduces their "food miles". This makes some sense. A quarter of the trucks on our roads are carrying food and raw materials for the food industry. Yet many of the biggest energy inputs (and hence carbon outputs) of our food come from growing and processing food, rather than transporting it. Manufacturing fertiliser, heating greenhouses and food processing are major energy guzzlers, so buying locally is by no means automatically the greenest option. Trucking in tomatoes from sunny Spain often uses less energy than heating a greenhouse in the UK, for instance.
As a rule of thumb, meat and dairy products have high carbon footprints because of the energy needed to grow the feed for the animals. Going vegetarian could halve your carbon footprint from food to 1 tonne per year, but only if you cut back on dairy products too. If you can't go without meat and milk, you could instead halve your food footprint by going organic, largely because of the saving in fertiliser. A diet made up exclusively of locally grown, non-processed and non-packaged food can strip another 0.7 tonnes from your food-based carbon footprint, bringing an impressive total saving of 1.7 tonnes per person.
Drinks packaging matters too. Smelting aluminium is one of the most energy-intensive industries in the world, and making one beer or soda can emits 170 grams of CO2. That's the same as running your TV for 3 hours. The average person gets through 120 cans in a year, which adds up to 0.2 tonnes of CO2. So always recycle your cans and, for preference, buy draught beer or bottles instead. Glass's carbon footprint is rather less than aluminium's.
By making these small changes, the average western European can cut nearly 8 tonnes from their personal carbon footprint, taking their personal emissions down to around 2 tonnes. Multiply that by enough people and the impact could be significant. Take the UK, for example. If just one-third of the UK population did the same it would save 160 million tonnes of CO2, or more than a quarter of the nation's emissions.
Yet again, given the scale of the increases in China, India and South America, is all this effort really worth it? The answer is an unequivocal yes. Emissions reductions are a bit like taxes: you may not like them, and your individual contribution may seem too measly to matter, but multiply that by several million and you can start to move mountains.
Scaled up to global level, these cuts become highly significant. If 100 million people in richer nations cut their CO2 emissions by 10 tonnes per year, on average, that would save a billion tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, or around 5 per cent of the current global total. That won't solve the problem on its own, but it would create space for China and India to grow their economies and their carbon emissions for another year. Then we would need to add another 100 million people for the next year. And so on and so on, until new low-carbon technologies become cheap enough for developing countries like China and India to adopt them without undermining their economic development.
The global community would prefer not to allow the developing world to continue increasing their emissions indefinitely. Next month, diplomats and politicians will gather in Bali, Indonesia, to discuss what to do when the Kyoto protocol expires in 2012. Many will demand limits on the growing emissions of developing countries, including China and Indonesia, which was recently revealed to have the world's third-highest emissions - when the carbon sinks it has lost to the logging of rainforests and the draining of tropical peat swamps is taken into account.
Negotiating limits for China will not be easy. It may be about even with the US as the top emitter of CO2, but divide its output by its total population and the figures look rather different. The typical Chinese citizen is responsible for less than one-quarter of the emissions of the typical American: 4.8 tonnes compared to 20 tonnes. Individual Indians and Africans have emissions averaging 1 tonne or less (see Diagram).
With this in mind, a growing number of politicians are suggesting a fairer approach to cutting carbon, based not on national emissions but on setting tradeable individual carbon quotas (see "What's your quota?").
Ultimately, we will need to bring global emissions down low enough to match nature's ability to absorb them, which may be as low as 10 to 20 per cent of today's global emissions. But if a significant number of people change their ways and demand greener products, that will send a big signal to the market, encouraging the supply of green energy, low-carbon products, organic food and so on.
So while it may be tempting to think that only governments can act on the scale necessary to make real change by rationing carbon and setting tax regimes to provide the necessary carrots and sticks for development, there is no escaping the fact that individuals can make a difference by acting just a little bit greener. The big picture seems daunting but it can be done. And we have to start somewhere. So don't give up.
Fred Pearce
New Scientist
www.buckplanning.ie
It's a fair question. After all, the atmosphere doesn't distinguish between a tonne of Chinese carbon dioxide and a tonne emitted by the west. As the rest of the world carries on regardless, are the paltry savings from recycling your beer cans or insulating your roof anything more than a drop in the ocean?
If you just stopped trying, would the planet notice? In this special investigation, we crunch the numbers to find out whether going green is worth all the bother.
First though, the big picture. Every year human activities add about 30 billion tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere, largely through burning fossil fuels but also through destroying natural carbon sinks, such as forests. Half of this CO2 is absorbed by the remaining forests, soils and oceans, but the rest accumulates in the atmosphere.
