ANY move on the provision of a new caravan park near the beach at Rossbeigh has been delayed following a decision to extend the public consultation period for the project.
Responding to a query from Cllr Michael Healy-Rae, an official in Kerry County Council’s environment department said that despite the intention to submit an application to An Bord Pleanala in early February, the plan has been delayed due to unforeseeable circumstances.
“Unfortunately, despite numerous assurances by the consultants involved, delivery of the environmental impact statement for the development in question was somewhat delayed.
“The document has just been received,” council official, Mick Boyce, confirmed.
“The application to An Bord Pleanala has now been finalised and is being submitted immediately,” he added.
According to the council engineer, because of the delays in receiving the environmental impact state-ment, it was necessary to extend the public consultation period and notices have been placed advising the public of the changes.
Mr Boyce assured the councillor that the local authority would make every effort to ensure a timely decision by the planners on the Rossbeigh application.
Reacting to confirmation of the delay, Cllr Healy-Rae said he would continue to make strong representations with regard to the situation.
“I would describe the new caravan park as a very necessary facility,” he said.
“There are so many people who have visited Glen-beigh and Rossbeigh over the years but are now unable to do,” Cllr Healy-Rae added.
Mary Murphy
© The Kerryman
Thursday, 29 March 2007
Council the arch-enemy as McDonald’s appeals lit sign ban
LOVIN’ it? Not in Mayo, it seems.
McDonald’s might be a popular fast food eatery but the restaurant chain is not exactly experiencing a whole lot of “lovin’” from the leading burghers of Castlebar.
A McDonald’s outlet in the Mayo town has recently been refused planning permission to illuminate its famous golden arches sign in a decision that has sparked controversy in Castlebar.
It is the second time in the last six years that Castlebar Town Council has put a halt to the company’s bid to light up the local nightlife through a large “M” sign outside its restaurant on the Lower Westport Road.
On the previous occasion, An Bord Pleanála upheld the council’s decision to refuse planning permission.
The issue has also led some members of the local authority to get into something of a McFlurry amid fears that the furore spells a McTastrophe for Mayo.
Labour councillor, Johny Mee, warned that Castlebar would become “the laughing stock of the country” over the refusal of planning permission for the illumination.
Mr Mee said he would try to get the decision reversed by getting the council to pass a material contravention order.
Fine Gael councillor Kevin Guthrie also supports the planning application but acknowledged that the illumination of the sign would contravene the town’s development plan.
“It is daft. People will say councillors have more important things to be sorting out than McDonald’s signs but I think the decision not to allow the sign to be lit is very foolish,” said Mr Guthrie.
Blackie Gavin, a Fianna Fáil member of Castlebar Town Council, claimed the decision would send out “a very negative view of Castlebar internationally”.
The owner of McDonald’s in Castlebar, Martin Crampe, declined to comment on the issue on the basis that he is appealing the decision to An Bord Pleanála.
Seán McCárthaigh and Teresa O’Malley
© Western People
McDonald’s might be a popular fast food eatery but the restaurant chain is not exactly experiencing a whole lot of “lovin’” from the leading burghers of Castlebar.
A McDonald’s outlet in the Mayo town has recently been refused planning permission to illuminate its famous golden arches sign in a decision that has sparked controversy in Castlebar.
It is the second time in the last six years that Castlebar Town Council has put a halt to the company’s bid to light up the local nightlife through a large “M” sign outside its restaurant on the Lower Westport Road.
On the previous occasion, An Bord Pleanála upheld the council’s decision to refuse planning permission.
The issue has also led some members of the local authority to get into something of a McFlurry amid fears that the furore spells a McTastrophe for Mayo.
Labour councillor, Johny Mee, warned that Castlebar would become “the laughing stock of the country” over the refusal of planning permission for the illumination.
Mr Mee said he would try to get the decision reversed by getting the council to pass a material contravention order.
Fine Gael councillor Kevin Guthrie also supports the planning application but acknowledged that the illumination of the sign would contravene the town’s development plan.
“It is daft. People will say councillors have more important things to be sorting out than McDonald’s signs but I think the decision not to allow the sign to be lit is very foolish,” said Mr Guthrie.
Blackie Gavin, a Fianna Fáil member of Castlebar Town Council, claimed the decision would send out “a very negative view of Castlebar internationally”.
The owner of McDonald’s in Castlebar, Martin Crampe, declined to comment on the issue on the basis that he is appealing the decision to An Bord Pleanála.
Seán McCárthaigh and Teresa O’Malley
© Western People
Council orders removal of Roche posters from site in Wicklow
A large billboard with posters of Minister for the Environment Dick Roche has been removed from a site in Wicklow after questions were raised about its planning status. The posters, nearly 30 feet long and eight feet high, contained Mr Roche's photo alongside the slogan "Working for Wicklow".
Mr Roche blamed an "over-zealous" supporter for putting up the posters. They were removed yesterday from the hoarding just outside Rathnew.
It followed contact from Wicklow County Council's planning enforcement section to Mr Roche's office. However, yesterday, Mr Roche claimed he ordered the posters to be removed. He denied the hoarding breached planning regulations.
According to a spokesman for Mr Roche, the Minister was unaware of the posters, which were in a privately-owned field overlooking the main road into Wicklow town, until he was contacted by the media last Friday.
"An enthusiastic, over-zealous member of Minister Roche's campaign volunteer team put up a few posters," the spokesman said.
"When the Minister found out after getting a call from the media, he immediately instructed that a white covering be put on sites until the posters were taken down this morning."
"At no time did Minister Roche infringe the litter or planning Act, but he decided that they should be taken down. He notes other candidates in Wicklow have election hoardings up."
However, yesterday a spokeswoman for Wicklow County Council planning department said the council had been in contact with Mr Roche's office on Monday and had requested that the posters be removed.
Under the 2002 planning laws, advertising hoardings relating to a general election are exempt from planning legislation. However as an election has yet to be called, there is a question as to whether this exemption applies.
Mr Roche is the latest Dáil candidate to become embroiled in controversy over pre-election publicity. Dublin South West TD Charlie O'Connor was warned that 400 of his posters erected earlier this month on lampposts could breach littering legislation.
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
Mr Roche blamed an "over-zealous" supporter for putting up the posters. They were removed yesterday from the hoarding just outside Rathnew.
It followed contact from Wicklow County Council's planning enforcement section to Mr Roche's office. However, yesterday, Mr Roche claimed he ordered the posters to be removed. He denied the hoarding breached planning regulations.
According to a spokesman for Mr Roche, the Minister was unaware of the posters, which were in a privately-owned field overlooking the main road into Wicklow town, until he was contacted by the media last Friday.
"An enthusiastic, over-zealous member of Minister Roche's campaign volunteer team put up a few posters," the spokesman said.
"When the Minister found out after getting a call from the media, he immediately instructed that a white covering be put on sites until the posters were taken down this morning."
"At no time did Minister Roche infringe the litter or planning Act, but he decided that they should be taken down. He notes other candidates in Wicklow have election hoardings up."
However, yesterday a spokeswoman for Wicklow County Council planning department said the council had been in contact with Mr Roche's office on Monday and had requested that the posters be removed.
Under the 2002 planning laws, advertising hoardings relating to a general election are exempt from planning legislation. However as an election has yet to be called, there is a question as to whether this exemption applies.
Mr Roche is the latest Dáil candidate to become embroiled in controversy over pre-election publicity. Dublin South West TD Charlie O'Connor was warned that 400 of his posters erected earlier this month on lampposts could breach littering legislation.
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
Developer faces €12.7m fine
A DEVELOPER who illegally demolished a 19th century convent in south Dublin has missed a deadline to reinstate it.
Kimpton Vale faces a €12.7m fine after failing to rebuild Presentation Convent Terenure which was in the process of being added to the city council's register of protected structures.
Under enforcement proceedings issued last December, the company was instructed to stop the demolition and re-instate the building to the satisfaction of the council's planning department by last Friday.
But the rebuilding work is far from finished, and city council inspectors from the council will visit the site today before deciding if further action is required.
Council sources said it was likely that legal action would be taken because of the slow rate of progress.
© Irish Independent
Kimpton Vale faces a €12.7m fine after failing to rebuild Presentation Convent Terenure which was in the process of being added to the city council's register of protected structures.
Under enforcement proceedings issued last December, the company was instructed to stop the demolition and re-instate the building to the satisfaction of the council's planning department by last Friday.
But the rebuilding work is far from finished, and city council inspectors from the council will visit the site today before deciding if further action is required.
Council sources said it was likely that legal action would be taken because of the slow rate of progress.
© Irish Independent
Councillors being taken for a ride
already agreed by officials with advertising firm, JCDecaux, in what has been described as a "free bike" scheme for Dublin: that is "free" in exchange for 120 billboard sites. So controversial is the scheme that denizens like Bertie Ahern – as a Drumcondra resident – has objected to it.
While media reports have concentrated on the bicycles, the real story is that councillors are outraged at the deal being already agreed by officials, with councillor Tom Stafford's criticisms of the plan as a "terrible, terrible application" typifying representatives' views.
Councillors were simply not aware of the scheme's details – that is until 70 simultaneous applications to erect billboards was made by JCDecaux during December, with another 50 in January. These roadside units are to display adverts on one side, with "civic information" on the other – and all to be located on public footpaths.
Strangely there has been no Environmental Impact Assessment, nor a council motion selling public land – while councillors are also puzzled as to why, if the council is to be a beneficiary, that the applications were not addressed to Bórd Pleanála.
More interesting is that by virtue of the project being applied for as more than 120 individual applications, it would cost over €25 grand for total adjudication by the Bórd.
However, Executive Planning Manager Ciaran MacNamara has been busy at council meetings defending the "public realm enhancements". Describing the proposed billboards as a "new departure for the industry", MacNamara claims
that along with the 500 rental bikes, the city will get 4 public toilets, "a family of way-finding signage", and JCDecaux would reduce their current billboards by 25%.
Yet despite the contract having been already signed, MacNamara is refusing to release it to councillors on the basis it as "commercially sensitive" – with councillors now resorting to FOI requests.
Mr MacNamara also claims that "very few" objections had been received; maybe he didn't see the one from Bertie Ahern, or from Tony Gregory, or the one from Councillor Larry O' Toole. Councillor Tom Brabazon has been very busy getting in a dozen objections – while dozens of other interests have also objected, such as Dublin City Business Association whose members – Arnotts, Clerys, and Eason's – have all filed objections.
Then there's the Dublin Transportation Office's submission regarding the 70 15-feet high "metropole" applications, which states "the DTO is totally opposed" as illuminated signage "is considered to be a safety hazard".
Now councillors have begun to do their own sums regarding the advertising revenue potential; Tom Stafford estimated €13 million per annum – which over the 15 year terms is over €200 Million; i.e. enough to buy 2 million bikes...
Anybody feel as if they have been taken for a ride?
© Phoenix Magazine
While media reports have concentrated on the bicycles, the real story is that councillors are outraged at the deal being already agreed by officials, with councillor Tom Stafford's criticisms of the plan as a "terrible, terrible application" typifying representatives' views.
Councillors were simply not aware of the scheme's details – that is until 70 simultaneous applications to erect billboards was made by JCDecaux during December, with another 50 in January. These roadside units are to display adverts on one side, with "civic information" on the other – and all to be located on public footpaths.
Strangely there has been no Environmental Impact Assessment, nor a council motion selling public land – while councillors are also puzzled as to why, if the council is to be a beneficiary, that the applications were not addressed to Bórd Pleanála.
More interesting is that by virtue of the project being applied for as more than 120 individual applications, it would cost over €25 grand for total adjudication by the Bórd.
However, Executive Planning Manager Ciaran MacNamara has been busy at council meetings defending the "public realm enhancements". Describing the proposed billboards as a "new departure for the industry", MacNamara claims
that along with the 500 rental bikes, the city will get 4 public toilets, "a family of way-finding signage", and JCDecaux would reduce their current billboards by 25%.
Yet despite the contract having been already signed, MacNamara is refusing to release it to councillors on the basis it as "commercially sensitive" – with councillors now resorting to FOI requests.
Mr MacNamara also claims that "very few" objections had been received; maybe he didn't see the one from Bertie Ahern, or from Tony Gregory, or the one from Councillor Larry O' Toole. Councillor Tom Brabazon has been very busy getting in a dozen objections – while dozens of other interests have also objected, such as Dublin City Business Association whose members – Arnotts, Clerys, and Eason's – have all filed objections.
Then there's the Dublin Transportation Office's submission regarding the 70 15-feet high "metropole" applications, which states "the DTO is totally opposed" as illuminated signage "is considered to be a safety hazard".
Now councillors have begun to do their own sums regarding the advertising revenue potential; Tom Stafford estimated €13 million per annum – which over the 15 year terms is over €200 Million; i.e. enough to buy 2 million bikes...
Anybody feel as if they have been taken for a ride?
© Phoenix Magazine
Case against Kerry golf club owner struck out
Enforcement proceedings against the owner of a golf club near Ballinskellig's Bay, Co Kerry, to remove unauthorised material were struck out by request of Kerry County Council at the Circuit Court in Killarney yesterday.
The proceedings, relating to unauthorised coastal protection works at the Skellig Bay golf club owned by Micheál O'Shea of Bayview Hotel, Waterville, were brought by the council under section 160 of the Planning Development Act 2000.
It was alleged Mr O'Shea failed to properly comply with conditions for retention permission for cliff erosion and protection works carried out to the cliff face of the golf course three years ago, in that he used the wrong type of material.
The enforcement proceedings were initiated just prior to the collapse of rock armour and other material used to reinforce a cliff-top tee box within metres of the coastal home of Breda McGillicuddy last month. The council carried out emergency works to prevent the golf course tee from collapsing on to the 200-year-old cottage and to render the cliff structure safe.
In doing so they also removed the unauthorised material, the subject of the enforcement proceedings, a spokesman for the council said.
Yesterday, Liz Murphy, barrister for the council, told the court that "circumstances have overtaken the matter". Health and safety issues were also now involved, Ms Murphy said.
She requested the matter be struck out and legal costs awarded to the council.
Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin agreed to this request.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) had advised the council after receiving a complaint before the cliff face boulder collapse. They gave advice to the council on rendering the structure safe, a spokesman for the HSA confirmed yesterday.
The works to the cliff and coast in an area of Prime Special Amenity, a designated National Heritage Area as well as a candidate Special Area of Conservation, have been the subject of ongoing concern among environmentalists.
Friends of the Irish Environment complained that some of the cliff works had done more damage than 100 years of natural erosion.
The golf course was constructed after planning permission was granted in 1999. However, subsequent works to the cliff were carried out without prior permission. Retention permission was subsequently sought and granted with conditions.
At the time of the cliff collapse last month, Mr O'Shea refuted suggestions that Ms McGillicuddy's house was threatened and said the slippage of the wall protecting the golf course was a result of exceptionally high tides.
He said he was complying with the council's instructions on safety.
Mr O Shea said he had not received notice about the enforcement proceedings from the council.
Anne Lucey
© 2007 The Irish Times
The proceedings, relating to unauthorised coastal protection works at the Skellig Bay golf club owned by Micheál O'Shea of Bayview Hotel, Waterville, were brought by the council under section 160 of the Planning Development Act 2000.
It was alleged Mr O'Shea failed to properly comply with conditions for retention permission for cliff erosion and protection works carried out to the cliff face of the golf course three years ago, in that he used the wrong type of material.
The enforcement proceedings were initiated just prior to the collapse of rock armour and other material used to reinforce a cliff-top tee box within metres of the coastal home of Breda McGillicuddy last month. The council carried out emergency works to prevent the golf course tee from collapsing on to the 200-year-old cottage and to render the cliff structure safe.
In doing so they also removed the unauthorised material, the subject of the enforcement proceedings, a spokesman for the council said.
Yesterday, Liz Murphy, barrister for the council, told the court that "circumstances have overtaken the matter". Health and safety issues were also now involved, Ms Murphy said.
She requested the matter be struck out and legal costs awarded to the council.
Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin agreed to this request.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) had advised the council after receiving a complaint before the cliff face boulder collapse. They gave advice to the council on rendering the structure safe, a spokesman for the HSA confirmed yesterday.
The works to the cliff and coast in an area of Prime Special Amenity, a designated National Heritage Area as well as a candidate Special Area of Conservation, have been the subject of ongoing concern among environmentalists.
Friends of the Irish Environment complained that some of the cliff works had done more damage than 100 years of natural erosion.
The golf course was constructed after planning permission was granted in 1999. However, subsequent works to the cliff were carried out without prior permission. Retention permission was subsequently sought and granted with conditions.
At the time of the cliff collapse last month, Mr O'Shea refuted suggestions that Ms McGillicuddy's house was threatened and said the slippage of the wall protecting the golf course was a result of exceptionally high tides.
He said he was complying with the council's instructions on safety.
Mr O Shea said he had not received notice about the enforcement proceedings from the council.
Anne Lucey
© 2007 The Irish Times
Hunting group takes legal action against State
Planners will love the irony in this story.
A HUNTING organisation has initiated legal action against the Environment Minister for failing to properly conserve the birds which they want to shoot.
The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) has secured a judicial review against Dick Roche for the alleged failure of the State to properly transpose EU measures for the conservation of birds.
The NARGC said it has taken the action to stop the licensed hunting of the red grouse and several other protected wild bird species outside of the game hunting season and during their reproductive cycles.
In addition, the NARGC has challenged the minister’s issuing of a hunting licence to the Irish Kennel Club under the Wildlife Act.
It said in doing so the minister is acting in excess of his powers by issuing a licence retrospectively and not seeking to make an individual assessment of each applicant for hunting.
“The current licence which was issued was backdated for an improper purpose in an attempt to validate hunting which had already taken place unlawfully,” a spokesman said.
“The NARGC is committed to sustainable hunting in accordance with the highest principles of conservation and views these actions as extremely serious.”
Environment Minister Dick Roche said that while he had seen reports of a legal challenge, his department had not yet received any papers, and so he could not comment on the substance of the case.
However, he said the licence, issued to the Irish Kennel Club, does not involve shooting. It covers the training of gun dogs and the holding of gun dog trials up to the end of March. “There is a short open season for the shooting of red grouse, from September 1 to September 30, but that is not the subject of the current licence to the Irish Kennel Club that has apparently been challenged,” he said.
“The period from February 1 to March 31 is in accord with the traditional season for the training of gun dogs and the holding of gun dog trials. This involves the dogs locating the birds, although they are not shot, captured or taken.”
He said the question of disturbance during the breeding season of the red grouse was raised with the department by the NARGC prior to the issue of the licence. “The matter was carefully examined in the National Parks and Wildlife Service and best international scientific advice was sought.”
That advice was that the period in question was sufficiently early in the year not to interfere with the breeding of the red grouse and that the Irish Kennel Club’s activities would not impact negatively on red grouse populations.
Stephen Rogers
© Irish Examiner
A HUNTING organisation has initiated legal action against the Environment Minister for failing to properly conserve the birds which they want to shoot.
The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) has secured a judicial review against Dick Roche for the alleged failure of the State to properly transpose EU measures for the conservation of birds.
The NARGC said it has taken the action to stop the licensed hunting of the red grouse and several other protected wild bird species outside of the game hunting season and during their reproductive cycles.
In addition, the NARGC has challenged the minister’s issuing of a hunting licence to the Irish Kennel Club under the Wildlife Act.
It said in doing so the minister is acting in excess of his powers by issuing a licence retrospectively and not seeking to make an individual assessment of each applicant for hunting.
“The current licence which was issued was backdated for an improper purpose in an attempt to validate hunting which had already taken place unlawfully,” a spokesman said.
“The NARGC is committed to sustainable hunting in accordance with the highest principles of conservation and views these actions as extremely serious.”
Environment Minister Dick Roche said that while he had seen reports of a legal challenge, his department had not yet received any papers, and so he could not comment on the substance of the case.
However, he said the licence, issued to the Irish Kennel Club, does not involve shooting. It covers the training of gun dogs and the holding of gun dog trials up to the end of March. “There is a short open season for the shooting of red grouse, from September 1 to September 30, but that is not the subject of the current licence to the Irish Kennel Club that has apparently been challenged,” he said.
“The period from February 1 to March 31 is in accord with the traditional season for the training of gun dogs and the holding of gun dog trials. This involves the dogs locating the birds, although they are not shot, captured or taken.”
He said the question of disturbance during the breeding season of the red grouse was raised with the department by the NARGC prior to the issue of the licence. “The matter was carefully examined in the National Parks and Wildlife Service and best international scientific advice was sought.”
That advice was that the period in question was sufficiently early in the year not to interfere with the breeding of the red grouse and that the Irish Kennel Club’s activities would not impact negatively on red grouse populations.
Stephen Rogers
© Irish Examiner
Writer's holiday home row sparks An Taisce rift
A REGIONAL division of An Taisce said it was "thrown to the wolves" by its head office over the controversy surrounding plans by journalist Fintan O'Toole to quadruple the size of his holiday home.
Earlier this month, Mr O'Toole secured planning permission for his extended holiday home south of the Burren village of Ballyvaughan in Co Clare.
Clare County Council made its decision after An Taisce's Head Office withdrew an objection lodged against the development by the Clare Association, labelling the proposal "criminal".
As a result, An Taisce came under sustained attack and its then Director, Gavin Harte unreservedly apologised to Mr O'Toole and withdrew the objection.
Mr Harte said that the objection was lodged by the Clare Association without the knowledge or approval of Head Office.
But yesterday the Chairman of the Clare Association, Oliver Moylan said the apology should never have been issued from Dublin.
"We were virtually thrown to the wolves by Dublin. It was most unfair. All we got was abuse for it. We're not monsters. We're volunteers and there's only so much people can take.
"As chairman I would've received snide remarks on the street such as 'O'Toole sorted you out'. I don't need this. All of this causes personal stress.
"The Fintan O'Toole situation changed everything and the environment will suffer as a result."
Mr Moylan described the association's relationship with An Taisce's Head Office as "frosty".
Mr Moylan confirmed that the objection was written by an unidentified local man in Ballyvaughan, but was signed by the secretary of the Clare Association, Anny Wise. It was lodged when the council had a policy that An Taisce submissions could not be viewed until after a decision was made.
"We never, ever believed that the letter objecting to the O'Toole development would end up in the public domain," said Mr Moylan.
Asked to respond to Mr Moylan's comments, An Taisce's Heritage Officer, Ian Lumley would only say that the application was dealt with appropriately by the council and declined to comment further.
Gordon Deegan
© Irish Examiner
Earlier this month, Mr O'Toole secured planning permission for his extended holiday home south of the Burren village of Ballyvaughan in Co Clare.
Clare County Council made its decision after An Taisce's Head Office withdrew an objection lodged against the development by the Clare Association, labelling the proposal "criminal".
As a result, An Taisce came under sustained attack and its then Director, Gavin Harte unreservedly apologised to Mr O'Toole and withdrew the objection.
Mr Harte said that the objection was lodged by the Clare Association without the knowledge or approval of Head Office.
But yesterday the Chairman of the Clare Association, Oliver Moylan said the apology should never have been issued from Dublin.
"We were virtually thrown to the wolves by Dublin. It was most unfair. All we got was abuse for it. We're not monsters. We're volunteers and there's only so much people can take.
"As chairman I would've received snide remarks on the street such as 'O'Toole sorted you out'. I don't need this. All of this causes personal stress.
"The Fintan O'Toole situation changed everything and the environment will suffer as a result."
Mr Moylan described the association's relationship with An Taisce's Head Office as "frosty".
Mr Moylan confirmed that the objection was written by an unidentified local man in Ballyvaughan, but was signed by the secretary of the Clare Association, Anny Wise. It was lodged when the council had a policy that An Taisce submissions could not be viewed until after a decision was made.
"We never, ever believed that the letter objecting to the O'Toole development would end up in the public domain," said Mr Moylan.
Asked to respond to Mr Moylan's comments, An Taisce's Heritage Officer, Ian Lumley would only say that the application was dealt with appropriately by the council and declined to comment further.
Gordon Deegan
© Irish Examiner
Roscommon councillors launch attack on An Taisce
An Taisce’s ‘unhealthy interest’ in planning issues in North Roscommon and Boyle has been roundly condemned by members of Roscommon County.
The criticisms were levied at An Taisce during a debate on a material contravention of the Boyle Development Plan, which came before members of Roscommon County Council at their March meeting on Monday.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the contravention to the Boyle town plan to allow a warehouse development go ahead in the Warren, Drum area. The proposed warehouse will measure some 442 square feet.
The County Manager, Mr John Tiernan, explained that the land in question was immediately adjacent to land which was zoned industrial but this particular piece of land was zoned for housing.
“Having looked at the application and considered the proper planning and development of the area and the employment situation in Boyle I feel it’s appropriate to recommend this to members,” said Mr Tiernan.
Cllr John Cummins said that the development would facilitate a self-employed businessman with extra capacity and storage. He was highly critical of the fact that An Taisce had made a comment in relation to the proposed development.
“Why is An Taisce so interested in everything in Boyle. Every single application for the north of the county seems to attract the interest of An Taisce. If the members of it were to come to Boyle and see how close this is to the two other warehouses there would see for themselves. They seem to want to deter people in North Roscommon from doing anything,” claimed Cllr Cummins.
Mayor, Cllr Charlie Hopkins said that An Taisce seemed to have “an unhealthy interest in North Roscommon”. Cllr Ernie Keenan commended the businessman in question for having the initiative and effort to “put something into Boyle”.
Cllr Sean Beirne said that the Boyle Development Plan must have been wrong in the first place if so many material contraventions had to be made to it.
The County Manager said that he would defy any councillor or group of councillors to provide a plan, which could stay together for six years. Mr Tiernan said that in the interests of development it would not be possible to have a rigid plan in place.
“It can’t and would not be wise to lock things up so rigidly in a way which would prevent things like this going ahead,” said Mr Tiernan. The County Manager pointed out that the area in question was on the fringes of an area already zoned for industrial use. Cllr Sean Beirne said that material contraventions were a regular feature.
The County Manager agreed saying: “Yes, they are going ahead all over the county and I’m delighted to see development going ahead.”
Mairead O’Shea
© Western People
The criticisms were levied at An Taisce during a debate on a material contravention of the Boyle Development Plan, which came before members of Roscommon County Council at their March meeting on Monday.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the contravention to the Boyle town plan to allow a warehouse development go ahead in the Warren, Drum area. The proposed warehouse will measure some 442 square feet.
The County Manager, Mr John Tiernan, explained that the land in question was immediately adjacent to land which was zoned industrial but this particular piece of land was zoned for housing.
“Having looked at the application and considered the proper planning and development of the area and the employment situation in Boyle I feel it’s appropriate to recommend this to members,” said Mr Tiernan.
Cllr John Cummins said that the development would facilitate a self-employed businessman with extra capacity and storage. He was highly critical of the fact that An Taisce had made a comment in relation to the proposed development.
“Why is An Taisce so interested in everything in Boyle. Every single application for the north of the county seems to attract the interest of An Taisce. If the members of it were to come to Boyle and see how close this is to the two other warehouses there would see for themselves. They seem to want to deter people in North Roscommon from doing anything,” claimed Cllr Cummins.
Mayor, Cllr Charlie Hopkins said that An Taisce seemed to have “an unhealthy interest in North Roscommon”. Cllr Ernie Keenan commended the businessman in question for having the initiative and effort to “put something into Boyle”.
Cllr Sean Beirne said that the Boyle Development Plan must have been wrong in the first place if so many material contraventions had to be made to it.
The County Manager said that he would defy any councillor or group of councillors to provide a plan, which could stay together for six years. Mr Tiernan said that in the interests of development it would not be possible to have a rigid plan in place.
“It can’t and would not be wise to lock things up so rigidly in a way which would prevent things like this going ahead,” said Mr Tiernan. The County Manager pointed out that the area in question was on the fringes of an area already zoned for industrial use. Cllr Sean Beirne said that material contraventions were a regular feature.
The County Manager agreed saying: “Yes, they are going ahead all over the county and I’m delighted to see development going ahead.”
Mairead O’Shea
© Western People
Ikea could be left on shelf for year till M50 upgraded
A Bord Pleanála inspector has warned that the Ikea outlet planned for Ballymun in Dublin could become a "white elephant" that would lie idle for a year or more pending the M50's upgrade.
Keith Sargeant, who conducted the week-long planning appeal hearing on the proposed development, was referring to a condition in the planning permission granted by Fingal County Council which prevents Ikea from opening before the motorway capacity is increased.
The council's condition states the M50 upgrade at the Ballymun interchange junction, or works that would produce equivalent improvements, must be completed before Ikea can open.
The National Roads Authority (NRA) has said that the upgrade will not be completed until 2009 and that any change to the "highly complex contract" with the contractors building the road that would allow alternative work at the junction would be very unlikely. If planning permission was granted for the development it would be ready to open by August 2008, Ikea has said.
Mr Sargeant said: "Ikea could spend a fortune getting a store ready to open and could be left sitting with a white elephant ... I'm not worried about Ikea's financial situation but I do want people to face up to reality," Mr Sargeant said. The council had not made it clear who would be responsible for the improvement works.
Seán McGrath, a senior council engineer, said it had allowed a "degree of flexibility" when writing the condition, so Ikea could negotiate with the motorway contractor for completion of the improvement works.
Hugh Creegan of the NRA, which opposes the proposed Ikea siting, said the NRA awarded the works contract and he did not see how changes could be made.
The hearing concluded yesterday. An Bord Pleanála is likely to deliver its decision by July.
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
Keith Sargeant, who conducted the week-long planning appeal hearing on the proposed development, was referring to a condition in the planning permission granted by Fingal County Council which prevents Ikea from opening before the motorway capacity is increased.
The council's condition states the M50 upgrade at the Ballymun interchange junction, or works that would produce equivalent improvements, must be completed before Ikea can open.
The National Roads Authority (NRA) has said that the upgrade will not be completed until 2009 and that any change to the "highly complex contract" with the contractors building the road that would allow alternative work at the junction would be very unlikely. If planning permission was granted for the development it would be ready to open by August 2008, Ikea has said.
Mr Sargeant said: "Ikea could spend a fortune getting a store ready to open and could be left sitting with a white elephant ... I'm not worried about Ikea's financial situation but I do want people to face up to reality," Mr Sargeant said. The council had not made it clear who would be responsible for the improvement works.
Seán McGrath, a senior council engineer, said it had allowed a "degree of flexibility" when writing the condition, so Ikea could negotiate with the motorway contractor for completion of the improvement works.
Hugh Creegan of the NRA, which opposes the proposed Ikea siting, said the NRA awarded the works contract and he did not see how changes could be made.
The hearing concluded yesterday. An Bord Pleanála is likely to deliver its decision by July.
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
Greystones Marina Oral hearing re-opened today
For those following this story, the Greystones Marina oral hearing re-opened today. With the level of opposition, both organised and individual, this is one oral hearing which has work to do!
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Draft Scoping Report Document on the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study
Mott McDonald Pettit Ltd. and Environmental Resources Management Ireland Ltd on behalf of the Local Authorities in the Greater Dublin Region have prepared a Draft Scoping Document on the SEA of the G.D.S.D.S. Strategy. This Draft Scoping Document is available for public inspection at the following locations:
1. Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main Street, Swords
2. Blanchardstown Civic Offices, Grove Road, Dublin 15
3. Donabate/Portrane Community Centre, Co Dublin
4. All Fingal Branch Libraries
during office hours from Wednesday 21st of March 2007 to Friday 20th of April 2007. Details on the Scoping Document will also be available on the Fingal County Councils web-site at www.fingalcoco.ie and also Aertel page 624.
Submissions or observations with respect to the Draft Scoping Document can be made in writing or e-mail not later than 5.00 p.m. on Friday 20th of April 2007 to:
Paul Smyth
Senior Executive Officer
Water Services Department
Blanchardstown Civic Offices
Grove Road
Dublin 15
1. Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main Street, Swords
2. Blanchardstown Civic Offices, Grove Road, Dublin 15
3. Donabate/Portrane Community Centre, Co Dublin
4. All Fingal Branch Libraries
during office hours from Wednesday 21st of March 2007 to Friday 20th of April 2007. Details on the Scoping Document will also be available on the Fingal County Councils web-site at www.fingalcoco.ie and also Aertel page 624.
Submissions or observations with respect to the Draft Scoping Document can be made in writing or e-mail not later than 5.00 p.m. on Friday 20th of April 2007 to:
Paul Smyth
Senior Executive Officer
Water Services Department
Blanchardstown Civic Offices
Grove Road
Dublin 15
New housing design guidelines
The new guidelines - Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities are a comprehensive revision of the 1999 Social Housing Design Guidelines and have been produced following a consultation process with all stakeholders active in this area. The purpose of the Guidelines is to assist in achieving the objectives contained in the Government's recent housing policy statement – Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities.
Speaking at the opening of the National Housing Conference 07 in Dublin the Minister said he was "particularly pleased that the new guidance entitled Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities incorporating the most recent thinking on housing provision and regeneration will be launched at this conference."
The new Guidelines focus on the process surrounding the delivery of quality housing for sustainable communities and improved settlement patterns and "place-making" in the context of promoting quality neighbourhoods. New aspects of the Guidelines deal with:
- urban design,
- increased space standards, and
- energy efficiency.
A key aim of the Guidelines is to ensure that all new housing schemes are socially, environmentally and economically sustainable by providing a high quality environment that meets the needs and, as far as possible, the preferences of the residents, and fosters the development of sustainable communities.
The Guidelines contain a new section dealing with site selection and also with urban design objectives in the provision of housing which sets out to promote quality in design both from the macro urban design level to the micro issues involved in better "place-making". Also included in the Guidelines is an increase in spatial standards and energy efficiency. It is paramount that designing for sustainability achieves energy efficiency at construction stage and during the lifetime of the scheme.
Speaking at the opening of the National Housing Conference 07 in Dublin the Minister said he was "particularly pleased that the new guidance entitled Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities incorporating the most recent thinking on housing provision and regeneration will be launched at this conference."
The new Guidelines focus on the process surrounding the delivery of quality housing for sustainable communities and improved settlement patterns and "place-making" in the context of promoting quality neighbourhoods. New aspects of the Guidelines deal with:
- urban design,
- increased space standards, and
- energy efficiency.
A key aim of the Guidelines is to ensure that all new housing schemes are socially, environmentally and economically sustainable by providing a high quality environment that meets the needs and, as far as possible, the preferences of the residents, and fosters the development of sustainable communities.
The Guidelines contain a new section dealing with site selection and also with urban design objectives in the provision of housing which sets out to promote quality in design both from the macro urban design level to the micro issues involved in better "place-making". Also included in the Guidelines is an increase in spatial standards and energy efficiency. It is paramount that designing for sustainability achieves energy efficiency at construction stage and during the lifetime of the scheme.
Monday, 26 March 2007
Where does Donegal stand on wind power - councillor
COUNCILLOR Jimmy Harte has called for a more structured plan to encourage the development of wind farms in the county following a recent decision by County Council to refuse planning permission to two potential wind-farm developers.
"I don't quite think we've grasped the idea of wind energy here in Donegal yet. We need to designate certain zones or areas where we either do or do not allow the development of wind farms," stated Councillor Harte at this week's Letterkenny Electoral Area meeting.
"As it is at the moment, farmers and investors; potential developers of these wind farms do not know where they stand."
"I was in Brussels last week where we were more-or-less told to forget about farming as it was on the way out. We know that Donegal has been badly hit by Europe in terms of farming. And in this respect we need to start to look at finding alternatives. We need to promote wind farms and the potential to harvest wind energy in Donegal."
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Harte emphasised: "We definitely need more clarity with regard to wind farms. We need to point people in the right direction and have designated guidelines so that they are not going through the whole planning process which is costly and time consuming only be to turned down at the end of it."
"One of the most important things which needs to be taken into consideration is that these wind farms need to be looked at, not just as structures, but as a positive contribution to creating renewable energy for the future of the planet."
Last month Dutch firm 'BV WEOM Stationsweg' were refused permission for the development of a 10mw wind-farm comprised of five 2mw wind turbines at Raphoe, namely the townlands of Lettergull and Momeen, Ballylennon, Binnion, Creatland, Creagdos and Ballyboe.
The County Manager's order in refusing the construction of this wind-farm states the area consists of primarily low-lying farm and open land interspersed throughout with a small number of hillocks such as Binnion and Lettergull. The recently adopted County Development Plan requires the Council to consider wind energy proposals in light of certain contexts. The Planning Authority's sentiments express that with regard to Binnion Hill, its proximity to the nearby heavily trafficked stretch of National Primary Road (N14) and the lying open lands along the regional road network to the east the proposed development would be injurious to the natural amenity of the environment and would constitute an unduly prominent intrusion on the environment. In this respect it would militate against the preservation of the rural character and would be contrary to the County Development Plan
Newtownfore Wind Ltd. was also refused permission on the 22nd of February for the erection of an electricity generating wind-farm to be located within the townlands of Drumnaskea, Newtownfore, Ballyboencurragh, and Castleshanaghan.
© Donegal News
"I don't quite think we've grasped the idea of wind energy here in Donegal yet. We need to designate certain zones or areas where we either do or do not allow the development of wind farms," stated Councillor Harte at this week's Letterkenny Electoral Area meeting.
"As it is at the moment, farmers and investors; potential developers of these wind farms do not know where they stand."
"I was in Brussels last week where we were more-or-less told to forget about farming as it was on the way out. We know that Donegal has been badly hit by Europe in terms of farming. And in this respect we need to start to look at finding alternatives. We need to promote wind farms and the potential to harvest wind energy in Donegal."
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Harte emphasised: "We definitely need more clarity with regard to wind farms. We need to point people in the right direction and have designated guidelines so that they are not going through the whole planning process which is costly and time consuming only be to turned down at the end of it."
"One of the most important things which needs to be taken into consideration is that these wind farms need to be looked at, not just as structures, but as a positive contribution to creating renewable energy for the future of the planet."
Last month Dutch firm 'BV WEOM Stationsweg' were refused permission for the development of a 10mw wind-farm comprised of five 2mw wind turbines at Raphoe, namely the townlands of Lettergull and Momeen, Ballylennon, Binnion, Creatland, Creagdos and Ballyboe.
The County Manager's order in refusing the construction of this wind-farm states the area consists of primarily low-lying farm and open land interspersed throughout with a small number of hillocks such as Binnion and Lettergull. The recently adopted County Development Plan requires the Council to consider wind energy proposals in light of certain contexts. The Planning Authority's sentiments express that with regard to Binnion Hill, its proximity to the nearby heavily trafficked stretch of National Primary Road (N14) and the lying open lands along the regional road network to the east the proposed development would be injurious to the natural amenity of the environment and would constitute an unduly prominent intrusion on the environment. In this respect it would militate against the preservation of the rural character and would be contrary to the County Development Plan
Newtownfore Wind Ltd. was also refused permission on the 22nd of February for the erection of an electricity generating wind-farm to be located within the townlands of Drumnaskea, Newtownfore, Ballyboencurragh, and Castleshanaghan.
© Donegal News
Rogue developers get another warning
THE County Manager has warned of a get tough policy against rogue developers. Speaking this week Mr Michael McLoone said council enforcement will be stepped up and "people who didn't comply with planning conditions would suffer the full forces of the law".
Mr McLoone was speaking at Monday night's Town Council meeting in Letterkenny where four motions were tabled concerning planning problems around the town. There were claims from councillors that some developers "had the belief that they could do what they wanted and get away with it".
A number of residents from the Carolina Park area of Letterkenny attended the meeting to highlight their dispute with a local developer who has built an illegal road beside the estate , leading to flooding and damage to gardens.
It emerged that an enforcement notice was issued by the council against the developer 14 months ago and he had still failed to comply with the terms of that Notice.
The Council issued an Enforcement Notice to Dunree Construction on January 31, 2006 concerning the construction of an unauthorised roadway at Kiltoy, Letterkenny. Residents are furious the developer has failed to comply with the terms of the Notice. The matter is currently in the hands of solicitors but residents feel not enough is being done to bring the developer to task.
Mr Larry O'Neill is Chairman of the Carolina Park Residents Association.
"There is no enforcement going on here. The Manager told us tonight he was not personally aware of this case but has agreed to review the file and visit the area with his officials," he said.
Mr O'Neill said there were 54 houses in the estate and it had won numerous prizes in the past few years in the Tidy Towns.
"The place is flooded any time there is rain. We have hit a stone wall and we're here as a last resort to get something done," he said.
Councillor Jimmy Harte called on the council to pursue developers that were non compliant. In the case of Carolina Park he said: "Here we have a case where an enforcement notice was sent almost fourteen months ago and I wonder was the letter even opened. The public perception out there is that certain developers are getting away with it and we're allowing them to get away with it. We don't seem to have the powers. This developer did inform the council in July 2006 of his notice to submit retention but that has now gone on for eight months."
"The people in Carolina Park are getting a raw deal. Their gardens have been destroyed and they can't let their kids out to play. We have a developer here who is giving two fingers to the planning authority. It is a shame," Cllr Harte added.
Agreeing Cllr Gerry McMonagle said the problem was widespread over the town.
"This is not about just one developer. There are developers who are getting away with murder. We see cases where half way through a development it is
changed in style and then the developer applies for retention. This is a major issue in the town. There are developers flouting the planning laws and we need to tighten up and if that means further resources they have to be provided," Councillor McMonagle said.
Cllr Damien Blake said it was vital as a town that was benefiting from such development that the Town Council was seen to have the 'toughest regulations'.
"What is happening in some cases is shocking and residents are getting caught up in a protracted legal process. It is making a mockery of the planning process," he said.
Cllr Dessie Larkin, a resident of Carolina Park, said residents were woken at 6am, had their gardens wrecked and hedges removed.
"A massive injustice has been done to the people out in Carolina Park. Our houses are our castles but here we are when an enforcement order has been served over 14 months ago and there has been no compliance. We need more enforcement and I'm calling for the appointment of such an officer immediately in Letterkenny and our access to planning staff increased to three mornings per week. Solicitors have to be made aware of the urgency of such cases," he said.
Cllr Jim Lynch said a maximum period of eight weeks for compliance after an Enforcement Order was served needed to be introduced while Cllr Jean Crossan said it was time that 'knuckles were wrapped'. Concluding the debate Cllr Harte said: "We may have to consider injunction proceedings."
The County Manager agreed to personally review the file with planning officials. On the issue of non compliance generally he said the County Council had agreed to invest a further ¤1million in the planning service.
"We're trying to recruit planners and administrative staff to ensure all legal matters are followed up. However, the message has to go out loud and clear that we are absolutely focused on active enforcement. People who don't comply will suffer the full force of the law and the sooner the better," he said.
© Donegal News
Mr McLoone was speaking at Monday night's Town Council meeting in Letterkenny where four motions were tabled concerning planning problems around the town. There were claims from councillors that some developers "had the belief that they could do what they wanted and get away with it".
A number of residents from the Carolina Park area of Letterkenny attended the meeting to highlight their dispute with a local developer who has built an illegal road beside the estate , leading to flooding and damage to gardens.
It emerged that an enforcement notice was issued by the council against the developer 14 months ago and he had still failed to comply with the terms of that Notice.
The Council issued an Enforcement Notice to Dunree Construction on January 31, 2006 concerning the construction of an unauthorised roadway at Kiltoy, Letterkenny. Residents are furious the developer has failed to comply with the terms of the Notice. The matter is currently in the hands of solicitors but residents feel not enough is being done to bring the developer to task.
Mr Larry O'Neill is Chairman of the Carolina Park Residents Association.
"There is no enforcement going on here. The Manager told us tonight he was not personally aware of this case but has agreed to review the file and visit the area with his officials," he said.
Mr O'Neill said there were 54 houses in the estate and it had won numerous prizes in the past few years in the Tidy Towns.
"The place is flooded any time there is rain. We have hit a stone wall and we're here as a last resort to get something done," he said.
Councillor Jimmy Harte called on the council to pursue developers that were non compliant. In the case of Carolina Park he said: "Here we have a case where an enforcement notice was sent almost fourteen months ago and I wonder was the letter even opened. The public perception out there is that certain developers are getting away with it and we're allowing them to get away with it. We don't seem to have the powers. This developer did inform the council in July 2006 of his notice to submit retention but that has now gone on for eight months."
"The people in Carolina Park are getting a raw deal. Their gardens have been destroyed and they can't let their kids out to play. We have a developer here who is giving two fingers to the planning authority. It is a shame," Cllr Harte added.
Agreeing Cllr Gerry McMonagle said the problem was widespread over the town.
"This is not about just one developer. There are developers who are getting away with murder. We see cases where half way through a development it is
changed in style and then the developer applies for retention. This is a major issue in the town. There are developers flouting the planning laws and we need to tighten up and if that means further resources they have to be provided," Councillor McMonagle said.
Cllr Damien Blake said it was vital as a town that was benefiting from such development that the Town Council was seen to have the 'toughest regulations'.
"What is happening in some cases is shocking and residents are getting caught up in a protracted legal process. It is making a mockery of the planning process," he said.
Cllr Dessie Larkin, a resident of Carolina Park, said residents were woken at 6am, had their gardens wrecked and hedges removed.
"A massive injustice has been done to the people out in Carolina Park. Our houses are our castles but here we are when an enforcement order has been served over 14 months ago and there has been no compliance. We need more enforcement and I'm calling for the appointment of such an officer immediately in Letterkenny and our access to planning staff increased to three mornings per week. Solicitors have to be made aware of the urgency of such cases," he said.
Cllr Jim Lynch said a maximum period of eight weeks for compliance after an Enforcement Order was served needed to be introduced while Cllr Jean Crossan said it was time that 'knuckles were wrapped'. Concluding the debate Cllr Harte said: "We may have to consider injunction proceedings."
The County Manager agreed to personally review the file with planning officials. On the issue of non compliance generally he said the County Council had agreed to invest a further ¤1million in the planning service.
"We're trying to recruit planners and administrative staff to ensure all legal matters are followed up. However, the message has to go out loud and clear that we are absolutely focused on active enforcement. People who don't comply will suffer the full force of the law and the sooner the better," he said.
© Donegal News
It’s ‘tyranny’ say residents and landowners
RESIDENTS and landowners opposed to the proposed new walkway along the old railway line from Dungarvan to Waterford, have accused the County Council of “tyranny” over 70 families they say will be badly affected by the plan.
The ‘Ballinroad to Kilmeaden’ group have branded the walkway as “stupendous” and say the Council appears to have lost all respect for the well-being of those living in the vicinity of the line. At a recent meeting, county councillors voted by a majority of 13 to 9 to proceed with phase one of the walkway from Ballinroad Cross to the level crossing in the townland of Durrow (on the Dungarvan end).
The vote came following a hour-long debate in the Council Chambers where nearly half the councillors - including Liam Brasil from Kilmac, Kieran O’Riain from Ballymacarbry and Kilmeaden’s Pat Leahy - voiced their stringent opposition to the plans based on the concerns of locals residents and landowners.
A total of 55 objections/submissions were received when the phase one plans went on public display.
Forty-two of those were from people purporting to be members of the ‘Ballinroad to Kilmeaden’ group either claiming ownership of part of the lands or expressing concerns about issues such as trespassing, fencing and insurance.
Following the outcome of the meeting, the group of residents and landowners have now lambasted the decision to proceed with the project.
They’re opposed to the walkway for an “abundance of reasons” they say.
Their safety, security and peace of mind would be at risk; anti-social behaviour would become a big problem; temporary caravan-type camp sites would continually be set up along it; the cost and maintenance would be
“enormous” and there could even be frequent confrontations between residents/farmers and walk-ers if “nerves became frayed”.
“Thankfully there are literally dozens of walkways in Co. Waterford at present which a lot of us avail of,” said the group’s chairman, Pat Fennell. “An additional and expensive walkway is not required and is against the declared wishes of the vast majority of people living on and adjoining the line.
He said the plan of the County Council was, in essence, a form of tyranny.
“Over 70 families will be badly affected by this. Most of it (the walkway) is concealed and concealed walkways are dangerous places.
Has the County Council lost all respect whatsoever for the wellbeing of these families? Did those council-lors who voted for the walkway not realise that this imposition is something that not only this generation of residents and farmers will have to cope with but so will all future generations.”
“How can any local authority be so reckless in the trampling on the rights and dignity of over 70 families - shame on you.”
“Double shame on you for pretending that tourists would come to Waterford to view the fields and fences of Durrow and Faha from a railway line.
Instead a fraction of the money earmarked for this stupendous walkway should be spent on the maintenance and upkeep of existing walkways which are overgrown and vandalised in many areas,” he said, adding that some local walking clubs had already contacted residents to assure them they would not be using the walkway in respect of their privacy.
At the Council meeting where the vote was taken, the Council’s Director of Community and Enterprise Brian White said the authority had made every effort to consult with residents and landowners and address their concerns.
Meanwhile, County Manager Ray O’Dwyer assured that the plug would be pulled on the project if it didn’t prove as successful as was hoped.