Since pre-industrial times, the concentration of CO2 in the air has risen by a little over one-third, from 270 parts per million to 380 ppm - or from 2.2 trillion tonnes to almost 3 trillion. Most scientists think it would be unsafe to let CO2 concentrations rise beyond 450 ppm - an additional 500 billion tonnes. That level would be reached by around 2040 if emissions continue at today's rates. But as developing countries industrialise, global emissions are unlikely to stay the same. Last year, China hiked its emissions by 8 per cent, or around 450 million tonnes - an increase almost as great as the UK's entire annual carbon footprint. Emissions of other large developing countries like India, Brazil and Mexico are increasing at a similar pace.
Against this remorseless rise of CO2 from the developing world, can the individual actions of a few concerned westerners really make any difference? To answer this we first need to work out what our personal emissions are. That means including items omitted from the UN statistics - particularly international air travel - and the carbon footprint of goods made in foreign countries but imported for our use. When these are taken into account, the CO2 footprint of the average western European amounts to some 12 tonnes. For Americans and Australians, the figure is almost twice that, mainly because they drive more, in cars with bigger engines.
In general, just under half of the emissions for which each of us is responsible come from things over which we have personal control, such as how much we drive and fly and how we heat and power our homes. Of the rest, about 25 per cent of the total arises indirectly through powering our workplaces, about 10 per cent comes from maintaining public infrastructure and government, and about 20 per cent is emitted during the production of the things we buy, including food. We can still influence some of these indirect emissions through what we buy - or we could if we had access to the right kind of information - but by and large it makes sense to concentrate on the emissions we can control directly.
So how much can we realistically save and, more to the point, will it be worth it in terms of global emissions? Chris Goodall, author of How to Live a Low Carbon Life, believes so. He reckons it is possible to cut individual emissions by around 75 per cent without seriously altering our lifestyles. For a western European, that means slashing personal emissions from about 12 tonnes of CO2 to just 3 tonnes.
Cutting down
So how do we do it? Like charity, reducing your emissions begins at home (see Diagram). Of course, individual emissions will vary a fair bit, depending on the size of your house, how many people live in it, and how carbon-conscious you are. But a typical western home, with a total power throughput of about 20,000 kilowatt-hours per year, might generate emissions of around 5 tonnes. For each individual in the typical household this would average 2.3 tonnes, of which 1.2 tonnes is from heating the house, 0.4 tonnes from heating water and cooking, and 0.7 tonnes from general use of electricity for lighting and appliances.
Many people are surprised at the importance of heating to most homes' carbon footprint, and clearly there are big hits to be made here. You can cut heating-related emissions by 40 per cent or more by replacing an inefficient old-style boiler with a condensing model, by improving house insulation, and by turning down the thermostat by 2 °C in winter. But the biggest gain here can be from installing a wood-burning stove in your living room. These are attractive features and heat the house using a renewable fuel. Such a stove could cut household emissions by 2 tonnes of CO2 per year or 0.9 tonnes per inhabitant, on average.
You can halve the emissions for heating water and cooking by cutting out baths, taking short showers (no power-showers please - they are as bad as baths) and by using a microwave or pressure cooker. You can also halve electricity bills. The big four energy guzzlers in most households are refrigerators, tumble dryers, computers and lighting. Of these, the tumble dryer is the worst offender. Using it for 1 hour less per week could cut a household's annual emissions by 0.07 tonnes, and cutting it out entirely will double that saving. A computer left switched on through waking hours but turned off at night will be responsible for up to 0.4 tonnes of CO2 in a year. Switching to a laptop, which is more energy-efficient, could save you 0.2 tonnes.
Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs is another smart move, saving 0.25 tonnes for a household with 25 bulbs. A digital TV set-top box on standby uses enough energy to emit 0.06 tonnes of CO2 in a year (roughly the total emissions of an average citizen of Burundi), so you can save most of that by unplugging every time you switch off the TV, and maybe half if you switch off only at night. And think about all the other kit you leave on standby. Get rigorous about unplugging every time and a typical household can save another 0.1 tonnes. It is small compared to some other savings, but significant nonetheless.
A final option is to buy into green electricity tariffs. Read the small print, though, because some companies are simply asking you to subsidise what they are already obliged to do by law. In the best schemes, however, you will be helping to ensure that more wind turbines and other green sources of electricity are built. The annual carbon savings from these greener energy sources could be as much as 0.8 tonnes of CO2 per person.
In the UK, road transport accounts for nearly one-sixth of a typical citizen's emissions, or about 1.8 tonnes per head. In the US, at 5.6 tonnes per head, it makes up more than one-quarter of a rather larger total. The average car there, carrying an average of 1.2 people, emits 556 grams of CO2 for every person-kilometre. A typical British car, also carrying 1.2 people, emits less than half this, at 180 grams of CO2 for every person-kilometre travelled. There are numerous ways of getting these figures down. The average American driver could save a whopping 2.5 tonnes per year by changing to a gasoline-electric hybrid car. In the UK the gains would be lower, but still significant, at 0.8 tonnes. Buying a smaller, more efficient car running on diesel or liquified petroleum gas could cut emissions by 0.4 tonnes per car per year. Turning off car air conditioning can save 0.1 tonnes, while driving moderately and at the most fuel-efficient speeds will enable some drivers to cut emissions by 0.2 tonnes a year.