Jennifer Long
© Waterford News and Star
The ‘Ballinroad to Kilmeaden’ group have branded the walkway as “stupendous” and say the Council appears to have lost all respect for the well-being of those living in the vicinity of the line. At a recent meeting, county councillors voted by a majority of 13 to 9 to proceed with phase one of the walkway from Ballinroad Cross to the level crossing in the townland of Durrow (on the Dungarvan end).
The vote came following a hour-long debate in the Council Chambers where nearly half the councillors - including Liam Brasil from Kilmac, Kieran O’Riain from Ballymacarbry and Kilmeaden’s Pat Leahy - voiced their stringent opposition to the plans based on the concerns of locals residents and landowners.
A total of 55 objections/submissions were received when the phase one plans went on public display.
Forty-two of those were from people purporting to be members of the ‘Ballinroad to Kilmeaden’ group either claiming ownership of part of the lands or expressing concerns about issues such as trespassing, fencing and insurance.
Following the outcome of the meeting, the group of residents and landowners have now lambasted the decision to proceed with the project.
They’re opposed to the walkway for an “abundance of reasons” they say.
Their safety, security and peace of mind would be at risk; anti-social behaviour would become a big problem; temporary caravan-type camp sites would continually be set up along it; the cost and maintenance would be
“enormous” and there could even be frequent confrontations between residents/farmers and walk-ers if “nerves became frayed”.
“Thankfully there are literally dozens of walkways in Co. Waterford at present which a lot of us avail of,” said the group’s chairman, Pat Fennell. “An additional and expensive walkway is not required and is against the declared wishes of the vast majority of people living on and adjoining the line.
He said the plan of the County Council was, in essence, a form of tyranny.
“Over 70 families will be badly affected by this. Most of it (the walkway) is concealed and concealed walkways are dangerous places.
Has the County Council lost all respect whatsoever for the wellbeing of these families? Did those council-lors who voted for the walkway not realise that this imposition is something that not only this generation of residents and farmers will have to cope with but so will all future generations.”
“How can any local authority be so reckless in the trampling on the rights and dignity of over 70 families - shame on you.”
“Double shame on you for pretending that tourists would come to Waterford to view the fields and fences of Durrow and Faha from a railway line.
Instead a fraction of the money earmarked for this stupendous walkway should be spent on the maintenance and upkeep of existing walkways which are overgrown and vandalised in many areas,” he said, adding that some local walking clubs had already contacted residents to assure them they would not be using the walkway in respect of their privacy.
At the Council meeting where the vote was taken, the Council’s Director of Community and Enterprise Brian White said the authority had made every effort to consult with residents and landowners and address their concerns.
Meanwhile, County Manager Ray O’Dwyer assured that the plug would be pulled on the project if it didn’t prove as successful as was hoped.
Jennifer Long
© Waterford News and Star
Burren's rare plants at risk from scrub - study
The Heritage Council has called for the urgent introduction of a national landscape management plan following a report that concludes that the Burren in Co Clare is seriously under threat from scrub overgrowth, which is destroying the habitats of rare flowers and plants.
The report, carried out in conjunction with the BurrenLife Project, found that the natural and archaeological heritage in the Burren is far richer than previously understood but that it is under threat from ad-hoc changes such as reduced cattle grazing and farming activity which have allowed scrub to grow unchecked. The project promotes farming for conservation.
"Changes are happening in an ad-hoc way at a landscape level in the Burren and urgent action needs to be taken to manage these changes as they have an incremental effect which is devastating to the delicate landscape and eco-system in the Burren," said Michael Starrett, chief executive of the Heritage Council.
The Burren which covers over 600sq km (232sq miles) is one of Ireland's main tourist attractions as well as being one of the country's most important heritage assets.
The report found the growth of hazel and blackthorn scrub is increasing by almost 5 per cent per year. It also found that an aerial survey of just five square kilometres showed at least a 120 per cent increase in the number of archaeological monuments recorded. It concluded that the Burren is much richer in archaeology than ever previously imagined. The report also found that more consultation was needed with landowners in the Burren.
Cattle have grazed on the Burren for thousands of years and they were a very important element in managing the landscape and allowing the rare flowers and plants to grow there. The cattle have stopped grazing in many areas due to a reduction in farming and scrub is now growing out of control. The growth is changing the environment so that many delicate plants can no longer live there as their habitat is being destroyed. It is also threatening the world-renowned archaeology there.
"We urgently need to resource a national landscape management programme. It is especially needed for areas such as the Burren, the Tara-Skryne valley and the Cooley Peninsula and many others," Mr Starrett said.
"Ireland lags far behind other European countries which have legislation in place to allow designation of important landscapes and accompany the designation with resources to manage them in a sustainable manner. This approach is vital for our economy, quality of life and environment and we strongly recommend that urgent steps are taken to manage our most important heritage and tourism landscapes," he concluded.
Commenting on the report, Brendan Dunford, from the BurrenLife project, said: "The findings of this report are very important and we need to take it very seriously before too much irreversible damage is done. Our project is about 'Farming for Conservation of the Burren'."
Seán MacConnell
© Irish Times
The report, carried out in conjunction with the BurrenLife Project, found that the natural and archaeological heritage in the Burren is far richer than previously understood but that it is under threat from ad-hoc changes such as reduced cattle grazing and farming activity which have allowed scrub to grow unchecked. The project promotes farming for conservation.
"Changes are happening in an ad-hoc way at a landscape level in the Burren and urgent action needs to be taken to manage these changes as they have an incremental effect which is devastating to the delicate landscape and eco-system in the Burren," said Michael Starrett, chief executive of the Heritage Council.
The Burren which covers over 600sq km (232sq miles) is one of Ireland's main tourist attractions as well as being one of the country's most important heritage assets.
The report found the growth of hazel and blackthorn scrub is increasing by almost 5 per cent per year. It also found that an aerial survey of just five square kilometres showed at least a 120 per cent increase in the number of archaeological monuments recorded. It concluded that the Burren is much richer in archaeology than ever previously imagined. The report also found that more consultation was needed with landowners in the Burren.
Cattle have grazed on the Burren for thousands of years and they were a very important element in managing the landscape and allowing the rare flowers and plants to grow there. The cattle have stopped grazing in many areas due to a reduction in farming and scrub is now growing out of control. The growth is changing the environment so that many delicate plants can no longer live there as their habitat is being destroyed. It is also threatening the world-renowned archaeology there.
"We urgently need to resource a national landscape management programme. It is especially needed for areas such as the Burren, the Tara-Skryne valley and the Cooley Peninsula and many others," Mr Starrett said.
"Ireland lags far behind other European countries which have legislation in place to allow designation of important landscapes and accompany the designation with resources to manage them in a sustainable manner. This approach is vital for our economy, quality of life and environment and we strongly recommend that urgent steps are taken to manage our most important heritage and tourism landscapes," he concluded.
Commenting on the report, Brendan Dunford, from the BurrenLife project, said: "The findings of this report are very important and we need to take it very seriously before too much irreversible damage is done. Our project is about 'Farming for Conservation of the Burren'."
Seán MacConnell
© Irish Times
Galway residents vow to fight mast plans
The residents of Cloonlyon and Ballygar have vowed to fight plans by O2 to erect a mobile phone mast in the area. Almost two hundred people turned out at a public meeting in Ballygar last Thursday night to voice their concerns over a proposal to erect a 36m mast in Cloonlyon village.
O2 Communications Ireland applied to Galway County Council on February 20th for planning permission to erect a 36m antennae at Cloonlyon, Ballygar.
Mr Pat Hannon, chairman of the local residents group, explained that people had serious concerns over possible health effects, the devaluation of property and the obtrusive nature of the proposed mast.
“We have serious concerns on the grounds of possible health risks to humans and livestock. We heard from a farmer from County Tipperary at the meeting who experienced such health effects. The proposed mast is also in an area of local scenic beauty as at is on a walkway in the woods, which is regularly used by the people of the area. At 130 feet we feel that the mast will be enormous and we also fear that it will devalue property in the area,” said Mr Hannon.
The chairman went on to point out that three mobile phone antennae were already located on a mast on Mount Mary, which was only 3.5km from Cloonlyon. “I can’t understand why O2 can’t co-locate with the existing mast on Mount Mary. It’s only 3.5km from Cloonlyon and it covers an area from Glenamaddy to Athleague,” said Mr Hannon.
TDs and local councillors offered their support to the residents in their fight against 02.
The speakers at the meeting included Mr Con Colbert, Secretary of the Irish Doctors Environmental Association.
Mr Colbert referred to the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation on permissible levels of radiation as “thousands of times higher in Ireland and the UK than in the US and Australia”.
The local residents are this week preparing individual and group objections to the O2 proposal. They have a further two weeks to lodge an objection with
Galway County Council. Mr Hannon pointed out that plans were also underway to hold a public protest on the issue outside the offices of Galway County Council in the coming weeks. He said that residents would fight the O2 proposal and if necessary appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.
Mairead O’Shea
© Roscommon Herald
O2 Communications Ireland applied to Galway County Council on February 20th for planning permission to erect a 36m antennae at Cloonlyon, Ballygar.
Mr Pat Hannon, chairman of the local residents group, explained that people had serious concerns over possible health effects, the devaluation of property and the obtrusive nature of the proposed mast.
“We have serious concerns on the grounds of possible health risks to humans and livestock. We heard from a farmer from County Tipperary at the meeting who experienced such health effects. The proposed mast is also in an area of local scenic beauty as at is on a walkway in the woods, which is regularly used by the people of the area. At 130 feet we feel that the mast will be enormous and we also fear that it will devalue property in the area,” said Mr Hannon.
The chairman went on to point out that three mobile phone antennae were already located on a mast on Mount Mary, which was only 3.5km from Cloonlyon. “I can’t understand why O2 can’t co-locate with the existing mast on Mount Mary. It’s only 3.5km from Cloonlyon and it covers an area from Glenamaddy to Athleague,” said Mr Hannon.
TDs and local councillors offered their support to the residents in their fight against 02.
The speakers at the meeting included Mr Con Colbert, Secretary of the Irish Doctors Environmental Association.
Mr Colbert referred to the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation on permissible levels of radiation as “thousands of times higher in Ireland and the UK than in the US and Australia”.
The local residents are this week preparing individual and group objections to the O2 proposal. They have a further two weeks to lodge an objection with
Galway County Council. Mr Hannon pointed out that plans were also underway to hold a public protest on the issue outside the offices of Galway County Council in the coming weeks. He said that residents would fight the O2 proposal and if necessary appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.
Mairead O’Shea
© Roscommon Herald
EPA sets date for Corrib terminal oral hearing
The Environmental Protection Agency's oral hearing into its licensing of the Corrib gas terminal has been set for April 16th.
The hearing will be held by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet, following 12 submissions in relation to its preliminary licensing of the project.
Corrib's lead developer, Shell E&P Ireland, An Taisce, local priest Fr Michael Nallen, the Erris Inshore Fishermen's Association and individual members of the Shell to Sea campaign were among the 12 appellants, following the Environment Protection Agency's issuing of preliminary integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) approval in January this year.
The IPPC licence for the refinery is one of a number of consents and procedures handled by different State agencies in relation to the €900 million project. It addresses emissions and the environmental management of the facility.
The EPA's preliminary approval states it is "satisfied that emissions from the refinery, when operated in accordance with the conditions of the proposed licence, will not adversely affect human health or the environment and will meet all relevant national and EU standards". To date, the EPA has not overturned an interim decision of this nature.
In a related development, the North-Western Regional Fisheries Board expects that it will be a fortnight before it has results back from tests taken near the Bellanaboy terminal on Thursday last.
A "tar-like" run-off into a stream feeding the Bellanaboy river - which in turn runs into Carrowmore lake - was reported to Mayo County Council by residents late last week, and up to 30 people occupied the terminal site for an hour on Thursday to protest over continuing concerns about water quality.
Although Shell E&P Ireland has described the report as "spurious", the fisheries board has said it is investigating the situation as the affected stream runs into Bellanaboy river and Carrowmore lake.
Carrowmore lake supplies drinking water to 10,000 people, and the proximity of the terminal to it is the basis for An Taisce's objection to the EPA's integrated pollution prevention and control licence. Mayo County Council was unavailable for comment on the report.
Lorna Siggins
© 2007 The Irish Times
The hearing will be held by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet, following 12 submissions in relation to its preliminary licensing of the project.
Corrib's lead developer, Shell E&P Ireland, An Taisce, local priest Fr Michael Nallen, the Erris Inshore Fishermen's Association and individual members of the Shell to Sea campaign were among the 12 appellants, following the Environment Protection Agency's issuing of preliminary integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) approval in January this year.
The IPPC licence for the refinery is one of a number of consents and procedures handled by different State agencies in relation to the €900 million project. It addresses emissions and the environmental management of the facility.
The EPA's preliminary approval states it is "satisfied that emissions from the refinery, when operated in accordance with the conditions of the proposed licence, will not adversely affect human health or the environment and will meet all relevant national and EU standards". To date, the EPA has not overturned an interim decision of this nature.
In a related development, the North-Western Regional Fisheries Board expects that it will be a fortnight before it has results back from tests taken near the Bellanaboy terminal on Thursday last.
A "tar-like" run-off into a stream feeding the Bellanaboy river - which in turn runs into Carrowmore lake - was reported to Mayo County Council by residents late last week, and up to 30 people occupied the terminal site for an hour on Thursday to protest over continuing concerns about water quality.
Although Shell E&P Ireland has described the report as "spurious", the fisheries board has said it is investigating the situation as the affected stream runs into Bellanaboy river and Carrowmore lake.
Carrowmore lake supplies drinking water to 10,000 people, and the proximity of the terminal to it is the basis for An Taisce's objection to the EPA's integrated pollution prevention and control licence. Mayo County Council was unavailable for comment on the report.
Lorna Siggins
© 2007 The Irish Times
Report of the Expert Group on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields
The Government have published the report of the Expert Group on the Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields.
The Report examined a wide range of issues in relation to potential health effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) - including those produced by mobile telecommunications. The report answers many questions commonly raised by the public in relation to the health effects of electromagnetic fields.
The Expert Group have concluded that - 'So far, no adverse short or long-term health effects have been found from exposure to the radiofrequency (RF) signals produced by mobile phones and base station transmitters. RF signals have not been found to cause cancer'.
The current responsibilities of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural resources in relation to the health effects of EMF will become the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from 1st May 2007.
Furthermore, the Government decided that a single state agency be established to deal both with ionising radiation and non-ionising radiation. This will be achieved by extending the statutory powers of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) to include responsibility for matters relating to non-ionising radiation.
The details of implementation of the new mandate for the RPII will be presented to Government for approval in due course by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, following detailed consultation with other relevant Government Departments and Agencies.
Government have also agreed to establish a national research programme to undertake further scientific research in Ireland on the health effects of exposure to EMF. This research programme will build expertise in Ireland and contribute to global knowledge.
The Report examined a wide range of issues in relation to potential health effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) - including those produced by mobile telecommunications. The report answers many questions commonly raised by the public in relation to the health effects of electromagnetic fields.
The Expert Group have concluded that - 'So far, no adverse short or long-term health effects have been found from exposure to the radiofrequency (RF) signals produced by mobile phones and base station transmitters. RF signals have not been found to cause cancer'.
The current responsibilities of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural resources in relation to the health effects of EMF will become the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from 1st May 2007.
Furthermore, the Government decided that a single state agency be established to deal both with ionising radiation and non-ionising radiation. This will be achieved by extending the statutory powers of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) to include responsibility for matters relating to non-ionising radiation.
The details of implementation of the new mandate for the RPII will be presented to Government for approval in due course by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, following detailed consultation with other relevant Government Departments and Agencies.
Government have also agreed to establish a national research programme to undertake further scientific research in Ireland on the health effects of exposure to EMF. This research programme will build expertise in Ireland and contribute to global knowledge.
Mayo Power set to lodge planning application
Mayo Power Ltd. - the company planning to build a €140m electricity generating plant in North Mayo - is to lodge its planning application with Mayo County Council by the end of the month, it has been confirmed.
Speaking at an information meeting in Killala, Mayo Power Director, Myles Staunton said the planning application process was at the final stages and would be submitted by March 31.
It is estimated that the plant, when fully operational, will provide up to 300 jobs during construction and up to 80 full0time jobs during operation.
"A great many people and companies have been involved in the complex planning process, but Mayo Power is determined to build a state-of-the-art plant, including a circulating fluidised Bed (CFB) boiler that will be of huge economic benefit to the north-west region" - Myles Staunton said.
The plant - which will use a mix of peat, woodchips and a small amount of coal as feedstock - will generate 100MW of power, enough to meet the demand of Mayo (Click Here). The plant is situated in an area of arable land and - given the present Government's commitment to encourage the development of Fast Rotating Crops (such as willow coppice) - the project will promote the maximum use of this resource when available.
The output from the plant will stabilise the transmission system in the area (one of the weakest on the Irish grid) and the plant can access the grid via an existing 110KV system adjacent to the site. The plant will generate cost-effective power and steam, which will be available to attract other industries to the former industrial site.
Also addressing the meeting, Mayo Power Director Martin Packard said the project was entirely in line with the recently published Government White Paper on Energy (Click Here). "The White Paper fully supports the notion of sustainable and renewable energy, including the co-firing of biomass with peat and other fossil fuels. It is the Government's intention to achieve 33 per cent of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020 and Mayo Power will compliment this goal" - he said.
Mr Pickard added that the Government wished to see many players involved in a new and open market and Mayo Power was ideally placed to fit into this scenario.
Mayo Power is jointly owned by Rockland Mayo Holding Company (a UK and US consortium) and former Mayo TD and Senator, Myles Staunton.
Speaking at an information meeting in Killala, Mayo Power Director, Myles Staunton said the planning application process was at the final stages and would be submitted by March 31.
It is estimated that the plant, when fully operational, will provide up to 300 jobs during construction and up to 80 full0time jobs during operation.
"A great many people and companies have been involved in the complex planning process, but Mayo Power is determined to build a state-of-the-art plant, including a circulating fluidised Bed (CFB) boiler that will be of huge economic benefit to the north-west region" - Myles Staunton said.
The plant - which will use a mix of peat, woodchips and a small amount of coal as feedstock - will generate 100MW of power, enough to meet the demand of Mayo (Click Here). The plant is situated in an area of arable land and - given the present Government's commitment to encourage the development of Fast Rotating Crops (such as willow coppice) - the project will promote the maximum use of this resource when available.
The output from the plant will stabilise the transmission system in the area (one of the weakest on the Irish grid) and the plant can access the grid via an existing 110KV system adjacent to the site. The plant will generate cost-effective power and steam, which will be available to attract other industries to the former industrial site.
Also addressing the meeting, Mayo Power Director Martin Packard said the project was entirely in line with the recently published Government White Paper on Energy (Click Here). "The White Paper fully supports the notion of sustainable and renewable energy, including the co-firing of biomass with peat and other fossil fuels. It is the Government's intention to achieve 33 per cent of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020 and Mayo Power will compliment this goal" - he said.
Mr Pickard added that the Government wished to see many players involved in a new and open market and Mayo Power was ideally placed to fit into this scenario.
Mayo Power is jointly owned by Rockland Mayo Holding Company (a UK and US consortium) and former Mayo TD and Senator, Myles Staunton.
Forest Management Protocol for Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas
Mr Dick Roche, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Ms Mary Wallace, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food with responsibility for forestry have announced that agreement has been reached on a management protocol for planting in areas that are important for the hen harrier.
Under the EU Birds Directive, Ireland must designate areas important for particular types of birds as Special Protection Areas. The National Parks and Wildlife Service - part of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government - has been considering a number of areas as possible Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas.
These areas are typically upland zones with high levels of forestry and the challenge has been how to marry to the best advantage, the continued development of forestry in these areas with protection of the species.
Young forests are of critical importance to the hen harrier - but, it is extremely important also to maintain sufficient open-areas for foraging. In order to move the process forward, a Working Group - consisting of NPWS, the Forest Service and both landowner and forestry interest groups - was established last year and has now agreed a path forward.
Minister Roche stated that - "the agreement reached within the Working Group represents a balance between good and sensible environmental practice and legitimate desire for sustainable development in these areas.
"I fully expect that the EU Commission will recognise and value the consultative approach that has taken place here and the commitment shown by the Forest sector to the conservation requirements for the hen harrier" - he added.
The key component of the agreement reached is that an annual quota of new planting will be established for each of the 6 proposed Special Protection Areas - based on the areas identified as available for planting by NPWS, so as to manage and monitor the impact on habitat. Under the new rules, the heath-bog habitat - which is so important for the hen harrier - will be fully preserved.
The objective will be to establish a mosaic of different landscape types in Hen Harrier areas that will encourage the further development of the species. This should include young forestry - both new and replanted - which the recent research has shown to be a vital component in the foraging pattern of the bird.
The Forest Service will be responsible for processing applications and will implement the new protocol immediately. All applications for approval to plant in these areas had been suspended, pending agreement on the new management regime - but, it is expected that decisions can now be made quickly in these cases.
Minister of State Wallace has warmly welcomed the new development, which, she said, reflected the fundamental principles of sustainable forest management - the cornerstone of forestry policy in Ireland. "Properly planned forestry is good for people and good for the environment" - the Minister said. "I have no doubt but that forestry can play an important role in the recovery of species, such as the hen harrier, in the same way that species - such as the red squirrel and the pine marten - now find refuge in these forests, denied to them elsewhere.
"I am particularly pleased with this development as this issue was raised with me on my first day as Minister of State for Forestry and on a weekly basis since then. I am glad that, during my time as Minister of State a resolution has been found."
The six proposed Special Protection Areas, which will be designated shortly, are -
* Slieve Bloom Mountains Special Protection Area (Laois and Offaly)
* Stack's to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle Special Protection Area (Cork, Kerry and Limerick)
* Mullaghanish to Musheramore Mountains Special Protection Area (Cork)
* Slievefelim to Silvermines Special Protection Area (Limerick and Tipperary)
* Slieve Beagh Special Protection Area (Monaghan) - and
* Slieve Aughty Mountains Special Protection Area (Clare and Galway).
Under the EU Birds Directive, Ireland must designate areas important for particular types of birds as Special Protection Areas. The National Parks and Wildlife Service - part of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government - has been considering a number of areas as possible Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas.
These areas are typically upland zones with high levels of forestry and the challenge has been how to marry to the best advantage, the continued development of forestry in these areas with protection of the species.
Young forests are of critical importance to the hen harrier - but, it is extremely important also to maintain sufficient open-areas for foraging. In order to move the process forward, a Working Group - consisting of NPWS, the Forest Service and both landowner and forestry interest groups - was established last year and has now agreed a path forward.
Minister Roche stated that - "the agreement reached within the Working Group represents a balance between good and sensible environmental practice and legitimate desire for sustainable development in these areas.
"I fully expect that the EU Commission will recognise and value the consultative approach that has taken place here and the commitment shown by the Forest sector to the conservation requirements for the hen harrier" - he added.
The key component of the agreement reached is that an annual quota of new planting will be established for each of the 6 proposed Special Protection Areas - based on the areas identified as available for planting by NPWS, so as to manage and monitor the impact on habitat. Under the new rules, the heath-bog habitat - which is so important for the hen harrier - will be fully preserved.
The objective will be to establish a mosaic of different landscape types in Hen Harrier areas that will encourage the further development of the species. This should include young forestry - both new and replanted - which the recent research has shown to be a vital component in the foraging pattern of the bird.
The Forest Service will be responsible for processing applications and will implement the new protocol immediately. All applications for approval to plant in these areas had been suspended, pending agreement on the new management regime - but, it is expected that decisions can now be made quickly in these cases.
Minister of State Wallace has warmly welcomed the new development, which, she said, reflected the fundamental principles of sustainable forest management - the cornerstone of forestry policy in Ireland. "Properly planned forestry is good for people and good for the environment" - the Minister said. "I have no doubt but that forestry can play an important role in the recovery of species, such as the hen harrier, in the same way that species - such as the red squirrel and the pine marten - now find refuge in these forests, denied to them elsewhere.
"I am particularly pleased with this development as this issue was raised with me on my first day as Minister of State for Forestry and on a weekly basis since then. I am glad that, during my time as Minister of State a resolution has been found."
The six proposed Special Protection Areas, which will be designated shortly, are -
* Slieve Bloom Mountains Special Protection Area (Laois and Offaly)
* Stack's to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle Special Protection Area (Cork, Kerry and Limerick)
* Mullaghanish to Musheramore Mountains Special Protection Area (Cork)
* Slievefelim to Silvermines Special Protection Area (Limerick and Tipperary)
* Slieve Beagh Special Protection Area (Monaghan) - and
* Slieve Aughty Mountains Special Protection Area (Clare and Galway).
The Alternative, Sustainable & Renewable Energy Summit 2007
2007 is likely to become a boom year for alternative energy - particularly with the recent publication of the Government's Energy White Paper - Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland.
The rising popularity of alternative energy technologies will attract venture capital funding, legislative incentives and support - and growing investment from the business sector.
At the Alternative, Sustainable & Renewable Energy Summit - taking place on April 23 & 24, 2007 at the Croke Park Convention Centre, Dublin - delegates will be provided with a unique opportunity to receive a thorough and up-to-date picture on current and future developments within the Alternative/Renewable energy industry - as well as a chance to network and do business.
Topics at the Alternative, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Summit include:
* Developing competitive markets to provide the correct price signals for investment in alternative energy
* Renewable sources - The perspective, the market, the instruments
* Spatial planning & renewable energy plans
* Renewable energy technology trends
* Energy efficiency programmes and strategies
* Financial planning and investment
* Capital markets perspective on renewables
* Private equity and venture capital
* View from Europe - strategies for sustainable, competitive and secure energy
* Balancing Ireland's energy needs
* The nuclear debate
* Who will profit from the new alternative economy?
* Future trends and scenarios on global, European, national and regional levels.
The rising popularity of alternative energy technologies will attract venture capital funding, legislative incentives and support - and growing investment from the business sector.
At the Alternative, Sustainable & Renewable Energy Summit - taking place on April 23 & 24, 2007 at the Croke Park Convention Centre, Dublin - delegates will be provided with a unique opportunity to receive a thorough and up-to-date picture on current and future developments within the Alternative/Renewable energy industry - as well as a chance to network and do business.
Topics at the Alternative, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Summit include:
* Developing competitive markets to provide the correct price signals for investment in alternative energy
* Renewable sources - The perspective, the market, the instruments
* Spatial planning & renewable energy plans
* Renewable energy technology trends
* Energy efficiency programmes and strategies
* Financial planning and investment
* Capital markets perspective on renewables
* Private equity and venture capital
* View from Europe - strategies for sustainable, competitive and secure energy
* Balancing Ireland's energy needs
* The nuclear debate
* Who will profit from the new alternative economy?
* Future trends and scenarios on global, European, national and regional levels.
Saturday, 24 March 2007
Read the Planning Inspector's report on Lansdowne Road
Like many planning cases, Lansdowne has been given the green light after the Board over-ruled the recommendation of a professional planner. I am in favour of the stadium, but want to make it very clear how this decision was 'against' planning advice. Once again, the advice of professional planners has not been heeded. Listening to the news on the day of the decision gave the impression of unanimous approval from planners for the scheme. This was not the case (though the Board, which is comprised of a mixture of individuals - a majority non-planners - voted unanimously in favour). Here's what the planner, Brendan Wyse, wrote as his conclusion and recommendation to a proposed refusal of this planning application:
It is acknowledged that the proposed stadium would be a vast improvement on the existing stadium. It would provide an up to date modern facility for participants and spectators and project an appropriate image as a 21st century international sports venue. It would provide for safer and more efficient spectator access and egress and improve the safety and operation of the Lansdowne DART station. It would perform better than the existing stadium in terms of noise and light spill.
This assessment, however, has also identified significant difficulties in relation to the proposed development arising, essentially, from the attempt to accommodate a 21st century stadium on the 19th century template of a restricted site in a tight knit, predominantly residential area. The main difficulties in relation to the proposed development are as follows:
• The results of the site selection process do not, as suggested in the EIS and other documentation, clearly indicate that the Lansdowne Road site was the best site. There is a considerable weight of evidence to suggest that the Ardagh site would be more suitable for a modern international stadium.
• The proposed stadium would lack flexibility as a strategic facility. The stadium as proposed would be at the minimum end of the capacity range acceptable for international rugby or Champions League soccer and the pitch size would not be capable of accommodating GAA matches.
• As acknowledged in the EIS the proposed stadium would give rise to substantial and adverse visual impacts in relation to the immediately adjacent residential areas.
• While the visual impact of the stadium would improve with distance the potential of the stadium to make a significant positive contribution to the urban landscape is diminished by the restrictions of the setting and the lack of opportunity to appreciate the full form of the building. Its purported iconic status would not be realised.
• The proposed stadium development would generate no significant quality urban space.
• The proposed stadium would constitute an overwhelming presence to the detriment of the character of adjacent residential areas that include designated Residential Conservation Areas. The proposal would be contrary to the Transitional Zone Policy in the Development Plan.
• The proposed stadium would give rise to excessive loss of light and overshadowing to adjacent residential properties.
• As acknowledged in the EIS the proposed new spectator access/egress routes at Swan Lane and the Dodder Walk would represent a significant, negative imposition on adjacent residents. They would give rise to serious injury to the residential amenities of these properties.
• The proposed development would be likely to give rise to devaluation of houses in the immediate vicinity.
The applicants overall approach, as reflected in he conclusion to the EIS and in other documentation, is to suggest that the local disbenefits associated with the proposed development would be offset or compensated for by the benefits accruing to others in the immediate area, the wider community, city economy etc. The Planning Authority adopts a similar approach. While in general such an approach is reasonable, and commonly applied in deciding planning cases, it cannot apply, in my view, where serious adverse impacts are identified, in particular to residential properties, as in this instance. In this situation an aggrieved party cannot be compensated by a benefit to other parties.
While the proposed stadium is clearly a project of strategic significance it does not have to be constructed on the Lansdowne Road site, notwithstanding the historic use of the site and the understandable desire of the applicants to remain at the location. In this context, it should be noted that the Ardagh site is located just 1 kilometre from the Lansdowne Road site.
It may be considered that the redevelopment of Croke Park has set a precedent for the proposed development and that it demonstrates that a modern stadium can be accommodated on an inner city site. However, while superficially similar, closer examination indicates that the site of the Corke Park stadium is not as tightly restricted by adjacent residential properties as the Lansdowne Road site. The closest houses to the Cork Park stadium were demolished as part of the overall development.
Available international evidence of modern stadia developments does not provide ready precedents either. This issue was raised on a number of occasions at the oral hearing, principally by Mr. McDonnell and Mr. Pomeroy (Appellants) (see Sections 9.2.2.14, 9.9.7 and 9.9.15 above). By reference to “The Stadium”, The Stadium Guide website and through the use of the Google Earth internet facility I have not been able to identify any precedents for a modern stadium built in such close proximity to residential properties as is proposed in this instance. The weight of evidence, particularly from recent British experience, and where the tradition of older stadia located within tight inner city residential areas is of particular relevance to the subject case, suggests that the practice is to relocate the stadium to larger, more suitable sites within the urban area. The new Emirates Stadium, London, located only a short distance from Highbury is a very good example of this. The former Highbury Stadium, located within a tight network of residential streets, is being redeveloped for residential purposes. The City of Manchester Stadium is another example and the former home of Manchester City, Maine Road, is also to be redeveloped for housing. Liverpool Football Club is also planning to relocate away from its existing stadium located in an older residential neighbourhood.
The examples referred to by the applicants, Tottenham Hotspur, Ipswich and the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff are not precedent cases. The Tottenham Hotspur ground, White Hart Lane, is on an old site and has been organically redeveloped overtime. However, it is not as tightly confined by residential properties as Lansdowne Road and its total capacity is only c.36,000. The club is currently examining redevelopment/relocation options. Ipswich Stadium is also not so confined and has a much smaller capacity. As already referred to at Sections 11.4.1.1 and 11.6.3 above the Millennium Stadium is located in the very different context of a central city commercial area on a prominent riverside site.
The deficiencies identified in relation to the proposed development cannot be rectified by condition. I conclude, therefore, that planning permission should be refused.
12. RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that planning permission be refused for the following reasons and considerations.
REASONS AND CONSIDERATIONS
1. Having regard to the examination of alternative locations contained in the EIS and, in particular, the document entitled “Stadium Site Feasibility Study”, Arup and others, April 2003, upon which the examination of alternative locations relies, and on the basis of the submissions made in connection with the application and the appeal, the Board is not satisfied that the Lansdowne Road site is the most suitable site available for the proposed stadium taking into account the effects on the environment. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. Having regard to the height, scale and mass of the proposed stadium and its close proximity to adjacent residential areas it is considered that it would:
(i) give rise to substantial and adverse visual impacts to adjacent residential properties;
(ii) constitute an overbearing presence to the detriment of adjacent residential areas that include designated Residential Conservation Areas in the Dublin City Development Plan;
(iii) give rise to an excessive loss of daylight and to excessive overshadowing of adjacent residential properties;
the proposed development would, therefore, seriously injure the amenity and depreciate the value of residential properties in the vicinity and be contrary to the Transitional Zone Policy of the Dublin City Development Plan. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
3. The new access/egress routes at Swan Lane and the Dodder Walk would, by reason of disruption, noise, nuisance and reduction in privacy, seriously injure the amenities and depreciate the value of residential properties in the vicinity. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
4. Due to the restricted nature of the site located within a predominantly residential area with a tight knit urban form and street layout, the proposed stadium would make only a minimal positive contribution to the urban landscape and generate no significant quality public urban space that would be considered appropriate to a development of this type and significance. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
Read the entire report at: http://www.pleanala.ie/lansdowne.html
It is acknowledged that the proposed stadium would be a vast improvement on the existing stadium. It would provide an up to date modern facility for participants and spectators and project an appropriate image as a 21st century international sports venue. It would provide for safer and more efficient spectator access and egress and improve the safety and operation of the Lansdowne DART station. It would perform better than the existing stadium in terms of noise and light spill.
This assessment, however, has also identified significant difficulties in relation to the proposed development arising, essentially, from the attempt to accommodate a 21st century stadium on the 19th century template of a restricted site in a tight knit, predominantly residential area. The main difficulties in relation to the proposed development are as follows:
• The results of the site selection process do not, as suggested in the EIS and other documentation, clearly indicate that the Lansdowne Road site was the best site. There is a considerable weight of evidence to suggest that the Ardagh site would be more suitable for a modern international stadium.
• The proposed stadium would lack flexibility as a strategic facility. The stadium as proposed would be at the minimum end of the capacity range acceptable for international rugby or Champions League soccer and the pitch size would not be capable of accommodating GAA matches.
• As acknowledged in the EIS the proposed stadium would give rise to substantial and adverse visual impacts in relation to the immediately adjacent residential areas.
• While the visual impact of the stadium would improve with distance the potential of the stadium to make a significant positive contribution to the urban landscape is diminished by the restrictions of the setting and the lack of opportunity to appreciate the full form of the building. Its purported iconic status would not be realised.
• The proposed stadium development would generate no significant quality urban space.
• The proposed stadium would constitute an overwhelming presence to the detriment of the character of adjacent residential areas that include designated Residential Conservation Areas. The proposal would be contrary to the Transitional Zone Policy in the Development Plan.
• The proposed stadium would give rise to excessive loss of light and overshadowing to adjacent residential properties.
• As acknowledged in the EIS the proposed new spectator access/egress routes at Swan Lane and the Dodder Walk would represent a significant, negative imposition on adjacent residents. They would give rise to serious injury to the residential amenities of these properties.
• The proposed development would be likely to give rise to devaluation of houses in the immediate vicinity.
The applicants overall approach, as reflected in he conclusion to the EIS and in other documentation, is to suggest that the local disbenefits associated with the proposed development would be offset or compensated for by the benefits accruing to others in the immediate area, the wider community, city economy etc. The Planning Authority adopts a similar approach. While in general such an approach is reasonable, and commonly applied in deciding planning cases, it cannot apply, in my view, where serious adverse impacts are identified, in particular to residential properties, as in this instance. In this situation an aggrieved party cannot be compensated by a benefit to other parties.
While the proposed stadium is clearly a project of strategic significance it does not have to be constructed on the Lansdowne Road site, notwithstanding the historic use of the site and the understandable desire of the applicants to remain at the location. In this context, it should be noted that the Ardagh site is located just 1 kilometre from the Lansdowne Road site.
It may be considered that the redevelopment of Croke Park has set a precedent for the proposed development and that it demonstrates that a modern stadium can be accommodated on an inner city site. However, while superficially similar, closer examination indicates that the site of the Corke Park stadium is not as tightly restricted by adjacent residential properties as the Lansdowne Road site. The closest houses to the Cork Park stadium were demolished as part of the overall development.
Available international evidence of modern stadia developments does not provide ready precedents either. This issue was raised on a number of occasions at the oral hearing, principally by Mr. McDonnell and Mr. Pomeroy (Appellants) (see Sections 9.2.2.14, 9.9.7 and 9.9.15 above). By reference to “The Stadium”, The Stadium Guide website and through the use of the Google Earth internet facility I have not been able to identify any precedents for a modern stadium built in such close proximity to residential properties as is proposed in this instance. The weight of evidence, particularly from recent British experience, and where the tradition of older stadia located within tight inner city residential areas is of particular relevance to the subject case, suggests that the practice is to relocate the stadium to larger, more suitable sites within the urban area. The new Emirates Stadium, London, located only a short distance from Highbury is a very good example of this. The former Highbury Stadium, located within a tight network of residential streets, is being redeveloped for residential purposes. The City of Manchester Stadium is another example and the former home of Manchester City, Maine Road, is also to be redeveloped for housing. Liverpool Football Club is also planning to relocate away from its existing stadium located in an older residential neighbourhood.
The examples referred to by the applicants, Tottenham Hotspur, Ipswich and the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff are not precedent cases. The Tottenham Hotspur ground, White Hart Lane, is on an old site and has been organically redeveloped overtime. However, it is not as tightly confined by residential properties as Lansdowne Road and its total capacity is only c.36,000. The club is currently examining redevelopment/relocation options. Ipswich Stadium is also not so confined and has a much smaller capacity. As already referred to at Sections 11.4.1.1 and 11.6.3 above the Millennium Stadium is located in the very different context of a central city commercial area on a prominent riverside site.
The deficiencies identified in relation to the proposed development cannot be rectified by condition. I conclude, therefore, that planning permission should be refused.
12. RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that planning permission be refused for the following reasons and considerations.
REASONS AND CONSIDERATIONS
1. Having regard to the examination of alternative locations contained in the EIS and, in particular, the document entitled “Stadium Site Feasibility Study”, Arup and others, April 2003, upon which the examination of alternative locations relies, and on the basis of the submissions made in connection with the application and the appeal, the Board is not satisfied that the Lansdowne Road site is the most suitable site available for the proposed stadium taking into account the effects on the environment. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. Having regard to the height, scale and mass of the proposed stadium and its close proximity to adjacent residential areas it is considered that it would:
(i) give rise to substantial and adverse visual impacts to adjacent residential properties;
(ii) constitute an overbearing presence to the detriment of adjacent residential areas that include designated Residential Conservation Areas in the Dublin City Development Plan;
(iii) give rise to an excessive loss of daylight and to excessive overshadowing of adjacent residential properties;
the proposed development would, therefore, seriously injure the amenity and depreciate the value of residential properties in the vicinity and be contrary to the Transitional Zone Policy of the Dublin City Development Plan. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
3. The new access/egress routes at Swan Lane and the Dodder Walk would, by reason of disruption, noise, nuisance and reduction in privacy, seriously injure the amenities and depreciate the value of residential properties in the vicinity. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
4. Due to the restricted nature of the site located within a predominantly residential area with a tight knit urban form and street layout, the proposed stadium would make only a minimal positive contribution to the urban landscape and generate no significant quality public urban space that would be considered appropriate to a development of this type and significance. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
Read the entire report at: http://www.pleanala.ie/lansdowne.html
Botanical survey of Innisfallen
A botanical survey of the island of Innisfallen on Killarney's lower lake is to be undertaken as part of a study to uncover the significance of its ancient ruins and its rich array of plants, flowers and trees.
The 23-acre island is reputedly where Brian Boru came to study and is where much of the annals of Innisfallen, one of the major sources of early Munster history, were composed. Its reputation as a medieval seat of learning gave its name to the surrounding Lough Léin, or "lake of learning".
However, apart from a brief period as a Victorian picnic spot, some cattle-grazing in the 1930s by local farmers, and an annual Mass, the island has lain undisturbed for centuries.
However, under new moves to improve the cultural heritage experience of visitors to Killarney, Innisfallen is now being targeted for preservation and promotion by a local interest group.
The island contains significant ruins at its northwestern tip, including those of an abbey established in AD 600. There are also the remains of an 11th century church and an Augustinian priory occupied by monks until the 17th century.
Part of Killarney National Park, the island is accessible from Ross Castle. It is managed by both the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Senior architects from the OPW have assessed the ruins and repair work was carried out on the monuments last autumn.
The botanical survey will be conducted by an NPWS steering group set up to explore the island's riches. It will examine curiosities such as a quadruplet tree with holly, ash, hawthorn and ivy all seeming to grow from a single stem. The island is also thought to contain rare herbs, mosses and orchids.
Anne Lucey
© 2007 The Irish Times
The 23-acre island is reputedly where Brian Boru came to study and is where much of the annals of Innisfallen, one of the major sources of early Munster history, were composed. Its reputation as a medieval seat of learning gave its name to the surrounding Lough Léin, or "lake of learning".
However, apart from a brief period as a Victorian picnic spot, some cattle-grazing in the 1930s by local farmers, and an annual Mass, the island has lain undisturbed for centuries.
However, under new moves to improve the cultural heritage experience of visitors to Killarney, Innisfallen is now being targeted for preservation and promotion by a local interest group.
The island contains significant ruins at its northwestern tip, including those of an abbey established in AD 600. There are also the remains of an 11th century church and an Augustinian priory occupied by monks until the 17th century.
Part of Killarney National Park, the island is accessible from Ross Castle. It is managed by both the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Senior architects from the OPW have assessed the ruins and repair work was carried out on the monuments last autumn.
The botanical survey will be conducted by an NPWS steering group set up to explore the island's riches. It will examine curiosities such as a quadruplet tree with holly, ash, hawthorn and ivy all seeming to grow from a single stem. The island is also thought to contain rare herbs, mosses and orchids.
Anne Lucey
© 2007 The Irish Times
Ammunition fort to reopen as museum
A HISTORIC fort which was used by the British and Irish armies to store ammunition is to be transformed into a public museum.
The magazine fort in the Phoenix Park dates back to 1734 but is currently in a dilapidated state and closed off to the public.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) confirmed it was in discussions with Dublin City Council about turning it into a museum.
"But before we go in to renovate it and restore it, we want to be able to identify a sustainable function and use for it," a spokesman said.
Under the plans, a new bridge would be built to link the restored magazine fort to the War Memorial Gardens across the River Liffey. A shuttle bus service would be set up so visitors could easily get to other attractions in the area, such as Kilmainham Jail and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The fort was the main ammunition depot for the British army and after independence it performed a similar function for the Irish army.
However, in 1939 the IRA mounted its 'Christmas raid' and stole one million rounds of ammunition using 13 trucks. Most of the ammunition was recovered by the state within a month. But the magazine fort was abandoned soon afterwards.
Michael Brennan
© Irish Independent
The magazine fort in the Phoenix Park dates back to 1734 but is currently in a dilapidated state and closed off to the public.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) confirmed it was in discussions with Dublin City Council about turning it into a museum.
"But before we go in to renovate it and restore it, we want to be able to identify a sustainable function and use for it," a spokesman said.
Under the plans, a new bridge would be built to link the restored magazine fort to the War Memorial Gardens across the River Liffey. A shuttle bus service would be set up so visitors could easily get to other attractions in the area, such as Kilmainham Jail and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The fort was the main ammunition depot for the British army and after independence it performed a similar function for the Irish army.
However, in 1939 the IRA mounted its 'Christmas raid' and stole one million rounds of ammunition using 13 trucks. Most of the ammunition was recovered by the state within a month. But the magazine fort was abandoned soon afterwards.
Michael Brennan
© Irish Independent
State may protect sites of battles
Minister for the Environment Dick Roche has suggested that major battlefields may be given protected status similar to that given to historic buildings.
He said such status is to be introduced in Britain for historic battlefields, and the development could be considered by a new expert group advising the Government on the issue.
Mr Roche was speaking at the first meeting of the group which is to produce a study identifying the number of potential battlefield sites across the country.The group includes archaeological and academic experts and will advise on what protections should be given to Irish battlefields.
At present more than 75 battlefields are listed on maps in Ireland, but there is a significant question as to the level of protection they attract from development. The sites include some of the key turning points in Irish history, such as the Battle of Aughrim in east Galway, and the Battle of Kinsale in Co Cork.
There has been limited research to date on the size and extent of many of the battlefields. There is also growing concern about the threat posed by current levels of development. It is felt that a new system for protecting key battlefields is needed.
Yesterday Mr Roche said the study and expert group would "give us a greater understanding of each battle site.
"It will also assist in the development of strategies in the areas of protection, education and recreation. There is an undoubted and sustained interest in this topic. It has historic resonance and relevance within the all-island dimension. Most importantly, the results of this study will help our citizens to understand and better appreciate the history that has shaped our nation."
He said certain Irish battlefields had "iconic status in the public's minds as crucial turning points in the nation's history". There was a growing awareness of and interest in battlefield sites in Ireland and worldwide, he said.
The group's work is expected to generate some controversy however, due to disagreements over the location and extent of some battlefields. The designation of some battlefields may also face resistance from landowners, over potential restrictions on development .
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
He said such status is to be introduced in Britain for historic battlefields, and the development could be considered by a new expert group advising the Government on the issue.
Mr Roche was speaking at the first meeting of the group which is to produce a study identifying the number of potential battlefield sites across the country.The group includes archaeological and academic experts and will advise on what protections should be given to Irish battlefields.
At present more than 75 battlefields are listed on maps in Ireland, but there is a significant question as to the level of protection they attract from development. The sites include some of the key turning points in Irish history, such as the Battle of Aughrim in east Galway, and the Battle of Kinsale in Co Cork.
There has been limited research to date on the size and extent of many of the battlefields. There is also growing concern about the threat posed by current levels of development. It is felt that a new system for protecting key battlefields is needed.
Yesterday Mr Roche said the study and expert group would "give us a greater understanding of each battle site.
"It will also assist in the development of strategies in the areas of protection, education and recreation. There is an undoubted and sustained interest in this topic. It has historic resonance and relevance within the all-island dimension. Most importantly, the results of this study will help our citizens to understand and better appreciate the history that has shaped our nation."
He said certain Irish battlefields had "iconic status in the public's minds as crucial turning points in the nation's history". There was a growing awareness of and interest in battlefield sites in Ireland and worldwide, he said.
The group's work is expected to generate some controversy however, due to disagreements over the location and extent of some battlefields. The designation of some battlefields may also face resistance from landowners, over potential restrictions on development .
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
Planning board rejects Cork waste proposal
Campaigners in north Cork against a proposed anaerobic digester, designed to dispose of 250,000 tonnes of slurries and solid manures annually, have welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála to refuse permission for the project.
Valley Residents Association in Araglin, 11km north of Fermoy, learned yesterday that the board had upheld Cork County Council's refusal to grant permission to biofuel company Bioverda, and its subsidiary, Valeco. The 17-hectare site at Ballard is owned by Michael Hyland of Barnahown, Araglin.
Bioverda appealed the refusal and An Bord Pleanála held an oral hearing in November.
Solicitor for the residents Joe Noonan said the proposal was completely inappropriate for the isolated rural area.
Mr Noonan said the site had already achieved international notoriety over the failure of the authorities to properly enforce planning conditions granted in 1998 for the collection of biosolids from agricultural and chemical industries at the site.
"In a landmark 2005 European Court judgment against Ireland, the court criticised the Irish authorities' inactivity in the face of local complaints about long-term illegal dumping at the site going back as far as 1990.
"In January, Cork County Council brought a successful prosecution under the Water Pollution Act against the owner who promised that he would present proposals to the council for the clean-up of the site," Mr Noonan added.
"With that history, the attempt by Valeco to build a mammoth waste-digester plant in this remote rural area - bigger than anything of the kind ever seen anywhere in the world, never mind in Ireland - was incomprehensible."
The Valeco proposal would have seen the construction of 20 tanks, approximately 23m high and 19m in diameter, as well as a 40m gas engine stack which the company said could produce 32 megawatts of electrical power.
Bioverda chief executive John Mullins told the oral hearing that in 2005, 885,000 tonnes of organic waste suitable for digestion was reported to the EPA which highlighted the need for a major anaerobic digester in the region.
However, local residents had argued that it would create noxious smells which would have detrimental impact, pointing to the proximity of the site to a local school and the impact it would have on children's wellbeing.
Mr Noonan said locals expected county council enforcement staff would now complete their task of ensuring a swift clean-up of the site.
A spokesman for Bioverda said they were reviewing the decision.