Another idea is to delay buying a new car. A typical car takes between 3 and 5 tonnes of CO2 to manufacture. That is twice what it typically emits in a year. So even if the new model would be more fuel-efficient, it is probably better to put off buying it.
The bottom line, of course, is that we should all drive less. Getting rid of the car would be best, but is rarely practical. Sadly, cutting out short journeys to the shops does little to cut emissions. For most people it will be less than 0.1 tonnes, though cutting out a daily short journey might double that saving.
Taking public transport to work makes a much more useful contribution. With every 1500 kilometres of commuting, you save 0.5 tonnes of CO2. Public transport is generally a greener option, but there are exceptions.
Trains, for example, are quite variable. In the UK, the average emissions are 40 grams per passenger-kilometre (g/p-km) but, depending on the engine, the source of power and the journey, the figure varies from more than 70 g/p-km down to 27 g/p-km. So going by train is usually better, but a small, fuel-efficient car with four passengers may be more carbon-efficient than taking one of the less efficient trains. Be warned, too, that taking a sleeper train from, say, London to Edinburgh or Paris to Venice may not always be greener than flying. Sleeper cars carry fewer passengers than regular carriages, and that could push the carbon footprint of the typical sleeper passenger above that of someone flying the same route at a typical CO2 emission rate for short-haul flights of 150 g/p-km.
For longer journeys, coaches such as Greyhound in the US or National Express in the UK could be just the ticket. In the UK, this would save about 140 grams per kilometre for each passenger who would otherwise have made the journey by car - the difference between the 180 g/p-km from driving a typically laden car and the 40 g/p-km on a typical coach ride - while in the US you could save 516 g/p-km. Over a 200-km drive that amounts to nearly 30 kg per trip in the UK and over 100 kg in the US.
Truth about flying
If you fly more than once a year, cutting back on those journeys will be the best single thing you could do to cut your emissions. Cut out that long return flight from Europe to Miami, or the US to Rome, and you have saved 2.5 tonnes of CO2 - which is probably more than you emit from your car all year. The simple truth is that frequent fliers have carbon footprints tens of times bigger than the rest of us.
Thanks to abundant cheap flights, Britons are the world's worst offenders on this score, with average emissions equivalent to 1.6 tonnes of CO2 per person - more than double the rate for the average American. Cheap flights are booming in China and India too, but the annual carbon footprint for travel for average citizens in those two countries is still only around one-tenth of those in Europe and North America.
Of the things we buy, food makes up about another 2 tonnes of CO2 per head. Concerned consumers often make an effort to cut their carbon footprint from food by buying locally, which reduces their "food miles". This makes some sense. A quarter of the trucks on our roads are carrying food and raw materials for the food industry. Yet many of the biggest energy inputs (and hence carbon outputs) of our food come from growing and processing food, rather than transporting it. Manufacturing fertiliser, heating greenhouses and food processing are major energy guzzlers, so buying locally is by no means automatically the greenest option. Trucking in tomatoes from sunny Spain often uses less energy than heating a greenhouse in the UK, for instance.
As a rule of thumb, meat and dairy products have high carbon footprints because of the energy needed to grow the feed for the animals. Going vegetarian could halve your carbon footprint from food to 1 tonne per year, but only if you cut back on dairy products too. If you can't go without meat and milk, you could instead halve your food footprint by going organic, largely because of the saving in fertiliser. A diet made up exclusively of locally grown, non-processed and non-packaged food can strip another 0.7 tonnes from your food-based carbon footprint, bringing an impressive total saving of 1.7 tonnes per person.
Drinks packaging matters too. Smelting aluminium is one of the most energy-intensive industries in the world, and making one beer or soda can emits 170 grams of CO2. That's the same as running your TV for 3 hours. The average person gets through 120 cans in a year, which adds up to 0.2 tonnes of CO2. So always recycle your cans and, for preference, buy draught beer or bottles instead. Glass's carbon footprint is rather less than aluminium's.
By making these small changes, the average western European can cut nearly 8 tonnes from their personal carbon footprint, taking their personal emissions down to around 2 tonnes. Multiply that by enough people and the impact could be significant. Take the UK, for example. If just one-third of the UK population did the same it would save 160 million tonnes of CO2, or more than a quarter of the nation's emissions.
Yet again, given the scale of the increases in China, India and South America, is all this effort really worth it? The answer is an unequivocal yes. Emissions reductions are a bit like taxes: you may not like them, and your individual contribution may seem too measly to matter, but multiply that by several million and you can start to move mountains.
Scaled up to global level, these cuts become highly significant. If 100 million people in richer nations cut their CO2 emissions by 10 tonnes per year, on average, that would save a billion tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, or around 5 per cent of the current global total. That won't solve the problem on its own, but it would create space for China and India to grow their economies and their carbon emissions for another year. Then we would need to add another 100 million people for the next year. And so on and so on, until new low-carbon technologies become cheap enough for developing countries like China and India to adopt them without undermining their economic development.
The global community would prefer not to allow the developing world to continue increasing their emissions indefinitely. Next month, diplomats and politicians will gather in Bali, Indonesia, to discuss what to do when the Kyoto protocol expires in 2012. Many will demand limits on the growing emissions of developing countries, including China and Indonesia, which was recently revealed to have the world's third-highest emissions - when the carbon sinks it has lost to the logging of rainforests and the draining of tropical peat swamps is taken into account.
Negotiating limits for China will not be easy. It may be about even with the US as the top emitter of CO2, but divide its output by its total population and the figures look rather different. The typical Chinese citizen is responsible for less than one-quarter of the emissions of the typical American: 4.8 tonnes compared to 20 tonnes. Individual Indians and Africans have emissions averaging 1 tonne or less (see Diagram).
With this in mind, a growing number of politicians are suggesting a fairer approach to cutting carbon, based not on national emissions but on setting tradeable individual carbon quotas (see "What's your quota?").
Ultimately, we will need to bring global emissions down low enough to match nature's ability to absorb them, which may be as low as 10 to 20 per cent of today's global emissions. But if a significant number of people change their ways and demand greener products, that will send a big signal to the market, encouraging the supply of green energy, low-carbon products, organic food and so on.
So while it may be tempting to think that only governments can act on the scale necessary to make real change by rationing carbon and setting tax regimes to provide the necessary carrots and sticks for development, there is no escaping the fact that individuals can make a difference by acting just a little bit greener. The big picture seems daunting but it can be done. And we have to start somewhere. So don't give up.
Fred Pearce
New Scientist
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Floating pub given go-ahead by court
A new floating pub and restaurant is to open on the River Liffey in Dublin, at a cost of €4m.
The new venture was granted a seven-day licence in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday.
Counsel for pub baron Larry Crowe, who is head of Richmond Properties, told Judge Alison Lindsay he had spent almost €4m on a complete refurbishment of the passenger vessel 'Cill Airne'.
The court heard the ship had been fitted out with several bars, lounges and a plush restaurant and would be docked close to the National Conference Centre in Dublin Docks.
Garda opposition to the venture, which was successfully countered, maintained the ship was not a premises and that its presence would create problems in relation to the congregation of people on the quayside.
David Higgins, project manager of the Dublin Docklands Development Association, said the Cill Airne had been granted a 10-year licence to berth on the river.
The court heard there had been a precedent for the licensing of a ship as a pub on the River Liffey. The broadcaster Eamon Andrews had run a pub and night club in the MV Arran, docked close to the Customs House.
As a permanently berthed vessel, the boat would only have to be moved into dry dock only every three years for safety checks in accordance with regulations.
Judge Lindsay said she was satisfied that the ship was a premises for the purpose of granting a drinks licence and restaurant certificate.
Ray Managh
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The new venture was granted a seven-day licence in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday.
Counsel for pub baron Larry Crowe, who is head of Richmond Properties, told Judge Alison Lindsay he had spent almost €4m on a complete refurbishment of the passenger vessel 'Cill Airne'.
The court heard the ship had been fitted out with several bars, lounges and a plush restaurant and would be docked close to the National Conference Centre in Dublin Docks.
Garda opposition to the venture, which was successfully countered, maintained the ship was not a premises and that its presence would create problems in relation to the congregation of people on the quayside.
David Higgins, project manager of the Dublin Docklands Development Association, said the Cill Airne had been granted a 10-year licence to berth on the river.
The court heard there had been a precedent for the licensing of a ship as a pub on the River Liffey. The broadcaster Eamon Andrews had run a pub and night club in the MV Arran, docked close to the Customs House.
As a permanently berthed vessel, the boat would only have to be moved into dry dock only every three years for safety checks in accordance with regulations.
Judge Lindsay said she was satisfied that the ship was a premises for the purpose of granting a drinks licence and restaurant certificate.
Ray Managh
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
I told the truth about Poolbeg submissions, says Gormley
AN EMBATTLED John Gormley last night strenuously rejected claims he told lies regarding the Poolbeg incinerator in a bitter war of words with one of his constituency rivals.
The row between Labour’s Ruairí Quinn and Green Party John Gormley followed a series of heated statements on who attended a meeting in Croke Park and made an oral submission against the proposed incinerator in their constituency of Dublin South East. The incinerator was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála on Monday.