Barry Roche
© 2007 The Irish Times
Valley Residents Association in Araglin, 11km north of Fermoy, learned yesterday that the board had upheld Cork County Council's refusal to grant permission to biofuel company Bioverda, and its subsidiary, Valeco. The 17-hectare site at Ballard is owned by Michael Hyland of Barnahown, Araglin.
Bioverda appealed the refusal and An Bord Pleanála held an oral hearing in November.
Solicitor for the residents Joe Noonan said the proposal was completely inappropriate for the isolated rural area.
Mr Noonan said the site had already achieved international notoriety over the failure of the authorities to properly enforce planning conditions granted in 1998 for the collection of biosolids from agricultural and chemical industries at the site.
"In a landmark 2005 European Court judgment against Ireland, the court criticised the Irish authorities' inactivity in the face of local complaints about long-term illegal dumping at the site going back as far as 1990.
"In January, Cork County Council brought a successful prosecution under the Water Pollution Act against the owner who promised that he would present proposals to the council for the clean-up of the site," Mr Noonan added.
"With that history, the attempt by Valeco to build a mammoth waste-digester plant in this remote rural area - bigger than anything of the kind ever seen anywhere in the world, never mind in Ireland - was incomprehensible."
The Valeco proposal would have seen the construction of 20 tanks, approximately 23m high and 19m in diameter, as well as a 40m gas engine stack which the company said could produce 32 megawatts of electrical power.
Bioverda chief executive John Mullins told the oral hearing that in 2005, 885,000 tonnes of organic waste suitable for digestion was reported to the EPA which highlighted the need for a major anaerobic digester in the region.
However, local residents had argued that it would create noxious smells which would have detrimental impact, pointing to the proximity of the site to a local school and the impact it would have on children's wellbeing.
Mr Noonan said locals expected county council enforcement staff would now complete their task of ensuring a swift clean-up of the site.
A spokesman for Bioverda said they were reviewing the decision.
Barry Roche
© 2007 The Irish Times
Roads authority warning on Ikea development
The Ikea oral hearing continued through the week - here's a review of the early exchanges in The Irish Times.
Ballymun junction will not have sufficient capacity to cater for traffic demand in future years if the Ikea development is given approval, the National Roads Authority has told an oral hearing on the proposal.
Hugh Creegan, head of programme management at the NRA, yesterday said the authority had serious concerns about the implications of the proposed 30,000sq metre Swedish superstore.
The proposed development, on 12.6 hectares close to the Ballymun Road junction of the M50, was granted permission by Fingal County Council last October. This was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by seven parties, who began presenting their cases at an oral hearing before senior planning inspector Keith Sargeant yesterday.
Mr Creegan said Ikea traffic would dominate the usage of the M50 at weekends, with up to 8 per cent of traffic on the motorway attributable to the home furnishing superstore even after a €1 billion motorway upgrade project was completed.
He said that work carried out by MVA consultants, on behalf of the NRA, showed that 70 per cent of trips to Ikea at weekends would arrive via the M50.
"The M50 motorway is currently the busiest and most congested national route in Ireland with in excess of 95,000 vehicles per day using its busiest
sections," he said. "Following its upgrade, the M50 will be a vital and valuable resource for the city and the country.
"Adjacent development and traffic loading needs to be carefully managed to ensure that the proper performance of that asset is not threatened or diminished."
Mr Creegan also said that a proposal to increase parking charges at busy times to deter parking in the Ikea car park, which has a capacity of 1,527 vehicles, was unlikely to be useful or effective in terms of addressing traffic congestion.
Owen Shinkwin of the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO), made a presentation to the hearing in the capacity of an observer.
He said the DTO had concerns in relation to the scale and location of the development and the site was more suitable for a high-density development given its proximity to the proposed metro lines.
He also said it did not demonstrate a consistency with DTO strategic guidelines for the greater Dublin area.
However, Deiric O'Broin, representing the Ballymun Partnership and Ballymun Job Centre, said the development would give the area an opportunity to join the economic mainstream.
He said 900 people were registered with the job centre in 2006 and unemployment in the area was three times the national rate, at 14 per cent.
"Ikea offers great opportunities, with over 500 full- and part-time jobs available," he said. "It is expected that approximately 50 per cent of these jobs will be filled by local people."
Ciarán Murray, director of Ballymun Regeneration Ltd (BRL) said Ikea could provide "an almost unique match for the skills of local people" and was an opportunity to "address the bad planning of the past".
"From the early stages of developing the master plan for the new Ballymun, we were looking for a flagship project that would make Ballymun a destination people would want to come to," he said.
"Ikea would achieve this objective and the wider local economy of the area would benefit."
In advance of the hearing, Ikea project manager Therese Daly, said they were confident they could get around any traffic problems, pointing out that the store would not open until 10am, avoiding morning commuter traffic.
She said there was nowhere else the development could go, given current planning guidelines.
Fiona Gartland
© 2007 The Irish Times
Ballymun junction will not have sufficient capacity to cater for traffic demand in future years if the Ikea development is given approval, the National Roads Authority has told an oral hearing on the proposal.
Hugh Creegan, head of programme management at the NRA, yesterday said the authority had serious concerns about the implications of the proposed 30,000sq metre Swedish superstore.
The proposed development, on 12.6 hectares close to the Ballymun Road junction of the M50, was granted permission by Fingal County Council last October. This was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by seven parties, who began presenting their cases at an oral hearing before senior planning inspector Keith Sargeant yesterday.
Mr Creegan said Ikea traffic would dominate the usage of the M50 at weekends, with up to 8 per cent of traffic on the motorway attributable to the home furnishing superstore even after a €1 billion motorway upgrade project was completed.
He said that work carried out by MVA consultants, on behalf of the NRA, showed that 70 per cent of trips to Ikea at weekends would arrive via the M50.
"The M50 motorway is currently the busiest and most congested national route in Ireland with in excess of 95,000 vehicles per day using its busiest
sections," he said. "Following its upgrade, the M50 will be a vital and valuable resource for the city and the country.
"Adjacent development and traffic loading needs to be carefully managed to ensure that the proper performance of that asset is not threatened or diminished."
Mr Creegan also said that a proposal to increase parking charges at busy times to deter parking in the Ikea car park, which has a capacity of 1,527 vehicles, was unlikely to be useful or effective in terms of addressing traffic congestion.
Owen Shinkwin of the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO), made a presentation to the hearing in the capacity of an observer.
He said the DTO had concerns in relation to the scale and location of the development and the site was more suitable for a high-density development given its proximity to the proposed metro lines.
He also said it did not demonstrate a consistency with DTO strategic guidelines for the greater Dublin area.
However, Deiric O'Broin, representing the Ballymun Partnership and Ballymun Job Centre, said the development would give the area an opportunity to join the economic mainstream.
He said 900 people were registered with the job centre in 2006 and unemployment in the area was three times the national rate, at 14 per cent.
"Ikea offers great opportunities, with over 500 full- and part-time jobs available," he said. "It is expected that approximately 50 per cent of these jobs will be filled by local people."
Ciarán Murray, director of Ballymun Regeneration Ltd (BRL) said Ikea could provide "an almost unique match for the skills of local people" and was an opportunity to "address the bad planning of the past".
"From the early stages of developing the master plan for the new Ballymun, we were looking for a flagship project that would make Ballymun a destination people would want to come to," he said.
"Ikea would achieve this objective and the wider local economy of the area would benefit."
In advance of the hearing, Ikea project manager Therese Daly, said they were confident they could get around any traffic problems, pointing out that the store would not open until 10am, avoiding morning commuter traffic.
She said there was nowhere else the development could go, given current planning guidelines.
Fiona Gartland
© 2007 The Irish Times
Land access case coming to head
A High Court Case is to be taken by campaigners against the owners of the Old Head Golf Links in Kinsale over the issue of public access to the historic headland.
Diarmuid O Dalaigh, a member of the Free the Old Head Campaign, has been granted leave by the Attorney general to launch legal proceedings against Ashbourne Holdings Ltd. to establish the existence of a right of way at the Old Head of Kinsale.
‘The issue has been to Court on a number of previous occasions in relation to planning matters or under narrow legal boundaries but this time the right of way issue will itself be tested’, said John Jeffries, a spokesman for the Free the Old Head of Kinsale Campaign, who is confident the case could be won.
We have been building up to this for quite a while. We are very optimistic of a positive outcome. We feel we have a very solid case’, he added.
Mr. Jeffires said the issue was being widely watched throughout Ireland by walking groups and others who had found in recent years that traditional walkways had been blocked off by property owners.
Previous court cases in relation to the Old Head of Kinsale had been based on very narrow parameters, he said. The Free the Old Head campaign, through Diarmuid O Dalaigh, was now bringing this to Court specifically of the right of way matter.
‘We strongly believe that we can win this case and we are presenting a very robust argument before the High Court.’
Basil Hegarty, solicitor for Ashborne Holdings, said the company would defend the action ‘100%’.
‘The company has previously defended its position before Cork County Council, An Taisce, Bord Pleanala, the High Court and the Supreme Court that there are no public rights on the Old Head and we are amazed that this new court action has been taken.’
Ailin Quinlan
© Irish Examiner
Diarmuid O Dalaigh, a member of the Free the Old Head Campaign, has been granted leave by the Attorney general to launch legal proceedings against Ashbourne Holdings Ltd. to establish the existence of a right of way at the Old Head of Kinsale.
‘The issue has been to Court on a number of previous occasions in relation to planning matters or under narrow legal boundaries but this time the right of way issue will itself be tested’, said John Jeffries, a spokesman for the Free the Old Head of Kinsale Campaign, who is confident the case could be won.
We have been building up to this for quite a while. We are very optimistic of a positive outcome. We feel we have a very solid case’, he added.
Mr. Jeffires said the issue was being widely watched throughout Ireland by walking groups and others who had found in recent years that traditional walkways had been blocked off by property owners.
Previous court cases in relation to the Old Head of Kinsale had been based on very narrow parameters, he said. The Free the Old Head campaign, through Diarmuid O Dalaigh, was now bringing this to Court specifically of the right of way matter.
‘We strongly believe that we can win this case and we are presenting a very robust argument before the High Court.’
Basil Hegarty, solicitor for Ashborne Holdings, said the company would defend the action ‘100%’.
‘The company has previously defended its position before Cork County Council, An Taisce, Bord Pleanala, the High Court and the Supreme Court that there are no public rights on the Old Head and we are amazed that this new court action has been taken.’
Ailin Quinlan
© Irish Examiner
Friday, 23 March 2007
Young people' planning concerns are outlined at forum
Over 50 per cent of respondents who took part in a recent youth forum in Greystones cited planning as one of the major issues facing Co. Wicklow.
The forum, organised by independent general election candidate Evelyn Cawley, was held to determine the insights and issues of greatest concern to younger constituents in the area.
Ms Cawley said that that while the majority of those present complimented the new sports facilities in Charlesland, youth facilities were cited by 76 percent of respondents as a major issue for the community, while over 50 percent stated that planning was the 'central' issue to the problems being faced by the county.
'Specific concerns ranged from the over-development of small rural towns and villages, including Greystones, without adequate facilities for transport and local employment opportunities.'
'One quarter of respondents also mentioned the impact of large scale developments like the proposed marina for Greystones and the housing at Charlesland as being unsustainable in the long term, and pushing local people out of the town by inflating house prices,' she said.
The presence of youth clubs and coffee houses together with night venues for 13-17 year olds in the town were also stressed by 20 per cent as a means for combatting increased drug and alcohol usage in the town among under 18s.
Concerns were also expressed about the 'spiralling' cost of houses prices, with fears that in the coming years many young people would be unable to afford houses in their home county.
Other issues that were raised on the night included the lack of buses and darts at peak times and on Sundays, the closure of schools and the provision and maintenance of dog litter bins in the area.
The state of the roads in Greystones, Delgany, Windgates and Kilcoole were also raised.
Bray People
The forum, organised by independent general election candidate Evelyn Cawley, was held to determine the insights and issues of greatest concern to younger constituents in the area.
Ms Cawley said that that while the majority of those present complimented the new sports facilities in Charlesland, youth facilities were cited by 76 percent of respondents as a major issue for the community, while over 50 percent stated that planning was the 'central' issue to the problems being faced by the county.
'Specific concerns ranged from the over-development of small rural towns and villages, including Greystones, without adequate facilities for transport and local employment opportunities.'
'One quarter of respondents also mentioned the impact of large scale developments like the proposed marina for Greystones and the housing at Charlesland as being unsustainable in the long term, and pushing local people out of the town by inflating house prices,' she said.
The presence of youth clubs and coffee houses together with night venues for 13-17 year olds in the town were also stressed by 20 per cent as a means for combatting increased drug and alcohol usage in the town among under 18s.
Concerns were also expressed about the 'spiralling' cost of houses prices, with fears that in the coming years many young people would be unable to afford houses in their home county.
Other issues that were raised on the night included the lack of buses and darts at peak times and on Sundays, the closure of schools and the provision and maintenance of dog litter bins in the area.
The state of the roads in Greystones, Delgany, Windgates and Kilcoole were also raised.
Bray People
Allegations that 'something dodgy' is going on Further delay to sewage plant hearing slammed
A further delay to a crucial High Court hearing on Arklow's long-awaited sewage treatment plant at Seabank has prompted allegations that 'something dodgy' was going on.
Environment Minister Dick Roche and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern were called upon to urgently intervene in the case, which has dragged on for the past 12 years.
The case was due to be heard before Judge Clarke in the Commercial Court this week, but the case has been put back until May 8.
'That is downright disgraceful,' barked Cllr Peter Dempsey. 'Who caused this adjournment?', yelled Cllr Bill O'Connell.
Cllr Nicky Kelly dubbed the case 'the major scandal in the (legal) system at the moment', saying 'the town has been held to ransom for the past 12 years'.
The lack of any town sewage treatments facilities has severely limited development in Arklow and caused it to be one of Ireland's worst culprits for raw sewage outflows into the ocean.
Councillors learned of the delay after a letter from the council's solicitors was read out at last week's meeting, prompting a seething reaction.
Cllr Pat Fitzgerald wondered whether the recent planning application for a rival private sewerage treatment plant at Ballyraine Lower (which would be capable of catering for the town's needs) had anything to do with the delay.
'There's something peculiar going on here. I hope this application up the river here (at Ballyraine Lower) is not being taken into account by the judge.'
Cllr Bernie O'Halloran agreed, saying 'It seems there's something dodgy going on here. Had the (Ballyraine Lower) application been run of the mill, a decision would have been made before our hearing date.'
Cllr Donal O'Sullivan said if council planners found the Ballyraine Lower site had any merit 'it blows us out of the water, because we say ours (Seabank) is the best site.'
Cllr Peter Dempsey urged council officials to 'get the barristers here' to explain the delay.
'We're getting it in the neck out there (on this issue).
Bertie should make a ruling on it. We have been waiting too bloody long and I can't see anything being done before the election'.
Cllr Nicky Kelly vented his spleen, saying 'I don't care if the senior counsel of An Bord Pleanala is sick (which caused another delay to the case late last year). Get somebody else.
'We have the Minister for the Environment in our own county yet we can't fix the thing that is ruining our local environment.'
He said with three days of hearings scheduled, the judge would almost certainly reserve judgement then there was a likely appeal to the Supreme Court.
'We'll be here next October,' he said.
Council Director of Services Bryan Doyle, responding to a motion by Cllr Donal O'Sullivan, said he would write to An Bord Pleanala 'impressing on them the importance of this case'.
Wicklow People
Environment Minister Dick Roche and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern were called upon to urgently intervene in the case, which has dragged on for the past 12 years.
The case was due to be heard before Judge Clarke in the Commercial Court this week, but the case has been put back until May 8.
'That is downright disgraceful,' barked Cllr Peter Dempsey. 'Who caused this adjournment?', yelled Cllr Bill O'Connell.
Cllr Nicky Kelly dubbed the case 'the major scandal in the (legal) system at the moment', saying 'the town has been held to ransom for the past 12 years'.
The lack of any town sewage treatments facilities has severely limited development in Arklow and caused it to be one of Ireland's worst culprits for raw sewage outflows into the ocean.
Councillors learned of the delay after a letter from the council's solicitors was read out at last week's meeting, prompting a seething reaction.
Cllr Pat Fitzgerald wondered whether the recent planning application for a rival private sewerage treatment plant at Ballyraine Lower (which would be capable of catering for the town's needs) had anything to do with the delay.
'There's something peculiar going on here. I hope this application up the river here (at Ballyraine Lower) is not being taken into account by the judge.'
Cllr Bernie O'Halloran agreed, saying 'It seems there's something dodgy going on here. Had the (Ballyraine Lower) application been run of the mill, a decision would have been made before our hearing date.'
Cllr Donal O'Sullivan said if council planners found the Ballyraine Lower site had any merit 'it blows us out of the water, because we say ours (Seabank) is the best site.'
Cllr Peter Dempsey urged council officials to 'get the barristers here' to explain the delay.
'We're getting it in the neck out there (on this issue).
Bertie should make a ruling on it. We have been waiting too bloody long and I can't see anything being done before the election'.
Cllr Nicky Kelly vented his spleen, saying 'I don't care if the senior counsel of An Bord Pleanala is sick (which caused another delay to the case late last year). Get somebody else.
'We have the Minister for the Environment in our own county yet we can't fix the thing that is ruining our local environment.'
He said with three days of hearings scheduled, the judge would almost certainly reserve judgement then there was a likely appeal to the Supreme Court.
'We'll be here next October,' he said.
Council Director of Services Bryan Doyle, responding to a motion by Cllr Donal O'Sullivan, said he would write to An Bord Pleanala 'impressing on them the importance of this case'.
Wicklow People
'Family-friendly' site borders on city's planned incinerator
HUNDREDS of "social and affordable" houses are to be built on Dublin's Poolbeg Peninsula near the site of the proposed incinerator.
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority is to begin working on a masterplan to redevelop 100 acres of Ringsend. It promises to provide a "family-friendly living environment".
Yesterday it sought permission from Environment Minister Dick Roche to prepare a planning scheme for the area, which will include the redevelopment of the 25-acre Irish Glass Bottle site.
It bought the site, along with the property developer Bernard McNamara, earlier this year for €412m.
Chief executive Paul Maloney said a co-ordinated approach to developing the "uniquely situated" site was urgently required.
"The proposed planning scheme for the Poolbeg Peninsula will create a unique opportunity to develop the area in a way that delivers sustainable mixed-use development, while at the same time preserving the natural heritage and developing amenities," he said.
"We are particularly anxious to maximise potential for social and affordable housing and to provide a family friendly living environment."
The site is close to the proposed Poolbeg incinerator which will be the subject of a public hearing by An Bord Pleanala next month.
Paul Melia
Irish Indo'
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority is to begin working on a masterplan to redevelop 100 acres of Ringsend. It promises to provide a "family-friendly living environment".
Yesterday it sought permission from Environment Minister Dick Roche to prepare a planning scheme for the area, which will include the redevelopment of the 25-acre Irish Glass Bottle site.
It bought the site, along with the property developer Bernard McNamara, earlier this year for €412m.
Chief executive Paul Maloney said a co-ordinated approach to developing the "uniquely situated" site was urgently required.
"The proposed planning scheme for the Poolbeg Peninsula will create a unique opportunity to develop the area in a way that delivers sustainable mixed-use development, while at the same time preserving the natural heritage and developing amenities," he said.
"We are particularly anxious to maximise potential for social and affordable housing and to provide a family friendly living environment."
The site is close to the proposed Poolbeg incinerator which will be the subject of a public hearing by An Bord Pleanala next month.
Paul Melia
Irish Indo'
Highest risers to have a view of Wales
THE tallest skyscraper in Dublin, with a bird's eye view of Wales from a €5m penthouse apartment and viewing deck, got the green light from planners yesterday.
On a clear day, those standing on the special deck should be able to see Wales, according to the developer, Point Theatre owner Harry Crosbie.
The 120 metre-high WatchTower will soar 35 storeys at the new Point Village development in the Docklands by the end of next year. The skycraper was granted planning permission by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.
It will have a multi-storey rooftop bar and restaurant, luxury apartments and offices. The most expensive apartment will be the penthouse, expected to go on the market for about €5m.
Bullet
There will also be a viewing tower and so-called bullet lifts on the outside of the building. Mr Crosbie said: "As we are already in the ground working, this will be the first skyscraper completed in Ireland. And I'm told that on a really clear day you should be able to see Wales from the viewing deck.
"We will be running a major international competition to commission a piece of art to go on the roof of the WatchTower," he added.
He said the details would be made public in the next few weeks and a substantial prize fund would be involved. "This is the final piece of the jigsaw and we're delighted," said Mr Crosbie. It is the focus of the new Point Village, which will cover a 12-acre site surrounding the Point Theatre and include a 30,000 sqm shopping centre, hotel and cinemas.
The Watchtower, along with the U2 Tower, will form a maritime gateway to the city of Dublin. The Point Theatre is to be expanded to 15,000 capacity, laid out in the style of a curved Roman amphitheatre.
A double-size Vicar Street is also planned for the development. A new Luas line will provide access for shoppers and tourists to the new Point Village. The site will also be serviced by six Quality Bus Corridors and the proposed Macken St Bridge by Calatrava across the Liffey.
The development is expected to be one of the busiest shopping precincts in the city, with over 45,000 people living in the Docklands alone.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Indo'
On a clear day, those standing on the special deck should be able to see Wales, according to the developer, Point Theatre owner Harry Crosbie.
The 120 metre-high WatchTower will soar 35 storeys at the new Point Village development in the Docklands by the end of next year. The skycraper was granted planning permission by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.
It will have a multi-storey rooftop bar and restaurant, luxury apartments and offices. The most expensive apartment will be the penthouse, expected to go on the market for about €5m.
Bullet
There will also be a viewing tower and so-called bullet lifts on the outside of the building. Mr Crosbie said: "As we are already in the ground working, this will be the first skyscraper completed in Ireland. And I'm told that on a really clear day you should be able to see Wales from the viewing deck.
"We will be running a major international competition to commission a piece of art to go on the roof of the WatchTower," he added.
He said the details would be made public in the next few weeks and a substantial prize fund would be involved. "This is the final piece of the jigsaw and we're delighted," said Mr Crosbie. It is the focus of the new Point Village, which will cover a 12-acre site surrounding the Point Theatre and include a 30,000 sqm shopping centre, hotel and cinemas.
The Watchtower, along with the U2 Tower, will form a maritime gateway to the city of Dublin. The Point Theatre is to be expanded to 15,000 capacity, laid out in the style of a curved Roman amphitheatre.
A double-size Vicar Street is also planned for the development. A new Luas line will provide access for shoppers and tourists to the new Point Village. The site will also be serviced by six Quality Bus Corridors and the proposed Macken St Bridge by Calatrava across the Liffey.
The development is expected to be one of the busiest shopping precincts in the city, with over 45,000 people living in the Docklands alone.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Indo'
Plan for 'historic' stadium revamp finally kicks off
THE massive redevelopment of one of the country's most historic sporting grounds has been given the green light to begin this summer.
Despite fierce opposition from local residents, An Bord Pleanala last night said Lansdowne Road will be demolished to make way for a new €365m all-seater stadium.
In a unanimous decision, the board granted planning permission for a 50,000 capacity new home for the Irish rugby and soccer teams, subject to 23 conditions.
The board also overruled its own inspector - who recommended that permission be refused - because of the ground's "historical and long-established use" as a stadium and its close proximity to the city centre and public transport links, including the DART line.
The decision comes almost nine months after Dublin City Council granted planning permission for the redevelopment to go ahead and after an eight-day public hearing.
Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
The main concession to the 33 resident groups which opposed the scheme is to refuse permission for an entrance through Havelock Square and O'Connell Gardens.
However, the board decided to create two new access points through Swan Lane off the Shelbourne Road and via the Dodder Walk. There is no restriction placed on the number of sporting events that can be held, but the stadium will only be allowed host three concerts per year which must end by 11pm.
Unusually, the board also ordered that the stadium pay €75,000 a year into a fund which will be used for community projects.
This condition is usually imposed for 'bad neighbour' projects such as waste facilities or quarries.
The decision can be appealed to the High Court, and residents will meet over the coming days to discuss their options.
The Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company said it was "delighted" with the decision which was "recognition of the fact that we consulted widely on the project" and tried to address concerns.
Most of the complaints centred on the design of the stadium and its height - at 48.5 metres, it will be 15 metres taller than Croke Park.
Other objections related to the inclusion of conference facilities, additional traffic in the area and claims that property prices would fall.
But in deciding not to accept the inspector's recommendation to refuse permission, the Board was "not satisfied that a more suitable site for a stadium can currently be provided, having regard to considerations of transportation, access and of availability".
It also noted that it was an objective of the National Development Plan to provide funding for the redevelopment, and said its impact on homes in the area was not sufficient to warrant refusal.
UEFA has indicated it will host a European Cup final in the redeveloped stadium, and FAI CEO John Delaney last night described the decision as "one of the most significant developments ever for Irish football".
IRFU CEO Philip Browne added: "We believe that the go-ahead for the re-development of a state-of-the-art stadium is a fitting testimony to the game of rugby in Ireland and that it will also be a tremendous boost for Dublin City in terms of potential revenues emanating from the staging of major rugby and soccer events."
The GAA wished the FAI and IRFU "every success" in their project. When complete, the stadium will consist of a "continuous curvilinear-shaped stand", enclosing all four sides of the ground. The south, east and west stands will have four tiers of seating.
There will be 10,000 seats at premium level and a further 1,300 at box level.
Many of these will be sold in advance to help finance the overall project.
Paul Melia
Irish Indo'
Despite fierce opposition from local residents, An Bord Pleanala last night said Lansdowne Road will be demolished to make way for a new €365m all-seater stadium.
In a unanimous decision, the board granted planning permission for a 50,000 capacity new home for the Irish rugby and soccer teams, subject to 23 conditions.
The board also overruled its own inspector - who recommended that permission be refused - because of the ground's "historical and long-established use" as a stadium and its close proximity to the city centre and public transport links, including the DART line.
The decision comes almost nine months after Dublin City Council granted planning permission for the redevelopment to go ahead and after an eight-day public hearing.
Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
The main concession to the 33 resident groups which opposed the scheme is to refuse permission for an entrance through Havelock Square and O'Connell Gardens.
However, the board decided to create two new access points through Swan Lane off the Shelbourne Road and via the Dodder Walk. There is no restriction placed on the number of sporting events that can be held, but the stadium will only be allowed host three concerts per year which must end by 11pm.
Unusually, the board also ordered that the stadium pay €75,000 a year into a fund which will be used for community projects.
This condition is usually imposed for 'bad neighbour' projects such as waste facilities or quarries.
The decision can be appealed to the High Court, and residents will meet over the coming days to discuss their options.
The Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company said it was "delighted" with the decision which was "recognition of the fact that we consulted widely on the project" and tried to address concerns.
Most of the complaints centred on the design of the stadium and its height - at 48.5 metres, it will be 15 metres taller than Croke Park.
Other objections related to the inclusion of conference facilities, additional traffic in the area and claims that property prices would fall.
But in deciding not to accept the inspector's recommendation to refuse permission, the Board was "not satisfied that a more suitable site for a stadium can currently be provided, having regard to considerations of transportation, access and of availability".
It also noted that it was an objective of the National Development Plan to provide funding for the redevelopment, and said its impact on homes in the area was not sufficient to warrant refusal.
UEFA has indicated it will host a European Cup final in the redeveloped stadium, and FAI CEO John Delaney last night described the decision as "one of the most significant developments ever for Irish football".
IRFU CEO Philip Browne added: "We believe that the go-ahead for the re-development of a state-of-the-art stadium is a fitting testimony to the game of rugby in Ireland and that it will also be a tremendous boost for Dublin City in terms of potential revenues emanating from the staging of major rugby and soccer events."
The GAA wished the FAI and IRFU "every success" in their project. When complete, the stadium will consist of a "continuous curvilinear-shaped stand", enclosing all four sides of the ground. The south, east and west stands will have four tiers of seating.
There will be 10,000 seats at premium level and a further 1,300 at box level.
Many of these will be sold in advance to help finance the overall project.
Paul Melia
Irish Indo'
Kick-off for Lansdowne planners give thumbs up
An Bord Pleanála yesterday rejected its own inspector's report and decided unanimously to grant planning permission for a 50,000-seat stadium redevelopment at Lansdowne Road.
The board said the main reasons behind its decision related to the historical and long-established use of the site as a stadium combined with its closeness to Dublin city centre and access to public transport in the form of the Dart.
The need for an additional modern stadium in the city and the overall design of the proposed new stadium were also main factors in its decision to grant permission.
The board also highlighted that it was an objective of the National Development Plan "to provide funding for the redevelopment of the stadium".
A total of 23 conditions have been attached to the permission, which are minor in the context of the scope of the proposal.
These include a requirement for the developers to contribute €75,000 a year to local community groups. Two of the exits from the grounds will be closed to the public, except in cases of emergencies.
The stadium is also restricted to three outdoor concerts a year, which is the same number as Croke Park.
Overall the proposal approved by the board provides for a 50,000-seat curved stadium enclosing all four sides of the ground. Three sides of the stadium will rise to four tiers.
There will be 10,000 premium seats in the second tier, with a further 1,500 box places in the third, all of which are to be sold in advance to contribute towards the €350 million cost of the stadium.
The Government is providing €190 million of the redevelopment costs.
There will also be extensive conference facilities in the new stadium, to allow it to be hired out for non-sporting events.
In announcing its decision, the board made no reference to the stadium's height, which was the most controversial aspect of the proposal.
When built, it will rise to a height of just under 50 metres, which will make it 15 metres taller than Croke Park.
The board also rejected the two main conclusions of the inspector, that there was a more suitable site at Ringsend, and that the stadium would have too great a negative effect on residents close to the redevelopment.
The board said that, contrary to the opinion of the inspector, it "was not satisfied that a more suitable site for a stadium can currently be provided".
In relation to the impact on residents close to the stadium, the board members said there was already an impact from the existing stadium which they took into account.
They concluded that "the residual impacts on residential property would not be sufficient to warrant a refusal of permission and did not agree with the inspector's conclusion that permission should be refused on this account".
They rejected the inspector's concerns about access to the stadium, and said they "did not agree that permission should be refused for reasons related to this factor".
The board also "noted the inspector's criticisms regarding the contribution of the proposed development to the urban landscape and public urban space, but considered that a successful stadium project would provide opportunities for future enhancement of the public realm".
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
The board said the main reasons behind its decision related to the historical and long-established use of the site as a stadium combined with its closeness to Dublin city centre and access to public transport in the form of the Dart.
The need for an additional modern stadium in the city and the overall design of the proposed new stadium were also main factors in its decision to grant permission.
The board also highlighted that it was an objective of the National Development Plan "to provide funding for the redevelopment of the stadium".
A total of 23 conditions have been attached to the permission, which are minor in the context of the scope of the proposal.
These include a requirement for the developers to contribute €75,000 a year to local community groups. Two of the exits from the grounds will be closed to the public, except in cases of emergencies.
The stadium is also restricted to three outdoor concerts a year, which is the same number as Croke Park.
Overall the proposal approved by the board provides for a 50,000-seat curved stadium enclosing all four sides of the ground. Three sides of the stadium will rise to four tiers.
There will be 10,000 premium seats in the second tier, with a further 1,500 box places in the third, all of which are to be sold in advance to contribute towards the €350 million cost of the stadium.
The Government is providing €190 million of the redevelopment costs.
There will also be extensive conference facilities in the new stadium, to allow it to be hired out for non-sporting events.
In announcing its decision, the board made no reference to the stadium's height, which was the most controversial aspect of the proposal.
When built, it will rise to a height of just under 50 metres, which will make it 15 metres taller than Croke Park.
The board also rejected the two main conclusions of the inspector, that there was a more suitable site at Ringsend, and that the stadium would have too great a negative effect on residents close to the redevelopment.
The board said that, contrary to the opinion of the inspector, it "was not satisfied that a more suitable site for a stadium can currently be provided".
In relation to the impact on residents close to the stadium, the board members said there was already an impact from the existing stadium which they took into account.
They concluded that "the residual impacts on residential property would not be sufficient to warrant a refusal of permission and did not agree with the inspector's conclusion that permission should be refused on this account".
They rejected the inspector's concerns about access to the stadium, and said they "did not agree that permission should be refused for reasons related to this factor".
The board also "noted the inspector's criticisms regarding the contribution of the proposed development to the urban landscape and public urban space, but considered that a successful stadium project would provide opportunities for future enhancement of the public realm".
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
Thursday, 22 March 2007
Roche moves to facilitate new planning regime for the regeneration of the Poolbeg Peninsula
Dick Roche, T.D., today laid a draft order before both Houses of the Oireachtas seeking resolutions approving the order. The intention of the proposed order is to allow the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to prepare a draft "section 25" planning scheme for an area of the Poolbeg Peninsula, which in due course would facilitate more effective development and regeneration of this potentially very important area of the city.
The Minister said "The availability of development lands at Poolbeg represents an important opportunity for the creation of a new and sustainable urban quarter in Dublin, based on public transport and strategically located close to the city centre. The implementation of a planning scheme of the type already being implemented in other areas of the docklands is expected to lead to a more rapid and integrated development of this area. The advantages of a "Section 25" planning scheme include increased certainty for developers, more rapid decision-making on development proposals, integration of development and infrastructure provision and, most importantly, the opportunity to involve the local community in the preparation of the scheme. I am therefore requesting the Houses of the Oireachtas to approve this draft order so it can be subsequently signed into law. Thereafter, I look forward to the preparation by the Authority of an ambitious planning scheme for the area concerned."
Note for those interested:
Section 25(1)(a) of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act, 1997 provides that a planning scheme may be prepared for any part of the Dublin Docklands Area specified for that purpose by order of the Minister. Where it is proposed to make such an order, it must be laid in draft before each House of the Oireachtas and cannot be made without a resolution of approval from each House.
In broad terms, a planning scheme indicates the manner in which the Authority considers the relevant area should be redeveloped, and sets out policies in relation to land use, distribution and location of development, overall design, transportation, the development of amenities, and conservation.
Section 25 provides that the carrying out of development that is certified by the Authority to be consistent with a planning scheme shall be exempted development for the purposes of the Planning and Development Acts. The effect of this provision is to minimise uncertainty and delay in respect of developments requiring major public and/or private investment, compared to the normal planning process.
In preparing a planning scheme, the Authority is obliged to have regard to its 2003 Master Plan, consult with Dublin City Council and other relevant statutory bodies, have regard to the Dublin City Development Plan, and arrange for submissions by interested parties. The draft plan is then submitted to the Minister who, following consultation with the Minister for Finance and consideration of any objections from Dublin City Council, may approve it with or without modification.
The proposed planning scheme for the Poolbeg Peninsula excludes the power generation stations, the wastewater treatment plant, the site for the proposed waste to energy plant, and a container storage area used by Dublin Port.
The Minister said "The availability of development lands at Poolbeg represents an important opportunity for the creation of a new and sustainable urban quarter in Dublin, based on public transport and strategically located close to the city centre. The implementation of a planning scheme of the type already being implemented in other areas of the docklands is expected to lead to a more rapid and integrated development of this area. The advantages of a "Section 25" planning scheme include increased certainty for developers, more rapid decision-making on development proposals, integration of development and infrastructure provision and, most importantly, the opportunity to involve the local community in the preparation of the scheme. I am therefore requesting the Houses of the Oireachtas to approve this draft order so it can be subsequently signed into law. Thereafter, I look forward to the preparation by the Authority of an ambitious planning scheme for the area concerned."
Note for those interested:
Section 25(1)(a) of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act, 1997 provides that a planning scheme may be prepared for any part of the Dublin Docklands Area specified for that purpose by order of the Minister. Where it is proposed to make such an order, it must be laid in draft before each House of the Oireachtas and cannot be made without a resolution of approval from each House.
In broad terms, a planning scheme indicates the manner in which the Authority considers the relevant area should be redeveloped, and sets out policies in relation to land use, distribution and location of development, overall design, transportation, the development of amenities, and conservation.
Section 25 provides that the carrying out of development that is certified by the Authority to be consistent with a planning scheme shall be exempted development for the purposes of the Planning and Development Acts. The effect of this provision is to minimise uncertainty and delay in respect of developments requiring major public and/or private investment, compared to the normal planning process.
In preparing a planning scheme, the Authority is obliged to have regard to its 2003 Master Plan, consult with Dublin City Council and other relevant statutory bodies, have regard to the Dublin City Development Plan, and arrange for submissions by interested parties. The draft plan is then submitted to the Minister who, following consultation with the Minister for Finance and consideration of any objections from Dublin City Council, may approve it with or without modification.
The proposed planning scheme for the Poolbeg Peninsula excludes the power generation stations, the wastewater treatment plant, the site for the proposed waste to energy plant, and a container storage area used by Dublin Port.
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Work gets under way at 'The Bawn' social housing scheme
Work has started on 'The Bawn', a development of 31 social houses on a five acre site of land in Riverchapel. The land was acquired by the Council from the developer of a large housing estate nearby under Part V of the planning process.
The Council will build 31 social houses, including a mix of one, two, three and four bed homes. Work on 24 affordable homes will begin at a later date.
Site work for the social houses commenced this week, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Access to the estate will be via a new road between Jimmy'z Pub and the pumphouse.
'It's welcome news for Riverchapel. At least the Council is spreading the houses around the district,' said Cllr. Jimmy Fleming. 'A lot of people are on the Council list from Riverchapel, and they would prefer to stay in the area. A lot of them don't have transport either'.
The contractor for the work is Paddy McGee.
The Council will build 31 social houses, including a mix of one, two, three and four bed homes. Work on 24 affordable homes will begin at a later date.
Site work for the social houses commenced this week, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Access to the estate will be via a new road between Jimmy'z Pub and the pumphouse.
'It's welcome news for Riverchapel. At least the Council is spreading the houses around the district,' said Cllr. Jimmy Fleming. 'A lot of people are on the Council list from Riverchapel, and they would prefer to stay in the area. A lot of them don't have transport either'.
The contractor for the work is Paddy McGee.
Tenders invited for new civic centre
This story from last week warrants the attention of Gorey residents:
Tenders have been invited for the new civic centre on the Avenue in Gorey. It had been hoped that work would start in March on the project, but adjustments had to be made to the plans, so work is unlikely to begin until early summer.
Consultants for the Avenue Residents Association have written to the Council asking for details of the alterations.
The residents have asked to view the planning file so they can ensure that the planning process has been conducted in accordance with requirements.
Welcoming news of the tender process, Cllr. Michael D'Arcy said the integrated venture with other government agencies incorporates a new courthouse, VEC educational facilities, Wexford County Council district offices, Gorey Town Council chamber, HSE offices and a long awaited library. There will also be 40 apartments in the development.
'The project went to tender last Friday and is expected to cost in the region of e20 million,' he said. 'The tenders will be open for a matter of weeks before being analysed and then the contract will be awarded to the successful applicants. Work is hoped to commence in early summer'.
'North Wexford has been waiting for years for this project to be finally realised,' he added. 'I want to congratulate all concerned. I was delighted as Chairman of Co. Wexford VEC to oversee the transfer of the land to accommodate this massive development. I have no doubt this will become a yardstick development for other towns and other local authorities'.
Cllr.D'Arcy also called on the Council to meet the requirements of Part V of the Planning Act. This obliges developers to make available 20 per cent of the units to the local authority. 'In my view Wexford County Council will have to make eight apartments available for social/ affordable use,' he said.
Tenders have been invited for the new civic centre on the Avenue in Gorey. It had been hoped that work would start in March on the project, but adjustments had to be made to the plans, so work is unlikely to begin until early summer.
Consultants for the Avenue Residents Association have written to the Council asking for details of the alterations.
The residents have asked to view the planning file so they can ensure that the planning process has been conducted in accordance with requirements.
Welcoming news of the tender process, Cllr. Michael D'Arcy said the integrated venture with other government agencies incorporates a new courthouse, VEC educational facilities, Wexford County Council district offices, Gorey Town Council chamber, HSE offices and a long awaited library. There will also be 40 apartments in the development.
'The project went to tender last Friday and is expected to cost in the region of e20 million,' he said. 'The tenders will be open for a matter of weeks before being analysed and then the contract will be awarded to the successful applicants. Work is hoped to commence in early summer'.
'North Wexford has been waiting for years for this project to be finally realised,' he added. 'I want to congratulate all concerned. I was delighted as Chairman of Co. Wexford VEC to oversee the transfer of the land to accommodate this massive development. I have no doubt this will become a yardstick development for other towns and other local authorities'.
Cllr.D'Arcy also called on the Council to meet the requirements of Part V of the Planning Act. This obliges developers to make available 20 per cent of the units to the local authority. 'In my view Wexford County Council will have to make eight apartments available for social/ affordable use,' he said.
Plans for Jeanie Johnston site rejected
PLANS for the re-development of the former Jeanie Johnston shipyard near the Blennerville Windmill, Tralee have been rejected by An Bord Pleanala.
It cited the threat of coastal flooding as one of the key reasons for refusing permission and said infilling of the coastal site could actually increase flood risk.
In June of last year, outline permission was granted by Kerry County Council for a mixed-use development of 47 houses, 28 apartments and five two-storey office units along with extensive landscaping and siteworks.
The application by Scotia Properties Ltd, a subsidiary of Tralee Waterworld Ltd, also included the demolition of the shipyard workshop building, which was specially constructed to build the replica famine ship.
Anne Lucey
Irish Indo'
It cited the threat of coastal flooding as one of the key reasons for refusing permission and said infilling of the coastal site could actually increase flood risk.
In June of last year, outline permission was granted by Kerry County Council for a mixed-use development of 47 houses, 28 apartments and five two-storey office units along with extensive landscaping and siteworks.
The application by Scotia Properties Ltd, a subsidiary of Tralee Waterworld Ltd, also included the demolition of the shipyard workshop building, which was specially constructed to build the replica famine ship.
Anne Lucey
Irish Indo'
Pop star under fire over social housing
WESTLIFE'S Shane Filan has been accused of trying to "buy his way out" of building social and affordable homes on a proposed development by a company he runs with his brother in their home town. The chart-topping boyband singer has come under fire after he opted out of the Part V housing clause when he submitted a lucrative planning application.
The singer and his brother Finbarr offered a financial contribution rather than include subsidised housing in the planned Sligo town development. In a letter to Sligo Borough Council, they said they would prefer this option when their company Shafin Developments recently submitted plans for a 63-apartment complex.
Part V of the Planning and Development Act requires all developers to give up to 20pc of all new homes in an estate to the local authority to provide housing for people on low incomes. Although it is possible for developers to avoid building the homes by making a payment, the omission of social housing in the Filan company's plan has not been well received. Councillor Declan Bree said the plan to build 63 apartments at the rear of Lisroyan House would lead to "social segregation".
Anne-Marie Walsh
Irish Independent
The singer and his brother Finbarr offered a financial contribution rather than include subsidised housing in the planned Sligo town development. In a letter to Sligo Borough Council, they said they would prefer this option when their company Shafin Developments recently submitted plans for a 63-apartment complex.
Part V of the Planning and Development Act requires all developers to give up to 20pc of all new homes in an estate to the local authority to provide housing for people on low incomes. Although it is possible for developers to avoid building the homes by making a payment, the omission of social housing in the Filan company's plan has not been well received. Councillor Declan Bree said the plan to build 63 apartments at the rear of Lisroyan House would lead to "social segregation".
Anne-Marie Walsh
Irish Independent
Ikea oral hearing underway
The Ikea oral hearing is underway. Ikea’s plans to open up shop just off the M50 in north Dublin (well, at Ballymun) are being put to the test from today.
Objectors include the National Roads Authority and the Green Party.
In October, Fingal County Council granted planning permission, with more than two dozen conditions, for the Swedish furniture giant to open the massive outlet in Ballymun.
If it gets the go ahead the investment in the local area, one in much need of regeneration, would be worth €150m and create 500 jobs. However, there are quesitons as to whether any of these jobs would go to people from Ballymun.
It has been contested on the grounds that it would compound the problems already faced by motorists on the gridlocked M50. Ballymun Regeneration and Ikea consider the current upgrade of the M50 to be enough to meet the predicted traffic growth. The reality is more likely to be "if you build it they will come" with both the M50 and all roads to Ikea - from across the country - clogged even after the upgrade.
The NRA was one of seven parties to appeal against the initial decision to grant planning permission stating there were serious concerns about the knock-on effect the store would have on the M50.
The body believes the guaranteed high number of shoppers trying to get to the outlet will lead to tailbacks and traffic jams backing on to the motorway.
Treasury Holdings, which is redeveloping the old Ballymun shopping centre, has said Ikea could have a significant negative impact on the road network.
Objectors include the National Roads Authority and the Green Party.
In October, Fingal County Council granted planning permission, with more than two dozen conditions, for the Swedish furniture giant to open the massive outlet in Ballymun.
If it gets the go ahead the investment in the local area, one in much need of regeneration, would be worth €150m and create 500 jobs. However, there are quesitons as to whether any of these jobs would go to people from Ballymun.
It has been contested on the grounds that it would compound the problems already faced by motorists on the gridlocked M50. Ballymun Regeneration and Ikea consider the current upgrade of the M50 to be enough to meet the predicted traffic growth. The reality is more likely to be "if you build it they will come" with both the M50 and all roads to Ikea - from across the country - clogged even after the upgrade.
The NRA was one of seven parties to appeal against the initial decision to grant planning permission stating there were serious concerns about the knock-on effect the store would have on the M50.
The body believes the guaranteed high number of shoppers trying to get to the outlet will lead to tailbacks and traffic jams backing on to the motorway.
Treasury Holdings, which is redeveloping the old Ballymun shopping centre, has said Ikea could have a significant negative impact on the road network.
Historic dolmen ‘damaged by builders’
IT has been alleged that there were attempts to remove a dolmen at Grangebeg between Monasterevin and Kildare Town recently.
“The dolmen is under severe threat of damage due to building work that is being carried out on the site,” said Barry Walsh, secretary of the Monasterevin Historical Society.
Another member of the historical society noticed that some work was being carried out on the site last Saturday week (3 March). He went back to the site on Monday at 7am and noticed that the earthwork surrounding the dolmen
had been bulldozed and the stones had been covered by hedges and trees that had been uprooted from another part of the site.
“I believe that hedges and trees had been gathered to be burned and this would have caused serious damage to the stones,” he told the Kildare Nationalist.
The concerned historian also alleges that a rath was removed from the site and is worried that another site of archaeological interest close by could also be in danger.
“I contacted the council offices when they opened at 9am and they sent out an enforcement officer from the planning department at 11am,” he said.
According to Barry Walsh: “Work stopped immediately on the site and as far as I am aware work is still suspended.” On Tuesday, when the men returned to the site, all the shrubbery had been cleared away, but it appeared that there had been some damage done to the stones. Members of the historical society feel that the dolmen should be restored to its original position. “We would also like to see a public access route to it and a protective fence put around it,” said Mr Walsh. “It is important to protect it as there aren’t many in Kildare and it could be developed as a tourist attractions.”
Ashling Mackey
© Kildare Nationalist
“The dolmen is under severe threat of damage due to building work that is being carried out on the site,” said Barry Walsh, secretary of the Monasterevin Historical Society.
Another member of the historical society noticed that some work was being carried out on the site last Saturday week (3 March). He went back to the site on Monday at 7am and noticed that the earthwork surrounding the dolmen
had been bulldozed and the stones had been covered by hedges and trees that had been uprooted from another part of the site.
“I believe that hedges and trees had been gathered to be burned and this would have caused serious damage to the stones,” he told the Kildare Nationalist.
The concerned historian also alleges that a rath was removed from the site and is worried that another site of archaeological interest close by could also be in danger.
“I contacted the council offices when they opened at 9am and they sent out an enforcement officer from the planning department at 11am,” he said.
According to Barry Walsh: “Work stopped immediately on the site and as far as I am aware work is still suspended.” On Tuesday, when the men returned to the site, all the shrubbery had been cleared away, but it appeared that there had been some damage done to the stones. Members of the historical society feel that the dolmen should be restored to its original position. “We would also like to see a public access route to it and a protective fence put around it,” said Mr Walsh. “It is important to protect it as there aren’t many in Kildare and it could be developed as a tourist attractions.”
Ashling Mackey
© Kildare Nationalist
Cong quarry objection
RESIDENTS OF a south Mayo village have lodged an extensive submission with Mayo County Council against the retention of a stone quarry in the region.
The Residents and Landowners Committee of Creevagh, Cong have lodged objections against a planning application for the retention of existing quarry facilities at a site known locally as Creevagh North.
The application, which was lodged by Mr Gerry Varley, is for the retention of the existing quarry facility, access road and exit onto the Creevagh Road. Furthermore, the application also includes the blasting and crushing of rock on an area of three hectares, along with an application for all auxiliary site works.
Residents of the scenic south Mayo village have lodged a lengthy submission with the local planning authority objecting to the quarry application on legislative and ecological grounds.
The submission contends that contrary to the ‘Quarries and Ancillary Activities Guidelines for Planning Authorities April 2004’, there was a failure to register the quarry under the 2004 registration procedure.Therefore, it is argued that the current site is the subject of an unauthorised development procedure.