Mr Quinn told Newstalk yesterday: “This man told lies in relation to my presence in Croke Park some months back when he we were in a taxi together and were photographed together... He will cite with crocodile tears in three or four months’ time that because of the compensation cost to the taxpayer he cannot instruct Dublin City Council not to proceed with the incinerator.”
However, the Environment Minister last night described the use of the word “lies” as disgraceful and unacceptable.
“I didn’t tell lies, I told the absolute truth. What I said yesterday was Ruairi Quinn didn’t bother his barney to turn up to make an oral submission to the An Bord Pleanála hearing,” he said.
Mr Gormley said that if the records are checked, it would show he was the only TD to make an oral submission.
“What’s killing Ruairí is that people are beginning to see that he and his party were actually responsible. They inserted into the Waste Management Act a proposal for incineration which was cited by the inspector yesterday.”
Earlier in the Dáil, the minister came under fire from opposition parties after planning was granted for Poolbeg. However, the Taoiseach insisted the minister does not have the powers to reverse the decision to build the incinerator, which will burn up to 600,000 tonnes of rubbish a year.
Yesterday, during leaders’ questions, Labour’s Eamon Gilmore and Fine Gael’s Enda Kenny raised the Green Party chief’s consistent criticism of the proposed incinerator when in opposition.
“Mr Gormley must be the first politician ever that found on appointment to ministerial office that he has less power than when he was an opposition TD,” said Mr Gilmore.
Claims by Mr Gormley that plans for the incinerator could be made “redundant” were also dismissed by the Fine Gael leader who asked if this was now the government’s official stance.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The row between Labour’s Ruairí Quinn and Green Party John Gormley followed a series of heated statements on who attended a meeting in Croke Park and made an oral submission against the proposed incinerator in their constituency of Dublin South East. The incinerator was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála on Monday.
Mr Quinn told Newstalk yesterday: “This man told lies in relation to my presence in Croke Park some months back when he we were in a taxi together and were photographed together... He will cite with crocodile tears in three or four months’ time that because of the compensation cost to the taxpayer he cannot instruct Dublin City Council not to proceed with the incinerator.”
However, the Environment Minister last night described the use of the word “lies” as disgraceful and unacceptable.
“I didn’t tell lies, I told the absolute truth. What I said yesterday was Ruairi Quinn didn’t bother his barney to turn up to make an oral submission to the An Bord Pleanála hearing,” he said.
Mr Gormley said that if the records are checked, it would show he was the only TD to make an oral submission.
“What’s killing Ruairí is that people are beginning to see that he and his party were actually responsible. They inserted into the Waste Management Act a proposal for incineration which was cited by the inspector yesterday.”
Earlier in the Dáil, the minister came under fire from opposition parties after planning was granted for Poolbeg. However, the Taoiseach insisted the minister does not have the powers to reverse the decision to build the incinerator, which will burn up to 600,000 tonnes of rubbish a year.
Yesterday, during leaders’ questions, Labour’s Eamon Gilmore and Fine Gael’s Enda Kenny raised the Green Party chief’s consistent criticism of the proposed incinerator when in opposition.
“Mr Gormley must be the first politician ever that found on appointment to ministerial office that he has less power than when he was an opposition TD,” said Mr Gilmore.
Claims by Mr Gormley that plans for the incinerator could be made “redundant” were also dismissed by the Fine Gael leader who asked if this was now the government’s official stance.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Priests ask Ryan to consider new Corrib option
Three north Mayo priests have called on Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan to consider an alternative location on the Erris coastline for the Corrib gas refinery.
The three priests, Fr Michael Nallen, Fr Michael Gilroy and Fr Seán Noone of Kilcommon parish, have identified Glinsk, near Belderrig, Co Mayo, as an alternative to Bellanaboy, where the refinery is at the early stages of construction.
The same location was identified by Shell consultants, RPS, last summer as a potential landfall during initial work on modifying onshore pipeline routes.
However, the consultants are not involved in any aspect of the refinery, and have since narrowed the routes down to exclude this option.
The priests believe that by locating the actual refinery at Glinsk, it would avoid an onshore pipeline of any significant length, and would help to resolve what they describe as the "current impasse".
The current refinery at Bellanaboy is located within the Carrowmore lake drinking water catchment, supplying 10,000 people. The priests claim the outfall pipe could have a "potential negative impact" on the local fishing industry and the environmental integrity of Broadhaven Bay.
Glinsk has no housing within several miles of the exposed area of bogland, but Shell consultants had noted in their assessment for the pipeline survey that the exposed landfall had steep cliffs of greater than 50 metres. It also adjoins the Glenamoy bog complex special area of conservation.
The priests say they believe that running a high-pressure pipe up a cliff-face has been done before and is "technically and economically feasible" and would "comply with the codes of practice and EU directives".
"While there may be conservation issues wherever the refinery is located, we believe it is paramount that human life is protected," the priests state, urging the Minister to "give serious consideration to this option in an effort to bring the sorry history of this project to a peaceful and just conclusion".
The priests, who are not members of Shell to Sea, have stated that the project as planned "does not have the consent from the community".
Last month, in an initial letter to Mr Ryan, they questioned how "promotional material" distributed by the Corrib gas developers could "validly claim community status".
"We wish to reiterate that we believe most people are not opposed to the gas coming ashore. Benefits for community and country are something that most people would welcome.
"It should be possible to achieve this goal in an environmentally and community friendly way without the flaws which are linked to the Bellanaboy site," they have stressed in their new letter.
Shell E&P Ireland and RPS Consultants had no comment to make yesterday on the proposal.
Lorna Siggins
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The three priests, Fr Michael Nallen, Fr Michael Gilroy and Fr Seán Noone of Kilcommon parish, have identified Glinsk, near Belderrig, Co Mayo, as an alternative to Bellanaboy, where the refinery is at the early stages of construction.
The same location was identified by Shell consultants, RPS, last summer as a potential landfall during initial work on modifying onshore pipeline routes.
However, the consultants are not involved in any aspect of the refinery, and have since narrowed the routes down to exclude this option.
The priests believe that by locating the actual refinery at Glinsk, it would avoid an onshore pipeline of any significant length, and would help to resolve what they describe as the "current impasse".
The current refinery at Bellanaboy is located within the Carrowmore lake drinking water catchment, supplying 10,000 people. The priests claim the outfall pipe could have a "potential negative impact" on the local fishing industry and the environmental integrity of Broadhaven Bay.
Glinsk has no housing within several miles of the exposed area of bogland, but Shell consultants had noted in their assessment for the pipeline survey that the exposed landfall had steep cliffs of greater than 50 metres. It also adjoins the Glenamoy bog complex special area of conservation.
The priests say they believe that running a high-pressure pipe up a cliff-face has been done before and is "technically and economically feasible" and would "comply with the codes of practice and EU directives".
"While there may be conservation issues wherever the refinery is located, we believe it is paramount that human life is protected," the priests state, urging the Minister to "give serious consideration to this option in an effort to bring the sorry history of this project to a peaceful and just conclusion".
The priests, who are not members of Shell to Sea, have stated that the project as planned "does not have the consent from the community".
Last month, in an initial letter to Mr Ryan, they questioned how "promotional material" distributed by the Corrib gas developers could "validly claim community status".
"We wish to reiterate that we believe most people are not opposed to the gas coming ashore. Benefits for community and country are something that most people would welcome.
"It should be possible to achieve this goal in an environmentally and community friendly way without the flaws which are linked to the Bellanaboy site," they have stressed in their new letter.
Shell E&P Ireland and RPS Consultants had no comment to make yesterday on the proposal.
Lorna Siggins
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Nephin windfarm plan is refused
PLANS to build a wind farm at a site in the Nephin Beg mountain range have fallen foul of rules on the protection of sensitive views and landscapes.
Cnoc Mhuire Partnership of Main Street, Kiltimagh lodged plans in March of this year to build three turbines in the townlands of Fiddaunageeroge and Glendavoolagh. The capacity of the plant was to be 6.9 megawats. The site on the northern side of Bullamore Mountain is close to Bunaveela Lake and the Deel River, and lies around seven miles from Bellacorrick power station.
Because of the scenic and unspoilt location of the site, planners expressed concerns about the suitability of the wind farm project. The turbines were proposed for a location less than 500 metres from the Owenduff/Nephin candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). This scenic site overlaps with Altaconey Bog, which is a proposed Natural Heritage Area (NHA). Assessing the application, planners noted that the site is mainly moorland and shows some signs of overgrazing. Further Information (FI) was requested on a number of issues, and the developers answered all of the councils’ questions including queries about construction and development waste, and the service and the re-fuelling of the plant. During the consultation process, planners issued an advice note to Cnoc Mhuire Partnership outlining “seri-ous concerns” with the wind farm project. They told the developer they were not fully satisfied that the peat soil was capable of supporting three turbines, and said “slope stability remains a critical issue at this location”. Planners also told the company that the new Proposed Draft Development Plan for Mayo contains a wind energy strategy. In that document, the site in question has been identified as one where a wind farm would not normally be allowed. After an assessment of the plans, permission for the wind farm was refused. Planners gave two reasons for refusal, both relating to contraventions of the Mayo County Developent Plan 2003 to 2009. The proposed development was deemed to be out of character with the sensitive landscape of the area. It was also judged to be likely to interfere with “views and prospects worthy of preservation and protection” under the County Development Plan. It’s not yet know if the developers of the proposed wind farm will take up the option of lodging an appeal with An Bord Pleanala.
Fiona McGarry
Western People
Cnoc Mhuire Partnership of Main Street, Kiltimagh lodged plans in March of this year to build three turbines in the townlands of Fiddaunageeroge and Glendavoolagh. The capacity of the plant was to be 6.9 megawats. The site on the northern side of Bullamore Mountain is close to Bunaveela Lake and the Deel River, and lies around seven miles from Bellacorrick power station.