Furthermore, the concerned residents have also outlined that there is the possibility of extensive ecological damage if the quarry application is granted, citing the wide variety of plants and animals which inhabit the region.
Their objection also makes reference to the current roads infrastructure in the area, saying that the entrance and exit to the quarry will adversely affect the rural road and that the current roadway is wholly unsuitable for a high volume of heavy goods vehicles.
Furthermore, extensive reference was also made to a previous planning application, for a quarry at Creevagh, Ballyheane, Co Mayo, which was refused on appeal by An Bord Pleanála.
The current application, which has been lodged with Mayo County Council, is due for decision on March 29, but it is expected that further information will be sought by the Council.
A spokesperson for the residents said the processing of the application would be policed very carefully by them. They believed their arguments against the stone quarry were overwhelming.
Claire Egan
© Mayo News
The Residents and Landowners Committee of Creevagh, Cong have lodged objections against a planning application for the retention of existing quarry facilities at a site known locally as Creevagh North.
The application, which was lodged by Mr Gerry Varley, is for the retention of the existing quarry facility, access road and exit onto the Creevagh Road. Furthermore, the application also includes the blasting and crushing of rock on an area of three hectares, along with an application for all auxiliary site works.
Residents of the scenic south Mayo village have lodged a lengthy submission with the local planning authority objecting to the quarry application on legislative and ecological grounds.
The submission contends that contrary to the ‘Quarries and Ancillary Activities Guidelines for Planning Authorities April 2004’, there was a failure to register the quarry under the 2004 registration procedure.Therefore, it is argued that the current site is the subject of an unauthorised development procedure.
Furthermore, the concerned residents have also outlined that there is the possibility of extensive ecological damage if the quarry application is granted, citing the wide variety of plants and animals which inhabit the region.
Their objection also makes reference to the current roads infrastructure in the area, saying that the entrance and exit to the quarry will adversely affect the rural road and that the current roadway is wholly unsuitable for a high volume of heavy goods vehicles.
Furthermore, extensive reference was also made to a previous planning application, for a quarry at Creevagh, Ballyheane, Co Mayo, which was refused on appeal by An Bord Pleanála.
The current application, which has been lodged with Mayo County Council, is due for decision on March 29, but it is expected that further information will be sought by the Council.
A spokesperson for the residents said the processing of the application would be policed very carefully by them. They believed their arguments against the stone quarry were overwhelming.
Claire Egan
© Mayo News
Eco-friendly trains to improve service
THE FREQUENCY of rail services on the Dublin Rosslare line is set to be improved following the arrival of the country’s first eco-friendly trains last week.
The first 12 carriages in the new €400m ecofriendly fleet arrived at Dublin Port last Tuesday.
The trains will be used to service the Rosslare, Waterford, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Limerick, Kerry, Carlow, Portlaoise and Athlone routes.
Speaking at the arrival ceremony, Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen said: “In order to get people to leave their cars at home and use public transport, we have to offer the best facilities and people deserve the best possible services.”
The new railcars are an eco-friendly fleet with reduced emissions meeting EU directives not in force until 2009 and 2012.
They will include automatic PA and information display systems; air-conditioning; CCTV; modern catering; individual seating and advanced safety features.
Wexford Cllr. Joe Ryan said he, for one, was glad to see new rail stock finally being targeted at the Rosslare line.
“The Rosslare line has for many years received rolling stock re-deployed from other lines,” he said.
“These new cars are the first custom built stock for the line. It will see the introduction of a faster and more frequent service to Wexford.”
© Gorey Echo
The first 12 carriages in the new €400m ecofriendly fleet arrived at Dublin Port last Tuesday.
The trains will be used to service the Rosslare, Waterford, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Limerick, Kerry, Carlow, Portlaoise and Athlone routes.
Speaking at the arrival ceremony, Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen said: “In order to get people to leave their cars at home and use public transport, we have to offer the best facilities and people deserve the best possible services.”
The new railcars are an eco-friendly fleet with reduced emissions meeting EU directives not in force until 2009 and 2012.
They will include automatic PA and information display systems; air-conditioning; CCTV; modern catering; individual seating and advanced safety features.
Wexford Cllr. Joe Ryan said he, for one, was glad to see new rail stock finally being targeted at the Rosslare line.
“The Rosslare line has for many years received rolling stock re-deployed from other lines,” he said.
“These new cars are the first custom built stock for the line. It will see the introduction of a faster and more frequent service to Wexford.”
© Gorey Echo
Corrib gas the key to future supply
Protests at the Bellinaboy site in Co Mayo, where Shell is building its gas terminal, may intensify when the company starts the next phase of its project next month.
This entails the removing of 450,000 tonnes of peat from the site to clear the way for construction.
Heavy traffic movements accompanying the work are likely to attract more protesters to the site. Shell plans to start producing gas from he field towards the end of 2009.Whatever the arguments about Shell’s method of bringing gas ashore, there is no doubt that, in the medium term, the Corrib find is a key factor in energy supply.
At full capacity, the gas from the Corrib field will produce around 60 per cent of the country’s annual gas needs, for 10 to 15 years.
With the Kinsale field fast running out, imports through the interconnector with Scotland account for about 85 per cent of gas used and this is expected to rise to 90 per cent over the next year or two, leaving the economy exposed in the event of interruption to international supply.
The report by Peter Cassells - the mediator sent by the government to try to broker a compromise between Shell and the protesters last year - said the field was of ‘‘national strategic importance’’ and was ‘‘the only new source of significant volumes of indigenous gas, which can possibly be developed in this decade and give Ireland a security of supply’’.
Natural gas is the cleanest of all fossil fuels and burning it to produce electricity, for example, generates considerably fewer greenhouse gas emissions than burning oil or coal. More than half of all electricity is now generated from gas-fired stations.
There are still a number of hurdles for Shell to overcome. It is modifying the route of its pipeline following recommendations in the Cassells report, though this had not mollified the protesters.
Public consultation on the new pipeline route will be held later this year. An oral hearing by the Environmental Protection Agency into Shell’s application for an integrated pollution control licence will follow shortly.
Shell plans to start building its terminal this autumn and will apply for consent to modify its onshore pipeline towards the end of the year.
All signs are that the protest group Shell to Sea and other protestors will continue to fight them every step of the way.
© Sunday Business Post
This entails the removing of 450,000 tonnes of peat from the site to clear the way for construction.
Heavy traffic movements accompanying the work are likely to attract more protesters to the site. Shell plans to start producing gas from he field towards the end of 2009.Whatever the arguments about Shell’s method of bringing gas ashore, there is no doubt that, in the medium term, the Corrib find is a key factor in energy supply.
At full capacity, the gas from the Corrib field will produce around 60 per cent of the country’s annual gas needs, for 10 to 15 years.
With the Kinsale field fast running out, imports through the interconnector with Scotland account for about 85 per cent of gas used and this is expected to rise to 90 per cent over the next year or two, leaving the economy exposed in the event of interruption to international supply.
The report by Peter Cassells - the mediator sent by the government to try to broker a compromise between Shell and the protesters last year - said the field was of ‘‘national strategic importance’’ and was ‘‘the only new source of significant volumes of indigenous gas, which can possibly be developed in this decade and give Ireland a security of supply’’.
Natural gas is the cleanest of all fossil fuels and burning it to produce electricity, for example, generates considerably fewer greenhouse gas emissions than burning oil or coal. More than half of all electricity is now generated from gas-fired stations.
There are still a number of hurdles for Shell to overcome. It is modifying the route of its pipeline following recommendations in the Cassells report, though this had not mollified the protesters.
Public consultation on the new pipeline route will be held later this year. An oral hearing by the Environmental Protection Agency into Shell’s application for an integrated pollution control licence will follow shortly.
Shell plans to start building its terminal this autumn and will apply for consent to modify its onshore pipeline towards the end of the year.
All signs are that the protest group Shell to Sea and other protestors will continue to fight them every step of the way.
© Sunday Business Post
Ancient sites dismantled along M3 route
A series of ancient underground buildings from the early Christian era have been dismantled in recent days to make way for the controversial M3 motorway.
The buildings, on one of the largest historical sites discovered along the proposed route, were logged and then removed by a team of archaeologists in advance of work on the road.
Dating back 1,300 years, they are the first stone archaeological features to be taken down as part of the motorway project. The move has led to a series of protests. Yesterday historians and archaeologists attached to the Save Tara campaign said the buildings, just north of Dunshaughlin, could be part of a royal site and therefore directly linked to the Hill of Tara.
However, archaeologists working for the National Roads Authority (NRA) said buildings of this type were relatively common in Ireland and that it had been meticulously logged before the dismantling began.
Described as a souterrain, the structure consisted of three beehive chambers linked by passages. They would have been used for storage and as refuges in case of attack.
The buildings, which were discovered in 2005, date back to the seventh century and were in use up to the 13th Century.
Located at Roestown, just north of Dunshaughlin, the souterrain was part of a much larger ancient complex.
The discovery of glass beads and carvings on bone indicate that some manufacturing activity could have been ongoing on the site at some stage.
Mary Deevy, project archaeologist with the NRA, said the removal of the stone buildings were part of a series of similar excavation work along the route.
"It's completely standard archaeological practice," she said, adding that three dimensional laser images of the chambers had been taken before they were removed.
She said souterrains were relatively common in Ireland and that 3,500 are officially listed, the majority of them in Co Louth.
She said Roestown was not listed as a national monument, and that the excavation and removal had been carried out in accordance with the directions handed down in 2005 by the Minister for the Environment Dick Roche.
However, Celtic scholar Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, of the Save Tara campaign said the discovery of artefacts, including gaming board, indicated a "very high class site, probably inhabited by a king". Under Celtic laws the use of such gaming boards was confined to royalty.
She said Roestown was one of four major ancient sites discovered along the route and backs up claims by various experts that the area of royal Tara was much larger than the hill itself and extended along the Tara Skryne Valley, through the proposed route of the motorway.
"What the archaeologists working for the NRA have uncovered are the living places and the burial places of the people associated with Tara," she said.
It comes as campaigners prepare to use St Patrick's weekend to highlight the issue of Tara and the impact of the planned road on the archaeology of the area. Although the saint is not recorded as having visited Tara, he is directly associated with the area through various legends, such as the lighting of a Pascal fire on the hill of Slane nearby.
Vincent Salafia of the TaraWatch group said Roestown should have been listed as a national monument, and accused the NRA of having "rushed in and demolished the site" before it had a chance of receiving protected status. "This is the St Patrick's Day gift that the Irish Government has given to Irish people around the world," he said. "While the Government Ministers are swanning around the globe preaching the gospel of climate change, at home they are advancing one of the most environmentally and culturally damaging projects ever conceived."
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
The buildings, on one of the largest historical sites discovered along the proposed route, were logged and then removed by a team of archaeologists in advance of work on the road.
Dating back 1,300 years, they are the first stone archaeological features to be taken down as part of the motorway project. The move has led to a series of protests. Yesterday historians and archaeologists attached to the Save Tara campaign said the buildings, just north of Dunshaughlin, could be part of a royal site and therefore directly linked to the Hill of Tara.
However, archaeologists working for the National Roads Authority (NRA) said buildings of this type were relatively common in Ireland and that it had been meticulously logged before the dismantling began.
Described as a souterrain, the structure consisted of three beehive chambers linked by passages. They would have been used for storage and as refuges in case of attack.
The buildings, which were discovered in 2005, date back to the seventh century and were in use up to the 13th Century.
Located at Roestown, just north of Dunshaughlin, the souterrain was part of a much larger ancient complex.
The discovery of glass beads and carvings on bone indicate that some manufacturing activity could have been ongoing on the site at some stage.
Mary Deevy, project archaeologist with the NRA, said the removal of the stone buildings were part of a series of similar excavation work along the route.
"It's completely standard archaeological practice," she said, adding that three dimensional laser images of the chambers had been taken before they were removed.
She said souterrains were relatively common in Ireland and that 3,500 are officially listed, the majority of them in Co Louth.
She said Roestown was not listed as a national monument, and that the excavation and removal had been carried out in accordance with the directions handed down in 2005 by the Minister for the Environment Dick Roche.
However, Celtic scholar Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, of the Save Tara campaign said the discovery of artefacts, including gaming board, indicated a "very high class site, probably inhabited by a king". Under Celtic laws the use of such gaming boards was confined to royalty.
She said Roestown was one of four major ancient sites discovered along the route and backs up claims by various experts that the area of royal Tara was much larger than the hill itself and extended along the Tara Skryne Valley, through the proposed route of the motorway.
"What the archaeologists working for the NRA have uncovered are the living places and the burial places of the people associated with Tara," she said.
It comes as campaigners prepare to use St Patrick's weekend to highlight the issue of Tara and the impact of the planned road on the archaeology of the area. Although the saint is not recorded as having visited Tara, he is directly associated with the area through various legends, such as the lighting of a Pascal fire on the hill of Slane nearby.
Vincent Salafia of the TaraWatch group said Roestown should have been listed as a national monument, and accused the NRA of having "rushed in and demolished the site" before it had a chance of receiving protected status. "This is the St Patrick's Day gift that the Irish Government has given to Irish people around the world," he said. "While the Government Ministers are swanning around the globe preaching the gospel of climate change, at home they are advancing one of the most environmentally and culturally damaging projects ever conceived."
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
Monday, 19 March 2007
Objections to Foster's 'skycatcher' plan for Clarence
An Taisce, the Irish Georgian Society and planning activist Michael Smith are among objectors to the €150 million revamp designed by celebrated London architects Foster and Partners of the Clarence Hotel on Dublin's Wellington Quay.
Nine individuals and groups have written to Dublin City Council to object to the scheme, which will see the Clarence transformed from a 44-bedroom boutique hotel into a five-star 141-bedroom hotel, with a large spa, signature restaurant, bar and freshfood market laid out over nine storeys.
The new expanded hotel will incorporate the former Dollard printing works and four Georgian buildings on Wellington Quay.
The quayside facades of the existing hotel and adjoining buildings, all of which are protected buildings, will be retained.
If planning permission is granted, a quayside café deck is also planned.
Owned by U2's Bono and the Edge, the hotel is to be developed in partnership with property developer Paddy McKillen.
Although refurbished 10 years' ago, the hotel has had poor commercial success in recent years.
A key feature of the new design by architects Foster and Partners, who were behind London's iconic Swiss Re building (the Gherkin), is the "skycatcher" atrium.
The aerodynamic shape of a Viking boat inspired the crucible shape of the skycatcher.
It will rise from a 25-metre swimming pool in the basement to the roof, where a publicly-accessible sky room will offer views over Dublin.
A polished mirror surface at the top of the skycatcher will allow natural light and passing clouds to animate the entire interior of the hotel.
Aside from providing light to the building, the skycatcher will also heat, air and power the building.
The hotel will aim to be the most sustainable five-star hotel in Europe and will include natural ventilation, zero energy cooling and combined heat and power generation on site.
The skycatcher concept, however, did not impress Michael Smith, former chairman of An Taisce, who describes it as a "greedy cybership".
In a letter to the council, he objects to the demolition of Georgian buildings which, he said, "are among the most distinguished quayfront buildings in the city, protected structures and in excellent condition. In an era of aspirant sustainability their proposed destruction, particularly at the hands of rock musicians (and their friends) is execrable."
The impact of the proposed hotel along the quays would "dwarf adjoining buildings and dominate the Liffey quays", according to the Irish Georgian Society.
In its submission, An Taisce suggests the proposed development would be more suited to an unconstrained development site, such as in the docklands area.
Other objectors to the scheme include the Irish Conservation Group and Conor Martin, owner of the Purty Kitchen in Dún Laoghaire, who has just purchased Bad Bobs pub across the road from the Clarence.
A decision is due later this month.
© 2007 The Irish Times
Nine individuals and groups have written to Dublin City Council to object to the scheme, which will see the Clarence transformed from a 44-bedroom boutique hotel into a five-star 141-bedroom hotel, with a large spa, signature restaurant, bar and freshfood market laid out over nine storeys.
The new expanded hotel will incorporate the former Dollard printing works and four Georgian buildings on Wellington Quay.
The quayside facades of the existing hotel and adjoining buildings, all of which are protected buildings, will be retained.
If planning permission is granted, a quayside café deck is also planned.
Owned by U2's Bono and the Edge, the hotel is to be developed in partnership with property developer Paddy McKillen.
Although refurbished 10 years' ago, the hotel has had poor commercial success in recent years.
A key feature of the new design by architects Foster and Partners, who were behind London's iconic Swiss Re building (the Gherkin), is the "skycatcher" atrium.
The aerodynamic shape of a Viking boat inspired the crucible shape of the skycatcher.
It will rise from a 25-metre swimming pool in the basement to the roof, where a publicly-accessible sky room will offer views over Dublin.
A polished mirror surface at the top of the skycatcher will allow natural light and passing clouds to animate the entire interior of the hotel.
Aside from providing light to the building, the skycatcher will also heat, air and power the building.
The hotel will aim to be the most sustainable five-star hotel in Europe and will include natural ventilation, zero energy cooling and combined heat and power generation on site.
The skycatcher concept, however, did not impress Michael Smith, former chairman of An Taisce, who describes it as a "greedy cybership".
In a letter to the council, he objects to the demolition of Georgian buildings which, he said, "are among the most distinguished quayfront buildings in the city, protected structures and in excellent condition. In an era of aspirant sustainability their proposed destruction, particularly at the hands of rock musicians (and their friends) is execrable."
The impact of the proposed hotel along the quays would "dwarf adjoining buildings and dominate the Liffey quays", according to the Irish Georgian Society.
In its submission, An Taisce suggests the proposed development would be more suited to an unconstrained development site, such as in the docklands area.
Other objectors to the scheme include the Irish Conservation Group and Conor Martin, owner of the Purty Kitchen in Dún Laoghaire, who has just purchased Bad Bobs pub across the road from the Clarence.
A decision is due later this month.
© 2007 The Irish Times
Fears for cattle bring plan for windows crashing down
Planning story of the year from Frank McDonald!
A decision by An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning permission for three new windows in a Co Wicklow house on the basis that cattle in an adjoining field might run into them has been greeted with incredulity by planners.
The board's ruling, which was being circulated by e-mail among planners last week, is being seen by some as further evidence of a "bizarre trend" in its decisions, according to one planning consultant who did not wish to be identified.
"Since the 10-member board split up into 'boardlets' of three each to speed up decision-making on appeals, there has been a marked lack of consistency in its rulings.
"But this case in Co Wicklow marks a new low that's almost laughable," he said.
The applicant, Prof Harry Harrison, had been refused permission by Wicklow County Council to retain three new windows in his house near Killiskey, Ashford, after the owner of an adjoining field objected primarily because of the possible risk to livestock.
Prof Harrison's architect, Vincent Delaney, appealed to An Bord Pleanála, saying the existing windows of the diningroom and laundry of the house did not give adequate natural light or ventilation, as required under the building regulations.
He also claimed that there was a right of way between the house and the adjoining field and said any risk to animals would be unlikely because the toughened glass windows were 1.2 metres above ground level, which equated to the height of a field gate.
"Even dangerous zoo animals are housed behind toughened glass," he submitted.
"Opening up of the windows will cause no loss of amenity as no neighbours' residences are within sight [ and] no issues of overlooking have been raised by any party."
Alan Yarwood, the planning inspector who dealt with the appeal, recommended that permission be granted.
"I can see little basis for the suggestion that the windows would cause a danger to livestock," Mr Yarwood said in his report to the appeals board.
"Animals being pursued could be inclined to jump through a window in the mistaken belief that it provided an escape route.
"But, given that the sill level of the windows would be similar to a field gate, this seems a highly unlikely event," Mr Yarwood concluded.
"It is my view that the council's original objective . . . could equally be achieved by conditions requiring obscure glazing using toughened glass for the windows, a requirement that the windows should not open outwards, and the provision of external window bars.
"Whilst I have some sympathy with the neighbouring landowner's position . . . I find it difficult to envisage any real prejudicial effect on the legitimate use of the field which would arise through the reinstatement of the windows as suggested above."
An Bord Pleanála - or rather, the three members of the board who dealt with the case - disagreed with the planning inspector.
Refusing permission in the case, the board said the three windows would "negatively impact on the amenity and agricultural use of the adjoining field" now and in the future.
© 2007 The Irish Times
A decision by An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning permission for three new windows in a Co Wicklow house on the basis that cattle in an adjoining field might run into them has been greeted with incredulity by planners.
The board's ruling, which was being circulated by e-mail among planners last week, is being seen by some as further evidence of a "bizarre trend" in its decisions, according to one planning consultant who did not wish to be identified.
"Since the 10-member board split up into 'boardlets' of three each to speed up decision-making on appeals, there has been a marked lack of consistency in its rulings.
"But this case in Co Wicklow marks a new low that's almost laughable," he said.
The applicant, Prof Harry Harrison, had been refused permission by Wicklow County Council to retain three new windows in his house near Killiskey, Ashford, after the owner of an adjoining field objected primarily because of the possible risk to livestock.
Prof Harrison's architect, Vincent Delaney, appealed to An Bord Pleanála, saying the existing windows of the diningroom and laundry of the house did not give adequate natural light or ventilation, as required under the building regulations.
He also claimed that there was a right of way between the house and the adjoining field and said any risk to animals would be unlikely because the toughened glass windows were 1.2 metres above ground level, which equated to the height of a field gate.
"Even dangerous zoo animals are housed behind toughened glass," he submitted.
"Opening up of the windows will cause no loss of amenity as no neighbours' residences are within sight [ and] no issues of overlooking have been raised by any party."
Alan Yarwood, the planning inspector who dealt with the appeal, recommended that permission be granted.
"I can see little basis for the suggestion that the windows would cause a danger to livestock," Mr Yarwood said in his report to the appeals board.
"Animals being pursued could be inclined to jump through a window in the mistaken belief that it provided an escape route.
"But, given that the sill level of the windows would be similar to a field gate, this seems a highly unlikely event," Mr Yarwood concluded.
"It is my view that the council's original objective . . . could equally be achieved by conditions requiring obscure glazing using toughened glass for the windows, a requirement that the windows should not open outwards, and the provision of external window bars.
"Whilst I have some sympathy with the neighbouring landowner's position . . . I find it difficult to envisage any real prejudicial effect on the legitimate use of the field which would arise through the reinstatement of the windows as suggested above."
An Bord Pleanála - or rather, the three members of the board who dealt with the case - disagreed with the planning inspector.
Refusing permission in the case, the board said the three windows would "negatively impact on the amenity and agricultural use of the adjoining field" now and in the future.
© 2007 The Irish Times
Green Party policy forcing young couples out of city centre
Planners want larger apartments, but the property sales industry findsa them hard to sell. As a result, we get articles such as this one:
KEN MacDonald, MD of Ireland's largest apartment and new homes estate agency Hooke & MacDonald, has accused the Green Party and certain city council planners of binning the Department of Environment draft guidelines on residential unit sizes that were issued only in January.
As result, Ken MacDonald has told the Sunday Independent that the latest moves by Dublin City Council to increase minimum sizes of apartments is going to add further to the affordability problems by forcing people to buy further out as city centre living will become the preserve of the rich.
Current building and site costs in the city dictate that an 850-900 sq ft, two-bed apartments will have to achieve on average €640,000 and a 1,200 sq ft, three-bed apartment will have to achieve €850,000-€1m, depending on location.
These prices alone are clearly out of the range of most first-time buyers and young families particularly when further significant interest rate hikes are imminent.
Ken MacDonald says that "families have not, to date, purchased a significant number of apartments in the city centre even in very high quality developments, despite the fact that three-bed units have been available, but end up being slowest to sell and then mainly to investors for letting purposes.
"Better facilities for children in city developments are urgently needed, improved landscaping and open spaces, underground car parking, higher ceilings, study & play areas.
"These measures will help to attract families in. To push homes beyond their financial capability by increasing sizes unrealistically is counter productive.
"It will not work," said MacDonald.
He may not be alone in his analysis. There is now real cause for concern about a number of stumbling blocks that are hindering development in Dublin.
There has been a 100pc downturn in planning permissions in Dublin over the past two years - from 24,000 in 2004 to 12,000 in 2006 - at a time when demand is accelerating.
When the shortage of undeveloped land in the capital is added, the situation is likely to drive up the cost of housing and put it beyond the reach of many more people.
"An Bord Pleanála are churning refusals out on a daily basis oblivious to the effect it has on new home prices and aspiring home owners," Mr MacDonald said.
"By unnecessarily increasing the size and price of accommodation, we are discriminating against the biggest category of occupiers in the city - namely single people and couples who between them make up at least 49pc of the total city population."
KEN MacDonald, MD of Ireland's largest apartment and new homes estate agency Hooke & MacDonald, has accused the Green Party and certain city council planners of binning the Department of Environment draft guidelines on residential unit sizes that were issued only in January.
As result, Ken MacDonald has told the Sunday Independent that the latest moves by Dublin City Council to increase minimum sizes of apartments is going to add further to the affordability problems by forcing people to buy further out as city centre living will become the preserve of the rich.
Current building and site costs in the city dictate that an 850-900 sq ft, two-bed apartments will have to achieve on average €640,000 and a 1,200 sq ft, three-bed apartment will have to achieve €850,000-€1m, depending on location.
These prices alone are clearly out of the range of most first-time buyers and young families particularly when further significant interest rate hikes are imminent.
Ken MacDonald says that "families have not, to date, purchased a significant number of apartments in the city centre even in very high quality developments, despite the fact that three-bed units have been available, but end up being slowest to sell and then mainly to investors for letting purposes.
"Better facilities for children in city developments are urgently needed, improved landscaping and open spaces, underground car parking, higher ceilings, study & play areas.
"These measures will help to attract families in. To push homes beyond their financial capability by increasing sizes unrealistically is counter productive.
"It will not work," said MacDonald.
He may not be alone in his analysis. There is now real cause for concern about a number of stumbling blocks that are hindering development in Dublin.
There has been a 100pc downturn in planning permissions in Dublin over the past two years - from 24,000 in 2004 to 12,000 in 2006 - at a time when demand is accelerating.
When the shortage of undeveloped land in the capital is added, the situation is likely to drive up the cost of housing and put it beyond the reach of many more people.
"An Bord Pleanála are churning refusals out on a daily basis oblivious to the effect it has on new home prices and aspiring home owners," Mr MacDonald said.
"By unnecessarily increasing the size and price of accommodation, we are discriminating against the biggest category of occupiers in the city - namely single people and couples who between them make up at least 49pc of the total city population."
Friday, 16 March 2007
Roche Notes Progress Barry's Bridge: N11 Kilpedder Interchange and the
Mr. Dick Roche TD Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government has expressed his pleasure at progress on Barry's Bridge - N11 Kilpedder Interchange.
Wicklow County Council has sought to acquire a small tract of land at the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve for the construction of a diverge slip lane from the N11 Northbound Carriageway to the existing road beneath Barry's Bridge. "The slip road is an integral part of the Wicklow County Council's plan to make the road between the N11 and the Delgany Road two-way, which will improve local links to Delgany Village," said Minister Roche.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has agreed to dispose of the land, and in order to expedite the works pending the execution of the necessary legal documents, NPWS has granted a licence to the council for the use of the lands. The licence was signed recently and clears the way for the contractor to enter the site and widen the road.
The works are to be carried out in accordance with an Environmental Impact Assessment, which includes certain minor environmental mitigation measures to avoid run-off to the nearby river and disturbance to otters. NPWS personnel have been in regular contact with the council and are fully satisfied that there are no adverse environmental impacts from the proposed works.
"I am delighted that this matter, which has gone on for some time, has finally been resolved and I look forward to the works which have no conservation impacts and no felling of mature trees, being completed as a matter of urgency." concluded Minister Roche.
Wicklow County Council has sought to acquire a small tract of land at the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve for the construction of a diverge slip lane from the N11 Northbound Carriageway to the existing road beneath Barry's Bridge. "The slip road is an integral part of the Wicklow County Council's plan to make the road between the N11 and the Delgany Road two-way, which will improve local links to Delgany Village," said Minister Roche.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has agreed to dispose of the land, and in order to expedite the works pending the execution of the necessary legal documents, NPWS has granted a licence to the council for the use of the lands. The licence was signed recently and clears the way for the contractor to enter the site and widen the road.
The works are to be carried out in accordance with an Environmental Impact Assessment, which includes certain minor environmental mitigation measures to avoid run-off to the nearby river and disturbance to otters. NPWS personnel have been in regular contact with the council and are fully satisfied that there are no adverse environmental impacts from the proposed works.
"I am delighted that this matter, which has gone on for some time, has finally been resolved and I look forward to the works which have no conservation impacts and no felling of mature trees, being completed as a matter of urgency." concluded Minister Roche.
Right-of-way issues hamper Carrantuohill safety works
PLANS to make the ascent to Ireland’s highest mountain safer are on hold because of a right-of-way issues over a steep climb known as the Devil’s Ladder.
A sum of €100,000 has been provided to develop Carrantuohill for climbers, and a Scottish company with mountaineering expertise engaged to do safety work on the ascent.
Agreement has yet to be reached with all local landowners, however, holding up the project.
Acting Kerry county manager Tom Curran told county councillors yesterday he was hopeful the matter would be resolved soon, through local mediation.
The issue was raised by Killarney-based Cllr Michael Gleeson, who said there were particular concerns about the safety of the steep Devil’s Ladder, which climbers negotiate on their ascent of Carrantuohill.
“Many climbers are now loath to go up the Devil’s Ladder, because of the multitude of loose stones which can come tumbling down — posing a real risk to life and limb,’’ he remarked.
“We’re not asking for stairways, lifts or railway sleepers, or anything like that. But, because of the importance of walking tourism in Ireland, it’s essential that safety measures are put in place,” he added.
Cllr Gleeson said he was disappointed that the council’s efforts, in conjunction with the Department of Transport, had not yet come to fruition.
Mr Curren added that there was a need for a footbridge over the Gaddagh river, which become “very angry” in heavy rainfall, and where a young climber was swept to her death some years ago.
The manager said he was still hopeful the issue could be resolved with the help of Beaufort Community Council, which is anxious to see safety improved.
Several climbers have died in falls on Carrantuohill and many have been rescued by the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team there.
A submission has been made to Fáilte Ireland, under a tourism initiative, to improve safety and access to the mountain.
Mr Curran said an access road had been taken over at Lislibane, while land for parking had also been acquired.
Donal Hickey
© Irish Examiner
A sum of €100,000 has been provided to develop Carrantuohill for climbers, and a Scottish company with mountaineering expertise engaged to do safety work on the ascent.
Agreement has yet to be reached with all local landowners, however, holding up the project.
Acting Kerry county manager Tom Curran told county councillors yesterday he was hopeful the matter would be resolved soon, through local mediation.
The issue was raised by Killarney-based Cllr Michael Gleeson, who said there were particular concerns about the safety of the steep Devil’s Ladder, which climbers negotiate on their ascent of Carrantuohill.
“Many climbers are now loath to go up the Devil’s Ladder, because of the multitude of loose stones which can come tumbling down — posing a real risk to life and limb,’’ he remarked.
“We’re not asking for stairways, lifts or railway sleepers, or anything like that. But, because of the importance of walking tourism in Ireland, it’s essential that safety measures are put in place,” he added.
Cllr Gleeson said he was disappointed that the council’s efforts, in conjunction with the Department of Transport, had not yet come to fruition.
Mr Curren added that there was a need for a footbridge over the Gaddagh river, which become “very angry” in heavy rainfall, and where a young climber was swept to her death some years ago.
The manager said he was still hopeful the issue could be resolved with the help of Beaufort Community Council, which is anxious to see safety improved.
Several climbers have died in falls on Carrantuohill and many have been rescued by the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team there.
A submission has been made to Fáilte Ireland, under a tourism initiative, to improve safety and access to the mountain.
Mr Curran said an access road had been taken over at Lislibane, while land for parking had also been acquired.
Donal Hickey
© Irish Examiner
New lease of life for historic building
CORK’S former archives building looks set to get a new lease of life as a theatre.
City manager Joe Gavin is preparing a report for councillors that will suggest the historic Chirstchurch building on South Main Street, next to Bishop Lucey Park, be handed over to the Triskel Arts Centre to manage it on behalf of the council.
It is expected the building, which closed last year when the archives transferred to a new hi-tech purpose-built facility in Blackpool, will be refurbished for use as a theatre and performance space.
Mr Gavin said it was still early days and it was too early to discuss costs.
But he said his report should be completed and ready for presentation to councillors within three weeks.
The news comes just weeks after the city secured another new cultural venue.
The Tigh Filí art group will become the anchor tenant of a cultural and community centre to be developed at St Luke’s Church.
The former Church of Ireland premises was bought by the local authority for almost €700,000.
Meanwhile, talks are continuing to find a permanent home in Cork for the prestigious Ceol traditional music and culture exhibition.
The collection, which is now in storage, has been secured by the city.
Mr Gavin said he is hopeful that talks between the board of management of the Firkin Crane centre in Shandon will result in the exhibition being housed there. It would serve as an ideal attraction to the Shandon area, which the council is anxious to market as Cork’s cultural centre.
Eoin English
© Irish Examiner
City manager Joe Gavin is preparing a report for councillors that will suggest the historic Chirstchurch building on South Main Street, next to Bishop Lucey Park, be handed over to the Triskel Arts Centre to manage it on behalf of the council.
It is expected the building, which closed last year when the archives transferred to a new hi-tech purpose-built facility in Blackpool, will be refurbished for use as a theatre and performance space.
Mr Gavin said it was still early days and it was too early to discuss costs.
But he said his report should be completed and ready for presentation to councillors within three weeks.
The news comes just weeks after the city secured another new cultural venue.
The Tigh Filí art group will become the anchor tenant of a cultural and community centre to be developed at St Luke’s Church.
The former Church of Ireland premises was bought by the local authority for almost €700,000.
Meanwhile, talks are continuing to find a permanent home in Cork for the prestigious Ceol traditional music and culture exhibition.
The collection, which is now in storage, has been secured by the city.
Mr Gavin said he is hopeful that talks between the board of management of the Firkin Crane centre in Shandon will result in the exhibition being housed there. It would serve as an ideal attraction to the Shandon area, which the council is anxious to market as Cork’s cultural centre.
Eoin English
© Irish Examiner
O'Toole gets go-ahead to extend home in Burren
A plan by The Irish Times journalist Fintan O'Toole to extend the size of his holiday home in the Burren has been given the go-ahead from Clare County Council.
The council granted Mr O'Toole permission after he addressed the local authority's concerns through reducing the size of the original proposal, relocating a first-floor study to the ground floor and omitting decking on the roof.
The original plan was to increase the size of the home to 180sq m. However, after revisions were made, this was reduced to 169sq m. The size of the original home is 39sq m.
The proposal was the centre of controversy last year when An Taisce was forced into a climbdown after it labelled Mr O'Toole's proposal "criminal".
After coming under sustained attack in the Seanad last July for the language used in the objection, An Taisce withdrew the objection and unreservedly apologised to Mr O'Toole. Leader of the Seanad, Senator Mary O'Rourke (FF) commented at the time "if it had four feet, An Taisce would have shot itself in them",
The planner's report into the case released with the decision yesterday said: "I consider the proposed extension to be acceptable. The existing house is extremely small and so I consider it reasonable that the extension is larger in floor space than that of the existing house."
In its ruling, the council said it would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or property in the vicinity and would be in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area. The council made its decision having regard to the rural nature and existing residential use of the site, the intended use of the proposed extension, the provisions of the Clare county development plan and the pattern of development in the area.
Gordon Deegan
© 2007 The Irish Times
The council granted Mr O'Toole permission after he addressed the local authority's concerns through reducing the size of the original proposal, relocating a first-floor study to the ground floor and omitting decking on the roof.
The original plan was to increase the size of the home to 180sq m. However, after revisions were made, this was reduced to 169sq m. The size of the original home is 39sq m.
The proposal was the centre of controversy last year when An Taisce was forced into a climbdown after it labelled Mr O'Toole's proposal "criminal".
After coming under sustained attack in the Seanad last July for the language used in the objection, An Taisce withdrew the objection and unreservedly apologised to Mr O'Toole. Leader of the Seanad, Senator Mary O'Rourke (FF) commented at the time "if it had four feet, An Taisce would have shot itself in them",
The planner's report into the case released with the decision yesterday said: "I consider the proposed extension to be acceptable. The existing house is extremely small and so I consider it reasonable that the extension is larger in floor space than that of the existing house."
In its ruling, the council said it would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or property in the vicinity and would be in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area. The council made its decision having regard to the rural nature and existing residential use of the site, the intended use of the proposed extension, the provisions of the Clare county development plan and the pattern of development in the area.
Gordon Deegan
© 2007 The Irish Times
Issue of planning objections debated
'Professional objectors' are objecting to developments in Bagenalstown inhibiting progress, Bagenalstown Town Council heard last week.
A discussion about the overhang at the new credit union quickly veered off topic at last week's meeting of Bagenalstown Town Council when Cllr. Paddy Kiely said that when it came to planning in Bagenalstown some people got it and other people didn't.
Cllr. Margaret Cushen however pointed out that it was the right of everyone to make submissions.
'I never said they were not entitled to but you have professional objectors objecting in Bagenalstown. All the latest objectors are members of Bagenalstown Environmental Association (BEA).
'These are certain individuals who are objecting the whole time. They ran Niall Quinn, a international footballer who could have put Bagenalstown on the map, out of town.'
Trying to bring order to the proceedings Cathaoirleach Margaret Cushen said 'this is not part of what we are meant to be discussing'.
However Cllr. Denis Foley continued on in the same vein as Cllr. Kiely. 'We are going to lose a hotel for Bagenalstown now [because An Bord Pleanala refused permission] and section 23 is gone too. A hotel is a long-term investment. I wanted it for the town and now we are not going to get it.
'Other developments in the town are in jeopardy too. We can put gates and locks at each end of the town and say developers are not welcome. We are not developing the way we should be.'
Cllr. John Clarke asked Cllr. Cushen, who is a member of the BEA, if it put her in an awkward position.
'I have no problem with being a member and will continue to be a member.'
Cllr. Kiely however was not appeased. 'These people are unconstitutional. We are under threat from them. I was talking to one developer who said he was moving to Tullow while another said if you wanted permission in Bagenalstown from Carlow County Council you had to have a meeting with the BEA first.'
Cllr. Cushen said An Bord Pleanala were a totally independent body and once submissions were made to them they sent an independent inspector to the site and made up their own mind.
© Carlow People
A discussion about the overhang at the new credit union quickly veered off topic at last week's meeting of Bagenalstown Town Council when Cllr. Paddy Kiely said that when it came to planning in Bagenalstown some people got it and other people didn't.
Cllr. Margaret Cushen however pointed out that it was the right of everyone to make submissions.
'I never said they were not entitled to but you have professional objectors objecting in Bagenalstown. All the latest objectors are members of Bagenalstown Environmental Association (BEA).
'These are certain individuals who are objecting the whole time. They ran Niall Quinn, a international footballer who could have put Bagenalstown on the map, out of town.'
Trying to bring order to the proceedings Cathaoirleach Margaret Cushen said 'this is not part of what we are meant to be discussing'.
However Cllr. Denis Foley continued on in the same vein as Cllr. Kiely. 'We are going to lose a hotel for Bagenalstown now [because An Bord Pleanala refused permission] and section 23 is gone too. A hotel is a long-term investment. I wanted it for the town and now we are not going to get it.
'Other developments in the town are in jeopardy too. We can put gates and locks at each end of the town and say developers are not welcome. We are not developing the way we should be.'
Cllr. John Clarke asked Cllr. Cushen, who is a member of the BEA, if it put her in an awkward position.
'I have no problem with being a member and will continue to be a member.'
Cllr. Kiely however was not appeased. 'These people are unconstitutional. We are under threat from them. I was talking to one developer who said he was moving to Tullow while another said if you wanted permission in Bagenalstown from Carlow County Council you had to have a meeting with the BEA first.'
Cllr. Cushen said An Bord Pleanala were a totally independent body and once submissions were made to them they sent an independent inspector to the site and made up their own mind.
© Carlow People
Cullen still to sign-off €139m commuter upgrade
TRANSPORT Minister Martin Cullen, still hasn’t signed the Railway Order which would enable work to start on Cork’s €139 million commuter upgrade.
Nearly five months after a four-day oral hearing into the project was completed, the minister hasn’t signed off on the order.
He has also refused to outline whether there is any reason for the delay in replies to two Dáil questions.
It looks increasingly unlikely that Iarnród Éireann will be able to complete the reopening of the Cork-Midleton line by the target date of July next year — just 15 months away.
Midleton-based TD David Stanton has repeatedly asked the minister what the position is and he has become increasingly concerned that a cohesive plan to make the project as attractive as possible to commuters is not coming together properly.
The delay is puzzling many people, especially as nobody objected in principle and any problems encountered at the oral hearing seem to have been dealt with almost there and then by senior Iarnród Éireann officials.
In March 2004 then Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan said he hoped the railway would open in two years. Later Iarnród Eireann officials said early 2008.
Yesterday a spokeswoman for Mr Cullen said he was still studying the inspector’s report, but couldn’t say when he would make a decision on the Rail Order.
“It is quite an extensive report,” she said.
While the railway corridor remains intact, Iarnród Éireann will still have to put down the lines, erect signalling, bridges and three fully automated railway stations with park and ride facilities along the line.
These stations are to be built in Midleton, Carrigtwohill and North Esk, near Glanmire.
In addition there is to be an upgrade of the Mallow line with new stations in Kilbarry and Blarney, but that won’t be completed until some time after the Cork-Midleton line is up and running.
“As it stands, it looks unlikely that the Cork-Midleton project will be finished by the target date of July 2008. The population of Midleton continues to increase, leading to worsening traffic congestion on all roads in both the town and surrounding area, in particular during rush hours. There is clearly a demand
for an efficient and affordable rail service to Cork, which should help combat the traffic problems,” Mr Stanton said.
Midleton Town Council member Ken Murray said he didn’t believe that a vital piece of infrastructure, namely the town’s northern relief road, would be anywhere near ready to coincide with the opening of the local railway station.
“The CPOs have been done, but there’s no start-up date for the project. Without the relief road people won’t be able to get through the town to the railway station. There’s been a lot of ranting and raving at town council meetings about this. It’s imperative the railway and northern relief road are done together,” Mr Murray said.
He added that he was “very disappointed” Mr Cullen was taking so long to sign off the Railway Order.
At the four-day oral hearing, which started in Midleton Park Hotel in late October, a number of Iarnród Éireann officials said they hoped to start construction on May 21 this year and commence driver training in 2008, with the official opening on July 29.
In its first year of operation the service is expected to carry 1.74 million passengers, rising to two million by 2010 and four million by 2015.
Sean O’Riordan
© Irish Examiner
Nearly five months after a four-day oral hearing into the project was completed, the minister hasn’t signed off on the order.
He has also refused to outline whether there is any reason for the delay in replies to two Dáil questions.
It looks increasingly unlikely that Iarnród Éireann will be able to complete the reopening of the Cork-Midleton line by the target date of July next year — just 15 months away.
Midleton-based TD David Stanton has repeatedly asked the minister what the position is and he has become increasingly concerned that a cohesive plan to make the project as attractive as possible to commuters is not coming together properly.
The delay is puzzling many people, especially as nobody objected in principle and any problems encountered at the oral hearing seem to have been dealt with almost there and then by senior Iarnród Éireann officials.
In March 2004 then Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan said he hoped the railway would open in two years. Later Iarnród Eireann officials said early 2008.
Yesterday a spokeswoman for Mr Cullen said he was still studying the inspector’s report, but couldn’t say when he would make a decision on the Rail Order.
“It is quite an extensive report,” she said.
While the railway corridor remains intact, Iarnród Éireann will still have to put down the lines, erect signalling, bridges and three fully automated railway stations with park and ride facilities along the line.
These stations are to be built in Midleton, Carrigtwohill and North Esk, near Glanmire.
In addition there is to be an upgrade of the Mallow line with new stations in Kilbarry and Blarney, but that won’t be completed until some time after the Cork-Midleton line is up and running.
“As it stands, it looks unlikely that the Cork-Midleton project will be finished by the target date of July 2008. The population of Midleton continues to increase, leading to worsening traffic congestion on all roads in both the town and surrounding area, in particular during rush hours. There is clearly a demand
for an efficient and affordable rail service to Cork, which should help combat the traffic problems,” Mr Stanton said.
Midleton Town Council member Ken Murray said he didn’t believe that a vital piece of infrastructure, namely the town’s northern relief road, would be anywhere near ready to coincide with the opening of the local railway station.
“The CPOs have been done, but there’s no start-up date for the project. Without the relief road people won’t be able to get through the town to the railway station. There’s been a lot of ranting and raving at town council meetings about this. It’s imperative the railway and northern relief road are done together,” Mr Murray said.
He added that he was “very disappointed” Mr Cullen was taking so long to sign off the Railway Order.
At the four-day oral hearing, which started in Midleton Park Hotel in late October, a number of Iarnród Éireann officials said they hoped to start construction on May 21 this year and commence driver training in 2008, with the official opening on July 29.
In its first year of operation the service is expected to carry 1.74 million passengers, rising to two million by 2010 and four million by 2015.
Sean O’Riordan
© Irish Examiner
Corrib gas could be wild card in election battle
According to Dr Mark Garavan, Seanad candidate in this year’s election and spokesman for the Shell to Sea campaign, it is “the refusal to accept local participation” which is at the heart of the seven-year conflict in Erris.
“In my own view,” says Garavan, “it’s a huge issue. Of course, it’s hard to know how huge an issue Corrib will be in the General Election itself, but the issues thrown up by the situation are hugely important, to do with the nature of democracy.
“And for me,” he adds, “that has always been the biggest issue, the right of citizens to participate in decisions affecting them - that’s democracy. Corrib should be designed around community consent.”
The Corrib gas field is controlled by a consortium, including Shell (45%), the Norwegian state company Statoil (36.5%) and Marathon (18.5%), and is worth up to •8 billion, according to sources in the oil and gas industry.
And, according to the Centre for Public Inquiry, the Corrib and associated fields in the Slyne/Erris basin off the north west coast are estimated to be worth up to •50 billion. Opponents of the onshore refinery, say the Norwegian tax-payer (through Statoil) benefits more directly from the gas find than the Irish public.
By way of contrast, in 1973, when the oil company Mobil discovered the Statfjord oil field off the coast of Norway, it was required, by Norwegian law, to bring in Statoil, the state-owned oil and gas company, as a 50% partner in the development of the field. The deal started the process of training the Statoil workforce, who took on-the-job training, and it secured the transfer of knowledge from the oil corporations, and the development of indigenous Norwegian industry.
And in 1975, the Norwegian government was taking up to 90% of the oil profits. “That’s the kind of model we ought to have but we don’t have,” says Dr Garavan. “If people realise what they could have, then it could be an election issue.”
In 1975, the Fine Gael/Labour coalition in Ireland paid attention to the Norwegian developments, and Minister for Industry and Commerce, Justin Keating, introduced the Ireland Exclusive Offshore Licensing Terms for oil and gas exploration, ushering in three principles regarding State revenue and participation based on the Norwegian model which meant the State, acting for the people as owners of the resources, should be paid for this resource; that companies engaging in offshore development on the Irish Continental Shelf should be subject to Irish taxation; and that, since the resources are public property, the State must have the right to participate in their exploitation.
In the years since, those three principles have been dismantled. Successive Irish governments have relaxed taxation and licensing terms to make them more favourable to firms involved in petrochemical exploration. The terms mean that Ireland grants leases without taking royalty payments or a stake in projects - as is done in some other countries - and imposes a tax rate of 25% on profits, against which companies can write off the huge cost of exploration, meaning that in practice their tax liabilities should be much lower.
In 1987, Dick Spring, then leader of the Labour Party, called the move “an act of economic treason”. Petrochemical companies like Shell and the Irish government say that these conditions are needed to encourage oil and gas exploration in Ireland.
“As I talk to people,” says Garavan, “this is an issue for them, they do think people have been treated shabbily, but how that will translate into votes is hard to know.
“It’s up to people like me to make it an issue,” he adds, referring to his Seanad candidacy.
Yet, is Corrib only a local issue? True, the protests are mostly local. But it has been argued that the controversy has awakened a national debate, sometimes quiet, sometimes loud. And the main issue in that debate, says Garavan “is of benefits foregone by the state.”
“Corrib is a fantastic asset with incredible value,” he says. “The problem we have is that the government thinks the interests of oil and gas companies and governments are the same. There is that phrase ‘the rip-off republic’. Well, Corrib is one of the greatest rip-offs. There is something a bit bizzare about it. It’s shameful, the trinkets that pass for benefits.”
The benefits appear to be 50-70 permanent jobs on the refinery site after the construction work is done, and the security of gas supply. The Irish government says the Corrib gas field is expected to provide up to 60% of Ireland’s domestic gas requirements when it is up and running, replacing the Kinsale field which is running out, and says it will provide a welcome indigenous gas supply to Ireland.
Those opposed question the strategic argument, citing statements from Bord Gais which say that supplies from gas interconnectors to the UK are very secure, and that “the possibility of gas supplies to Ireland from these sources being restricted is very remote”.
It appears that the Corrib Gas controversy and the other election issues - health, education, environment, economy, infrastructure, etc. - are not autonomous, isolated, fenced off from each other. Like the pipelines which run beneath the earth we walk upon, the issues are part of a larger, though often unseen, national grid, a network of issues which interlink, which are not independent but are part of a complex, contradictory - and often conflicting - system of the hopes and fears, the interests of the electorate.
Garavan says “People are tired of the old party political game. They want politics that focus on real issues, not on the politicians’ own self-interests. People are disenchanted. They want a society where people are treated with respect. They don’t want any system, be it left or right, to drown out their dignity. “And Corrib highlights that,” he says, “people being treated without respect and without dignity.”
Daniel Hickey
© Western People
“In my own view,” says Garavan, “it’s a huge issue. Of course, it’s hard to know how huge an issue Corrib will be in the General Election itself, but the issues thrown up by the situation are hugely important, to do with the nature of democracy.
“And for me,” he adds, “that has always been the biggest issue, the right of citizens to participate in decisions affecting them - that’s democracy. Corrib should be designed around community consent.”
The Corrib gas field is controlled by a consortium, including Shell (45%), the Norwegian state company Statoil (36.5%) and Marathon (18.5%), and is worth up to •8 billion, according to sources in the oil and gas industry.
And, according to the Centre for Public Inquiry, the Corrib and associated fields in the Slyne/Erris basin off the north west coast are estimated to be worth up to •50 billion. Opponents of the onshore refinery, say the Norwegian tax-payer (through Statoil) benefits more directly from the gas find than the Irish public.
By way of contrast, in 1973, when the oil company Mobil discovered the Statfjord oil field off the coast of Norway, it was required, by Norwegian law, to bring in Statoil, the state-owned oil and gas company, as a 50% partner in the development of the field. The deal started the process of training the Statoil workforce, who took on-the-job training, and it secured the transfer of knowledge from the oil corporations, and the development of indigenous Norwegian industry.
And in 1975, the Norwegian government was taking up to 90% of the oil profits. “That’s the kind of model we ought to have but we don’t have,” says Dr Garavan. “If people realise what they could have, then it could be an election issue.”
In 1975, the Fine Gael/Labour coalition in Ireland paid attention to the Norwegian developments, and Minister for Industry and Commerce, Justin Keating, introduced the Ireland Exclusive Offshore Licensing Terms for oil and gas exploration, ushering in three principles regarding State revenue and participation based on the Norwegian model which meant the State, acting for the people as owners of the resources, should be paid for this resource; that companies engaging in offshore development on the Irish Continental Shelf should be subject to Irish taxation; and that, since the resources are public property, the State must have the right to participate in their exploitation.
In the years since, those three principles have been dismantled. Successive Irish governments have relaxed taxation and licensing terms to make them more favourable to firms involved in petrochemical exploration. The terms mean that Ireland grants leases without taking royalty payments or a stake in projects - as is done in some other countries - and imposes a tax rate of 25% on profits, against which companies can write off the huge cost of exploration, meaning that in practice their tax liabilities should be much lower.
In 1987, Dick Spring, then leader of the Labour Party, called the move “an act of economic treason”. Petrochemical companies like Shell and the Irish government say that these conditions are needed to encourage oil and gas exploration in Ireland.
“As I talk to people,” says Garavan, “this is an issue for them, they do think people have been treated shabbily, but how that will translate into votes is hard to know.
“It’s up to people like me to make it an issue,” he adds, referring to his Seanad candidacy.
Yet, is Corrib only a local issue? True, the protests are mostly local. But it has been argued that the controversy has awakened a national debate, sometimes quiet, sometimes loud. And the main issue in that debate, says Garavan “is of benefits foregone by the state.”
“Corrib is a fantastic asset with incredible value,” he says. “The problem we have is that the government thinks the interests of oil and gas companies and governments are the same. There is that phrase ‘the rip-off republic’. Well, Corrib is one of the greatest rip-offs. There is something a bit bizzare about it. It’s shameful, the trinkets that pass for benefits.”
The benefits appear to be 50-70 permanent jobs on the refinery site after the construction work is done, and the security of gas supply. The Irish government says the Corrib gas field is expected to provide up to 60% of Ireland’s domestic gas requirements when it is up and running, replacing the Kinsale field which is running out, and says it will provide a welcome indigenous gas supply to Ireland.
Those opposed question the strategic argument, citing statements from Bord Gais which say that supplies from gas interconnectors to the UK are very secure, and that “the possibility of gas supplies to Ireland from these sources being restricted is very remote”.
It appears that the Corrib Gas controversy and the other election issues - health, education, environment, economy, infrastructure, etc. - are not autonomous, isolated, fenced off from each other. Like the pipelines which run beneath the earth we walk upon, the issues are part of a larger, though often unseen, national grid, a network of issues which interlink, which are not independent but are part of a complex, contradictory - and often conflicting - system of the hopes and fears, the interests of the electorate.
Garavan says “People are tired of the old party political game. They want politics that focus on real issues, not on the politicians’ own self-interests. People are disenchanted. They want a society where people are treated with respect. They don’t want any system, be it left or right, to drown out their dignity. “And Corrib highlights that,” he says, “people being treated without respect and without dignity.”
Daniel Hickey
© Western People
Crossboyne sewerage wait goes on
FOR more than a decade, the people of the South Mayo village of Crossboyne have been patiently awaiting connection to the sewerage scheme that has long been promised. However, as yet, not one household in the village has been connected, despite the fact that Crossboyne is the location for the Claremorris Treatment Plant.
This week, Fine Gael’s General Election Candidate John O’Mahony is raising the issue on behalf of the people of Crossboyne, as they have been waiting for their connection for far too long.
According to Mr O’Mahony, it is not good enough that the people of Crossboyne are being treated in this way. "The Community Council have been campaigning to be connected to the Claremorris scheme for the past 10years, but to no avail. The Treatment Plant for Claremorris is situated in the village yet despite this, not one house in the area is connected and there is a huge reliance on septic tanks," explained Mr O’Mahony.
Continuing, the Claremorris-based Candidate noted that as recently as last month, the members of the Community Council met with Minister Dick Roche in Dublin and he promised them faithfully that he’d make an announcement on their plight before February was out.
"Well, February is over and there was no announcement despite the Minister spending a full day in Mayo recently. I don’t think that’s any way to treat a community and I’m now calling on the Minister to immediately sanction the connection for the people of Crossboyne," remarked Mr O’Mahony.
Cróna Esler
© Western People
This week, Fine Gael’s General Election Candidate John O’Mahony is raising the issue on behalf of the people of Crossboyne, as they have been waiting for their connection for far too long.
According to Mr O’Mahony, it is not good enough that the people of Crossboyne are being treated in this way. "The Community Council have been campaigning to be connected to the Claremorris scheme for the past 10years, but to no avail. The Treatment Plant for Claremorris is situated in the village yet despite this, not one house in the area is connected and there is a huge reliance on septic tanks," explained Mr O’Mahony.
Continuing, the Claremorris-based Candidate noted that as recently as last month, the members of the Community Council met with Minister Dick Roche in Dublin and he promised them faithfully that he’d make an announcement on their plight before February was out.
"Well, February is over and there was no announcement despite the Minister spending a full day in Mayo recently. I don’t think that’s any way to treat a community and I’m now calling on the Minister to immediately sanction the connection for the people of Crossboyne," remarked Mr O’Mahony.
Cróna Esler
© Western People
Planning board urged to reopen landfill hearing
A High Court judge has "strongly recommended" that An Bord Pleanála reopens an oral hearing into a proposed landfill development in Co Kildare following the board's acceptance that its decision granting permission for the landfill should be quashed because of the "unusual circumstances" leading to that decision.
The board had conceded that the failure to record its decision of July 24th, 2006, approving conditions attached to the planning permission for the landfill at Usk, Kilcullen, meant that it could not establish its decision was made in accordance with law, Mr Justice Peter Kelly said. He said he would quash the granting of permission on that basis.
While the Usk and District Residents Group, which had challenged the decision, had argued there were other grounds for quashing, he said it was not in anyone's interest that court time should be spent addressing those.
While he could not order the board to reopen its oral hearing, he was strongly recommending it do so and was also suggesting the issue of permission for the development should be determined by board members who were not involved in the original decision.
That suggestion, he stressed, did not mean he accepted the criticisms of the five board members involved in the original decision. There might or might not be substance in the criticism but he did not have to adjudicate on that and his suggestion was to minimise the risk of further judicial review.
On that basis, he granted the board's application for the matter to be returned to it for a fresh determination. He also directed that the board pay the costs of the residents group and of Greenstar Recycling Holdings Ltd, the developer of the proposed landfill.
The residents group had opposed the matter being returned to the board and had urged the court simply to quash the permission.
Mr Justice Kelly said his discretion whether to remit had to be exercised with the overall objective of achieving a just result. In this case, the board had disagreed with its inspector's recommendation to refuse and an imperfection in the way it had dealt with the disagreement had led to the permission being quashed.
If the case was not remitted, Greenstar would have to start all over again, he said. The residents had no complaint about how the board had dealt with the matter until August 2005, after the inspector's first report. In those circumstances, it would be disproportionate to Greenstar's rights not to return the matter to the board.
While the residents group had said it had no faith in the board's impartiality and alleged it dealt with the application in a "peculiar" and "incredible way", he would make no findings on those claims.
The case arose from an An Bord Pleanála decision to grant permission for the landfill development at Usk to process 200,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste annually for 10 years.
Mary Carolan
© 2007 The Irish Times
The board had conceded that the failure to record its decision of July 24th, 2006, approving conditions attached to the planning permission for the landfill at Usk, Kilcullen, meant that it could not establish its decision was made in accordance with law, Mr Justice Peter Kelly said. He said he would quash the granting of permission on that basis.
While the Usk and District Residents Group, which had challenged the decision, had argued there were other grounds for quashing, he said it was not in anyone's interest that court time should be spent addressing those.
While he could not order the board to reopen its oral hearing, he was strongly recommending it do so and was also suggesting the issue of permission for the development should be determined by board members who were not involved in the original decision.
That suggestion, he stressed, did not mean he accepted the criticisms of the five board members involved in the original decision. There might or might not be substance in the criticism but he did not have to adjudicate on that and his suggestion was to minimise the risk of further judicial review.
On that basis, he granted the board's application for the matter to be returned to it for a fresh determination. He also directed that the board pay the costs of the residents group and of Greenstar Recycling Holdings Ltd, the developer of the proposed landfill.
The residents group had opposed the matter being returned to the board and had urged the court simply to quash the permission.
Mr Justice Kelly said his discretion whether to remit had to be exercised with the overall objective of achieving a just result. In this case, the board had disagreed with its inspector's recommendation to refuse and an imperfection in the way it had dealt with the disagreement had led to the permission being quashed.
If the case was not remitted, Greenstar would have to start all over again, he said. The residents had no complaint about how the board had dealt with the matter until August 2005, after the inspector's first report. In those circumstances, it would be disproportionate to Greenstar's rights not to return the matter to the board.
While the residents group had said it had no faith in the board's impartiality and alleged it dealt with the application in a "peculiar" and "incredible way", he would make no findings on those claims.
The case arose from an An Bord Pleanála decision to grant permission for the landfill development at Usk to process 200,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste annually for 10 years.
Mary Carolan
© 2007 The Irish Times
Plans to house new facility at former library in Blessington Council considers day care centre proposal
Wicklow County Council is considering a proposal to make the former council engineer's office and library in Blessington available to the local community for use as a day care centre for the elderly.
The council has opened new offices in the town leaving the old premises vacant.
Cllr Jim Ruttle raised the matter in September and received unanimous support from his fellow councillors.
Since then the Health Service Executive has carried out a report on the building and was committed to the idea that there should be a day care centre in Blessington, he said.
The councillor explained elderly people in Blessington wishing to attend the day care facility in Baltinglass Hospital faced a 40 mile round trip.
Senior executive officer, Lorraine Gallagher, told Monday's meeting of the Council that the council had been in communication with the HSE about the property regarding their proposal for an outreach service.
It was the council intention to use the proceeds of the sale of the library and engineer's office to offset expenditure in the area.
Council chairman, Joe Behan reminded the county manager that councillors made a policy decision in September that the premises should be used as a day care centre.
He said the officials may have a different idea but the councillors had already made the decision. He called on council management to put that decision in to action.
County manager, Eddie Sheehy, said they were anxious to reach an agreement with the HSE and was exploring the idea of a land swap with the health service. He hoped to finalise matters within four to six weeks.
The council has opened new offices in the town leaving the old premises vacant.
Cllr Jim Ruttle raised the matter in September and received unanimous support from his fellow councillors.
Since then the Health Service Executive has carried out a report on the building and was committed to the idea that there should be a day care centre in Blessington, he said.
The councillor explained elderly people in Blessington wishing to attend the day care facility in Baltinglass Hospital faced a 40 mile round trip.
Senior executive officer, Lorraine Gallagher, told Monday's meeting of the Council that the council had been in communication with the HSE about the property regarding their proposal for an outreach service.
It was the council intention to use the proceeds of the sale of the library and engineer's office to offset expenditure in the area.
Council chairman, Joe Behan reminded the county manager that councillors made a policy decision in September that the premises should be used as a day care centre.
He said the officials may have a different idea but the councillors had already made the decision. He called on council management to put that decision in to action.
County manager, Eddie Sheehy, said they were anxious to reach an agreement with the HSE and was exploring the idea of a land swap with the health service. He hoped to finalise matters within four to six weeks.
O2 seek planning for phone antenna in Wicklow
Mobile phone company O2 have applied for planning permission to install a 21 metre antenna at Ballinaskea, beside the N11 north of Arklow.
The company initially applied to build the antenna last November, but their application was rejected by Wicklow County Council because it was incomplete.
The application is for the installation of a 21 metre monopole mast carrying cellular antennas and radio links, a small compound surrounded by security fencing and an access track to the site.
O2 were recently granted Arklow Town Council permission for a similar antenna in the Meadowvale Estate.
The Town Council moved to limit the number of separate masts popping up around Arklow by stipulating that any further antennas would need to be designed so other networks could use the same antenna.
But the Ballinaskea mast comes under Wicklow County Council's jurisdiction and planners will decide on the application by April 24.
Wicklow county councillor Nicky Kelly said the country was 'saturated with masts'.
'Everyone realises we need a certain amount of masts, but for health and aesthetic reasons, and particularly us being the garden of Ireland, there are too many here.'
The company initially applied to build the antenna last November, but their application was rejected by Wicklow County Council because it was incomplete.
The application is for the installation of a 21 metre monopole mast carrying cellular antennas and radio links, a small compound surrounded by security fencing and an access track to the site.
O2 were recently granted Arklow Town Council permission for a similar antenna in the Meadowvale Estate.
The Town Council moved to limit the number of separate masts popping up around Arklow by stipulating that any further antennas would need to be designed so other networks could use the same antenna.
But the Ballinaskea mast comes under Wicklow County Council's jurisdiction and planners will decide on the application by April 24.
Wicklow county councillor Nicky Kelly said the country was 'saturated with masts'.
'Everyone realises we need a certain amount of masts, but for health and aesthetic reasons, and particularly us being the garden of Ireland, there are too many here.'
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
Sewage entering rivers from treatment facilities - report
Raw sewage is being pumped into many rivers and streams around the State because treatment facilities are unable to cope with the high levels of development taking place, a new report has warned.
The report, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), found that, at the end of 2005, only one in five waste treatment plants in small towns was treating sewage to adequate standards. Less than 40 per cent of medium-sized facilities complied with minimum standards.
This is despite investment in water facilities running into billions of euro in the past decade.
Yesterday the EPA said it believed many waste water treatment plants were under increasing pressure from the development that has taken place throughout the State in recent years. It said the operation management of such plants was "proving to be a significant difficulty for many local authorities".
EPA programme manager Dr Matt Crowe said councils needed to "fast-track planned improvement works and enhanced operational controls to protect the quality of our waters".
"While the EPA acknowledge the scale of work being carried out by local authorities, we are disappointed that the necessary improvements are not happening at a fast enough pace. This is an area that needs attention."
Dr Crowe said the pressure on plants had led to the use of rain-water drains to "discharge untreated and unscreened sewage and industrial waste water into receiving waters".
"The EPA is concerned about this development and wants to see it addressed by local authorities as a priority," he added.
More than 80 per cent of waste water went through secondary treatment, compared to 67 per cent in 2003, the report found.
However, it also said there were inadequate treatment facilities in 30 large towns, cities and suburbs. Ten of these were required by law to have had secondary treatment facilities by December 2000, but this had not happened. These include parts of Howth, Baldoyle and Portmarnock in Dublin, Killybegs in Donegal, Sligo town, Tramore and Waterford city.
It also said the monitoring of discharges from treatment plants was "in need of improvement".
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
The report, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), found that, at the end of 2005, only one in five waste treatment plants in small towns was treating sewage to adequate standards. Less than 40 per cent of medium-sized facilities complied with minimum standards.
This is despite investment in water facilities running into billions of euro in the past decade.
Yesterday the EPA said it believed many waste water treatment plants were under increasing pressure from the development that has taken place throughout the State in recent years. It said the operation management of such plants was "proving to be a significant difficulty for many local authorities".
EPA programme manager Dr Matt Crowe said councils needed to "fast-track planned improvement works and enhanced operational controls to protect the quality of our waters".
"While the EPA acknowledge the scale of work being carried out by local authorities, we are disappointed that the necessary improvements are not happening at a fast enough pace. This is an area that needs attention."
Dr Crowe said the pressure on plants had led to the use of rain-water drains to "discharge untreated and unscreened sewage and industrial waste water into receiving waters".
"The EPA is concerned about this development and wants to see it addressed by local authorities as a priority," he added.
More than 80 per cent of waste water went through secondary treatment, compared to 67 per cent in 2003, the report found.
However, it also said there were inadequate treatment facilities in 30 large towns, cities and suburbs. Ten of these were required by law to have had secondary treatment facilities by December 2000, but this had not happened. These include parts of Howth, Baldoyle and Portmarnock in Dublin, Killybegs in Donegal, Sligo town, Tramore and Waterford city.
It also said the monitoring of discharges from treatment plants was "in need of improvement".
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
Legal battles in Boyle
WHAT IS it with quarries and the courts? Gerry McManus, owner of Boyle Quarries Ltd (BQ), is taking Roscommon County Council to the High Court in a bid to get planning permission for his quarry, while a recent legal action against the company for noise pollution has threatened to shut his operation down. McManus applied for planning permission to continue operating his controversial quarry in Letfordspark, Boyle, in January 2006, as new planning laws for quarries required. According to the Council, McManus was unsuccessful but the Fermanagh-based quarryman disputes this and says that the Council didn’t come back with an answer within the established timeframe. McManus has now gone to the High Court seeking a judicial review that he hopes will lead to his company getting planning permission by default.
It isn’t the first headache McManus has caused planning officials, who served an enforcement notice on BQ in July 2005 for unauthorised development on the Letsfordpark site, including illegal quarrying, structures and machinery. McManus is also dealing with an action taken under the Environmental Pollution Act against BQ by local couple Edward and Teresa Quinn, for excessive noise. Circuit Court judge Miriam Reynolds sided with the Quinns and has ordered all noise from the quarry to cease, effectively closing the quarry. McManus didn’t return Goldhawk’s calls and his solicitor – Michael J Ryan – had no comment on the possibility of an appeal.
On top of all this, McManus is awaiting a ruling from the High Court in relation to another action – this time by local Tom Callan – relating to allegedly illegal intensification of quarrying. It might be a good time for Gerry to head back across the border.
© The Phoenix
It isn’t the first headache McManus has caused planning officials, who served an enforcement notice on BQ in July 2005 for unauthorised development on the Letsfordpark site, including illegal quarrying, structures and machinery. McManus is also dealing with an action taken under the Environmental Pollution Act against BQ by local couple Edward and Teresa Quinn, for excessive noise. Circuit Court judge Miriam Reynolds sided with the Quinns and has ordered all noise from the quarry to cease, effectively closing the quarry. McManus didn’t return Goldhawk’s calls and his solicitor – Michael J Ryan – had no comment on the possibility of an appeal.
On top of all this, McManus is awaiting a ruling from the High Court in relation to another action – this time by local Tom Callan – relating to allegedly illegal intensification of quarrying. It might be a good time for Gerry to head back across the border.
© The Phoenix
Lord Waterford seeking return of 1,900-acre demesne
Lord Waterford has asked the High Court to order Coillte to hand over the 1,900-acre (767-hectare) Curraghmore demesne in Co Waterford for allegedly allowing the estate to fall into serious disrepair in breach of the terms of its lease.
It is claimed the Curraghmore lands are valued at €7.75 million, and the cost of repair works to the estate's walls and roads, which Coillte has allegedly persistently failed to do under the lease, amounts to €10.5 million.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly yesterday granted an application by Curraghmore Estates, of which Lord Waterford is a director, to enter proceedings against Coillte Teo into the list of the Commercial Court, the commercial division of the High Court.
In the action, Curraghmore is seeking an order for possession of the Curraghmore demesne, described by Lord Waterford as significant both in terms of its architectural heritage and its ecology. Part of the lands form a candidate special area of conservation and a proposed national heritage area.
In an affidavit, Lord Waterford, of Curraghmore, Portlaw, said the Curraghmore lands were the subject of a 150-year lease made on November
15th, 1933, between John Charles de la Poer, the seventh marquis of Waterford, and the minister for agriculture.
Curraghmore Estates was the successor to the seventh marquis and, under the Forestry Act 1988, the benefit of the lease became vested in Coillte from January 1st, 1989.
He said under the lease Coillte was required to maintain and repair all walls, ditches, drains, roads and pathways on the estate but, in persistent breach of the lease, had failed to do so.
As a result, the estate walls had fallen into considerable disrepair. This was "a serious matter" as the estate walls were an integral part of the estate and contributed significantly to its architectural importance.
He said correspondence between Curraghmore Estates and Coillte from 1989 about its repairing obligations demonstrated continuing difficulties in trying to get Coillte to comply with its obligations. Promises to carry out repairs were made but not honoured.
He had secured legal advice in September 2004 and engaged a firm of consulting engineers to report on the conditions of the walls and roads. The engineers' report concluded there was very extensive damage to the internal and external walls and to the roads. The overall repair costs were estimated €10.5 million.
He said Coillte was given the report on January 14th, 2005, but failed to carry out the works specified. A forfeiture notice was served on April 21st, 2005, which required Coillte to remedy the breaches of lease within 20 months. While some remedial work were carried out, this was "limited" and "substandard". The proceedings to recover the lands were initiated.
© 2007 The Irish Times
It is claimed the Curraghmore lands are valued at €7.75 million, and the cost of repair works to the estate's walls and roads, which Coillte has allegedly persistently failed to do under the lease, amounts to €10.5 million.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly yesterday granted an application by Curraghmore Estates, of which Lord Waterford is a director, to enter proceedings against Coillte Teo into the list of the Commercial Court, the commercial division of the High Court.
In the action, Curraghmore is seeking an order for possession of the Curraghmore demesne, described by Lord Waterford as significant both in terms of its architectural heritage and its ecology. Part of the lands form a candidate special area of conservation and a proposed national heritage area.
In an affidavit, Lord Waterford, of Curraghmore, Portlaw, said the Curraghmore lands were the subject of a 150-year lease made on November
15th, 1933, between John Charles de la Poer, the seventh marquis of Waterford, and the minister for agriculture.
Curraghmore Estates was the successor to the seventh marquis and, under the Forestry Act 1988, the benefit of the lease became vested in Coillte from January 1st, 1989.
He said under the lease Coillte was required to maintain and repair all walls, ditches, drains, roads and pathways on the estate but, in persistent breach of the lease, had failed to do so.
As a result, the estate walls had fallen into considerable disrepair. This was "a serious matter" as the estate walls were an integral part of the estate and contributed significantly to its architectural importance.
He said correspondence between Curraghmore Estates and Coillte from 1989 about its repairing obligations demonstrated continuing difficulties in trying to get Coillte to comply with its obligations. Promises to carry out repairs were made but not honoured.
He had secured legal advice in September 2004 and engaged a firm of consulting engineers to report on the conditions of the walls and roads. The engineers' report concluded there was very extensive damage to the internal and external walls and to the roads. The overall repair costs were estimated €10.5 million.
He said Coillte was given the report on January 14th, 2005, but failed to carry out the works specified. A forfeiture notice was served on April 21st, 2005, which required Coillte to remedy the breaches of lease within 20 months. While some remedial work were carried out, this was "limited" and "substandard". The proceedings to recover the lands were initiated.
© 2007 The Irish Times
Farmer unaware land was registered as quarry
The case of a farmer whose land was registered as a quarry without his knowledge is to be raised as an emergency issue at a meeting of South Dublin County Council (SDCC) later today.
In recent weeks, farmer Brian Joyce found out that 47 acres of his farm, close to Tallaght in south-west Dublin, had been registered as a quarry with SDCC by Roadstone. The section registered includes the site of his home, his parents' home and the home of his neighbour.
The lands, at Mount Seskin Road, adjoin the De Selby quarry, which is owned and operated by Roadstone, a subsidiary of Irish multinational CRH and one of the largest quarrying firms in the country. The company has said that it is entitled to register the lands and claims to have quarrying rights on them through a lease dating back to 1913.
Mr Joyce said that he had been unable to find any record of the lease in land registry records. He said that he and his family were "shocked and appalled" at the registration and the claims by Roadstone. "The farm has been owned freehold by our family for the last 46 years, and the first we heard about this so-called lease was three weeks ago," he said.
The farm was bought in 1961 by Mr Joyce's father, Thomas, now 89, after he returned from England, where he worked as a labourer. Mr Joyce snr and his wife, Catherine, still live on the farm.
Brian Joyce, who rents additional land from Roadstone, said that he had learned about the registration during a discussion with company representatives. "The land they have registered includes my house, it includes my parents, it includes my neighbours, but none of this is shown. The map they put in is from the 1930s."
Under current planning laws, quarrying companies are required to register a quarry with the relevant county council, in this case South Dublin, and indicate the extent of the quarry in supporting documents. Mr Joyce said that the quarry operator was also required to state who owned the land on which the quarry was located. However, in this section of the form, the company had written "not applicable".
Mr Joyce added: "Not applicable seems to be all we are to Roadstone." He criticised the south Dublin planning department for failing to carry out a check to establish the accuracy of the information supplied by Roadstone and said that this would have shown up a planning application for an extension to his house on the site claimed as a quarry.
Council planners have requested Roadstone to submit a full planning application in relation to the quarry, although the issue surrounding the ownership of some of the lands has yet to be raised by planners, according to SDCC planning documents.
SDCC mayor Eamonn Maloney is to raise the issue by way of an emergency motion later today in an attempt to remove the registration from the records on the basis that the firm supplied incomplete information.
In a statement to The Irish Times, Roadstone declined to comment on the matter of the information provided in the registration. "Roadstone Dublin Ltd registered its quarry at De Selby under Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act in April 2005," the statement said. "As part of that registration, we included land registered to the Joyce farm on which Roadstone Dublin Ltd has quarrying rights by way of a lease in 1913."
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
In recent weeks, farmer Brian Joyce found out that 47 acres of his farm, close to Tallaght in south-west Dublin, had been registered as a quarry with SDCC by Roadstone. The section registered includes the site of his home, his parents' home and the home of his neighbour.
The lands, at Mount Seskin Road, adjoin the De Selby quarry, which is owned and operated by Roadstone, a subsidiary of Irish multinational CRH and one of the largest quarrying firms in the country. The company has said that it is entitled to register the lands and claims to have quarrying rights on them through a lease dating back to 1913.
Mr Joyce said that he had been unable to find any record of the lease in land registry records. He said that he and his family were "shocked and appalled" at the registration and the claims by Roadstone. "The farm has been owned freehold by our family for the last 46 years, and the first we heard about this so-called lease was three weeks ago," he said.
The farm was bought in 1961 by Mr Joyce's father, Thomas, now 89, after he returned from England, where he worked as a labourer. Mr Joyce snr and his wife, Catherine, still live on the farm.
Brian Joyce, who rents additional land from Roadstone, said that he had learned about the registration during a discussion with company representatives. "The land they have registered includes my house, it includes my parents, it includes my neighbours, but none of this is shown. The map they put in is from the 1930s."
Under current planning laws, quarrying companies are required to register a quarry with the relevant county council, in this case South Dublin, and indicate the extent of the quarry in supporting documents. Mr Joyce said that the quarry operator was also required to state who owned the land on which the quarry was located. However, in this section of the form, the company had written "not applicable".
Mr Joyce added: "Not applicable seems to be all we are to Roadstone." He criticised the south Dublin planning department for failing to carry out a check to establish the accuracy of the information supplied by Roadstone and said that this would have shown up a planning application for an extension to his house on the site claimed as a quarry.
Council planners have requested Roadstone to submit a full planning application in relation to the quarry, although the issue surrounding the ownership of some of the lands has yet to be raised by planners, according to SDCC planning documents.
SDCC mayor Eamonn Maloney is to raise the issue by way of an emergency motion later today in an attempt to remove the registration from the records on the basis that the firm supplied incomplete information.
In a statement to The Irish Times, Roadstone declined to comment on the matter of the information provided in the registration. "Roadstone Dublin Ltd registered its quarry at De Selby under Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act in April 2005," the statement said. "As part of that registration, we included land registered to the Joyce farm on which Roadstone Dublin Ltd has quarrying rights by way of a lease in 1913."
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
Castletownbere right-of-way battle sees both parties warned
A case arising from friction about a right of way in Castletownbere, Co. Cork, could provide 10 lawyers with ‘eating and drinking and a good living’ if it went forward to a higher courts, Judge James McNulty remarked at Castletownbere District Court on Friday.
Giving his judgement in the case, he said that people who used a right of way should respect it especially if that right-of-way was not fully or truly established.
Castletownbere post man John O’Connor claimed Margaret Downey-Harrington was trying to stop him from using a right-of-way through her property to get to his boat.
She and members of her family claimed they saw O’Connor viciously kick a gate against a wall. The gate had been erected at the entrance to laneway which O’Connor used.
A summons against O’Connor for maliciously damaging the gate on February 25, 2006, was dismissed.
However, in a separate civil action for €900 damages, Judge McNulty found, on the balance of probabilities, that O’Connor caused some damage to the gates and awarded Ms. Downey Harrington €100.
O’Connor, of Droum Wrest, Castletownbere, was ordered to pay the entire costs of the action.
He was also bound to the peace and to be of good behaviour for three years on a bond of €10,000.
Ms. Downey Harrington, a widow and company Director, of Droum South, Castletownbere, was bound to be of good behaviour for three years, also on a bond of €10,000.
Judge McNulty said he was taking into account the risk of a breach of the peace of the conduct of the parties continued to go unrestrained.
In a lengthy judgement, Judge McNulty said the erection of the gates at the entrance to the laneway may have contributed ‘to the reason why we are all here today’. He said the gates might be left open on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer to allow for ease of access by people who felt entitled to go through the laneway.
He also said Mrs. Downey Harrington may have contributed to problems when she reproached individuals who felt they had rights of access through her property to get to public area. She may have asserted her rights to her property in manner which was ill-tempered and ill-considered.
‘She appears to have made a serious contribution to the improvement of this area in general, but the placing of wrought-iron gates at the front entrance to her property may have been unwise’, the Judge said.
Donal Hickey
© Irish Examiner
Giving his judgement in the case, he said that people who used a right of way should respect it especially if that right-of-way was not fully or truly established.
Castletownbere post man John O’Connor claimed Margaret Downey-Harrington was trying to stop him from using a right-of-way through her property to get to his boat.
She and members of her family claimed they saw O’Connor viciously kick a gate against a wall. The gate had been erected at the entrance to laneway which O’Connor used.
A summons against O’Connor for maliciously damaging the gate on February 25, 2006, was dismissed.
However, in a separate civil action for €900 damages, Judge McNulty found, on the balance of probabilities, that O’Connor caused some damage to the gates and awarded Ms. Downey Harrington €100.
O’Connor, of Droum Wrest, Castletownbere, was ordered to pay the entire costs of the action.
He was also bound to the peace and to be of good behaviour for three years on a bond of €10,000.
Ms. Downey Harrington, a widow and company Director, of Droum South, Castletownbere, was bound to be of good behaviour for three years, also on a bond of €10,000.
Judge McNulty said he was taking into account the risk of a breach of the peace of the conduct of the parties continued to go unrestrained.
In a lengthy judgement, Judge McNulty said the erection of the gates at the entrance to the laneway may have contributed ‘to the reason why we are all here today’. He said the gates might be left open on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer to allow for ease of access by people who felt entitled to go through the laneway.
He also said Mrs. Downey Harrington may have contributed to problems when she reproached individuals who felt they had rights of access through her property to get to public area. She may have asserted her rights to her property in manner which was ill-tempered and ill-considered.
‘She appears to have made a serious contribution to the improvement of this area in general, but the placing of wrought-iron gates at the front entrance to her property may have been unwise’, the Judge said.
Donal Hickey
© Irish Examiner
EPA to hold hearing into Corrib licence
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has agreed to hold an oral hearing into the licensing of the Corrib gas refinery in north Mayo.
Objectors to the preliminary licensing approval have been informed of the EPA's decision, but a date has yet to be set for the hearing.
The EPA issued a preliminary integrated pollution prevention and control (IPCC) approval last January. Among the 12 appellants to the hearing are Corrib's lead developer, Shell E&P Ireland, An Taisce, local priest Fr Michael Nallen, the Erris Inshore Fishermen's Association, and members of the Shell to Sea campaign.
The IPCC licence for the refinery is one of a number of consents handled by various State agencies in relation to the €900 million project. It addresses emissions and the environmental management of the facility.
The EPA's preliminary approval states that it is "satisfied that emissions from the refinery, when operated in accordance with the conditions of the proposed licence, will not adversely affect human health or the environment and will meet all relevant national and EU standards". To date, the EPA has not overturned such an interim decision.
Shell had objected to the wording in eight of some 85 conditions attached. An Taisce's objection recommends that the EPA board refuse a final licence for seven reasons, including the failure of the Bellanaboy location to comply with international codes of practice because of its proximity to Carrowmore Lake, which supplies 10,000 people.
Shell E&P Ireland welcomed the EPA's oral hearing decision and said it would provide an opportunity for people to "air their genuine concerns at an independent and transparent forum".
Mayo Independent TD Dr Jerry Cowley and Seanad candidate for the NUI constituency Dr Mark Garavan said yesterday that while they welcomed the EPA's move, they believed a far more comprehensive "root-and-branch" review was required.
They reiterated their call to set up an independent commission to determine the optimum development model for the project.
"We are concerned that Shell's insistence on proceeding with construction of the refinery prior to an agreement regarding a production pipeline and prior to EPA approval will deepen the dispute," they said.
In a separate development, Shell confirmed yesterday that a "technical issue" had arisen in relation to variations in diameter of concrete piles installed at the terminal site to support roadways. However, all piles installed to date had passed integrity tests and it said it had no "health and safety issue" relating to the situation.
Lorna Siggins
© 2007 The Irish Times
Objectors to the preliminary licensing approval have been informed of the EPA's decision, but a date has yet to be set for the hearing.
The EPA issued a preliminary integrated pollution prevention and control (IPCC) approval last January. Among the 12 appellants to the hearing are Corrib's lead developer, Shell E&P Ireland, An Taisce, local priest Fr Michael Nallen, the Erris Inshore Fishermen's Association, and members of the Shell to Sea campaign.
The IPCC licence for the refinery is one of a number of consents handled by various State agencies in relation to the €900 million project. It addresses emissions and the environmental management of the facility.
The EPA's preliminary approval states that it is "satisfied that emissions from the refinery, when operated in accordance with the conditions of the proposed licence, will not adversely affect human health or the environment and will meet all relevant national and EU standards". To date, the EPA has not overturned such an interim decision.
Shell had objected to the wording in eight of some 85 conditions attached. An Taisce's objection recommends that the EPA board refuse a final licence for seven reasons, including the failure of the Bellanaboy location to comply with international codes of practice because of its proximity to Carrowmore Lake, which supplies 10,000 people.
Shell E&P Ireland welcomed the EPA's oral hearing decision and said it would provide an opportunity for people to "air their genuine concerns at an independent and transparent forum".
Mayo Independent TD Dr Jerry Cowley and Seanad candidate for the NUI constituency Dr Mark Garavan said yesterday that while they welcomed the EPA's move, they believed a far more comprehensive "root-and-branch" review was required.
They reiterated their call to set up an independent commission to determine the optimum development model for the project.
"We are concerned that Shell's insistence on proceeding with construction of the refinery prior to an agreement regarding a production pipeline and prior to EPA approval will deepen the dispute," they said.
In a separate development, Shell confirmed yesterday that a "technical issue" had arisen in relation to variations in diameter of concrete piles installed at the terminal site to support roadways. However, all piles installed to date had passed integrity tests and it said it had no "health and safety issue" relating to the situation.
Lorna Siggins
© 2007 The Irish Times
Council urged not build biofuel plants in urban areas
CORK County Council planning officials have been urged not to force biofuel industries to locate in urban areas or ports.
Councillor Alan Coleman (FF), who is a member of an EU renewable energy forum, criticised council planners for advising potential ‘green’ industrialists to locate in such areas, depriving rural communities with much-needed employment.
He said he had become aware of an industrialist who had been told by council officials not to locate further west than Bandon. In addition, he said that a company, which had recently had its plans for a plant near Kildorrery turned down by Bord Pleanála, had been told to look towards the port for another venture.
“We’re always hearing that the IDA is moving away from rural areas. Biofuel plants are agricultural-based, so they should be in rural areas. We should be encouraging people to base in rural areas,” Mr Coleman said.
Councillor Tom Sheahan (FG) said that biofuel plants in the US, especially those manufacturing ethanol, were located in rural communities and US companies had expressed interest in setting up similar plants here, again in rural areas. With the advent of global warming he said it was imperative that biofuel production was speeded up.
“These plants should be located close to where the product is grown. I’d be extremely worried if such plants end up in port areas. We should carry out a review of the existing County Development Plan and identify strategic areas of interest, like we did with windfarms. We should do a survey on where crops are and where they could be grown,” FG’s councillor Pat Buckley said.
Councillor Kevin O’Keeffe (FF) agreed, citing that the days of multinational companies locating in West and North Cork were long gone. He pointed out that Bord Pleanála refused permission for the Kildorrery plant, saying that such facilities should be located near a port — and this was not the way to go.
“If we move all these biofuel plants into Cork port we will strip the county again. It will add traffic to the city, beet lorries would congest the whole place,” Councillor Tomas Ryan (FG) said.
County manager Martin Riordan said he would look at the whole situation and bring a discussion paper forward to council’s planning policy committee.
Sean O’Riordan
© Cork Examiner
Councillor Alan Coleman (FF), who is a member of an EU renewable energy forum, criticised council planners for advising potential ‘green’ industrialists to locate in such areas, depriving rural communities with much-needed employment.
He said he had become aware of an industrialist who had been told by council officials not to locate further west than Bandon. In addition, he said that a company, which had recently had its plans for a plant near Kildorrery turned down by Bord Pleanála, had been told to look towards the port for another venture.
“We’re always hearing that the IDA is moving away from rural areas. Biofuel plants are agricultural-based, so they should be in rural areas. We should be encouraging people to base in rural areas,” Mr Coleman said.
Councillor Tom Sheahan (FG) said that biofuel plants in the US, especially those manufacturing ethanol, were located in rural communities and US companies had expressed interest in setting up similar plants here, again in rural areas. With the advent of global warming he said it was imperative that biofuel production was speeded up.
“These plants should be located close to where the product is grown. I’d be extremely worried if such plants end up in port areas. We should carry out a review of the existing County Development Plan and identify strategic areas of interest, like we did with windfarms. We should do a survey on where crops are and where they could be grown,” FG’s councillor Pat Buckley said.
Councillor Kevin O’Keeffe (FF) agreed, citing that the days of multinational companies locating in West and North Cork were long gone. He pointed out that Bord Pleanála refused permission for the Kildorrery plant, saying that such facilities should be located near a port — and this was not the way to go.
“If we move all these biofuel plants into Cork port we will strip the county again. It will add traffic to the city, beet lorries would congest the whole place,” Councillor Tomas Ryan (FG) said.
County manager Martin Riordan said he would look at the whole situation and bring a discussion paper forward to council’s planning policy committee.
Sean O’Riordan
© Cork Examiner
Sargent defends plan to review roads programme
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent has described as "distortion" suggestions by Tánaiste Michael McDowell that the party plans to scrap a large number of road developments if it is elected to government.
Speaking at a press conference in Cork yesterday, Mr Sargent said reports that the Greens in government would damage the economy and regional development by not proceeding with the roads programme were based on "false reading" or "non-reading" of party policy.
However, Mr Sargent said the imbalance between road investment and public transport investment had to be addressed urgently.
He insisted increased investment in public transport was vital for a range of economic, social and environmental reasons.
Mr Sargent said the road programme was not going to solve gridlock because planning had allowed Dublin to become the magnet for the country.
"Simply building more roads to get people quicker into the traffic jam around the M50 is not going to solve gridlock.
"An example of that is the M3 coming in from Navan, which will bring traffic more quickly into the M50. Whereas if you have a rail link from Navan into Dublin you don't have the gridlock problem to deal with, and people also get into Dublin without the emissions.
"We do need to make our roads safer, we do need to upgrade our roads, but what we need to do at the same time is have the public transport infrastructure.
"You cannot do everything you want, but you have to give the priority to public transport and we are working responsibly within the money available under Transport 21. Instead of being thanked for being responsible, the Government is trying to distort what we are saying."
The Green Party has proposed new Luas lines for Cork and Galway, an extension of Dublin's light rail system and the fast-tracking of a rail link for Navan if it gets into government after the next general election.
The present Government's plan is to build, widen or upgrade 850km of roads, costing €18 billion, over the next eight years. Greens transport spokesman Eamon Ryan has admitted that, if elected to government, the party would reassess the roads programme.
However, suggestions that the Greens would drop 100 road projects have been described by Mr Ryan as "ludicrous".
Reflecting on the publication of the Government's White Paper on Energy yesterday, Mr Sargent said he feared it was simply another "whitewash" designed to give the impression that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste cared about the environment.
Olivia Kelleher
© 2007 The Irish Times
Speaking at a press conference in Cork yesterday, Mr Sargent said reports that the Greens in government would damage the economy and regional development by not proceeding with the roads programme were based on "false reading" or "non-reading" of party policy.
However, Mr Sargent said the imbalance between road investment and public transport investment had to be addressed urgently.
He insisted increased investment in public transport was vital for a range of economic, social and environmental reasons.
Mr Sargent said the road programme was not going to solve gridlock because planning had allowed Dublin to become the magnet for the country.
"Simply building more roads to get people quicker into the traffic jam around the M50 is not going to solve gridlock.
"An example of that is the M3 coming in from Navan, which will bring traffic more quickly into the M50. Whereas if you have a rail link from Navan into Dublin you don't have the gridlock problem to deal with, and people also get into Dublin without the emissions.
"We do need to make our roads safer, we do need to upgrade our roads, but what we need to do at the same time is have the public transport infrastructure.
"You cannot do everything you want, but you have to give the priority to public transport and we are working responsibly within the money available under Transport 21. Instead of being thanked for being responsible, the Government is trying to distort what we are saying."
The Green Party has proposed new Luas lines for Cork and Galway, an extension of Dublin's light rail system and the fast-tracking of a rail link for Navan if it gets into government after the next general election.
The present Government's plan is to build, widen or upgrade 850km of roads, costing €18 billion, over the next eight years. Greens transport spokesman Eamon Ryan has admitted that, if elected to government, the party would reassess the roads programme.
However, suggestions that the Greens would drop 100 road projects have been described by Mr Ryan as "ludicrous".
Reflecting on the publication of the Government's White Paper on Energy yesterday, Mr Sargent said he feared it was simply another "whitewash" designed to give the impression that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste cared about the environment.
Olivia Kelleher
© 2007 The Irish Times
Government may be tilting at windmills with ambitious energy plan
If you drive east out of Los Angeles towards Palm Springs, you cross a vast desert. It is arid. It is monotonous.
But the monotony does not come as much from the dusty wastes as from the thousands of windmills that fill the landscape for mile after mile.
By 2020, if the Government’s blueprint on energy achieves its targets, Ireland will have more windmills than Don Quixote could hope to tilt at in a lifetime.
Yesterday’s White Paper on the energy policy framework confirmed that the Government wants 33% of our energy needs to be supplied by renewable forms by 2020. Communications Minister Noel Dempsey accepted it would be a big ask. “Everybody agrees that they are ambitious,” he said, before stressing he thought they were achievable.
How big an ask it is is borne out by the figures. Renewables comprised only 5% of the market in 2005 and so this source will need to be multiplied six-fold over the next 13 years.
But when you look for detail as to how that will be achieved, there are not enough specifics to indicate whether it will be achievable or not.
Yes, €150 million has been allotted in the National Development Plan to develop alternative energy sources and Mr Dempsey said that he has got signals from his Cabinet colleagues that “if more is needed, it will be made
available”. The White Paper states that “wind energy will provide the pivotal contribution to achieving this target”.
Lots of windmills then. There is also a commitment to develop ocean energy technologies, as well as biomass technologies.
But as Eamon Ryan of the Green Party pointed out, there are lots of plans that will be finalised over the next year, but not enough in terms of concrete proposals.
This is partly explained by the fact that Mr Dempsey’s energy policy framework is one piece of a larger jigsaw. One of the key factors will be reduction in dependence on fossil fuels and better conservation. To that end, we will not have a grasp of the full energy/climate change/reduction in carbon emissions picture until the publication of Environment Minister Dick Roche’s climate change strategy (due out at Easter); and the separate policy papers on transport (Minister Martin Cullen) and agriculture (Minister Mary Coughlan).
Parties have muscled up on their energy policies and Mr Dempsey’s claim that the white paper is comprehensive, coherent and detailed is generally correct. Elsewhere there are over 200 separate actions set out to ensure security of supply, better conservation and sustainability.
Very ambitious, certainly. But until we see all the details spelling out how it can be done, it will remain a target more utopian than real.
Harry McGee
© Irish Examiner
But the monotony does not come as much from the dusty wastes as from the thousands of windmills that fill the landscape for mile after mile.
By 2020, if the Government’s blueprint on energy achieves its targets, Ireland will have more windmills than Don Quixote could hope to tilt at in a lifetime.
Yesterday’s White Paper on the energy policy framework confirmed that the Government wants 33% of our energy needs to be supplied by renewable forms by 2020. Communications Minister Noel Dempsey accepted it would be a big ask. “Everybody agrees that they are ambitious,” he said, before stressing he thought they were achievable.
How big an ask it is is borne out by the figures. Renewables comprised only 5% of the market in 2005 and so this source will need to be multiplied six-fold over the next 13 years.
But when you look for detail as to how that will be achieved, there are not enough specifics to indicate whether it will be achievable or not.
Yes, €150 million has been allotted in the National Development Plan to develop alternative energy sources and Mr Dempsey said that he has got signals from his Cabinet colleagues that “if more is needed, it will be made
available”. The White Paper states that “wind energy will provide the pivotal contribution to achieving this target”.
Lots of windmills then. There is also a commitment to develop ocean energy technologies, as well as biomass technologies.
But as Eamon Ryan of the Green Party pointed out, there are lots of plans that will be finalised over the next year, but not enough in terms of concrete proposals.
This is partly explained by the fact that Mr Dempsey’s energy policy framework is one piece of a larger jigsaw. One of the key factors will be reduction in dependence on fossil fuels and better conservation. To that end, we will not have a grasp of the full energy/climate change/reduction in carbon emissions picture until the publication of Environment Minister Dick Roche’s climate change strategy (due out at Easter); and the separate policy papers on transport (Minister Martin Cullen) and agriculture (Minister Mary Coughlan).
Parties have muscled up on their energy policies and Mr Dempsey’s claim that the white paper is comprehensive, coherent and detailed is generally correct. Elsewhere there are over 200 separate actions set out to ensure security of supply, better conservation and sustainability.
Very ambitious, certainly. But until we see all the details spelling out how it can be done, it will remain a target more utopian than real.
Harry McGee
© Irish Examiner
Monday, 12 March 2007
Would this eco-towns policy proposal work in Ireland?
In the UK, new 'eco-towns' built on brownfield land could lead the way in cutting carbon emissions and building affordable homes, UK Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said.
The UK government announced it would consider plans for eco-towns put forward by local authorities as part of the new Growth Points scheme.
Forty-five councils have already come forward with plans for new homes and jobs to respond to serious housing pressures in their areas and some authorities are also looking at plans for 'new settlements'. UK Ministers will now consider these plans within the Growth Points scheme, insisting on proposals for zero or low-carbon developments which make the best use of brownfield land.