Because of the scenic and unspoilt location of the site, planners expressed concerns about the suitability of the wind farm project. The turbines were proposed for a location less than 500 metres from the Owenduff/Nephin candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). This scenic site overlaps with Altaconey Bog, which is a proposed Natural Heritage Area (NHA). Assessing the application, planners noted that the site is mainly moorland and shows some signs of overgrazing. Further Information (FI) was requested on a number of issues, and the developers answered all of the councils’ questions including queries about construction and development waste, and the service and the re-fuelling of the plant. During the consultation process, planners issued an advice note to Cnoc Mhuire Partnership outlining “seri-ous concerns” with the wind farm project. They told the developer they were not fully satisfied that the peat soil was capable of supporting three turbines, and said “slope stability remains a critical issue at this location”. Planners also told the company that the new Proposed Draft Development Plan for Mayo contains a wind energy strategy. In that document, the site in question has been identified as one where a wind farm would not normally be allowed. After an assessment of the plans, permission for the wind farm was refused. Planners gave two reasons for refusal, both relating to contraventions of the Mayo County Developent Plan 2003 to 2009. The proposed development was deemed to be out of character with the sensitive landscape of the area. It was also judged to be likely to interfere with “views and prospects worthy of preservation and protection” under the County Development Plan. It’s not yet know if the developers of the proposed wind farm will take up the option of lodging an appeal with An Bord Pleanala.
Fiona McGarry
Western People
Monday, 19 November 2007
€350m tram system could clear city traffic jams
Limerick city's leading architects, planners and officials have been presented with ambitious plans for a €350m tram system which it is claimed would greatly remove traffic congestion from busy streets and black spots.
The proposals by EML architects may seem far fetched, but a company director has urged the relevant parties to consider the transport system for the future progression of the Munster city.
EML director Michael Landers told a high-powered meeting that proper infrastructure was needed before any future developments for the city could be contemplated.
"Infrastructure needs to be planned for the growth of the population," he said.
Mr Landers proposed a state of the art tram system which would link suburbs to the city centre.
The city's officials heard that a 25km tram system, modelled on one currently in operation in the London borough of Croydon, could be delivered for between €300m and €350m.
According to EML, there are 12 bus routes servicing Limerick city and its suburbs. Six of these stop at 6pm while the remaining buses stop at 11pm.
"People have tried it (the bus service), get disappointed and get back into their cars," Mr Landers said.
However, Bus Eireann is currently conducting a feasibility study for a bus rapid-transit operation in Limerick.
Regional manager of Bus Eireann, Miriam Flynn said such a system could also be introduced in Cork and Galway. "This is something which could be explored in provincial cities and it tends to operate in areas where the population wouldn't qualify for a light rail system.
"It's also only a fraction of the cost of a light rail system," said Ms Flynn.
Barry Duggan
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The proposals by EML architects may seem far fetched, but a company director has urged the relevant parties to consider the transport system for the future progression of the Munster city.
EML director Michael Landers told a high-powered meeting that proper infrastructure was needed before any future developments for the city could be contemplated.
"Infrastructure needs to be planned for the growth of the population," he said.
Mr Landers proposed a state of the art tram system which would link suburbs to the city centre.
The city's officials heard that a 25km tram system, modelled on one currently in operation in the London borough of Croydon, could be delivered for between €300m and €350m.
According to EML, there are 12 bus routes servicing Limerick city and its suburbs. Six of these stop at 6pm while the remaining buses stop at 11pm.
"People have tried it (the bus service), get disappointed and get back into their cars," Mr Landers said.
However, Bus Eireann is currently conducting a feasibility study for a bus rapid-transit operation in Limerick.
Regional manager of Bus Eireann, Miriam Flynn said such a system could also be introduced in Cork and Galway. "This is something which could be explored in provincial cities and it tends to operate in areas where the population wouldn't qualify for a light rail system.
"It's also only a fraction of the cost of a light rail system," said Ms Flynn.
Barry Duggan
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Gormley tells Shell to repair bog damage
Environment Minister John Gormley yesterday told Shell and its contractors that they must repair damage done to a special conservation area during unauthorised works for the Corrib Gas Pipeline.
Mr Gormley issued a ministerial direction instructing Shell and RPS Consultant Engineers to repair any damage to the protected Glenamoy bog complex at Glengad, Mayo.
Drilling and borehole installation were carried out at the site last month by RPS, who had been hired by Shell E&P Ireland to select a modified route for the Corrib gas pipeline.
"The actions of the Shell contractors in entering a Special Area of Conservation and carrying out works without authorisation are of serious concern to me," he said. "I find it unacceptable that this has occurred... when my department has been making efforts to keep in communication with Shell."
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Mr Gormley issued a ministerial direction instructing Shell and RPS Consultant Engineers to repair any damage to the protected Glenamoy bog complex at Glengad, Mayo.
Drilling and borehole installation were carried out at the site last month by RPS, who had been hired by Shell E&P Ireland to select a modified route for the Corrib gas pipeline.
"The actions of the Shell contractors in entering a Special Area of Conservation and carrying out works without authorisation are of serious concern to me," he said. "I find it unacceptable that this has occurred... when my department has been making efforts to keep in communication with Shell."
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Planners backed U2 bid 'out of deference'
The former head of An Taisce last night expressed concern that approval was given to U2's controversial revamp of the Clarence Hotel out of "deference".
Dublin City Council officials granted the superstar rock group planning permission to go ahead with their €150m planned revamp amid criticism last week. A condition is that the developers contribute almost €1m to council initiatives, such as the cost of the Metro North rail line.
However, the council's own city conservation architect, Clare Hogan, had advised a refusal in her report -- stating that the planned development did not meet legal requirements.
She expressed concern that the band was unable to provide "exceptional circumstances" to demolish four neighbouring listed buildings -- as required under the Planning and Development Act 2000.
Co-owners Bono and the Edge plan to demolish the Georgian buildings and transform the 44-bedroom boutique hotel into a 141-bedroom, five-star hotel and spa -- complete with restaurant, bar and fresh food market.
Speculative
However, their inability to follow procedure meant that the decision was "reminiscent of the climate of 1960s speculative development", she said.
Speaking to the Irish Independent last night, former head of An Taisce, Michael Smith, said that Ms Hogan's comments were damming.
"She is blatantly saying that this should not have been given permission and recommended a refusal," he said.
"Although this was not unexpected, it is clearly in breach of national legislation and the city council's own plans.
"It seems obvious that the planning department rubberstamped this application out of deference to a renowned architect and a sexy developer."
But, according to the environmentalist, it would be "foolish" to mount a legal challenge to the decision at this stage, as the entire planning process needs to be exhausted before the courts intervene.
Only if An Bord Pleanala finds the decision unfavourable, will conservationists and environmentalists be allowed to mount a legal challenge.
In contrast, senior executive planner, Anthony Abbot-King, has branded the scheme as an "exemplary design solution".
He also considered the four Georgian buildings to be in "poor to very poor condition".
Architect firm Foster & Partners has said that, in order to turn the hotel into a rival of the greatest luxury hotels in the world, the plans have to be drastic.
However, a spokesman for the firm said that the "exceptional" new hotel would not see the streetscape of the Wellington Quay side in any way altered.
"If we were to keep the building as it is, we would have no scope to create the grandeur and interest that would be demanded for one that aspires to be the world's best," the spokesman added.
Patricia McDonagh
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin City Council officials granted the superstar rock group planning permission to go ahead with their €150m planned revamp amid criticism last week. A condition is that the developers contribute almost €1m to council initiatives, such as the cost of the Metro North rail line.
However, the council's own city conservation architect, Clare Hogan, had advised a refusal in her report -- stating that the planned development did not meet legal requirements.
She expressed concern that the band was unable to provide "exceptional circumstances" to demolish four neighbouring listed buildings -- as required under the Planning and Development Act 2000.
Co-owners Bono and the Edge plan to demolish the Georgian buildings and transform the 44-bedroom boutique hotel into a 141-bedroom, five-star hotel and spa -- complete with restaurant, bar and fresh food market.
Speculative
However, their inability to follow procedure meant that the decision was "reminiscent of the climate of 1960s speculative development", she said.
Speaking to the Irish Independent last night, former head of An Taisce, Michael Smith, said that Ms Hogan's comments were damming.
"She is blatantly saying that this should not have been given permission and recommended a refusal," he said.
"Although this was not unexpected, it is clearly in breach of national legislation and the city council's own plans.
"It seems obvious that the planning department rubberstamped this application out of deference to a renowned architect and a sexy developer."
But, according to the environmentalist, it would be "foolish" to mount a legal challenge to the decision at this stage, as the entire planning process needs to be exhausted before the courts intervene.
Only if An Bord Pleanala finds the decision unfavourable, will conservationists and environmentalists be allowed to mount a legal challenge.
In contrast, senior executive planner, Anthony Abbot-King, has branded the scheme as an "exemplary design solution".
He also considered the four Georgian buildings to be in "poor to very poor condition".
Architect firm Foster & Partners has said that, in order to turn the hotel into a rival of the greatest luxury hotels in the world, the plans have to be drastic.
However, a spokesman for the firm said that the "exceptional" new hotel would not see the streetscape of the Wellington Quay side in any way altered.
"If we were to keep the building as it is, we would have no scope to create the grandeur and interest that would be demanded for one that aspires to be the world's best," the spokesman added.
Patricia McDonagh
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
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