New eco-towns, of between 5,000-10,000 homes, would have strong public transport links to nearby towns and cities. They would make the best use of brownfield land and could be built on public sector surplus land - such as former Ministry of Defence (MoD) or NHS sites.
Ministers believe these new developments could help drive the environmental technologies needed to ensure thatall new homes are zero-carbon within a decade - as set out in last December's zero-carbon timetable.
Yvette Cooper has announced £2 million funding to develop plans for the eco-towns. She also announced the appointment of Professor David Lock, Chair of the Town and Country Planning Association, to report to Government on further developing the criteria for eco-towns.
She said - "We desperately need more homes - and we desperately need to cut carbon emissions to tackle climate change. New eco-towns could build low-carbon design into the fabric of the community - not just into individual houses.
"We have already made substantial progress, with the new timetable for zero-carbon development and proposals for places like Northstowe. But we need to go further - now is the time for us to look at new eco-towns, put forward by local councils.
"They could use public transport and new green designs to deliver low-cost and low-carbon homes for the future - making good use of brownfield land."
The UK government announced it would consider plans for eco-towns put forward by local authorities as part of the new Growth Points scheme.
Forty-five councils have already come forward with plans for new homes and jobs to respond to serious housing pressures in their areas and some authorities are also looking at plans for 'new settlements'. UK Ministers will now consider these plans within the Growth Points scheme, insisting on proposals for zero or low-carbon developments which make the best use of brownfield land.
New eco-towns, of between 5,000-10,000 homes, would have strong public transport links to nearby towns and cities. They would make the best use of brownfield land and could be built on public sector surplus land - such as former Ministry of Defence (MoD) or NHS sites.
Ministers believe these new developments could help drive the environmental technologies needed to ensure thatall new homes are zero-carbon within a decade - as set out in last December's zero-carbon timetable.
Yvette Cooper has announced £2 million funding to develop plans for the eco-towns. She also announced the appointment of Professor David Lock, Chair of the Town and Country Planning Association, to report to Government on further developing the criteria for eco-towns.
She said - "We desperately need more homes - and we desperately need to cut carbon emissions to tackle climate change. New eco-towns could build low-carbon design into the fabric of the community - not just into individual houses.
"We have already made substantial progress, with the new timetable for zero-carbon development and proposals for places like Northstowe. But we need to go further - now is the time for us to look at new eco-towns, put forward by local councils.
"They could use public transport and new green designs to deliver low-cost and low-carbon homes for the future - making good use of brownfield land."
€16.8m for Greencastle Harbour Development
John Browne T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources has confirmed that an offer of grant-aid has been issued to Donegal County Council in respect of phase 1 of the Greencastle Harbour Development.
Phase 1 of the development involves the construction of a breakwater at an estimated cost of €16.8 million. This funding was approved under the Department of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources 2007 Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure programme. Under this Programme the Department provides 75% funding and the Local Authority pays the balance of 25%.
However as Greencastle is in a CLÁR designated area, the Local Authority contribution is reduced to 12.5% with the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs contributing the other 12.5% under the new CLÁR scheme.
The recommended development option for Greencastle consists of four phases - which will provide a rock breakwater, fuel berth and mussel berth, new deep-water berths and additional berths to the inner harbour - estimated to cost in excess of €45 million. The proposed development at Greencastle has received full planning permission.
On receipt of a commitment from Donegal County Council to contribute the required 12.5% of the Phase 1 cost, the construction will commence. The project will be carried out by DCMNR engineers on behalf of Donegal County Council.
Phase 1 of the development involves the construction of a breakwater at an estimated cost of €16.8 million. This funding was approved under the Department of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources 2007 Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure programme. Under this Programme the Department provides 75% funding and the Local Authority pays the balance of 25%.
However as Greencastle is in a CLÁR designated area, the Local Authority contribution is reduced to 12.5% with the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs contributing the other 12.5% under the new CLÁR scheme.
The recommended development option for Greencastle consists of four phases - which will provide a rock breakwater, fuel berth and mussel berth, new deep-water berths and additional berths to the inner harbour - estimated to cost in excess of €45 million. The proposed development at Greencastle has received full planning permission.
On receipt of a commitment from Donegal County Council to contribute the required 12.5% of the Phase 1 cost, the construction will commence. The project will be carried out by DCMNR engineers on behalf of Donegal County Council.
A new energy future for Ireland
An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD and Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources have launched the Government's Energy White Paper.
The White Paper entitled - Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland - is a practical action-based strategy for achieving a new energy future for Ireland.
Emphasising the importance that the Government attaches to energy policy, an Taoiseach Bertie Ahern stated - "Energy policy is a fundamental feature of our social and economic development. It underpins the social partnership agreement - 'Towards 2016' - and the National Development Plan. It is also critical to the forthcoming review of the National Climate Change Strategy."
Minister Dempsey added - "Energy is central to all our lives. It affects all of us - individually and collectively. It fuels the engine of the economy and it is key for job creation and national competitiveness. It is central to how we protect our environment and how we respond to climate change. For this reason, energy has been high on the Government's agenda for many years now and has been a priority over the past two years.
"With regard to the sustainability agenda, we have set ambitious and achievable targets for renewable energy in the electricity, transport and heating sectors. As a result, by 2020, one third of electricity consumed in this economy will come from renewable sources. In terms of national competitiveness, there is widespread consensus that we must reduce energy costs for consumers and deliver the best possible conditions for competition and customer choice in the Irish energy market.
"To this end, we are introducing structural changes in the electricity sector that will create a more attractive investment climate for existing and new players, deliver increased competition, reduce the cost of electricity and offer greater choice for consumers" - said Dempsey.
Minister Dempsey confirmed the creation of a landbank of power generation sites to facilitate new independent generation, the reduction in ESB's power generation market share and the transfer of the transmission assets to EirGrid, as key steps towards achieving this goal.
The White Paper also confirms the importance of ensuring security of supply. The development of the Single Electricity Market on an all-island basis and the building of new electricity interconnection North/South and East West with the UK will contribute greatly to this objective.
These are the first steps towards Ireland becoming an integral part of a wider North West European energy market and benefiting from enhanced security of supply. It will also mean more competition, more innovation and more choice for consumers.
The Government is also committed to a radical energy efficiency programme that will reduce harmful emissions and contribute to our efforts to combat climate change, while also cutting costs for everyone. "In 2020, Ireland will be a fully sustainable, secure, efficient, affordable and competitive all-island energy market - supporting environmental, economic and social policy objectives" - added the Minister.
The Government wants to position both the ESB and EirGrid as strong and vibrant Semi-Sate bodies now and into the future. "These changes will better position the ESB - both nationally and internationally - to take the opportunities and meet the challenges which they face in the new energy landscape in Europe.
"EirGrid will be strengthened to carry out its strategic mandate to meet the needs of consumers in an independent, fair and transparent manner and to the highest international standards. I am confident that ESB and EirGrid management and staff will rise to the challenges and deliver the benefits of the new structure in the national interest and in the interests of both State bodies" - Minister Dempsey said.
"Everyone will benefit from this new energy future. Working together, we can deliver a sustainable secure and competitive energy future for Ireland" - Dempsey concluded.
The White Paper entitled - Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland - is a practical action-based strategy for achieving a new energy future for Ireland.
Emphasising the importance that the Government attaches to energy policy, an Taoiseach Bertie Ahern stated - "Energy policy is a fundamental feature of our social and economic development. It underpins the social partnership agreement - 'Towards 2016' - and the National Development Plan. It is also critical to the forthcoming review of the National Climate Change Strategy."
Minister Dempsey added - "Energy is central to all our lives. It affects all of us - individually and collectively. It fuels the engine of the economy and it is key for job creation and national competitiveness. It is central to how we protect our environment and how we respond to climate change. For this reason, energy has been high on the Government's agenda for many years now and has been a priority over the past two years.
"With regard to the sustainability agenda, we have set ambitious and achievable targets for renewable energy in the electricity, transport and heating sectors. As a result, by 2020, one third of electricity consumed in this economy will come from renewable sources. In terms of national competitiveness, there is widespread consensus that we must reduce energy costs for consumers and deliver the best possible conditions for competition and customer choice in the Irish energy market.
"To this end, we are introducing structural changes in the electricity sector that will create a more attractive investment climate for existing and new players, deliver increased competition, reduce the cost of electricity and offer greater choice for consumers" - said Dempsey.
Minister Dempsey confirmed the creation of a landbank of power generation sites to facilitate new independent generation, the reduction in ESB's power generation market share and the transfer of the transmission assets to EirGrid, as key steps towards achieving this goal.
The White Paper also confirms the importance of ensuring security of supply. The development of the Single Electricity Market on an all-island basis and the building of new electricity interconnection North/South and East West with the UK will contribute greatly to this objective.
These are the first steps towards Ireland becoming an integral part of a wider North West European energy market and benefiting from enhanced security of supply. It will also mean more competition, more innovation and more choice for consumers.
The Government is also committed to a radical energy efficiency programme that will reduce harmful emissions and contribute to our efforts to combat climate change, while also cutting costs for everyone. "In 2020, Ireland will be a fully sustainable, secure, efficient, affordable and competitive all-island energy market - supporting environmental, economic and social policy objectives" - added the Minister.
The Government wants to position both the ESB and EirGrid as strong and vibrant Semi-Sate bodies now and into the future. "These changes will better position the ESB - both nationally and internationally - to take the opportunities and meet the challenges which they face in the new energy landscape in Europe.
"EirGrid will be strengthened to carry out its strategic mandate to meet the needs of consumers in an independent, fair and transparent manner and to the highest international standards. I am confident that ESB and EirGrid management and staff will rise to the challenges and deliver the benefits of the new structure in the national interest and in the interests of both State bodies" - Minister Dempsey said.
"Everyone will benefit from this new energy future. Working together, we can deliver a sustainable secure and competitive energy future for Ireland" - Dempsey concluded.
Saturday, 10 March 2007
€6.1m to be poured into water schemes
Over €6 million will be invested into water schemes in County Wicklow during 2007, including investment in new schemes, the upgrading of current schemes and the start of a number of new group sewerage schemes.
Overall the money will go toward new treatment plants for 19 water schemes, upgrading works for 16 group water schemes and the start of work on two new group water schemes and four group sewerage schemes
The investment, the largest amount of funding ever pumped into Wicklow, will come as welcome news to many rural communities who have suffered a number of problems with their water supply. The quality of water in some parts has been a frequent complaint, while the water supply in some parts of West Wicklow has actually been contaminated in the past. Some home owners are also still reliant on their own wells.
The complete figure for investment will reach €6.1 million and Wicklow will be included as part of the South Leinster Project which extends over several neighbouring counties. It will include 15 public water supplies and four group water schemes in Wicklow alone. €3.3 of the allocation will be provided to allow all the Wicklow schemes to be brought to completion later in the year, with over 1,400 households set to benefit from new or upgraded water supplies by the end of the year.
The 15 public water supply schemes will be located at Askinagap, Ballingate Ballyknockan, Baltyboys, Barnadarrig, Ballycooge, Coolboy/Coolafancy, Donard, Hollywood, Humphreystown, Kiltegan, Kirakee New, Kirakee Old, Knockananna, Knockanarrigan, Rathdangan, Stratford, Thomastown and Valleymount.
An allocation of €581,000 will also be set aside to enable construction to start on new group sewerage schemes at Ballynerrin, Blainroe, Glendalough and Killadreenan. That same allocation will also go toward new group water schemes at Stranakelly and Brittas Bay.
Eight group water schemes will also be connected to public mains to try and ensure the water meets the highest drinking standards. Blainroe, Cornagower, Hempstown, Kilacloran, Manor Kilbride, Old Court, Tinode and Tombrean/Umrygar are the areas to benefit, at a cost of €600,000.
The new funding will enable Wicklow County Council to takeover a number of group water schemes as well. Once agreement has been reached with the groups at Ballyrahan, Crossbridge, Rosbane and Tomacork, the county council will be able to take charge of them at a cost of around €127,500.
€248,750 has been set aside to pay for the upgrading of schemes at Ballyfolan, Blakestown, Raheen and Little Newtown.
Wicklow County Council also submitted proposals to the Department of the Environment and Local government about improvements they were seeking for a number of small public water and sewerage schemes all over the county. In order to meet these demands, €1.2 million will be set aside for small public sewerage schemes in Ballinaclash, Barnadarrig, Blainroe, Donard, Glenealy, Knockroe/Priestnewtown Sewer, Redcross, Stratford and Thomastown.
Wicklow People
Overall the money will go toward new treatment plants for 19 water schemes, upgrading works for 16 group water schemes and the start of work on two new group water schemes and four group sewerage schemes
The investment, the largest amount of funding ever pumped into Wicklow, will come as welcome news to many rural communities who have suffered a number of problems with their water supply. The quality of water in some parts has been a frequent complaint, while the water supply in some parts of West Wicklow has actually been contaminated in the past. Some home owners are also still reliant on their own wells.
The complete figure for investment will reach €6.1 million and Wicklow will be included as part of the South Leinster Project which extends over several neighbouring counties. It will include 15 public water supplies and four group water schemes in Wicklow alone. €3.3 of the allocation will be provided to allow all the Wicklow schemes to be brought to completion later in the year, with over 1,400 households set to benefit from new or upgraded water supplies by the end of the year.
The 15 public water supply schemes will be located at Askinagap, Ballingate Ballyknockan, Baltyboys, Barnadarrig, Ballycooge, Coolboy/Coolafancy, Donard, Hollywood, Humphreystown, Kiltegan, Kirakee New, Kirakee Old, Knockananna, Knockanarrigan, Rathdangan, Stratford, Thomastown and Valleymount.
An allocation of €581,000 will also be set aside to enable construction to start on new group sewerage schemes at Ballynerrin, Blainroe, Glendalough and Killadreenan. That same allocation will also go toward new group water schemes at Stranakelly and Brittas Bay.
Eight group water schemes will also be connected to public mains to try and ensure the water meets the highest drinking standards. Blainroe, Cornagower, Hempstown, Kilacloran, Manor Kilbride, Old Court, Tinode and Tombrean/Umrygar are the areas to benefit, at a cost of €600,000.
The new funding will enable Wicklow County Council to takeover a number of group water schemes as well. Once agreement has been reached with the groups at Ballyrahan, Crossbridge, Rosbane and Tomacork, the county council will be able to take charge of them at a cost of around €127,500.
€248,750 has been set aside to pay for the upgrading of schemes at Ballyfolan, Blakestown, Raheen and Little Newtown.
Wicklow County Council also submitted proposals to the Department of the Environment and Local government about improvements they were seeking for a number of small public water and sewerage schemes all over the county. In order to meet these demands, €1.2 million will be set aside for small public sewerage schemes in Ballinaclash, Barnadarrig, Blainroe, Donard, Glenealy, Knockroe/Priestnewtown Sewer, Redcross, Stratford and Thomastown.
Wicklow People
Contracts for construction of M3 signed
Contracts for the construction of one of the State's most expensive motorway sections yet, the controversial M3 motorway in Co Meath, have been signed by Siac Ferrovial and the National Roads Authority. The cost of the road, including land, is €900 million.
Siac Ferrovial, an Irish-Spanish consortium trading as Eurolink, has already commenced preparatory works and has moved machinery on to a site compound at Dunshaughlin. Construction of the 60km of motorway and 50km of ancillary roads is now expected to get under way in earnest.
A spokesman for Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said there were no outstanding issues in relation to archaeology to delay the start of the project.
At €900 million, the road is more expensive than all schemes so far except the upgrade of the M50 where the addition of a third lane and upgrade of the junctions is expected to cost €1 billion. In comparison, Dublin Port Tunnel cost some €750 million - although the contractor is seeking additional payments - and the Shannon Tunnel in Limerick has a projected cost of about €570 million. The South Eastern Motorway, the most expensive section of the M50, cost about €500 million.
Opponents of the M3 have not ruled out another legal challenge and in the last month transport researcher Brian Guckian has lodged complaints against Ireland with the European Commission and the European Parliament over four Irish motorway projects, including the M3.
He told The Irish Times yesterday his complaint related to defects in the environmental impact assessments of the M3, the proposed M7/M8 motorway in the midlands, the Monkstown Ring Road in south Dublin and two schemes on the N6/M6 between Athlone and Galway.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Siac Ferrovial, an Irish-Spanish consortium trading as Eurolink, has already commenced preparatory works and has moved machinery on to a site compound at Dunshaughlin. Construction of the 60km of motorway and 50km of ancillary roads is now expected to get under way in earnest.
A spokesman for Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said there were no outstanding issues in relation to archaeology to delay the start of the project.
At €900 million, the road is more expensive than all schemes so far except the upgrade of the M50 where the addition of a third lane and upgrade of the junctions is expected to cost €1 billion. In comparison, Dublin Port Tunnel cost some €750 million - although the contractor is seeking additional payments - and the Shannon Tunnel in Limerick has a projected cost of about €570 million. The South Eastern Motorway, the most expensive section of the M50, cost about €500 million.
Opponents of the M3 have not ruled out another legal challenge and in the last month transport researcher Brian Guckian has lodged complaints against Ireland with the European Commission and the European Parliament over four Irish motorway projects, including the M3.
He told The Irish Times yesterday his complaint related to defects in the environmental impact assessments of the M3, the proposed M7/M8 motorway in the midlands, the Monkstown Ring Road in south Dublin and two schemes on the N6/M6 between Athlone and Galway.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Carry on up the quarry
IN 2002, An Bord Pleanála (ABP) ruled that a Galway quarry, owned by brothers Myles and Michael Valentine Welby, required planning permission. Over four years later, the brothers are still quarrying away in Moycullen without it.
The Welbys and their company M&M Caireal Teoranta (MMC) were referred to ABP by local resident Tomas O Cadhain and wife Bernadette Coyne, who claimed the Welbys had intensified quarrying illegally. Galway County Council maintained that the quarry was in fact exempt from planning permission as it had operated since before 1963 but ABP inspector Robert Ryan decided otherwise. Interestingly, Ryan also observed that the bitter local row hadn’t been helped by “the absence of detailed information from the planning authority”. The lack of any official response from the Galway County Council, Ryan said, was “most regrettable indeed”.
After the ABP ruling, Council officials say they issued enforcement proceedings against the quarry. The brothers, however, sought a judicial review of the enforcement, which has put a halt to any proceedings, according to planning official Noel Burke. However, the High Court actually adjourned the judicial review back in 2004 with leave to re-enter but no enforcement proceedings have since been issued.
Council officials also point to the Dundalk Town Council v Bill Lawlor case of March 2005, when judge Iarfhlaith O’Neill ruled an enforcement notice to be lacking in clarity and invalid as a result.
Apparently, this has convinced some Galway officials that they may no longer have a case for enforcement against the Welbys. Nevertheless, there was no attempt to halt quarrying in the 13 months between the adjournment of MMC’s judicial review and the decision on the Dundalk case.
Happily for the Welbys, the Council continued to buy material from them for use on the EU-funded R59 road, for example (see The Phoenix, 14/7/06). Officials told Goldhawk, however, that the quarry is now no longer an official supplier having been placed “in error” on the list of eligible companies last year before being swiftly removed.
Ironically, the reason for its removal was that MMC didn’t comply with the Council’s own regulations on planning permission.
Meanwhile, MMC has built up a pile of cash, with accumulated profits for 2005
standing at close to €1m. The last two financial years have seen the company make an operating loss, however, and the loss of Council business will hurt the Welbys more, but the charmed brothers did manage to get a €66,000 grant from Údarás na Gaeltachta a few years ago despite MCT not being based in the Gaeltacht , so anything is possible.
© The Pheonix
The Welbys and their company M&M Caireal Teoranta (MMC) were referred to ABP by local resident Tomas O Cadhain and wife Bernadette Coyne, who claimed the Welbys had intensified quarrying illegally. Galway County Council maintained that the quarry was in fact exempt from planning permission as it had operated since before 1963 but ABP inspector Robert Ryan decided otherwise. Interestingly, Ryan also observed that the bitter local row hadn’t been helped by “the absence of detailed information from the planning authority”. The lack of any official response from the Galway County Council, Ryan said, was “most regrettable indeed”.
After the ABP ruling, Council officials say they issued enforcement proceedings against the quarry. The brothers, however, sought a judicial review of the enforcement, which has put a halt to any proceedings, according to planning official Noel Burke. However, the High Court actually adjourned the judicial review back in 2004 with leave to re-enter but no enforcement proceedings have since been issued.
Council officials also point to the Dundalk Town Council v Bill Lawlor case of March 2005, when judge Iarfhlaith O’Neill ruled an enforcement notice to be lacking in clarity and invalid as a result.
Apparently, this has convinced some Galway officials that they may no longer have a case for enforcement against the Welbys. Nevertheless, there was no attempt to halt quarrying in the 13 months between the adjournment of MMC’s judicial review and the decision on the Dundalk case.
Happily for the Welbys, the Council continued to buy material from them for use on the EU-funded R59 road, for example (see The Phoenix, 14/7/06). Officials told Goldhawk, however, that the quarry is now no longer an official supplier having been placed “in error” on the list of eligible companies last year before being swiftly removed.
Ironically, the reason for its removal was that MMC didn’t comply with the Council’s own regulations on planning permission.
Meanwhile, MMC has built up a pile of cash, with accumulated profits for 2005
standing at close to €1m. The last two financial years have seen the company make an operating loss, however, and the loss of Council business will hurt the Welbys more, but the charmed brothers did manage to get a €66,000 grant from Údarás na Gaeltachta a few years ago despite MCT not being based in the Gaeltacht , so anything is possible.
© The Pheonix
Residents oppose Banna caravan park
A decision by Kerry County Council to grant planning permission for a large caravan park near Banna Strand has been greeted with dismay by local residents who had objected in large numbers to the proposal.
The council has decided to grant planning permission to Liam and Linda West of West's Caravan and Camping Park, Killorglin, for a caravan park with 161 static units along with a shop, launderette and other facilities including a wastewater treatment plant and constructed wetland at Banna Mountain, Ardfert. The site is around 37 acres in size.
Widening of the public road, which leads to the blue flag beach, and a service road to the park have also been approved. The application incorporates a smaller 20 unit adjoining caravan park owned by the Wests .
Mr West, who has been in the caravan park business for 33 years, has defended the caravan park and said it will be spacious and constructed to the highest modern standards.
He said a full environmental impact study had been carried out at his expense.
The caravan park would be built over a large site and was needed for tourism. This was a prime location, alongside the beach, and some 20 acres of the caravan park were on high ground.
However, local residents, some 40 of whom had lodged individual objections to the application, said the site was in reality "a lake", and the area's fragile environment would be disturbed.
Residents say there are already enough caravan parks in the area and permanent houses are vastly outnumbered by large mobile homes.
The chairman of the Banna-Carrahan Residents Association, Walter Sheehan, said the large park and works would "wreck an already fragile environment". There are three caravan parks already in Banna, one of which is substantial. Some of the submissions pointed to the previous planning history of the applicant in which enforcement proceedings were begun by the county council over interference with sensitive sand dunes some years ago. Restoration of the dunes had been undertaken by the developer following negotiations with the county council, but re-planting with marram grasses and so on had only been "partially successful" in undoing the damage, a council spokesman said yesterday. Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue has also come in for criticism. Mr O'Donoghue is listed on council files as having made representations on behalf of the developers for an original, larger proposal for the site last July, which sought planning for 245 units and lodges as well as 10 holiday homes. That proposal was withdrawn last August and this latest one submitted in January.
Councillor Toireasa Ferris said that given the damage done to sand dunes previously, it ill behoved a Minister with responsibility for tourism to support an application resisted by local residents.
"As a Minister there was an onus upon him to make himself aware of everything to do with the planning application he was making representations for and where there was a history of contempt for planning laws. He should not have got involved in this planning application," Ms Ferris said.
A spokesman for Mr O'Donoghue said he made "no representation" on the current application. On the previous application he merely "wrote on behalf of the applicant to ask for an update". This was not a representation.
Councillor Michael Healy-Rae said yesterday that he supported the application. He had looked at the site and it was a suitable location for a caravan park.
The decision can now be appealed to An Bord Pleanála and local residents are to decide on whether to do this next week.
Anne Lucey
© 2007 The Irish Times
The council has decided to grant planning permission to Liam and Linda West of West's Caravan and Camping Park, Killorglin, for a caravan park with 161 static units along with a shop, launderette and other facilities including a wastewater treatment plant and constructed wetland at Banna Mountain, Ardfert. The site is around 37 acres in size.
Widening of the public road, which leads to the blue flag beach, and a service road to the park have also been approved. The application incorporates a smaller 20 unit adjoining caravan park owned by the Wests .
Mr West, who has been in the caravan park business for 33 years, has defended the caravan park and said it will be spacious and constructed to the highest modern standards.
He said a full environmental impact study had been carried out at his expense.
The caravan park would be built over a large site and was needed for tourism. This was a prime location, alongside the beach, and some 20 acres of the caravan park were on high ground.
However, local residents, some 40 of whom had lodged individual objections to the application, said the site was in reality "a lake", and the area's fragile environment would be disturbed.
Residents say there are already enough caravan parks in the area and permanent houses are vastly outnumbered by large mobile homes.
The chairman of the Banna-Carrahan Residents Association, Walter Sheehan, said the large park and works would "wreck an already fragile environment". There are three caravan parks already in Banna, one of which is substantial. Some of the submissions pointed to the previous planning history of the applicant in which enforcement proceedings were begun by the county council over interference with sensitive sand dunes some years ago. Restoration of the dunes had been undertaken by the developer following negotiations with the county council, but re-planting with marram grasses and so on had only been "partially successful" in undoing the damage, a council spokesman said yesterday. Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue has also come in for criticism. Mr O'Donoghue is listed on council files as having made representations on behalf of the developers for an original, larger proposal for the site last July, which sought planning for 245 units and lodges as well as 10 holiday homes. That proposal was withdrawn last August and this latest one submitted in January.
Councillor Toireasa Ferris said that given the damage done to sand dunes previously, it ill behoved a Minister with responsibility for tourism to support an application resisted by local residents.
"As a Minister there was an onus upon him to make himself aware of everything to do with the planning application he was making representations for and where there was a history of contempt for planning laws. He should not have got involved in this planning application," Ms Ferris said.
A spokesman for Mr O'Donoghue said he made "no representation" on the current application. On the previous application he merely "wrote on behalf of the applicant to ask for an update". This was not a representation.
Councillor Michael Healy-Rae said yesterday that he supported the application. He had looked at the site and it was a suitable location for a caravan park.
The decision can now be appealed to An Bord Pleanála and local residents are to decide on whether to do this next week.
Anne Lucey
© 2007 The Irish Times
Monaghan council decides to continue rezoning in Monaghan
The Monaghan County Development plan is at risk of collapse following the decision of county councillors to continue to rezone land in defiance of warnings from Minister for the Environment Dick Roche.
A letter written last month on behalf of Mr Roche to county manager Declan Nelson threatened to scrap the development plan because councillors had rezoned enough land to almost triple the population of the county and create serious flooding risks.
Mr Roche warned that unless the plan was changed, the council could be forced to adopt a plan devised for it by the department.
Councillors yesterday continued to allocate extra land for development against the advice of the county manager. However, in what could be seen as a concession to the Minister, the councillors supported the manager's recommendation to reject two proposals from Fine Gael councillor Hugh McElvaney to rezone land near the village of Inniskeen.
County development plans are initially devised by council planners in line with national guidelines in relation to housing, spatial and planning strategies, and are usually amended by councillors before they ratify the plan.
However, councillors' amendments to the Monaghan plan adopting a large number of additional rezonings prompted Mr Roche's letter, which accused them of "sporadic and haphazard zoning".
The councillors' amendments "seriously compound an already ambitious level of zoning at over 40 locations", the letter said. Enough land had already been allocated to potentially increase the population of Monaghan, which stood at 55,800 in 2006, by 100,000. On a national strategic level, the projected population increase for the county was equal to that planned by the Government for the entire Border region, which includes counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Sligo and Monaghan, up to the year 2020, the letter said.
While the Minister's letter was not discussed at yesterday's meeting, Mr McElvaney accused him of undue interference in the planning process.
"Roche, Dick, is against the development of villages the way we want them," he said.
Councillors yesterday voted to again amend the plan to remove the planners' restrictions on the number of houses that could be built in certain villages using a single planning application.
Eighteen of the 20 councillors voted for the amendment that eased the restriction that only 40 houses could be applied for by a developer at any one time.
Independent councillor Vincent P Martin and mayor of Monaghan Pádraig McNally voted against the amendment.
Mr Martin said that allowing more than 40 houses per application was beyond local requirements and would only serve commuters travelling outside the county. "A block of 40 houses is an estate," he said. The council also voted to zone land from "recreation and amenity" and from "local landscape protection area" to development use.
The council has until March 30th to finish amending the development plan. It is likely that the Minister will then review the plan before deciding whether to take further action.
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
A letter written last month on behalf of Mr Roche to county manager Declan Nelson threatened to scrap the development plan because councillors had rezoned enough land to almost triple the population of the county and create serious flooding risks.
Mr Roche warned that unless the plan was changed, the council could be forced to adopt a plan devised for it by the department.
Councillors yesterday continued to allocate extra land for development against the advice of the county manager. However, in what could be seen as a concession to the Minister, the councillors supported the manager's recommendation to reject two proposals from Fine Gael councillor Hugh McElvaney to rezone land near the village of Inniskeen.
County development plans are initially devised by council planners in line with national guidelines in relation to housing, spatial and planning strategies, and are usually amended by councillors before they ratify the plan.
However, councillors' amendments to the Monaghan plan adopting a large number of additional rezonings prompted Mr Roche's letter, which accused them of "sporadic and haphazard zoning".
The councillors' amendments "seriously compound an already ambitious level of zoning at over 40 locations", the letter said. Enough land had already been allocated to potentially increase the population of Monaghan, which stood at 55,800 in 2006, by 100,000. On a national strategic level, the projected population increase for the county was equal to that planned by the Government for the entire Border region, which includes counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Sligo and Monaghan, up to the year 2020, the letter said.
While the Minister's letter was not discussed at yesterday's meeting, Mr McElvaney accused him of undue interference in the planning process.
"Roche, Dick, is against the development of villages the way we want them," he said.
Councillors yesterday voted to again amend the plan to remove the planners' restrictions on the number of houses that could be built in certain villages using a single planning application.
Eighteen of the 20 councillors voted for the amendment that eased the restriction that only 40 houses could be applied for by a developer at any one time.
Independent councillor Vincent P Martin and mayor of Monaghan Pádraig McNally voted against the amendment.
Mr Martin said that allowing more than 40 houses per application was beyond local requirements and would only serve commuters travelling outside the county. "A block of 40 houses is an estate," he said. The council also voted to zone land from "recreation and amenity" and from "local landscape protection area" to development use.
The council has until March 30th to finish amending the development plan. It is likely that the Minister will then review the plan before deciding whether to take further action.
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
Council drops Headfort area change
Meath County Council has upheld the Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) designation of 299 hectares (718 acres) of land around Headfort House, outside Kells, following the withdrawal of an amendment to reduce it by more than 90 per cent.
The proposed reduction, tabled by Cllr John Farrelly (FG), had been adopted by 14 votes to three at a special council meeting last month when councillors were considering amendments to the draft Meath county development plan.
However, following objections by An Taisce, the Irish Georgian Society, Headfort Golf Club and local residents, Cllr Farrelly told the latest council meeting that he was not pursuing the proposal to reduce the size of Headfort ACA.
He complained about media coverage, including a report in The Irish Times last Tuesday which stated that a local landowner had offered Headfort Trust - which owns the internationally important house - €1 million if it did not object.
Trust chairman Dick Blakiston Houston described this allegation as "totally unfounded" and said the trust had submitted its own objection to Cllr Farrelly's proposal, with the aim of preserving the setting and visas of Headfort House.
Dermot Dix, headmaster of Headfort School, a private prep school which has been based in the house for more than 50 years, said: "We are all very pleased that the council has swiftly rejected Cllr Farrelly's proposal".
Cllr Michael Gallagher (SF) said it was clear that councillors who had originally supported the proposal "shied away from it" as a result of media coverage. "The article in The Irish Times played a major part in getting it changed."
On the wider issue of zoning under the Meath development plan, now officially adopted, the county council must now await the reaction of the Department of the Environment, which made it clear that too much land was being zoned.
In a submission on the plan, the department said "very firm measures" were required - including "dezoning" land in "unsuitable and unserviced locations" - if growth was to be managed "sustainably" towards a population of 180,000.
Given that the plan allows for an increase to a population of 210,000 by 2013, it would be open to Minister for the Environment Dick Roche to issue a directive under the 2000 Planning Act to require it to be brought into line with the department's wishes. Frank McDonald
© 2007 The Irish Times
The proposed reduction, tabled by Cllr John Farrelly (FG), had been adopted by 14 votes to three at a special council meeting last month when councillors were considering amendments to the draft Meath county development plan.
However, following objections by An Taisce, the Irish Georgian Society, Headfort Golf Club and local residents, Cllr Farrelly told the latest council meeting that he was not pursuing the proposal to reduce the size of Headfort ACA.
He complained about media coverage, including a report in The Irish Times last Tuesday which stated that a local landowner had offered Headfort Trust - which owns the internationally important house - €1 million if it did not object.
Trust chairman Dick Blakiston Houston described this allegation as "totally unfounded" and said the trust had submitted its own objection to Cllr Farrelly's proposal, with the aim of preserving the setting and visas of Headfort House.
Dermot Dix, headmaster of Headfort School, a private prep school which has been based in the house for more than 50 years, said: "We are all very pleased that the council has swiftly rejected Cllr Farrelly's proposal".
Cllr Michael Gallagher (SF) said it was clear that councillors who had originally supported the proposal "shied away from it" as a result of media coverage. "The article in The Irish Times played a major part in getting it changed."
On the wider issue of zoning under the Meath development plan, now officially adopted, the county council must now await the reaction of the Department of the Environment, which made it clear that too much land was being zoned.
In a submission on the plan, the department said "very firm measures" were required - including "dezoning" land in "unsuitable and unserviced locations" - if growth was to be managed "sustainably" towards a population of 180,000.
Given that the plan allows for an increase to a population of 210,000 by 2013, it would be open to Minister for the Environment Dick Roche to issue a directive under the 2000 Planning Act to require it to be brought into line with the department's wishes. Frank McDonald
© 2007 The Irish Times
Councillors perform U-turn in Aghadoe rezoning plan
KERRY county councillors have done a major U-turn on a vexed rezoning issue, following intense pressure from an angry community.
Councillors who voted recently to rezone a four-acre site for a storage depot, in the scenic Aghadoe area, near Killarney, have buckled under pressure from local residents.
The councillors told a public meeting of the Aghadoe Residents’ Group on Tuesday night that they would not be supporting the rezoning when it comes for a final decision, on April 2.
Present at the residents’ meeting were Fine Gael’s Tom Sheahan, who proposed the rezoning in January, and Independent Michael Healy-Rae, who seconded.
Up to 90 people were at the meeting and residents’ group spokesman Michael Rosney yesterday said they were “absolutely delighted” with the outcome.
“The councillors who changed their stance spoke out strongly against the rezoning. They probably voted for it initially because they didn’t have full information, or were not aware of the feelings of local residents,” he stated.
Mr Rosney also said 25 of the 27 members of Kerry County Council, who had been directly contacted by the residents, were now against the rezoning.
County councillors at Tuesday night’s meeting included Independent Danny Healy-Rae and Fianna Fáil’s Tom Fleming, who both had voted for the rezoning, and Fianna Fáil’s Colin Miller and Independent Brendan Cronin, who had both voted against it.
There, too, were Labour TD Breda Moynihan Cronin and Killarney Labour town councillor Sean O’Grady, who also spoke against the rezoning.
Mr Rosney said the case highlighted flaws in the zoning system. He said councillors were often voting on zonings about which they did not have enough information and were not aware of implications.
“Nobody in the Aghadoe area seemed to know anything about the rezoning of this land for a storage depot until it actually came before the council for a vote,” Mr Rosney said.
Councillors in Kerry regularly ignore the advice of senior planners on zoning and planning issues and, reportedly, sometimes vote to rezone parcels they have not seen and know little about.
The stance taken by the Aghadoe residents may force councillors to examine proposed zonings more closely.
Donal Hickey
© Irish Examiner
Councillors who voted recently to rezone a four-acre site for a storage depot, in the scenic Aghadoe area, near Killarney, have buckled under pressure from local residents.
The councillors told a public meeting of the Aghadoe Residents’ Group on Tuesday night that they would not be supporting the rezoning when it comes for a final decision, on April 2.
Present at the residents’ meeting were Fine Gael’s Tom Sheahan, who proposed the rezoning in January, and Independent Michael Healy-Rae, who seconded.
Up to 90 people were at the meeting and residents’ group spokesman Michael Rosney yesterday said they were “absolutely delighted” with the outcome.
“The councillors who changed their stance spoke out strongly against the rezoning. They probably voted for it initially because they didn’t have full information, or were not aware of the feelings of local residents,” he stated.
Mr Rosney also said 25 of the 27 members of Kerry County Council, who had been directly contacted by the residents, were now against the rezoning.
County councillors at Tuesday night’s meeting included Independent Danny Healy-Rae and Fianna Fáil’s Tom Fleming, who both had voted for the rezoning, and Fianna Fáil’s Colin Miller and Independent Brendan Cronin, who had both voted against it.
There, too, were Labour TD Breda Moynihan Cronin and Killarney Labour town councillor Sean O’Grady, who also spoke against the rezoning.
Mr Rosney said the case highlighted flaws in the zoning system. He said councillors were often voting on zonings about which they did not have enough information and were not aware of implications.
“Nobody in the Aghadoe area seemed to know anything about the rezoning of this land for a storage depot until it actually came before the council for a vote,” Mr Rosney said.
Councillors in Kerry regularly ignore the advice of senior planners on zoning and planning issues and, reportedly, sometimes vote to rezone parcels they have not seen and know little about.
The stance taken by the Aghadoe residents may force councillors to examine proposed zonings more closely.
Donal Hickey
© Irish Examiner
Board hearing into Meath incinerator
An oral hearing into plans for a €100 million incinerator in Co Meath was "tainted" and Bord Pleanála may even have compromised a related Supreme Court case, it was alleged at the opening of the hearing into the project yesterday.
Speaking in Drogheda at the start of a Bord Pleanála inquiry into Indaver Ireland's plans for an incinerator with capacity to take 200,000 tonnes of waste per year, appellant Stephen Ward said there was concern that the board may be restricting the evidence brought by opponents of the plan.
He was told by hearing inspector Mary Cunneen that there would be no restriction on evidence produced.
Mr Ward referred specifically to a letter from the board issued on February 26th last, in which appellants were advised it would be helpful if their testimony did not overly concentrate on material already given to the board in respect of a previously approved smaller incinerator with a capacity of 150,000 tonnes.
The letter produced by Mr Ward read: "Finally, as planning permission and a waste licence have already been granted in respect of a similar development at the site [planning reference numbers] it would be helpful to conduct the hearing, were the parties to focus on issues specifically pertaining to the currently proposed development including any material changes in circumstances which have occurred in the interim period."
Mr Ward insisted the letter raised very serious concerns about the bringing of evidence and the format of the inquiry. He said the previously proposed incinerator had not been approved, as a case against it was still with the
Supreme Court. And he suggested the letter "has prejudiced that [Supreme Court] hearing".
He told Ms Cunneen, "you yourself referred to a previous application", which he said was inappropriate as what was before yesterday's hearing was a completely new application, not a variation of a previous one.
"An Bord Pleanála have prejudiced to a certain degree the Supreme Court outcome," he told the inquiry.
In response, Ms Cunneen said that while her "aim is to ask parties to focus on those aspects of the development which differ" from the previously proposed development, she had no intention of restricting or limiting the evidence brought by the parties.
Concern, however, was also expressed by a number of politicians present including the Louth TDs Arthur Morgan of Sinn Féin and Fine Gael environment spokesman Fergus O'Dowd. Both men asked about the site selection process, as the evidence would be the same in both incinerator applications but there would be a difference in site selection, particularly in assessing traffic volumes, for a large facility and that for a smaller facility.
Trevor Sargent told the hearing that the incinerator would undermine the regional waste-management plan for the northeast,
Mr Sargent was one of a number of politicians, including Meath councillor Dominic Hannigan and Louth councillor Gerald Nash, who gave evidence for opponents of the project, No Incineration Alliance and Louth People Against Incineration.
Mr Sargent said an incinerator would undermine the principle of regional self-reliance on waste-management facilities and would ignore the need to reduce levels of waste. "This is understandable as incinerators require more rather than less waste," he said.
He also maintained the proposals put forward by Indaver Ireland for a 200,000-tonne capacity waste-to-energy plant "would become a major greenhouse gas emitter if permission is granted". The plant would damage the marketability of local food "and would destroy any prospect of reaching the ultimate goal of zero waste".
Mr Hannigan said locating an incinerator above a regionally important aquifer would threaten water supplies to centres of population along the east coast. He was "deeply concerned" about a local health authority warning that the aquifer was susceptible to ground-water pollution. In the event of a fire or explosion, he said, the aquifer could be polluted by waste, waste waters or ash.
An assertion from Mr Nash that Meath County Council had not consulted Louth county or Drogheda town councils was rejected by John Gallagher SC
for Meath County Council. Mr Gallagher said his instructions were that written invitations to comment on the incinerator project had been sent to both councils, but no reply had been received from either body.
Earlier, at the start of yesterday's hearings, an application from the No Incineration Alliance and the Meath People Against Incineration to adjourn was deferred by planning inspector Mary Cunneen. Spokesman for Louth People Against Incineration Ollan Herr had asked for the adjournment because a key witness, Prof Vyvyan Howard of the centre of molecular bioscience at the University of Ulster, was unable to attend due to illness. He could be available on April 2nd and 3rd.
Mr Herr also said a further adjournment after April might be required until such a time as the State's implementation plan for the Stockholm Convention on the reduction and possible elimination of dioxins and furans was published.
Ms Cunneen said the application raised many practical issues of the availability of experts for cross-examination and no arrangement had been made to extend the oral hearing beyond this week's current schedule.
There was also the question of whether the Government's proposals for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention would be available in the six-week timeframe for her report to An Bord Pleanála.
In the circumstances she intended to go ahead with the hearing during which Prof Howard's evidence might be read into the record.
In deferring the matter to the board, Ms Cunneen assured Mr Herr it would not close the inquiry until it was satisfied it had all the relevant information it required.
A range of experts for Indaver Ireland told the hearing the plant was designed to comply with Irish, EU and international best practice. Emissions data from the proposed incinerator would be available "in real time" on the internet to demonstrate this compliance and a permanent community liaison group would be set up.
Stephen Hickey of ARC Consultants said the topography of the land meant that, in a line of sight from the top of the tumulus at Dowth, some three metres of the top of the 65-metre incinerator stack should be visible. However, because of the distance of 5.45km and the colouring of the stack, it would be imperceptible.
Mr Hickey added that neither the plant nor the stack would be visible from the archaeological complex of Newgrange, the site of the Battle of the Boyne, nor anywhere else within the Boyne Valley.
Addressing the likely traffic impact of the plant, Gareth Mitchell of consulting engineers Roughan & O'Donovan said he had examined the environmental impact assessment, visited the site and carried out internationally
standardised computer analysis of the proposed arrangements, and was satisfied. "In my opinion the proposed facility will not result in any significant impacts on the surrounding road network," he said.
Conor Jones, a chemical engineer who is engineering manager with Indaver Ireland, told the hearing that concern had been expressed that should the plant be limited in its electricity supply to the national grid, the plant would not be able to operate at capacity. This was not the case, he said, as the turbines could simply be bypassed. Mr Jones described how ash would be taken away by sealed lorries reversing into the plant to prevent the ash escaping. He also described how flue gases would be cleaned before being discharged to the atmosphere.
Patricia McGrath, compliance manager with the company, said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets limits for emissions and the design of the facility would be within these parameters. She said these would be constantly monitored by the EPA, with results displayed on the internet.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Speaking in Drogheda at the start of a Bord Pleanála inquiry into Indaver Ireland's plans for an incinerator with capacity to take 200,000 tonnes of waste per year, appellant Stephen Ward said there was concern that the board may be restricting the evidence brought by opponents of the plan.
He was told by hearing inspector Mary Cunneen that there would be no restriction on evidence produced.
Mr Ward referred specifically to a letter from the board issued on February 26th last, in which appellants were advised it would be helpful if their testimony did not overly concentrate on material already given to the board in respect of a previously approved smaller incinerator with a capacity of 150,000 tonnes.
The letter produced by Mr Ward read: "Finally, as planning permission and a waste licence have already been granted in respect of a similar development at the site [planning reference numbers] it would be helpful to conduct the hearing, were the parties to focus on issues specifically pertaining to the currently proposed development including any material changes in circumstances which have occurred in the interim period."
Mr Ward insisted the letter raised very serious concerns about the bringing of evidence and the format of the inquiry. He said the previously proposed incinerator had not been approved, as a case against it was still with the
Supreme Court. And he suggested the letter "has prejudiced that [Supreme Court] hearing".
He told Ms Cunneen, "you yourself referred to a previous application", which he said was inappropriate as what was before yesterday's hearing was a completely new application, not a variation of a previous one.
"An Bord Pleanála have prejudiced to a certain degree the Supreme Court outcome," he told the inquiry.
In response, Ms Cunneen said that while her "aim is to ask parties to focus on those aspects of the development which differ" from the previously proposed development, she had no intention of restricting or limiting the evidence brought by the parties.
Concern, however, was also expressed by a number of politicians present including the Louth TDs Arthur Morgan of Sinn Féin and Fine Gael environment spokesman Fergus O'Dowd. Both men asked about the site selection process, as the evidence would be the same in both incinerator applications but there would be a difference in site selection, particularly in assessing traffic volumes, for a large facility and that for a smaller facility.
Trevor Sargent told the hearing that the incinerator would undermine the regional waste-management plan for the northeast,
Mr Sargent was one of a number of politicians, including Meath councillor Dominic Hannigan and Louth councillor Gerald Nash, who gave evidence for opponents of the project, No Incineration Alliance and Louth People Against Incineration.
Mr Sargent said an incinerator would undermine the principle of regional self-reliance on waste-management facilities and would ignore the need to reduce levels of waste. "This is understandable as incinerators require more rather than less waste," he said.
He also maintained the proposals put forward by Indaver Ireland for a 200,000-tonne capacity waste-to-energy plant "would become a major greenhouse gas emitter if permission is granted". The plant would damage the marketability of local food "and would destroy any prospect of reaching the ultimate goal of zero waste".
Mr Hannigan said locating an incinerator above a regionally important aquifer would threaten water supplies to centres of population along the east coast. He was "deeply concerned" about a local health authority warning that the aquifer was susceptible to ground-water pollution. In the event of a fire or explosion, he said, the aquifer could be polluted by waste, waste waters or ash.
An assertion from Mr Nash that Meath County Council had not consulted Louth county or Drogheda town councils was rejected by John Gallagher SC
for Meath County Council. Mr Gallagher said his instructions were that written invitations to comment on the incinerator project had been sent to both councils, but no reply had been received from either body.
Earlier, at the start of yesterday's hearings, an application from the No Incineration Alliance and the Meath People Against Incineration to adjourn was deferred by planning inspector Mary Cunneen. Spokesman for Louth People Against Incineration Ollan Herr had asked for the adjournment because a key witness, Prof Vyvyan Howard of the centre of molecular bioscience at the University of Ulster, was unable to attend due to illness. He could be available on April 2nd and 3rd.
Mr Herr also said a further adjournment after April might be required until such a time as the State's implementation plan for the Stockholm Convention on the reduction and possible elimination of dioxins and furans was published.
Ms Cunneen said the application raised many practical issues of the availability of experts for cross-examination and no arrangement had been made to extend the oral hearing beyond this week's current schedule.
There was also the question of whether the Government's proposals for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention would be available in the six-week timeframe for her report to An Bord Pleanála.
In the circumstances she intended to go ahead with the hearing during which Prof Howard's evidence might be read into the record.
In deferring the matter to the board, Ms Cunneen assured Mr Herr it would not close the inquiry until it was satisfied it had all the relevant information it required.
A range of experts for Indaver Ireland told the hearing the plant was designed to comply with Irish, EU and international best practice. Emissions data from the proposed incinerator would be available "in real time" on the internet to demonstrate this compliance and a permanent community liaison group would be set up.
Stephen Hickey of ARC Consultants said the topography of the land meant that, in a line of sight from the top of the tumulus at Dowth, some three metres of the top of the 65-metre incinerator stack should be visible. However, because of the distance of 5.45km and the colouring of the stack, it would be imperceptible.
Mr Hickey added that neither the plant nor the stack would be visible from the archaeological complex of Newgrange, the site of the Battle of the Boyne, nor anywhere else within the Boyne Valley.
Addressing the likely traffic impact of the plant, Gareth Mitchell of consulting engineers Roughan & O'Donovan said he had examined the environmental impact assessment, visited the site and carried out internationally
standardised computer analysis of the proposed arrangements, and was satisfied. "In my opinion the proposed facility will not result in any significant impacts on the surrounding road network," he said.
Conor Jones, a chemical engineer who is engineering manager with Indaver Ireland, told the hearing that concern had been expressed that should the plant be limited in its electricity supply to the national grid, the plant would not be able to operate at capacity. This was not the case, he said, as the turbines could simply be bypassed. Mr Jones described how ash would be taken away by sealed lorries reversing into the plant to prevent the ash escaping. He also described how flue gases would be cleaned before being discharged to the atmosphere.
Patricia McGrath, compliance manager with the company, said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets limits for emissions and the design of the facility would be within these parameters. She said these would be constantly monitored by the EPA, with results displayed on the internet.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
Council under heavy fire
Stakeholders in the Sandyford Business Estate Association believe that the needs of their high-profile businessesare being ignored
DUN Laoghaire County Council came under heavy fire at the Sandyford Business Estate Association (SBEA) annual general meeting last week.
SBEA, the organisation representing members of the former Sandyford and Stillorgan Industrial Estates, slammed the council and other stakeholders for ignoring its requirements despite the might of the businesses it represents.
At the agm last Thursday, SBEA asked for quicker action and better consultation on several points affecting the businesses of the Sandyford Estate.
Lifeblood
The association pointed out that the Sandyford Business Estate at present enjoys €15.6bn annual turnover, employs 24,000 people and contributes €1.2bn annually to the local economy. It is thus "the lifeblood of Dun Laoghaire County Council", it asserted.
The Sandyford Commercial Zone contributes an annual rates payment of €70m, representing 60% of all rates paid to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
Yet, in matters of infrastructure, environment and planning, SBEA - as the voice of the businesses in the area - feels that it is being left out in the cold.
While there is general acceptance that there will be disruption as the estate evolves into a mix of commercial, business and residential buildings, the agm heard that the views of SBEA also need to be considered.
SBEA is seeking immediate action on the upkeep of the estate and meaningful consultation on existing and future development plans.
In addition, it was pointed out that An Bord Pleanala has expressed a deep concern at the lack of strategy for Sandyford in a recent letter to the Council Planning Department.
"People are being forced to move their business because of the lack of forward and joined up planning; because of insufficient access to the estate; and because of the poor working environment, while developers are given priority over ratepayers," Jim Leyden, deputy chairman of the SBEA commented.
"If more businesses are forced to move, nobody wins. In addition, meaningful consultation between the stakeholders is very poor.
DUN Laoghaire County Council came under heavy fire at the Sandyford Business Estate Association (SBEA) annual general meeting last week.
SBEA, the organisation representing members of the former Sandyford and Stillorgan Industrial Estates, slammed the council and other stakeholders for ignoring its requirements despite the might of the businesses it represents.
At the agm last Thursday, SBEA asked for quicker action and better consultation on several points affecting the businesses of the Sandyford Estate.
Lifeblood
The association pointed out that the Sandyford Business Estate at present enjoys €15.6bn annual turnover, employs 24,000 people and contributes €1.2bn annually to the local economy. It is thus "the lifeblood of Dun Laoghaire County Council", it asserted.
The Sandyford Commercial Zone contributes an annual rates payment of €70m, representing 60% of all rates paid to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
Yet, in matters of infrastructure, environment and planning, SBEA - as the voice of the businesses in the area - feels that it is being left out in the cold.
While there is general acceptance that there will be disruption as the estate evolves into a mix of commercial, business and residential buildings, the agm heard that the views of SBEA also need to be considered.
SBEA is seeking immediate action on the upkeep of the estate and meaningful consultation on existing and future development plans.
In addition, it was pointed out that An Bord Pleanala has expressed a deep concern at the lack of strategy for Sandyford in a recent letter to the Council Planning Department.
"People are being forced to move their business because of the lack of forward and joined up planning; because of insufficient access to the estate; and because of the poor working environment, while developers are given priority over ratepayers," Jim Leyden, deputy chairman of the SBEA commented.
"If more businesses are forced to move, nobody wins. In addition, meaningful consultation between the stakeholders is very poor.
Offshore windfarms 'could destroy beauty spots'
OFFSHORE wind farms could seriously damage tourism in some of the country's most scenic beauty spots, it was warned yesterday.
Failte Ireland is particularly concerned about plans to build up to 400 wind turbines off the coastline between Killiney, Co Dublin and Arklow, Co Wicklow.
All of them, at 160 metres-high, would be visible from the shoreline.
Failte Ireland said it was not 'anti-wind farm' but had to protect the country's tourism industry.
"The physical beauty of our environment is the biggest driver of tourism here," marketing director Paul Keely told the Irish Independent. Under the 1933 Foreshore Act, the Department of the Marine can give licences to wind farms and the usual planning process, with its public hearings and appeals safeguards, does not apply.
At a maritime policy conference in Dublin yesterday, Mr Keely said there was a need to bring in a new wind farm licensing system which would allow stakeholders to voice opinions.
The backers of the Kish Bank Wind Farm Project off the coast of Dublin and Wicklow claim it has the potential to supply electricity to 200,000 people.
Their licence application, first made in 1998, is still being considered by the Department of the Marine.
Junior Marine Minister John Brown said there had to be consultation among all sectors to secure a future for coastal communities.
Michael Brennan
Irish Independent
Failte Ireland is particularly concerned about plans to build up to 400 wind turbines off the coastline between Killiney, Co Dublin and Arklow, Co Wicklow.
All of them, at 160 metres-high, would be visible from the shoreline.
Failte Ireland said it was not 'anti-wind farm' but had to protect the country's tourism industry.
"The physical beauty of our environment is the biggest driver of tourism here," marketing director Paul Keely told the Irish Independent. Under the 1933 Foreshore Act, the Department of the Marine can give licences to wind farms and the usual planning process, with its public hearings and appeals safeguards, does not apply.
At a maritime policy conference in Dublin yesterday, Mr Keely said there was a need to bring in a new wind farm licensing system which would allow stakeholders to voice opinions.
The backers of the Kish Bank Wind Farm Project off the coast of Dublin and Wicklow claim it has the potential to supply electricity to 200,000 people.
Their licence application, first made in 1998, is still being considered by the Department of the Marine.
Junior Marine Minister John Brown said there had to be consultation among all sectors to secure a future for coastal communities.
Michael Brennan
Irish Independent
The RIAI President's holiday has placed planning into perspective
Reviewing a related profession’s Journal is a difficult task; a task not to be taken lightly. It was out of genuine frustration with the portrayal of planning in the January edition of ‘Architecture’ by James Pike, incumbent RIAI President, which forced my hand. The resulting review provided some comment on the need to view planning in the same manner as other professions. That is, to take the good with the bad. And where there is bad, to ask architects to try to understand the root causes of what they consider to be bad planning.
Time having passed since the review; it was with interest that I opened the February 2007 edition. I leafed past the five pages of advertisements to the contents page, and then passed more advertisements, until reaching the President’s Column. It was worth it. A holiday appears to have done for Mr Pike what marijuana does for a Jamaican. It has mellowed the man. Four weeks of de-stressing, reflection and sun have, it would appear, placed Irish planning into perspective. In his column, planning is, mostly, reviewed positively. For example:
• Instead of being bad boys, determined to destroy the urban and rural environment, we are told how Department of Environment planners are working on final drafts of the ‘Development management Guidelines’ and the ‘Housing Density Guidelines’ – critical planning guidance documents produced by planners for architects.
• Instead of referring to planning as a mess, the column presents a picture of things done, much to do. Variation in management and staffing of planning authorities, not planning per se, appear now to be recognised as the problems.
Mr Pike refers to the need for best practice in planning. Now, best practice is surely something planners understand only too well. The difficulty is implementing best practice with 15 files (each produced by a different architect or agent who needs it done now – and granted, of course) vibrating on a planner’s desk. The point is that planners should not be under the pressures they are; they should not have to stop answering the phone for weeks to be able to do their job.
Does Mr Pike’s conversion from blaming planners to his recognition of resourcing problems as being at the root of the problems endemic in planning administration mean architects now understand the pressures and constraints under which planners are working all over the country? It certainly appears so. We are told of how architects are joining in to help solve the problems. A committee has been formed to detail proposals on the management of the system. Few planners will wonder at what those recommendations might say.
It appears a recent colloquium on the 24th of January has helped to turn Mr Pike’s views around. He now understands how the performance of planning is directly correlated to the administration of any given planning authority – stopping ultimately with County Managers.
The RIAI are formulating proposals with a view to eliminating inconsistencies in planning. This is welcomed; however, the RIAI’s efforts should be hand in hand with those of planners – the common aim? More resources for planning (read: more planners). Without such planners, the plans, which are noted as being key, will not be produced and will not be available to: “relieve pressure on development control”.
Mr Pike has the why of bad planning it in his grasp. He nearly understands; nearly gets it. What’s missing is the final piece. The mantra in this article is close to: resources, resources, resources, with which planners would agree. But there remains one element Mr Pike needs to review – one more reason to have another short holiday break (a week should do it). A final comment near the end of the column states: “This leads to a further problem of an almost complete lack of long-term planning … ”
Planners find references to the lack of plans as being at the root of bad planning as being just plain bonkers. What part of the National Development Plan, National Spatial Strategy, Regional Planning Guidelines, Development Plans, etc., does not represent long-term planning? What is wrong is not a lack of long term planning, but a lack of implementation. Who implements? Not planners. Show me a Draft Development Plan which hasn’t been ‘edited’ by Councillors. Show me a National Plan which has been consistently followed (I have decentralised to Wicklow, so I am all for …).
Ireland’s planning history is littered with excellent plans produced by planners with excellent reputations; planners who have fought to have their various visions implemented. Implementing these plans requires vision and resourcing. Neither of which the current Government administration (whether national or local) appears to provide.
Almost every aspect of what Mr Pike calls bad planning arises from either: (1) Lack of resources; or (2) Lack of implementation of plans produced by planners. Planners have little control over either of these points.
The change of tone toward planning represented by this column is welcomed, but it still appears odd to a planner (I pointed this out in my office to a round of nods) for an architectural journal’s president’s column which comprises of 12 paragraphs, to contain 7 on planning – a related discipline. In this regard and in the tone presented in the present column, the interest of architects shows how exciting planning in Ireland is at present.
Brendan Buck
March 7 2006
Time having passed since the review; it was with interest that I opened the February 2007 edition. I leafed past the five pages of advertisements to the contents page, and then passed more advertisements, until reaching the President’s Column. It was worth it. A holiday appears to have done for Mr Pike what marijuana does for a Jamaican. It has mellowed the man. Four weeks of de-stressing, reflection and sun have, it would appear, placed Irish planning into perspective. In his column, planning is, mostly, reviewed positively. For example:
• Instead of being bad boys, determined to destroy the urban and rural environment, we are told how Department of Environment planners are working on final drafts of the ‘Development management Guidelines’ and the ‘Housing Density Guidelines’ – critical planning guidance documents produced by planners for architects.
• Instead of referring to planning as a mess, the column presents a picture of things done, much to do. Variation in management and staffing of planning authorities, not planning per se, appear now to be recognised as the problems.
Mr Pike refers to the need for best practice in planning. Now, best practice is surely something planners understand only too well. The difficulty is implementing best practice with 15 files (each produced by a different architect or agent who needs it done now – and granted, of course) vibrating on a planner’s desk. The point is that planners should not be under the pressures they are; they should not have to stop answering the phone for weeks to be able to do their job.
Does Mr Pike’s conversion from blaming planners to his recognition of resourcing problems as being at the root of the problems endemic in planning administration mean architects now understand the pressures and constraints under which planners are working all over the country? It certainly appears so. We are told of how architects are joining in to help solve the problems. A committee has been formed to detail proposals on the management of the system. Few planners will wonder at what those recommendations might say.
It appears a recent colloquium on the 24th of January has helped to turn Mr Pike’s views around. He now understands how the performance of planning is directly correlated to the administration of any given planning authority – stopping ultimately with County Managers.
The RIAI are formulating proposals with a view to eliminating inconsistencies in planning. This is welcomed; however, the RIAI’s efforts should be hand in hand with those of planners – the common aim? More resources for planning (read: more planners). Without such planners, the plans, which are noted as being key, will not be produced and will not be available to: “relieve pressure on development control”.
Mr Pike has the why of bad planning it in his grasp. He nearly understands; nearly gets it. What’s missing is the final piece. The mantra in this article is close to: resources, resources, resources, with which planners would agree. But there remains one element Mr Pike needs to review – one more reason to have another short holiday break (a week should do it). A final comment near the end of the column states: “This leads to a further problem of an almost complete lack of long-term planning … ”
Planners find references to the lack of plans as being at the root of bad planning as being just plain bonkers. What part of the National Development Plan, National Spatial Strategy, Regional Planning Guidelines, Development Plans, etc., does not represent long-term planning? What is wrong is not a lack of long term planning, but a lack of implementation. Who implements? Not planners. Show me a Draft Development Plan which hasn’t been ‘edited’ by Councillors. Show me a National Plan which has been consistently followed (I have decentralised to Wicklow, so I am all for …).
Ireland’s planning history is littered with excellent plans produced by planners with excellent reputations; planners who have fought to have their various visions implemented. Implementing these plans requires vision and resourcing. Neither of which the current Government administration (whether national or local) appears to provide.
Almost every aspect of what Mr Pike calls bad planning arises from either: (1) Lack of resources; or (2) Lack of implementation of plans produced by planners. Planners have little control over either of these points.
The change of tone toward planning represented by this column is welcomed, but it still appears odd to a planner (I pointed this out in my office to a round of nods) for an architectural journal’s president’s column which comprises of 12 paragraphs, to contain 7 on planning – a related discipline. In this regard and in the tone presented in the present column, the interest of architects shows how exciting planning in Ireland is at present.
Brendan Buck
March 7 2006
Tuesday, 6 March 2007
Archaeology of Burren in danger from scrub growth - report
Changing farm practices in the Burren, Co Clare, are endangering the archaeology there as hazel and blackthorn scrub are increasing at an estimated annual rate of 4.4 per cent.
This has been one of the findings of the major new Heritage Council-funded study into the impact of scrub on the archaeology of the Burren which has just been published. The detailed study noted that during fieldwork, 77 per cent of recorded sites in the study area were being threatened by hazel and blackthorn scrub encroachment.
Scrub was found to be damaging sites at a structural and sub-surface level and occluding sites, thereby putting them at increased risk of future loss or damage through inadvertent scrub clearance.
The summary of the report found that the landscape and archaeology of the Burren had been shaped and managed by the long tradition of farming which included grazing livestock on the limestone pavements during the winter.
It said recent changes in farming practices had led to changes to the Burren which has the highest concentration and perhaps the highest diversity of archaeological remains in Ireland. The changes, the report added, had implications for the future landscape resources throughout the country, including archaeology.
In its conclusions, the study called for a proper landscape-level management plan for the archaeology of the Burren as a matter of urgency.
It also recommended that a full archaeological survey at an estimated cost of €1.25 million should be carried out, however this could take up to five years to accomplish.
The Heritage Council-funded study also called for annual monitoring and mapping of hazel growth using satellite or other suitable imagery. "As part of this a system of monitoring and maintenance of archaeological monuments affected by scrub should be devised," it said.
"A programme of remedial work should be devised for a number of monuments which are already under threat from scrub."
The report said that landowners should be notified of the protected monuments and areas on their lands. This would allow for the implementation of legislation.
The report also said there should be more effective and improved consultation with Burren landowners.
Seán Mac Connell
© 2007 The Irish Times
This has been one of the findings of the major new Heritage Council-funded study into the impact of scrub on the archaeology of the Burren which has just been published. The detailed study noted that during fieldwork, 77 per cent of recorded sites in the study area were being threatened by hazel and blackthorn scrub encroachment.
Scrub was found to be damaging sites at a structural and sub-surface level and occluding sites, thereby putting them at increased risk of future loss or damage through inadvertent scrub clearance.
The summary of the report found that the landscape and archaeology of the Burren had been shaped and managed by the long tradition of farming which included grazing livestock on the limestone pavements during the winter.
It said recent changes in farming practices had led to changes to the Burren which has the highest concentration and perhaps the highest diversity of archaeological remains in Ireland. The changes, the report added, had implications for the future landscape resources throughout the country, including archaeology.
In its conclusions, the study called for a proper landscape-level management plan for the archaeology of the Burren as a matter of urgency.
It also recommended that a full archaeological survey at an estimated cost of €1.25 million should be carried out, however this could take up to five years to accomplish.
The Heritage Council-funded study also called for annual monitoring and mapping of hazel growth using satellite or other suitable imagery. "As part of this a system of monitoring and maintenance of archaeological monuments affected by scrub should be devised," it said.
"A programme of remedial work should be devised for a number of monuments which are already under threat from scrub."
The report said that landowners should be notified of the protected monuments and areas on their lands. This would allow for the implementation of legislation.
The report also said there should be more effective and improved consultation with Burren landowners.
Seán Mac Connell
© 2007 The Irish Times
Park at site of Newgate Gaol reopened after refurbishment
A park built on the site of one of Dublin's most infamous prisons has been reopened after a €300,000 refurbishment.
St Michan's Park, located between Green Street and Halston Street in Dublin's north inner city, had been underutilised due to anti-social behaviour and poor facilities.
The park is situated on the site of Newgate Gaol, a prison for political prisoners where a number of supporters of the 1798 rebellion, including Lord Edward Fitzgerald, were incarcerated and died.
It was revitalised in response to the demands of the local community and with the help of the Historic Area Rejuvenation Project (HARP) monitoring committee and Dublin City Council.
The council's parks division enlarged the site and put in place seating, shrubbery as well as slides and swings.
A handball alley has been retained and a shatter-proof glass back wall and a new ground surface have been introduced. Yesterday, a large gathering of locals viewed the official opening of the park, which is tucked away in the markets area behind Capel Street.
Speaking at the opening, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Vincent Jackson, said that as the city develops, it is important that adequate services are developed too.
Geraldine Moran, a member of the local community, said it was a beautiful park to have in an area of the city where there are not many green areas left.
She said it would be a great meeting point for parents and would help break the isolation some may feel.
With the improvements made to the handball alley, it is hoped that a club can now be set up in the area. "There's a great history of handball in the area and it should be rejuvenated," said Frank Semple, Dublin County Handball secretary.
Mark Rodden
© 2007 The Irish Times
St Michan's Park, located between Green Street and Halston Street in Dublin's north inner city, had been underutilised due to anti-social behaviour and poor facilities.
The park is situated on the site of Newgate Gaol, a prison for political prisoners where a number of supporters of the 1798 rebellion, including Lord Edward Fitzgerald, were incarcerated and died.
It was revitalised in response to the demands of the local community and with the help of the Historic Area Rejuvenation Project (HARP) monitoring committee and Dublin City Council.
The council's parks division enlarged the site and put in place seating, shrubbery as well as slides and swings.
A handball alley has been retained and a shatter-proof glass back wall and a new ground surface have been introduced. Yesterday, a large gathering of locals viewed the official opening of the park, which is tucked away in the markets area behind Capel Street.
Speaking at the opening, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Vincent Jackson, said that as the city develops, it is important that adequate services are developed too.
Geraldine Moran, a member of the local community, said it was a beautiful park to have in an area of the city where there are not many green areas left.
She said it would be a great meeting point for parents and would help break the isolation some may feel.
With the improvements made to the handball alley, it is hoped that a club can now be set up in the area. "There's a great history of handball in the area and it should be rejuvenated," said Frank Semple, Dublin County Handball secretary.
Mark Rodden
© 2007 The Irish Times
Councillors adopt new Meath population plan
COUNCILLORS in Meath have voted to allow another 50,000 people move to their region.
They have voted to adopt a new county development plan but included a clause which will allow the population to grow by 3,000 more than advised by their senior planner.
The plan allows for an additional 2,500 units in Bettystown/Laytown and Mornington East area and 3,500 in the Drogheda environs as well as 2,500 in Trim.
The new plan will take effect as a legal statutory instrument in one month's time.
© Irish Independent
They have voted to adopt a new county development plan but included a clause which will allow the population to grow by 3,000 more than advised by their senior planner.
The plan allows for an additional 2,500 units in Bettystown/Laytown and Mornington East area and 3,500 in the Drogheda environs as well as 2,500 in Trim.
The new plan will take effect as a legal statutory instrument in one month's time.
© Irish Independent
Bitter blow for Greencore as €1bn plan
LAOIS County Council has blasted a big hole in Greencore's controversial €1.1bn development of its land bank in Carlow/Laois. In a shock move last week, a local area draft plan failed to include a hundred acres of land in Laois owned by Greencore in its rezoning plans.
Greencore sources are playing down the move, maintaining that it is in separate discussions with Laois County Council. According to a spokesman, "it was agreed that the sugar factory would be considered separately."
But a senior Laois planning source has told the Sunday Independent that "we have an adequate amount of zoned lands within the area and we do not consider that we need to zone any more."
The Greencore lands are mostly located in Carlow but a hundred acres of the land bank is controlled by the local authority in Laois. The Greencore lands straddle the river Barrow which marks the border between the two counties. The Carlow and Laois lands owned by Greencore run adjacently along the river.
The decision by Laois County Council not to include the Greencore lands for 'mixed use' zoning could stymie the company's aim to become the major
property developer in the Carlow area. As currently proposed, the lands will now remain unzoned.
Political sources in Carlow have said that the decision by Laois County Council to frustrate the Greencore plans will boost political opposition to the company on next-door Carlow County Council.
Greencore faces a marathon task in persuading Carlow councillors to further its ambitions to become a big property player. Last night a leading Carlow politician told the Sunday Independent that "in current circumstances, Greencore hasn't a snowball's chance in hell of being given rezoning".
Greencore has won few friends in the Carlow region since its decision to close down the sugar factory and its failure to see local beet farmers compensated. Carlow has been the location of several popular protests against the company's behaviour with a battery of disaffected former workers, pensioners and beet farmers lobbying politicians to fight Greencore's plans.
The final decision on the zoning of Greencore's lands will rest with the county councillors (some of whom are themselves ex-employees) and not with the planners. A decision could be made as early as June. Carlow County Council has already employed consultants O'Mahony Pike to advise on the development of the town.
News of the danger to Greencore's plans came in a week when Greencore's shares saw another mystery buyer. Analysts were surprised to see bulk buying on Wednesday when the rest of the market was in retreat. A single transaction of 3.3m shares is understood to have taken place through Goodbody Stockbrokers. Speculation centred around developer Liam Carroll who already holds 22 per cent, but some brokers were suggesting that Mr Carroll had decided to reduce his interests because of the difficulties of developing the Carlow land bank.
Last November Greencore made an exotic submission to Carlow County Council with its proposals for its land bank. This included a promise to create 2,000 jobs by building "a sustainable enterprise-based community".
It promised a network of streets, squares and public parks and a mix of retail,commercial and residential buildings.
Shane Ross
© Irish Independent
Greencore sources are playing down the move, maintaining that it is in separate discussions with Laois County Council. According to a spokesman, "it was agreed that the sugar factory would be considered separately."
But a senior Laois planning source has told the Sunday Independent that "we have an adequate amount of zoned lands within the area and we do not consider that we need to zone any more."
The Greencore lands are mostly located in Carlow but a hundred acres of the land bank is controlled by the local authority in Laois. The Greencore lands straddle the river Barrow which marks the border between the two counties. The Carlow and Laois lands owned by Greencore run adjacently along the river.
The decision by Laois County Council not to include the Greencore lands for 'mixed use' zoning could stymie the company's aim to become the major
property developer in the Carlow area. As currently proposed, the lands will now remain unzoned.
Political sources in Carlow have said that the decision by Laois County Council to frustrate the Greencore plans will boost political opposition to the company on next-door Carlow County Council.
Greencore faces a marathon task in persuading Carlow councillors to further its ambitions to become a big property player. Last night a leading Carlow politician told the Sunday Independent that "in current circumstances, Greencore hasn't a snowball's chance in hell of being given rezoning".
Greencore has won few friends in the Carlow region since its decision to close down the sugar factory and its failure to see local beet farmers compensated. Carlow has been the location of several popular protests against the company's behaviour with a battery of disaffected former workers, pensioners and beet farmers lobbying politicians to fight Greencore's plans.
The final decision on the zoning of Greencore's lands will rest with the county councillors (some of whom are themselves ex-employees) and not with the planners. A decision could be made as early as June. Carlow County Council has already employed consultants O'Mahony Pike to advise on the development of the town.
News of the danger to Greencore's plans came in a week when Greencore's shares saw another mystery buyer. Analysts were surprised to see bulk buying on Wednesday when the rest of the market was in retreat. A single transaction of 3.3m shares is understood to have taken place through Goodbody Stockbrokers. Speculation centred around developer Liam Carroll who already holds 22 per cent, but some brokers were suggesting that Mr Carroll had decided to reduce his interests because of the difficulties of developing the Carlow land bank.
Last November Greencore made an exotic submission to Carlow County Council with its proposals for its land bank. This included a promise to create 2,000 jobs by building "a sustainable enterprise-based community".
It promised a network of streets, squares and public parks and a mix of retail,commercial and residential buildings.
Shane Ross
© Irish Independent
Planned development in historic Abbey Field rejected
Plans to develop a hotel and 136 houses in the historic Abbey Field site in Tyone, Nenagh, have been rejected by An Bord Pleanala.
This follows an objection lodged by a number of residents in Tyone and Knights Crescent who feared the plans would have a negative impact on the ruins of Tyone Abbey and increase traffic problems in the Tyone area.
The refusal will result in a setback for plans by the Town Council who aimed to levy the developer for funds to build a new road through local lands between Tyone and the Dublin Road.
The council had previously granted Tyone Developments permission for the development, which was to have included the 76-bedroom hotel with gym and leisure facilities.
The company was also hoping to build a cr che, medical suites, ESB station and Eircom unit on the site, as well as a new access to the Thurles Road. Some 138 spaces were to be provided for parking.
Labour's Senator Kathleen O' Meara said the council should now buy the site with a view to developing a town park there. ÒIt would be an ideal site for a park because it is so close to the Nenagh River and in line with objectives set out in the Town Development Plan,' she said.
In refusing permission, An Bord Pleanala said the applicant company had failed to establish that the proposed development would not have a detrimental impact on the ancient ruins of Tyone Abbey, situated in the field.
The board said that evidence indicates the presence of substantial underground archaeological remains within the Abbey Field.
The board said the Environmental Impact Statement submitted with the housing application and specialist reports commissioned by the applicant did not satisfactorily establish that the archaeology on the site is appropriate for preservation for record only. The applicant had failed to establish that preservation work on the site would not be required.
ÒThe proposed development would injure or interfere with a historic monument, which stands registered in the Register of Historic Monuments under section 5 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1997 and is situated within an archaeological area associated with a National Monument,' stated the board.
As a result of this, the proposed development would be contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
On the basis of the submissions made, the board was not satisfied that the applicant had established sufficient legal interest over lands necessary for the construction of foul sewer connection to link with a main sewer line situated north of the nearby railway line. As such, the proposed development would be prejudicial to public health.
Peter Gleeson
© Nenagh Guardian
This follows an objection lodged by a number of residents in Tyone and Knights Crescent who feared the plans would have a negative impact on the ruins of Tyone Abbey and increase traffic problems in the Tyone area.
The refusal will result in a setback for plans by the Town Council who aimed to levy the developer for funds to build a new road through local lands between Tyone and the Dublin Road.
The council had previously granted Tyone Developments permission for the development, which was to have included the 76-bedroom hotel with gym and leisure facilities.
The company was also hoping to build a cr che, medical suites, ESB station and Eircom unit on the site, as well as a new access to the Thurles Road. Some 138 spaces were to be provided for parking.
Labour's Senator Kathleen O' Meara said the council should now buy the site with a view to developing a town park there. ÒIt would be an ideal site for a park because it is so close to the Nenagh River and in line with objectives set out in the Town Development Plan,' she said.
In refusing permission, An Bord Pleanala said the applicant company had failed to establish that the proposed development would not have a detrimental impact on the ancient ruins of Tyone Abbey, situated in the field.
The board said that evidence indicates the presence of substantial underground archaeological remains within the Abbey Field.
The board said the Environmental Impact Statement submitted with the housing application and specialist reports commissioned by the applicant did not satisfactorily establish that the archaeology on the site is appropriate for preservation for record only. The applicant had failed to establish that preservation work on the site would not be required.
ÒThe proposed development would injure or interfere with a historic monument, which stands registered in the Register of Historic Monuments under section 5 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1997 and is situated within an archaeological area associated with a National Monument,' stated the board.
As a result of this, the proposed development would be contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
On the basis of the submissions made, the board was not satisfied that the applicant had established sufficient legal interest over lands necessary for the construction of foul sewer connection to link with a main sewer line situated north of the nearby railway line. As such, the proposed development would be prejudicial to public health.
Peter Gleeson
© Nenagh Guardian
Council gets tough with fat problem clogging up city
THOUSANDS of restaurants and fast-food outlets are being banned from flushing millions of litres of fat, oil and grease down their drains.
Fed up with forking out €500,000 every year to clear blockages caused by kitchen fat, Dublin City Council is to impose major restrictions on 4,000 restaurants.
The initiative, one of the first in Europe, aims to stop blockages which cause pollution and flooding.
Temple Bar, the trendy area for restaurant goers, is one of the first targets in the anti-fat crackdown.
It is hoped the waste will instead be collected and recycled by private operators and used as bio-fuel for trucks.
More than seven million litres of fat, oil and grease are discharged from the city's restaurants into sewers.
A council survey has discovered that only 5pc of restaurants have any proper controls on the discharges.
A total of 65pc of premises had no measures to deal with the material, apart from flushing it down the drain. A further 35pc had some system but these were not working.
Battie White, deputy city engineer, said yesterday that this material should not be put into the city's drainage system.
He said that frequently the warm or hot fat or oil solidified in the sewers and caused major blockages which were very expensive to resolve.
"There has been a big increase in food outlets in Dublin in recent years with the result that there is a lot of fat, oil and grease getting into the system," he said yesterday.
"This is not environmentally sound," he added.
The new restrictions will be introduced on a phased basis by the end of the year and the outlets will have to apply for special waste disposal licences.
An initial 2,000 premises will be licensed in the first phase, followed by a further 2,000 licences afterwards.
Treacy Hogan
© Irish Independent
Fed up with forking out €500,000 every year to clear blockages caused by kitchen fat, Dublin City Council is to impose major restrictions on 4,000 restaurants.
The initiative, one of the first in Europe, aims to stop blockages which cause pollution and flooding.
Temple Bar, the trendy area for restaurant goers, is one of the first targets in the anti-fat crackdown.
It is hoped the waste will instead be collected and recycled by private operators and used as bio-fuel for trucks.
More than seven million litres of fat, oil and grease are discharged from the city's restaurants into sewers.
A council survey has discovered that only 5pc of restaurants have any proper controls on the discharges.
A total of 65pc of premises had no measures to deal with the material, apart from flushing it down the drain. A further 35pc had some system but these were not working.
Battie White, deputy city engineer, said yesterday that this material should not be put into the city's drainage system.
He said that frequently the warm or hot fat or oil solidified in the sewers and caused major blockages which were very expensive to resolve.
"There has been a big increase in food outlets in Dublin in recent years with the result that there is a lot of fat, oil and grease getting into the system," he said yesterday.
"This is not environmentally sound," he added.
The new restrictions will be introduced on a phased basis by the end of the year and the outlets will have to apply for special waste disposal licences.
An initial 2,000 premises will be licensed in the first phase, followed by a further 2,000 licences afterwards.
Treacy Hogan
© Irish Independent
Objections flood in to biofuel processing plant
MORE than 200 objections have been lodged to plans for the construction of a processing plant for animal waste close to the world-famous Coolmore Stud and Ballydoyle Stables in Co Tipperary.
Coolmore owner, John Magnier, and Ballydoyle trainer, Aidan O’Brien, are among the chief opponents of the plan, which has upset many other landowners and people living near the proposed site at Castleblake, Rosegreen in the south of the county.
The deadline for lodging objections passed on Friday evening and staff at the planning office in South Tipperary County Council were still sorting the submissions yesterday in preparation for making them available for online public inspection but a staff member put the estimated number at well over 200 and possibly as many as 300.
Aidan O’Brien previously fought a lengthy battle against plans for an animal waste incinerator close to his stables. Those plans, by the owners of the now disused National By-Products rendering plant at Castleblake, were eventually dropped but the renowned trainer has warned any development that might compromise the air quality in the area could force Ballydoyle to close.
The new project is proposed by a consortium calling themselves Green Organics Energy Ltd which includes the local business family behind National By-Products and also Bioverda — a subsidiary of National Toll Roads — and Dawn Meats.
It would use the old rendering plant site to build facilities to process several hundred thousand tonnes of waste meat and bone meal, some rendered on site and some imported from around the country, and turn it into biogas and biodiesel.
The planning application lodged with South Tipperary County Council claims 50,000 tonnes of biodiesel will be produced each year, while the biogas facility will generate up to 15 megawatts of electricity — enough to power about 10,000 homes.
The application contains an environmental impact statement and stresses that the hi-tech plant will operate to the highest international standards, with environmental protections and safety precautions built in.
Local objectors, however, are concerned about smells and emissions from the day-to-day operation of the plant, and the potential for environmental damage in the event of an accident either at the plant or involving any of the trucks which would be transporting carcasses to it.
Planning officials aim to make a decision on the project by March 22 but it could take longer because of the volume of objections to be considered and the possibility that additional information will be required from the consortium.
It is likely the case will end up as an appeal before An Bord Pleanála regardless of which side wins the initial round of the planning battle with the local authority.
Caroline O’Doherty
© Irish Examiner
Coolmore owner, John Magnier, and Ballydoyle trainer, Aidan O’Brien, are among the chief opponents of the plan, which has upset many other landowners and people living near the proposed site at Castleblake, Rosegreen in the south of the county.
The deadline for lodging objections passed on Friday evening and staff at the planning office in South Tipperary County Council were still sorting the submissions yesterday in preparation for making them available for online public inspection but a staff member put the estimated number at well over 200 and possibly as many as 300.
Aidan O’Brien previously fought a lengthy battle against plans for an animal waste incinerator close to his stables. Those plans, by the owners of the now disused National By-Products rendering plant at Castleblake, were eventually dropped but the renowned trainer has warned any development that might compromise the air quality in the area could force Ballydoyle to close.
The new project is proposed by a consortium calling themselves Green Organics Energy Ltd which includes the local business family behind National By-Products and also Bioverda — a subsidiary of National Toll Roads — and Dawn Meats.
It would use the old rendering plant site to build facilities to process several hundred thousand tonnes of waste meat and bone meal, some rendered on site and some imported from around the country, and turn it into biogas and biodiesel.
The planning application lodged with South Tipperary County Council claims 50,000 tonnes of biodiesel will be produced each year, while the biogas facility will generate up to 15 megawatts of electricity — enough to power about 10,000 homes.
The application contains an environmental impact statement and stresses that the hi-tech plant will operate to the highest international standards, with environmental protections and safety precautions built in.
Local objectors, however, are concerned about smells and emissions from the day-to-day operation of the plant, and the potential for environmental damage in the event of an accident either at the plant or involving any of the trucks which would be transporting carcasses to it.
Planning officials aim to make a decision on the project by March 22 but it could take longer because of the volume of objections to be considered and the possibility that additional information will be required from the consortium.
It is likely the case will end up as an appeal before An Bord Pleanála regardless of which side wins the initial round of the planning battle with the local authority.
Caroline O’Doherty
© Irish Examiner
Greens in Govt would halt work on Tara motorway
Old news, but interesting nonetheless:
THE weekend’s Green Party Ard-Fheis passed a motion calling for work on the M3 motorway to halt immediately, following a motion proposed by Seán Ó Buachalla, the party’s Meath East general election candidate.
The motion read: “We believe that this road is unacceptable from a sustainable planning, environmental, and archaeological perspective. We believe that, at the very least, this motorway should be immediately halted and that in its place the rebuilding of the rail-link from Dublin to Navan and improvements in bus services should be prioritised over the development of new roads that may be planned.”
Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin of Save Tara has welcomed the motion, saying that with the Green Party likely to hold the balance of power after the general election, Tara’s future looks somewhat more positive.
Meanwhile, transport researcher Brian Guckian has forwarded a complaint on breaches of the EU Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment regarding the M3 to the European Commission. Mr Guckian has previously lodged a petition on the same issues with the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament, who have ruled it admissible and are currently investigating the matter.
Mr Guckian reiterated that the central issue was the failure to adequately and correctly study alternative routes during the planning process for the M3 scheme, which is a central requirement of the EU Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). He said that alternatives had been interpreted in an extremely limited and inadequate fashion, by simply examining alternative routes for the proposed road.
An Bord Pleanala had granted permission for the scheme in spite of this central failure in the planning process, he said, but the legal process in Ireland was arranged so that concerned citizens could not feasibly challenge the law in these matters due to the very high costs involved, which in itself was another breach of the EU Directive, which required that citizens must have access to justice in planning matters at reasonable cost.
© Meath Chronicle
THE weekend’s Green Party Ard-Fheis passed a motion calling for work on the M3 motorway to halt immediately, following a motion proposed by Seán Ó Buachalla, the party’s Meath East general election candidate.
The motion read: “We believe that this road is unacceptable from a sustainable planning, environmental, and archaeological perspective. We believe that, at the very least, this motorway should be immediately halted and that in its place the rebuilding of the rail-link from Dublin to Navan and improvements in bus services should be prioritised over the development of new roads that may be planned.”
Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin of Save Tara has welcomed the motion, saying that with the Green Party likely to hold the balance of power after the general election, Tara’s future looks somewhat more positive.
Meanwhile, transport researcher Brian Guckian has forwarded a complaint on breaches of the EU Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment regarding the M3 to the European Commission. Mr Guckian has previously lodged a petition on the same issues with the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament, who have ruled it admissible and are currently investigating the matter.
Mr Guckian reiterated that the central issue was the failure to adequately and correctly study alternative routes during the planning process for the M3 scheme, which is a central requirement of the EU Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). He said that alternatives had been interpreted in an extremely limited and inadequate fashion, by simply examining alternative routes for the proposed road.
An Bord Pleanala had granted permission for the scheme in spite of this central failure in the planning process, he said, but the legal process in Ireland was arranged so that concerned citizens could not feasibly challenge the law in these matters due to the very high costs involved, which in itself was another breach of the EU Directive, which required that citizens must have access to justice in planning matters at reasonable cost.
© Meath Chronicle
Monday, 5 March 2007
Further hearing into plan by Indaver starts today
AN BORD Pleanala will hold an oral hearing starting today into the proposals for increased capacity at the planned incinerator at Carranstown, Duleek.
The hearing is expected to run until Friday.
Last August, Meath County Council granted planning permission to Indaver Ireland for an increase in capacity from 150,000 to 200,000 tonnes per annum at its proposed incinerator at Carranstown.
The company said that the increased tonnage was in line with the new North-East Waste Management Plan. Other changes included a revised layout of the facility and new design features.
An Bord Pleanala received a number of appeals against the council’s decision and indicated that it would hold an oral hearing into the appeals.
Pat O’Brien of the No Incineration Alliance, who was among those who lodged an appeal, this week called on members of the public and local representatives from all political parties opposed to this plan to turn up and voice their opposition to the proposal.
“A bigger plant, bigger emissions, bigger traffic numbers, will present bigger problems for everybody concerned and all of this at a time when we were told by the powers that be that we still have 25 years’ landfill available to us here in the north-east. Recycling is also on the increase and incineration is simply not needed,” he said.
Mr O’Brien pointed out that the proposal would see an incinerator built on one of the largest aquifers in the county, which continues to supply water to people living and
working in the region.
“Where is the sense in building an incinerator on top of such a valuable and scarce resource. It is complete madness,” he added.
Mr O’Brien said that the hearing affords all political representatives from all parties an opportunity to place on the record their opposition to the incinerator.
He pointed out that, during the planning process for the initial smaller plant, those opposed to incineration convinced the planning inspector that the plant shouldn’t be built at Carranstown, but his decision was overturned by the planning appeal’s board.
Ann Casey
Meath Chronicle
The hearing is expected to run until Friday.
Last August, Meath County Council granted planning permission to Indaver Ireland for an increase in capacity from 150,000 to 200,000 tonnes per annum at its proposed incinerator at Carranstown.
The company said that the increased tonnage was in line with the new North-East Waste Management Plan. Other changes included a revised layout of the facility and new design features.
An Bord Pleanala received a number of appeals against the council’s decision and indicated that it would hold an oral hearing into the appeals.
Pat O’Brien of the No Incineration Alliance, who was among those who lodged an appeal, this week called on members of the public and local representatives from all political parties opposed to this plan to turn up and voice their opposition to the proposal.
“A bigger plant, bigger emissions, bigger traffic numbers, will present bigger problems for everybody concerned and all of this at a time when we were told by the powers that be that we still have 25 years’ landfill available to us here in the north-east. Recycling is also on the increase and incineration is simply not needed,” he said.
Mr O’Brien pointed out that the proposal would see an incinerator built on one of the largest aquifers in the county, which continues to supply water to people living and
working in the region.
“Where is the sense in building an incinerator on top of such a valuable and scarce resource. It is complete madness,” he added.
Mr O’Brien said that the hearing affords all political representatives from all parties an opportunity to place on the record their opposition to the incinerator.
He pointed out that, during the planning process for the initial smaller plant, those opposed to incineration convinced the planning inspector that the plant shouldn’t be built at Carranstown, but his decision was overturned by the planning appeal’s board.
Ann Casey
Meath Chronicle
Next stop, eco-paradise. . . new €400m 'green' trains arrive
THEY'RE cleaner and actually have toilets that work - but will they end the overcrowding and delays?
The new generation of inter-city trains (right) finally arrives in Ireland today after travelling the high seas from Korea.
Hyped as the greenest diesel train fleet in Europe, the 183-carriage, €400m fleet will transform quality, comfort and frequency across the rail network, according to Iarnrod Eireann.
The trains will be rolled out on the Sligo-Dublin line from this Autumn.
All inter-city and a number of long-distance commuter routes will eventually benefit from the new fleet - serving routes from Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Limerick, Kerry, Waterford, Rosslare, Carlow, Portlaoise and Athlone to Dublin.
They will complete the process of transforming Iarnrod Eireann's fleet from the oldest in the European Union to the newest.
The trains were bought from from Mitsui of Japan, and constructed by Rotem of South Korea.
TREACY HOGAN
Irish Indepependent
The new generation of inter-city trains (right) finally arrives in Ireland today after travelling the high seas from Korea.
Hyped as the greenest diesel train fleet in Europe, the 183-carriage, €400m fleet will transform quality, comfort and frequency across the rail network, according to Iarnrod Eireann.
The trains will be rolled out on the Sligo-Dublin line from this Autumn.
All inter-city and a number of long-distance commuter routes will eventually benefit from the new fleet - serving routes from Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Limerick, Kerry, Waterford, Rosslare, Carlow, Portlaoise and Athlone to Dublin.
They will complete the process of transforming Iarnrod Eireann's fleet from the oldest in the European Union to the newest.
The trains were bought from from Mitsui of Japan, and constructed by Rotem of South Korea.
TREACY HOGAN
Irish Indepependent
Council anger at use of city square as tile showroom
AN INVESTIGATION is under way into whether a breach of planning regulations has taken place in Dartmouth Square after its controversial owner opened a portable tile showroom on the site.
It is the latest row involving Noel O'Gara who clashed with Dublin City Council and local residents last year after he tried to turn the square into a car park.
Now an emergency motion has been tabled to remove Mr O'Gara's latest business venture.
Local FF councillor Chris Andrews made his move at a meeting of Dublin City Council last night to deal with the "opportunist" he claims has invaded Dartmouth Square.
Mr O'Gara turned the two-acre park in the middle of the square into an outdoor store selling marble tiles for €50 a square metre.
Battle
It was a new turn in an acrimonious battle that began when Mr O'Gara bought the freehold on Dartmouth Square for less than €10,000 and tried to set up a car park there.
Last night, Councillor Andrews and his colleague Councillor Michael Donnelly put down a motion calling on the city manager to take immediate action to remove the 'so called show room'.
He said the park is being used as a 'portable showroom' for its owner's tile company.
The park was at the centre of a controversy last year when Mr O'Gara, Athlone, Co Westmeath, attempted to open a public car park there.
He claimed he purchased the square from the Darley family, who owned it since it first opened in the 19th century.
However, the land is zoned for open space and amenity.
The High Court granted Dublin City Council an order permanently restraining Mr O'Gara and a company, Marble and Granite Tiles Ltd, from parking more than two vehicles in it.
Since that decision, Mr O'Gara has has been fighting a compulsory purchase order by the council.
He has rejected the council's €100,000 offer for his two acres of parkland and claims his valuers have advised him the land is worth €175m.
"Mr O'Gara's constitutional right is at odds with his constitutional responsibility," added councillor Andrews.
"He is blatantly cherry picking from our constitution to suit his own ends. We cannot afford the little open space we have in Dublin South East to be exploited by an opportunist like Mr O'Gara." "It is very serious that he is challenging planning procedures in such a brazen manner." Mr O'Gara said he would sell his marble and granite tiles at the square "any day the weather is fine".
Anne-Marie Walsh
Irish Independent
It is the latest row involving Noel O'Gara who clashed with Dublin City Council and local residents last year after he tried to turn the square into a car park.
Now an emergency motion has been tabled to remove Mr O'Gara's latest business venture.
Local FF councillor Chris Andrews made his move at a meeting of Dublin City Council last night to deal with the "opportunist" he claims has invaded Dartmouth Square.
Mr O'Gara turned the two-acre park in the middle of the square into an outdoor store selling marble tiles for €50 a square metre.
Battle
It was a new turn in an acrimonious battle that began when Mr O'Gara bought the freehold on Dartmouth Square for less than €10,000 and tried to set up a car park there.
Last night, Councillor Andrews and his colleague Councillor Michael Donnelly put down a motion calling on the city manager to take immediate action to remove the 'so called show room'.
He said the park is being used as a 'portable showroom' for its owner's tile company.
The park was at the centre of a controversy last year when Mr O'Gara, Athlone, Co Westmeath, attempted to open a public car park there.
He claimed he purchased the square from the Darley family, who owned it since it first opened in the 19th century.
However, the land is zoned for open space and amenity.
The High Court granted Dublin City Council an order permanently restraining Mr O'Gara and a company, Marble and Granite Tiles Ltd, from parking more than two vehicles in it.
Since that decision, Mr O'Gara has has been fighting a compulsory purchase order by the council.
He has rejected the council's €100,000 offer for his two acres of parkland and claims his valuers have advised him the land is worth €175m.
"Mr O'Gara's constitutional right is at odds with his constitutional responsibility," added councillor Andrews.
"He is blatantly cherry picking from our constitution to suit his own ends. We cannot afford the little open space we have in Dublin South East to be exploited by an opportunist like Mr O'Gara." "It is very serious that he is challenging planning procedures in such a brazen manner." Mr O'Gara said he would sell his marble and granite tiles at the square "any day the weather is fine".
Anne-Marie Walsh
Irish Independent
Residents outraged over plan to 'dump Foxrock overflow'
Developer puts social housing 4km away
DEVELOPERS planning to build luxury homes in up-market south Dublin could be allowed meet their social housing obligations by providing units about 4km away.
Castlethorn Construction, which plans to build 49 homes on Brighton Road in Foxrock which will cost at least €1m each when sold, may be allowed give 63 houses to the local council in Stepaside instead of 10 units on the Foxrock site.
The developer is in negotiation with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council about providing the homes elsewhere, on the basis that affordable units in Foxrock would be too expensive for first-time buyers.
Instead, Castlethorn is proposing to hand over units in the Belarmine estate in Stepaside to meet their obligations under Part V of the Planning and Development Act.
This compels all developers to give up to 20pc of all new homes in an estate - or cash or land in lieu - to the local authority to provide housing for people on low incomes.
Affordable housing is sold to people at a discount to the market price, with the local council paying the difference to the developer.
But residents living in the company's Stepaside development are furious about the proposal. Of the 608 homes in the area, the council has already acquired 100 for social and affordable housing. It also intends building more social housing on a nearby site it owns, and is planning a Traveller halting site in the area.
While the deal under negotiation is not unusual, Fine Gael has accused the council of coming to the arrangement "by stealth" because residents in Stepaside have not been told of the plans.
The proper site notices accompanying the planning application were posted in Foxrock with no mention of Stepaside, meaning people were left "completely in the dark" about the proposed change, local TD Olivia Mitchell said.
"This kind of planning by stealth is just not on. Young people buying their first home deserve honesty and openness from the planning authority.
"At the very least a new planning application should be required so that local stakeholders have an opportunity to be informed and to voice their opinions.
"The only published planning notice in this case referred to a site in Foxrock. Consequently, residents of the Stepaside area had no way of knowing that a proposal affecting them was being negotiated between the county council and the developer."
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown faces particular difficulties in getting social and affordable housing because land costs so much in the county. The council must buy the homes from the developer before selling them on to people who qualify, but even with a substantial discount they can still be out of the reach of many first-time buyers.
'Stepaside residents had no way of
knowing a proposal affecting them was being negotiated'
It is currently involved in legal proceedings with another developer who is resisting attempts to hand over units at an up-market development in Stillorgan.
Yesterday, the council confirmed that a deal was being considered, but said nothing had been finalised.
Bernie O'Reilly, from the housing section, said the size of the Foxrock homes were "way above" what the council would require, and that the off-site proposal was being considered.
"What is the better benefit - 63 families in Stepaside or 10 living in Foxrock? Each case is evaluated on its merits, there are going to be some sites where it will be difficult to work on and provide social and affordable units."
Castlethorn Construction, owned by Joe O'Reilly, is currently developing 10,000 new homes at Adamstown, west Dublin, and owns the Dundrum town centre.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
DEVELOPERS planning to build luxury homes in up-market south Dublin could be allowed meet their social housing obligations by providing units about 4km away.
Castlethorn Construction, which plans to build 49 homes on Brighton Road in Foxrock which will cost at least €1m each when sold, may be allowed give 63 houses to the local council in Stepaside instead of 10 units on the Foxrock site.
The developer is in negotiation with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council about providing the homes elsewhere, on the basis that affordable units in Foxrock would be too expensive for first-time buyers.
Instead, Castlethorn is proposing to hand over units in the Belarmine estate in Stepaside to meet their obligations under Part V of the Planning and Development Act.
This compels all developers to give up to 20pc of all new homes in an estate - or cash or land in lieu - to the local authority to provide housing for people on low incomes.
Affordable housing is sold to people at a discount to the market price, with the local council paying the difference to the developer.
But residents living in the company's Stepaside development are furious about the proposal. Of the 608 homes in the area, the council has already acquired 100 for social and affordable housing. It also intends building more social housing on a nearby site it owns, and is planning a Traveller halting site in the area.
While the deal under negotiation is not unusual, Fine Gael has accused the council of coming to the arrangement "by stealth" because residents in Stepaside have not been told of the plans.
The proper site notices accompanying the planning application were posted in Foxrock with no mention of Stepaside, meaning people were left "completely in the dark" about the proposed change, local TD Olivia Mitchell said.
"This kind of planning by stealth is just not on. Young people buying their first home deserve honesty and openness from the planning authority.
"At the very least a new planning application should be required so that local stakeholders have an opportunity to be informed and to voice their opinions.
"The only published planning notice in this case referred to a site in Foxrock. Consequently, residents of the Stepaside area had no way of knowing that a proposal affecting them was being negotiated between the county council and the developer."
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown faces particular difficulties in getting social and affordable housing because land costs so much in the county. The council must buy the homes from the developer before selling them on to people who qualify, but even with a substantial discount they can still be out of the reach of many first-time buyers.
'Stepaside residents had no way of
knowing a proposal affecting them was being negotiated'
It is currently involved in legal proceedings with another developer who is resisting attempts to hand over units at an up-market development in Stillorgan.
Yesterday, the council confirmed that a deal was being considered, but said nothing had been finalised.
Bernie O'Reilly, from the housing section, said the size of the Foxrock homes were "way above" what the council would require, and that the off-site proposal was being considered.
"What is the better benefit - 63 families in Stepaside or 10 living in Foxrock? Each case is evaluated on its merits, there are going to be some sites where it will be difficult to work on and provide social and affordable units."
Castlethorn Construction, owned by Joe O'Reilly, is currently developing 10,000 new homes at Adamstown, west Dublin, and owns the Dundrum town centre.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Incinerator planned for Dublin
A FIREBALL fuelled by gas and shooting hot metal hundreds of feet into the air could result from a major fire at the incinerator planned for Dublin.
A risk assessment of the waste-to-energy plant shows nine nightmarish scenarios that could occur if systems broke down or a fire broke out at the site.
They include the possibility of fuel tanks blowing up, which would send a fireball into the sky, the release of dangerous chemicals, contaminated water pouring into Dublin Bay or a fire in waste-storage bunkers which could spread throughout the facility.
Accidents
But the risk assessment also concludes that the effects of any of these major accidents outside the site would be minimal. It states that the risks to humans and the environment from the Dublin facility would be "extremely low".
Last July Dublin City Council, on behalf of the four local authorities in the capital, applied for planning permission for the incinerator on the Poolbeg peninsula which would burn 600,000 tonnes of waste every year.
More than 2,000 objections were received by Bord Pleanala, including one from Tanaiste Michael McDowell.
Last week, he caused controversy when he announced that the incinerator would not go ahead because the Danish company charged with building and operating it, Elsam, had pulled out of the deal.
The council said that negotiations were ongoing about changes to the contract. As part of the planning application, the council was required to submit a report on the risks posed to the public in the event of a serious accident at the plant.
The report - Dublin Waste to Energy Facility Major Accident Hazard Assessment - notes that two power plants nearby are "potential major accident hazard sites" and that dangerous substances - including diesel oil, ammonium hydroxide and heavy metals - would be stored on site.
Heavy metals would be found in the ash produced after household waste was burnt, including cadmium, mercury, cobalt and nickel monoxide - all of which are described as "toxic" or "harmful".
The report says that a diesel fire could "escalate to other parts of the facility" and that a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) system used to start the incineration process could result in a "fireball and generation of projectiles" from the ruptured cylinder if a fire were to break out.
It also warns that dangerous chemicals - including household bleach used to cool water pipes - could be pumped into the environment if systems broke down.
And a fire caused by hot ashes igniting waste material could result in contaminated water being released.
Inhaling
But using the worst-case scenario, the report finds that the risk posed to human health from inhaling fumes from a fire in the waste bunker is "deemed to be insignificant".
Automatic fire-control systems would automatically extinguish small fires, and the chances of a fire igniting the LPG stores tanks was "highly unlikely", the report says.
Even if an explosion occurred, the effects would be absorbed by the building and "directed to a safe location".
It notes that the possibility of an earthquake occurring which could pose a danger to the plant was "very low", and although the plant would be built on land reclaimed from the sea, if subsidence occured, it would "not be expected to result in a major accident", the report says.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
A risk assessment of the waste-to-energy plant shows nine nightmarish scenarios that could occur if systems broke down or a fire broke out at the site.
They include the possibility of fuel tanks blowing up, which would send a fireball into the sky, the release of dangerous chemicals, contaminated water pouring into Dublin Bay or a fire in waste-storage bunkers which could spread throughout the facility.
Accidents
But the risk assessment also concludes that the effects of any of these major accidents outside the site would be minimal. It states that the risks to humans and the environment from the Dublin facility would be "extremely low".
Last July Dublin City Council, on behalf of the four local authorities in the capital, applied for planning permission for the incinerator on the Poolbeg peninsula which would burn 600,000 tonnes of waste every year.
More than 2,000 objections were received by Bord Pleanala, including one from Tanaiste Michael McDowell.
Last week, he caused controversy when he announced that the incinerator would not go ahead because the Danish company charged with building and operating it, Elsam, had pulled out of the deal.
The council said that negotiations were ongoing about changes to the contract. As part of the planning application, the council was required to submit a report on the risks posed to the public in the event of a serious accident at the plant.
The report - Dublin Waste to Energy Facility Major Accident Hazard Assessment - notes that two power plants nearby are "potential major accident hazard sites" and that dangerous substances - including diesel oil, ammonium hydroxide and heavy metals - would be stored on site.
Heavy metals would be found in the ash produced after household waste was burnt, including cadmium, mercury, cobalt and nickel monoxide - all of which are described as "toxic" or "harmful".
The report says that a diesel fire could "escalate to other parts of the facility" and that a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) system used to start the incineration process could result in a "fireball and generation of projectiles" from the ruptured cylinder if a fire were to break out.
It also warns that dangerous chemicals - including household bleach used to cool water pipes - could be pumped into the environment if systems broke down.
And a fire caused by hot ashes igniting waste material could result in contaminated water being released.
Inhaling
But using the worst-case scenario, the report finds that the risk posed to human health from inhaling fumes from a fire in the waste bunker is "deemed to be insignificant".
Automatic fire-control systems would automatically extinguish small fires, and the chances of a fire igniting the LPG stores tanks was "highly unlikely", the report says.
Even if an explosion occurred, the effects would be absorbed by the building and "directed to a safe location".
It notes that the possibility of an earthquake occurring which could pose a danger to the plant was "very low", and although the plant would be built on land reclaimed from the sea, if subsidence occured, it would "not be expected to result in a major accident", the report says.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Local retailers worried by approval for Tesco in Sligo
TESCO has been given the green light to construct a four-storey building on O'Connell Street in Sligo incorporating a major new supermarket and a number of residential units. An Bord Pleanála rejected objections from local traders in the adjacent arcade area to the proposed development which will necessitate the partial demolition of an existing supermarket and will include 11 two-bed apartments.
The retail area will take up the ground and first floor of the new building, providing 2,204sq m of space. The proposed development includes lans to upgrade and refurbish the mall area with the provision of a new entrance from Wine Street car park.
Planning permission was granted subject to 22 conditions including the stipulation that all servicing of the proposed development is carried out at basement level.
Sligo Borough Council originally granted permission for the development in May last year but appeals were lodged with the planning authorities by McGowan's Photoshop, an adjacent store, and by the Tenants' Association of Sligo Shopping Centre, which represents the other businesses in the arcade.
McGowan's appealed the original decision on the grounds that it has a leasehold interest in the site with 23 years remaining. McGowan's further claimed that the unit they have leased in the arcade will be "obliterated" by the development. The appellants said their permission for the development was not sought prior to the lodgement of the application.
In its appeal, the tenants' association claimed "adequate safeguards were not in place to ensure small businesses could continue to operate during the construction phase". It stressed the importance of "avoiding disruption to the vitality, viability and operation of existing retail operators" and noted that "the city plan acknowledges the importance of small town-centre retailers".
"It's essential we make sure there continues to be room for the small operator who's offering the public a unique service you don't get from a multinational, " says local Sinn Féin councillor and general-election candidate Sean McManus.
Tesco will have to pay the Borough Council over Euro1.2m in contributions and bonds to cover expenditure incurred by the planning authority in respect of public infrastructure and facilities and to secure the satisfactory completion and maintenance of services. A spokesperson for Tesco last week said the planned development demonstrated the company's commitment to Sligo town.
Sunday Tribune 2007
The retail area will take up the ground and first floor of the new building, providing 2,204sq m of space. The proposed development includes lans to upgrade and refurbish the mall area with the provision of a new entrance from Wine Street car park.
Planning permission was granted subject to 22 conditions including the stipulation that all servicing of the proposed development is carried out at basement level.
Sligo Borough Council originally granted permission for the development in May last year but appeals were lodged with the planning authorities by McGowan's Photoshop, an adjacent store, and by the Tenants' Association of Sligo Shopping Centre, which represents the other businesses in the arcade.
McGowan's appealed the original decision on the grounds that it has a leasehold interest in the site with 23 years remaining. McGowan's further claimed that the unit they have leased in the arcade will be "obliterated" by the development. The appellants said their permission for the development was not sought prior to the lodgement of the application.
In its appeal, the tenants' association claimed "adequate safeguards were not in place to ensure small businesses could continue to operate during the construction phase". It stressed the importance of "avoiding disruption to the vitality, viability and operation of existing retail operators" and noted that "the city plan acknowledges the importance of small town-centre retailers".
"It's essential we make sure there continues to be room for the small operator who's offering the public a unique service you don't get from a multinational, " says local Sinn Féin councillor and general-election candidate Sean McManus.
Tesco will have to pay the Borough Council over Euro1.2m in contributions and bonds to cover expenditure incurred by the planning authority in respect of public infrastructure and facilities and to secure the satisfactory completion and maintenance of services. A spokesperson for Tesco last week said the planned development demonstrated the company's commitment to Sligo town.
Sunday Tribune 2007
O’Regan negotiated option to buy docklands scheme
Leisure and property entrepreneur Hugh O’Regan negotiated an option to purchase chq, the much-delayed retail scheme in Dublin’s docklands, as part of his lease agreement on the building.
Leisure and property entrepreneur Hugh O’Regan negotiated an option to purchase chq, the much-delayed retail scheme in Dublin’s docklands, as part of his lease agreement on the building.
Documents released to The Sunday Business Post under the Freedom of Information Act show that O’Regan would have had the option to purchase the property for a fixed price after the completion of the first rent review which would take place five years into the lease.
It is understood that O’Regan planned to build a second higher cantilevered building in the airspace above chq if the deal had gone ahead.
In the end however both the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) and O’Regan mutually agreed to walk away from the deal.
The DDDA made this official with a letter to O’Regan on September 23, 2005 stating the lease was to be terminated ‘‘with immediate effect from the date hereof by reason of the material breach by the tenant of its obligations contained within the agreement’’.
It followed a letter - seen by this newspaper - that was sent by O’Regan’s legal representatives Matheson Ormsby Prentice to the DDDA’s legal team A&L Goodbody on September 20, 2005, in which it raised the fact that the DDDA had ‘‘consistently failed since September 2004 to provide evidence and confirmation that outstanding snagging works have been completed’’.
The letter also said that O’Regan had ‘‘genuine and very serious reservations about the dampness problem, which has arisen both at basement and ground floor level in chq’’.
O’Regan had been advised it would take a minimum of two years to dry out the building or to ensure there is no recurrence of the dampness and seepage problems.
The letter also reveals that the DDDA was to provide an appropriate tenant for the arthouse cinema and underwrite the rent.
O’Regan had raised various difficulties earlier and the chief executive of the DDDA reported to the board on September 8, 2005 that he had offered to recommend additional concessions to the board, provided O’Regan gave commitments to commence development within a reasonable period.
However, O’Regan ‘‘had failed to respond in any meaningful way and the executive was recommending that the agreement for lease be terminated’’, according to the minutes of the DDDA executive board meeting.
The board then decided that it no longer ‘‘had confidence in proceeding with O’Regan’s project and that the agreement for lease should be terminated and that the authority would move independently with the project’’. O’Regan’s proposal, which was submitted at the end of 2004, included 45 business suites, an exhibition space, conference facility, a bar/restaurant, microbrewery bar, cinemas, spa, swimming pool, gym, wine bar, delicatessen, market, restaurant/nightclub, artists’ studios, shops, a juice bar and kiosks.
On July 7, 2004 the lease was signed between the DDDA and the tenant, a company called FSC Property, which is 100 per cent owned by O’Regan, according to the documents lodged with the Companies Office. O’Regan also signed the lease as the guarantor.
The documents released under the Freedom of Information Act confirm that Harvey Nichols was close to signing a lease as an anchor tenant. According to minutes from a meeting on October 10, 2002, it was to occupy just under 2,000 square metres of space at the scheme.
However there were a number of conditions attached by Harvey Nichols, details of which have been blanked out by the DDDA on the basis that they are commercially sensitive.
A letter from then Director of Property Grainne Hollywood to Harvey Nichols the previous month showed that the original plan was for the scheme to open in October 2003.
Wilson McHardy, one of the letting agents for the scheme, then wrote to Harvey Nichols saying that it was seeking a retail mix to promote repeat visits.
Among the 28 brands it had targeted were Armani, Gucci, Zegna, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co, Agent Provocateur, Nicole Fahri, Space NK, Paul Smith and Joseph.
‘‘Many of these brands have registered interest either direct or via their retained retail leasing agents,” wrote Keith Wilson of Wilson McHardy.
However on April 11, 2003, Patrick Hanly, Harvey Nichols’ commercial director, wrote to Hollywood stating: ‘‘I very much regret that Harvey Nichols has taken the decision not to proceed with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority at Custom House Quay.
‘‘For your records, in the end the decision was taken not to proceed based on our concern over the size of the project.
“Custom House Quay is a destination site and we felt that the total retail offer would not be sufficient to compliment and support a Harvey Nichols operation.
“To a lesser extent there was some concern about the design and the amount of parking that would have been directly available, but I reiterate the main reason for our decision was the size of the project.”
Sunday Business Post
2007
Leisure and property entrepreneur Hugh O’Regan negotiated an option to purchase chq, the much-delayed retail scheme in Dublin’s docklands, as part of his lease agreement on the building.
Documents released to The Sunday Business Post under the Freedom of Information Act show that O’Regan would have had the option to purchase the property for a fixed price after the completion of the first rent review which would take place five years into the lease.
It is understood that O’Regan planned to build a second higher cantilevered building in the airspace above chq if the deal had gone ahead.
In the end however both the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) and O’Regan mutually agreed to walk away from the deal.
The DDDA made this official with a letter to O’Regan on September 23, 2005 stating the lease was to be terminated ‘‘with immediate effect from the date hereof by reason of the material breach by the tenant of its obligations contained within the agreement’’.
It followed a letter - seen by this newspaper - that was sent by O’Regan’s legal representatives Matheson Ormsby Prentice to the DDDA’s legal team A&L Goodbody on September 20, 2005, in which it raised the fact that the DDDA had ‘‘consistently failed since September 2004 to provide evidence and confirmation that outstanding snagging works have been completed’’.
The letter also said that O’Regan had ‘‘genuine and very serious reservations about the dampness problem, which has arisen both at basement and ground floor level in chq’’.
O’Regan had been advised it would take a minimum of two years to dry out the building or to ensure there is no recurrence of the dampness and seepage problems.
The letter also reveals that the DDDA was to provide an appropriate tenant for the arthouse cinema and underwrite the rent.
O’Regan had raised various difficulties earlier and the chief executive of the DDDA reported to the board on September 8, 2005 that he had offered to recommend additional concessions to the board, provided O’Regan gave commitments to commence development within a reasonable period.
However, O’Regan ‘‘had failed to respond in any meaningful way and the executive was recommending that the agreement for lease be terminated’’, according to the minutes of the DDDA executive board meeting.
The board then decided that it no longer ‘‘had confidence in proceeding with O’Regan’s project and that the agreement for lease should be terminated and that the authority would move independently with the project’’. O’Regan’s proposal, which was submitted at the end of 2004, included 45 business suites, an exhibition space, conference facility, a bar/restaurant, microbrewery bar, cinemas, spa, swimming pool, gym, wine bar, delicatessen, market, restaurant/nightclub, artists’ studios, shops, a juice bar and kiosks.
On July 7, 2004 the lease was signed between the DDDA and the tenant, a company called FSC Property, which is 100 per cent owned by O’Regan, according to the documents lodged with the Companies Office. O’Regan also signed the lease as the guarantor.
The documents released under the Freedom of Information Act confirm that Harvey Nichols was close to signing a lease as an anchor tenant. According to minutes from a meeting on October 10, 2002, it was to occupy just under 2,000 square metres of space at the scheme.
However there were a number of conditions attached by Harvey Nichols, details of which have been blanked out by the DDDA on the basis that they are commercially sensitive.
A letter from then Director of Property Grainne Hollywood to Harvey Nichols the previous month showed that the original plan was for the scheme to open in October 2003.
Wilson McHardy, one of the letting agents for the scheme, then wrote to Harvey Nichols saying that it was seeking a retail mix to promote repeat visits.
Among the 28 brands it had targeted were Armani, Gucci, Zegna, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co, Agent Provocateur, Nicole Fahri, Space NK, Paul Smith and Joseph.
‘‘Many of these brands have registered interest either direct or via their retained retail leasing agents,” wrote Keith Wilson of Wilson McHardy.
However on April 11, 2003, Patrick Hanly, Harvey Nichols’ commercial director, wrote to Hollywood stating: ‘‘I very much regret that Harvey Nichols has taken the decision not to proceed with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority at Custom House Quay.
‘‘For your records, in the end the decision was taken not to proceed based on our concern over the size of the project.
“Custom House Quay is a destination site and we felt that the total retail offer would not be sufficient to compliment and support a Harvey Nichols operation.
“To a lesser extent there was some concern about the design and the amount of parking that would have been directly available, but I reiterate the main reason for our decision was the size of the project.”
Sunday Business Post
2007
McNamara and Castlethorn win flats redevelopment race
A joint bid by developers Bernard McNamara and Castlethorn Construction has been chosen to redevelop the St Michael’s flat complex in Inchicore under a public-private partnership scheme.
A joint bid by developers Bernard McNamara and Castlethorn Construction has been chosen to redevelop the St Michael’s flat complex in Inchicore under a public-private partnership scheme. A formal announcement of their status as preferred developers is expected to be made in the coming weeks.
The 14-acre estate is located in the middle of Inchicore, an area that has become increasingly popular with first-time buyers because of its proximity to the city centre. The site is also located near the Luas line between Connolly Station and Tallaght, and a sizeable amount of the flats there are boarded up.
It will now be belatedly demolished, six years after the regeneration of the estate was first announced in 2001 with work due to be completed last year. At that stage, the city council had already been working on the plan for three years.
In 2005, it was announced that 575 housing units would be built on the estate including 150 local authority housing units, 70 affordable housing units and 355 private dwellings.
City councillors had previously rejected their own officials plans for the estate, which was constructed in the 1970s.
The McNamara-Castlethorn partnership also won the €180 million public private partnership tender last year to redevelop O’Devaney Gardens on the North Circular Road near the Phoenix Park. Built in the 1950s, the flats are to be demolished and turned into 820 homes on a 16-acre site with a mix of social, affordable and private housing along with commercial, community and leisure facilities.
Meanwhile, the closing date to request qualifications for the redevelopment of the 9.5-acre St Teresa’s Gardens flat complex off the South Circular Road in Dublin 8 has now passed. The preferred bidder is expected to be announced in early September. Dublin City Council has requested the provision of 300 social and affordable homes, community facilities and a public park.
Dublin City Council is involved in a number of other planned public-private partnerships to redevelop flat complexes around the street, including Dominick Street and near Croke Park.
Bernard McNamara’s construction company, Michael McNamara & Co, is one of the largest in the country. He moved into property development, initially because of the tax breaks on offer, and now owns a substantial portfolio, large parts of which have redevelopment potential.
In recent months, McNamara has been a member of consortiums that acquired the South Wharf site in Ringsend for more than €100 million, Carrisbrook House in Ballsbridge, and the Allianz building on Burlington Road in Ballsbridge. His other business interests include a stake in Select Retail Holdings which owns Superquinn, a number of hotels, and a stake in Champion Sports.
Castlethorn Construction is an extremely profitable development company which is currently developing 10,000 residential units at Adamstown in west Dublin and a sizeable residential and commercial development at Rathborne in Dublin 15. The firm also owns the Dundrum town centre.
Sunday Business Post
2007
A joint bid by developers Bernard McNamara and Castlethorn Construction has been chosen to redevelop the St Michael’s flat complex in Inchicore under a public-private partnership scheme. A formal announcement of their status as preferred developers is expected to be made in the coming weeks.
The 14-acre estate is located in the middle of Inchicore, an area that has become increasingly popular with first-time buyers because of its proximity to the city centre. The site is also located near the Luas line between Connolly Station and Tallaght, and a sizeable amount of the flats there are boarded up.
It will now be belatedly demolished, six years after the regeneration of the estate was first announced in 2001 with work due to be completed last year. At that stage, the city council had already been working on the plan for three years.
In 2005, it was announced that 575 housing units would be built on the estate including 150 local authority housing units, 70 affordable housing units and 355 private dwellings.
City councillors had previously rejected their own officials plans for the estate, which was constructed in the 1970s.
The McNamara-Castlethorn partnership also won the €180 million public private partnership tender last year to redevelop O’Devaney Gardens on the North Circular Road near the Phoenix Park. Built in the 1950s, the flats are to be demolished and turned into 820 homes on a 16-acre site with a mix of social, affordable and private housing along with commercial, community and leisure facilities.
Meanwhile, the closing date to request qualifications for the redevelopment of the 9.5-acre St Teresa’s Gardens flat complex off the South Circular Road in Dublin 8 has now passed. The preferred bidder is expected to be announced in early September. Dublin City Council has requested the provision of 300 social and affordable homes, community facilities and a public park.
Dublin City Council is involved in a number of other planned public-private partnerships to redevelop flat complexes around the street, including Dominick Street and near Croke Park.
Bernard McNamara’s construction company, Michael McNamara & Co, is one of the largest in the country. He moved into property development, initially because of the tax breaks on offer, and now owns a substantial portfolio, large parts of which have redevelopment potential.
In recent months, McNamara has been a member of consortiums that acquired the South Wharf site in Ringsend for more than €100 million, Carrisbrook House in Ballsbridge, and the Allianz building on Burlington Road in Ballsbridge. His other business interests include a stake in Select Retail Holdings which owns Superquinn, a number of hotels, and a stake in Champion Sports.
Castlethorn Construction is an extremely profitable development company which is currently developing 10,000 residential units at Adamstown in west Dublin and a sizeable residential and commercial development at Rathborne in Dublin 15. The firm also owns the Dundrum town centre.
Sunday Business Post
2007
Sunday, 4 March 2007
Funding available for Wexford's Protected Structures
Grants for the Conservation of Protected Structures:
Applications are invited for the Conservation Grants Scheme for the year 2007.
The purpose of the Scheme is to assist the owner or occupier of a protected structure to undertake works necessary to secure the conservation of the structure. The scheme is not intended to assist in carrying out routine maintenance alterations or improvements.
Wexford County Council invites submissions from interested parties who seek support for conservation works. The closing date for receipt of applications is 28th February 2006.
Details of the scheme and application forms can be obtained from:
Forward Planning Department,
Wexford County Council,
County Hall,
Wexford. Phone (053) 9176350
Further details are available at www.wexford.ie
Applications are invited for the Conservation Grants Scheme for the year 2007.
The purpose of the Scheme is to assist the owner or occupier of a protected structure to undertake works necessary to secure the conservation of the structure. The scheme is not intended to assist in carrying out routine maintenance alterations or improvements.
Wexford County Council invites submissions from interested parties who seek support for conservation works. The closing date for receipt of applications is 28th February 2006.
Details of the scheme and application forms can be obtained from:
Forward Planning Department,
Wexford County Council,
County Hall,
Wexford. Phone (053) 9176350
Further details are available at www.wexford.ie
Wexford County Council Development Contributions Scheme 2007
DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTION SCHEME
SECTION 48 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000
Notice is hereby given that Wexford County Council, approved a revised Development Contribution Scheme on December 11th, 2006 for the Wexford County Council Planning Authority Area including Gorey Town , in accordance with the provisions of Sections 48 and 49 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The Draft Contribution Scheme which was made available for public inspection and comment until 24th November last, was amended to provide for a review in 2009 before adoption. The scheme becomes effective on January 1st, 2007 in respect of new applications received.
Copies of the Development Contributions Scheme for the Wexford County Council Planning Authority Area including Gorey Town , under Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 will be available for public inspection at the Planning Department, County Hall during the hours of 10.00 am – 4.00pm, Monday – Friday, Bank Holidays excepted. In addition, details of the Development Contribution Scheme will be available at the County Council’s website at the following address: -www.wexford.ie/wex/Departments/Planning/Contributions/
SECTION 48 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000
Notice is hereby given that Wexford County Council, approved a revised Development Contribution Scheme on December 11th, 2006 for the Wexford County Council Planning Authority Area including Gorey Town , in accordance with the provisions of Sections 48 and 49 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The Draft Contribution Scheme which was made available for public inspection and comment until 24th November last, was amended to provide for a review in 2009 before adoption. The scheme becomes effective on January 1st, 2007 in respect of new applications received.
Copies of the Development Contributions Scheme for the Wexford County Council Planning Authority Area including Gorey Town , under Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 will be available for public inspection at the Planning Department, County Hall during the hours of 10.00 am – 4.00pm, Monday – Friday, Bank Holidays excepted. In addition, details of the Development Contribution Scheme will be available at the County Council’s website at the following address: -www.wexford.ie/wex/Departments/Planning/Contributions/
Design for Wexford council HQ
I had a look at the winning design and the other entries this weekend, High quality architectre proposals all roud. A difficult job for the judges. The winner was Nord Architecture. Quite a win given that this was an open international design competition. The new headquarters building for Wexford County Council is going to be an excellent building.
The Scottish firm beat 93 rival entries with a scheme designed around an internal “street”, integrating local materials and a sustainable environmental strategy.
The approach to the building features areas of soft landscaping dedicated to local plants, while the hard surfaces of the generous forecourt are formed from smooth cut slabs of stone from the region.
The building itself is planned as an internal “townscape” around a public internal street, along which all council departments can be accessed via the main entrance.
Each department is an individual block and in between blocks, landscaped courtyards bring in natural light, all under a glazed skin.
The Scottish firm beat 93 rival entries with a scheme designed around an internal “street”, integrating local materials and a sustainable environmental strategy.
The approach to the building features areas of soft landscaping dedicated to local plants, while the hard surfaces of the generous forecourt are formed from smooth cut slabs of stone from the region.
The building itself is planned as an internal “townscape” around a public internal street, along which all council departments can be accessed via the main entrance.
Each department is an individual block and in between blocks, landscaped courtyards bring in natural light, all under a glazed skin.
Largest property transaction in history of Irish state filed with land registry
The biggest property transaction in the history of the Irish State has been officially filed with the Land Registry.
Clare County Council has delivered transfer maps for all property in Shannon, less than two-and-half years after responsibility for Ireland's newest town was transferred from Shannon Development to the Local Authority. The move represents one of the largest transactions handled by the Land Registry in its 115-year history.
The September 2004 transfer of responsibility for Shannon Town represented a unique transfer and culmination of many years of discussion and negotiation on bringing the Town under Local Authority control. Since then, Clare County Council has assumed full responsibility for all public services within the town including - roads, water services, public lighting, open space and housing, originally part of Shannon Development housing stock.
Ger O'Brien, Chief Technician with Clare County Council said that the map transfer represented the largest single project he had ever worked on during his 29 years of service as a public servant. "Today's historic handover of maps to the Land Registry will cater for Shannon Town's development needs well into the future" - stated Mr. O'Brien.
He added - "Now that all lands within the town boundary have been officially documented and filed, in consultation with True North Mapping, I am confident that new development opportunities will be facilitated - therefore providing a further injection of economic activity into Shannon."
Clare County Council has delivered transfer maps for all property in Shannon, less than two-and-half years after responsibility for Ireland's newest town was transferred from Shannon Development to the Local Authority. The move represents one of the largest transactions handled by the Land Registry in its 115-year history.
The September 2004 transfer of responsibility for Shannon Town represented a unique transfer and culmination of many years of discussion and negotiation on bringing the Town under Local Authority control. Since then, Clare County Council has assumed full responsibility for all public services within the town including - roads, water services, public lighting, open space and housing, originally part of Shannon Development housing stock.
Ger O'Brien, Chief Technician with Clare County Council said that the map transfer represented the largest single project he had ever worked on during his 29 years of service as a public servant. "Today's historic handover of maps to the Land Registry will cater for Shannon Town's development needs well into the future" - stated Mr. O'Brien.
He added - "Now that all lands within the town boundary have been officially documented and filed, in consultation with True North Mapping, I am confident that new development opportunities will be facilitated - therefore providing a further injection of economic activity into Shannon."
Summary of new Draft Regulations
Here's a brief summary of the new Regulations:
Solar:
The installation of solar panels up to 12 sq. metres aperture area, or 50% of total roof area, whichever is less, will be exempted development subject to the following conditions:
· A 15cm maximum distance between the plane of a pitched roof and the solar panel
· A 50cm maximum distance between the plane of a flat roof and the solar panels, and
· That panels should be at least 50cm from the edge of the roof.
The exemptions provide for the same 12 sq metre aperture area in respect of free-standing arrays as applies to building mounted panels. Therefore, and as is the case with building mounted panels, arrays of this size and under are exempt from planning permission requirements, subject to some conditions. These require that:
· Stand-alone panels must be no more than 2m in height,
· Such panels must be located behind the front wall of the house, and
· A minimum space of 25 sq m of useable space must remain for householders own private use.
Micro Wind Turbines:
Wind Turbines with a mast height of 10 metres and a rotor diameter of 6 meters will be exempt from planning permission requirements subject to the following conditions:
· The rotor diameter should be 6 metres or less
· There should be a 3 metre minimum clearance between the lower tip of the rotor and the ground
· The minimum distance of a wind turbine from its nearest neighbouring boundary would equal the total height of the turbine plus 1 metre
· Noise levels at the nearest neighbouring inhabited dwelling should be <43dB(A), or <5d(B) above background noise
· Only one turbine is permitted within the curtilage of a house
· The turbine must be situated behind the front wall of the house
· All turbine components shall have a matt, non-reflective finish and the blade shall be made of material that does not deflect telecommunication signals.
· No advertising or logos may be placed or appear on turbines.
In the main, the conditions attached to the exemption for micro wind turbines are designed to ensure their safe installation and use.
Issues such as visual amenity, noise, vibration, possible structural damage, safety and poor installation mitigate against the inclusion of building mounted turbines as exempted development. Nevertheless, it will still be possible to apply for planning permission for such turbines in the normal way.
Heat Pumps:
The two types of ground-source heat pumps currently available are horizontal and vertical closed loop systems. Each system consists lengths of pipe buried in the ground, either in horizontal or vertical trenches. The Regulations provide exemptions for both types. The only condition attached to the exemption for ground-source heat pumps is that on installation of the apparatus there should be no more than a 1 metre alteration to ground level.
Air source heat pumps are also exempt provided that:
· Noise levels at the nearest neighbouring inhabited dwelling are <43dB(A), or <5dB(A) above background noise.
· Air source heat pumps are at least 50 cm from the edge of roof, and
· The pump is located to the rear or behind the front wall of the house.
Biomass
Wood pellet boilers and stoves are becoming a very attractive option for householders and it is proposed that they be classed as exempted development. Where a flue is required, it should be constructed in line with existing building regulations. The addition of an extension or ancillary building onto a premises to accommodate the biomass heating system is now covered by an amendment to existing exempted development classes.
Small-Scale Hydropower:
Due to the nature of this micro-renewable technology and its potential impact on water sources, small-scale hydroelectricity will not be considered exempted development and such developments will continue to require planning permission.
Note: Role of the Planning Code for non-exempted micro-renewable energy development
It should also be noted that where an individual wishes to install any class of micro-renewable technology that does not fall within the draft exemptions they may apply, as normal, for planning permission from their planning authority. Planning authorities are being provided with clear guidance on the operation of the exemptions. In this guidance Planning Authorities are being instructed that any application for permission should be assessed on its own merits, as heretofore.
Solar:
The installation of solar panels up to 12 sq. metres aperture area, or 50% of total roof area, whichever is less, will be exempted development subject to the following conditions:
· A 15cm maximum distance between the plane of a pitched roof and the solar panel
· A 50cm maximum distance between the plane of a flat roof and the solar panels, and
· That panels should be at least 50cm from the edge of the roof.
The exemptions provide for the same 12 sq metre aperture area in respect of free-standing arrays as applies to building mounted panels. Therefore, and as is the case with building mounted panels, arrays of this size and under are exempt from planning permission requirements, subject to some conditions. These require that:
· Stand-alone panels must be no more than 2m in height,
· Such panels must be located behind the front wall of the house, and
· A minimum space of 25 sq m of useable space must remain for householders own private use.
Micro Wind Turbines:
Wind Turbines with a mast height of 10 metres and a rotor diameter of 6 meters will be exempt from planning permission requirements subject to the following conditions:
· The rotor diameter should be 6 metres or less
· There should be a 3 metre minimum clearance between the lower tip of the rotor and the ground
· The minimum distance of a wind turbine from its nearest neighbouring boundary would equal the total height of the turbine plus 1 metre
· Noise levels at the nearest neighbouring inhabited dwelling should be <43dB(A), or <5d(B) above background noise
· Only one turbine is permitted within the curtilage of a house
· The turbine must be situated behind the front wall of the house
· All turbine components shall have a matt, non-reflective finish and the blade shall be made of material that does not deflect telecommunication signals.
· No advertising or logos may be placed or appear on turbines.
In the main, the conditions attached to the exemption for micro wind turbines are designed to ensure their safe installation and use.
Issues such as visual amenity, noise, vibration, possible structural damage, safety and poor installation mitigate against the inclusion of building mounted turbines as exempted development. Nevertheless, it will still be possible to apply for planning permission for such turbines in the normal way.
Heat Pumps:
The two types of ground-source heat pumps currently available are horizontal and vertical closed loop systems. Each system consists lengths of pipe buried in the ground, either in horizontal or vertical trenches. The Regulations provide exemptions for both types. The only condition attached to the exemption for ground-source heat pumps is that on installation of the apparatus there should be no more than a 1 metre alteration to ground level.
Air source heat pumps are also exempt provided that:
· Noise levels at the nearest neighbouring inhabited dwelling are <43dB(A), or <5dB(A) above background noise.
· Air source heat pumps are at least 50 cm from the edge of roof, and
· The pump is located to the rear or behind the front wall of the house.
Biomass
Wood pellet boilers and stoves are becoming a very attractive option for householders and it is proposed that they be classed as exempted development. Where a flue is required, it should be constructed in line with existing building regulations. The addition of an extension or ancillary building onto a premises to accommodate the biomass heating system is now covered by an amendment to existing exempted development classes.
Small-Scale Hydropower:
Due to the nature of this micro-renewable technology and its potential impact on water sources, small-scale hydroelectricity will not be considered exempted development and such developments will continue to require planning permission.
Note: Role of the Planning Code for non-exempted micro-renewable energy development
It should also be noted that where an individual wishes to install any class of micro-renewable technology that does not fall within the draft exemptions they may apply, as normal, for planning permission from their planning authority. Planning authorities are being provided with clear guidance on the operation of the exemptions. In this guidance Planning Authorities are being instructed that any application for permission should be assessed on its own merits, as heretofore.
New Planning Exemptions for Solar Panels and other Micro Renewable Technology
I have been meaning to read this in full and have only had a chance this weekend. All planners should read this:
On 28 February, 2007, Mr. Dick Roche, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government signed the Planning and Development Regulations 2007 - Micro-Renewables - which give effect to new exempted development provisions in respect of micro-renewable technologies.
"The generation of renewable energy provides opportunities to address climate change, ensure security of supply and promote sustainable development. Through the new planning exemptions which I have made recently, this Government has taken another step on the road to a Green Energy Revolution" - the Minister said.
The new Regulations will provide exemptions from planning permission for solar panels, heat pumps, wind turbines and wood pellet burners - subject to certain conditions.
"This Government has already taken wide-ranging measures to promote renewable energy usage and reduce energy-related emissions" - said Minister Roche. "For example, we have put in place a renewable electricity support tariff to subsidise the connection of renewable-sourced electricity to the national grid. The Commercial Bioheat Scheme and the Greener Homes Scheme have been extremely popular and were enhanced in Budget 2007. New agricultural supports have been introduced for the production of Biomass.
"What I am doing today is ensuring that the planning system complements these initiatives in supporting the widest possible usage of renewable energy. This initiative is another example of the joined-up Government response to Climate Change. Every sector, every organisation and every individual must take responsibility for the impacts their activities and their lifestyle have on our planet.
"As a Government, one of our key tasks is to encourage people to look after their end of the bargain, so that everyone can make a contribution to the climate change challenge."
In concluding the announcement, Minister Roche stated - "these draft regulations are the first set of proposed exemptions, designed specifically to enable the planning system to help expand the use of renewable energy. I am taking the opportunity today to announce a further examination of the planning implications of renewable technologies in other sectors - such as industrial and retail sites - with a view to encouraging their uptake.
"In so far as has been possible, every effort has been made to future-proof the regulations with one eye on what developments in the sector might bring. However, it would be unreasonable to assume that these exemptions somehow represent the last word on how renewable energy is dealt with under the planning code. I am happy to keep these provisions under review to ensure their effectiveness."
The exemptions - which come into effect immediately - apply to wind turbines, solar panels, heat pumps and biomass - subject to certain conditions in each case.
Their introduction follows on from a consultation paper, published by Minister Roche in November 2006. This set out a number of recommendations on how various micro-renewable energy technologies would be handled by the planning code.
Over 65 submissions were received on foot of the consultation paper and almost all of the respondents indicated support for the introduction of planning exemptions for micro-renewables - including wind turbines - as a means of encouraging wider uptake. Within the overall support for the broad approach proposed, a wide range of views were submitted for consideration. All submissions were carefully considered and the draft regulations - as they now appear - have been revised significantly on the basis of the arguments put forward by respondents.
Following completion of the consultation process, draft Regulations were prepared and presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and Local Government on 15 February, by Mr. Batt O'Keeffe T.D., Minister of State for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
On 28 February, 2007, Mr. Dick Roche, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government signed the Planning and Development Regulations 2007 - Micro-Renewables - which give effect to new exempted development provisions in respect of micro-renewable technologies.
"The generation of renewable energy provides opportunities to address climate change, ensure security of supply and promote sustainable development. Through the new planning exemptions which I have made recently, this Government has taken another step on the road to a Green Energy Revolution" - the Minister said.
The new Regulations will provide exemptions from planning permission for solar panels, heat pumps, wind turbines and wood pellet burners - subject to certain conditions.
"This Government has already taken wide-ranging measures to promote renewable energy usage and reduce energy-related emissions" - said Minister Roche. "For example, we have put in place a renewable electricity support tariff to subsidise the connection of renewable-sourced electricity to the national grid. The Commercial Bioheat Scheme and the Greener Homes Scheme have been extremely popular and were enhanced in Budget 2007. New agricultural supports have been introduced for the production of Biomass.
"What I am doing today is ensuring that the planning system complements these initiatives in supporting the widest possible usage of renewable energy. This initiative is another example of the joined-up Government response to Climate Change. Every sector, every organisation and every individual must take responsibility for the impacts their activities and their lifestyle have on our planet.
"As a Government, one of our key tasks is to encourage people to look after their end of the bargain, so that everyone can make a contribution to the climate change challenge."
In concluding the announcement, Minister Roche stated - "these draft regulations are the first set of proposed exemptions, designed specifically to enable the planning system to help expand the use of renewable energy. I am taking the opportunity today to announce a further examination of the planning implications of renewable technologies in other sectors - such as industrial and retail sites - with a view to encouraging their uptake.
"In so far as has been possible, every effort has been made to future-proof the regulations with one eye on what developments in the sector might bring. However, it would be unreasonable to assume that these exemptions somehow represent the last word on how renewable energy is dealt with under the planning code. I am happy to keep these provisions under review to ensure their effectiveness."
The exemptions - which come into effect immediately - apply to wind turbines, solar panels, heat pumps and biomass - subject to certain conditions in each case.
Their introduction follows on from a consultation paper, published by Minister Roche in November 2006. This set out a number of recommendations on how various micro-renewable energy technologies would be handled by the planning code.
Over 65 submissions were received on foot of the consultation paper and almost all of the respondents indicated support for the introduction of planning exemptions for micro-renewables - including wind turbines - as a means of encouraging wider uptake. Within the overall support for the broad approach proposed, a wide range of views were submitted for consideration. All submissions were carefully considered and the draft regulations - as they now appear - have been revised significantly on the basis of the arguments put forward by respondents.
Following completion of the consultation process, draft Regulations were prepared and presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and Local Government on 15 February, by Mr. Batt O'Keeffe T.D., Minister of State for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
€3.2m in funding for 2007 heritage projects
The Heritage Council has announced funding worth €3.2 million for 377 heritage projects that will be carried out this year by community groups, individuals and educational institutions in Wicklow, Wexford and all over the country.
The projects will be implemented in every county in the country, covering a diverse range of heritage areas including - the restoration of habitats for corncrakes on islands of the west coast; restoring ancient woodlands; re-introducing the traditional Irish farming breeds, including Irish Moilled Cattle and the Burren Feral Goat; the restoration of buildings at risk; work at local museums and archives, archaeology projects, the production of new publications on heritage and 87 local heritage projects which will be carried out by community groups and voluntary groups across the country.
Local Heritage initiatives to be carried out this year include - the restoration of wetlands, creating walking routes, restoring old railways, the preservation of ancient place names and local history, creating heritage trails, restoring stone walls and hedgerows, protecting birds and wildlife, the conservation of old graveyards, running training courses to preserve traditional crafts such as traditional Traveller wagon making and tin-smithing and a broad range of local events to educate and raise awareness of all aspects of our heritage.
The funding for the grants programme comes from the National Lottery.
The projects will be implemented in every county in the country, covering a diverse range of heritage areas including - the restoration of habitats for corncrakes on islands of the west coast; restoring ancient woodlands; re-introducing the traditional Irish farming breeds, including Irish Moilled Cattle and the Burren Feral Goat; the restoration of buildings at risk; work at local museums and archives, archaeology projects, the production of new publications on heritage and 87 local heritage projects which will be carried out by community groups and voluntary groups across the country.
Local Heritage initiatives to be carried out this year include - the restoration of wetlands, creating walking routes, restoring old railways, the preservation of ancient place names and local history, creating heritage trails, restoring stone walls and hedgerows, protecting birds and wildlife, the conservation of old graveyards, running training courses to preserve traditional crafts such as traditional Traveller wagon making and tin-smithing and a broad range of local events to educate and raise awareness of all aspects of our heritage.
The funding for the grants programme comes from the National Lottery.
€50m Kilrush Marina development
Shannon Development has announced that it has reached agreement in principle with a private sector consortium led by L & M Keating Ltd, for a €50 million development at Kilrush Marina, in the maritime town of Kilrush in Co. Clare.
The proposed major flagship project involves a high-quality mixed-use development of the Kilrush Marina and associated land bank. It includes the provision of 86 town houses, 50 marina holiday apartments, a retail/commercial park and a 125 bedroom 4 star hotel development.
Another essential element of the project will involve an estimated €4 million expansion of the Kilrush Marina facility to include -
* a clubhouse development, which will double the existing capacity
* the automation of lock gates
* breakwater
* a new boatyard
* a dinghy park - and
* an additional 120 berths, which will double the existing berthing capacity at the Marina.
The proposed development will take an estimated 5 years to complete. It will be done on a phased basis, with phase one commencing (subject to the completion of final agreements and planning permission) in 2008.
The first phase will involve significant investment in the Marina, boatyard and some housing development. Phase two will involve the construction of the marina apartments and phase three will see the development of the hotel and related facilities and commercial/retail units.
The proposed major flagship project involves a high-quality mixed-use development of the Kilrush Marina and associated land bank. It includes the provision of 86 town houses, 50 marina holiday apartments, a retail/commercial park and a 125 bedroom 4 star hotel development.
Another essential element of the project will involve an estimated €4 million expansion of the Kilrush Marina facility to include -
* a clubhouse development, which will double the existing capacity
* the automation of lock gates
* breakwater
* a new boatyard
* a dinghy park - and
* an additional 120 berths, which will double the existing berthing capacity at the Marina.
The proposed development will take an estimated 5 years to complete. It will be done on a phased basis, with phase one commencing (subject to the completion of final agreements and planning permission) in 2008.
The first phase will involve significant investment in the Marina, boatyard and some housing development. Phase two will involve the construction of the marina apartments and phase three will see the development of the hotel and related facilities and commercial/retail units.
Car Sharing Scheme - Cork City
In order to improve occasional access to a car for people who don't want to own one - or who want to replace a second family car - Cork City Council Traffic Division are planning to set-up a car sharing scheme in the city.
These schemes - also known as Car Clubs - have been operating successfully in many parts of continental Europe, the UK and the US for many years.
Once subscribed to the scheme, people can have access to a car they need at short notice. The use is charged by the hour or by mileage. Vehicles are located at several car sharing stations throughout the city.
In this way, car sharing provides a more convenient and flexible access to a vehicle, compared to traditional car rentals and is meant for those who need to get a car more frequently - but not on a daily basis.
These schemes - also known as Car Clubs - have been operating successfully in many parts of continental Europe, the UK and the US for many years.
Once subscribed to the scheme, people can have access to a car they need at short notice. The use is charged by the hour or by mileage. Vehicles are located at several car sharing stations throughout the city.
In this way, car sharing provides a more convenient and flexible access to a vehicle, compared to traditional car rentals and is meant for those who need to get a car more frequently - but not on a daily basis.
€3.8m visitor centre at Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo
Mr. Dick Roche T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, turned the sod at the site of the new visitor centre for Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo.
Ballycroy National Park was established in 1998 and consists of almost 12,000 hectares of some of the most important blanket bog in Europe. The Owenduff area in the Nephin Mountains, in particular, is a wild and remote area of blanket bog, cliffs and river habitats containing many rare species of plants.
The area is also important as a roosting, feeding and breeding site for certain migratory bird species - including the Greenland White-Fronted Goose. The Golden Eagle - which has been reintroduced to Ireland from Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal - has also been spotted in the National Park in Ballycroy.
The visitor centre is being built under the Government's National Development Plan at a cost of €3.8m. In order to maximise the benefit for the local community, the visitor centre is being built in the village of Ballycroy, rather than in the National Park itself. It will be constructed on a site of 42 hectares overlooking Blacksod Bay.
The new building - measuring some 650 square metres - will include reception and exhibition areas on the ground level, with a tearoom, education area and toilets on the first floor level. A lift will provide access to both floors and to a viewing platform.
Importantly, the visitor centre is being built on the principles of sustainability, for example -
* It will include solar panels for electricity generation;
* It is being built into the hill - thereby providing a high level of insulation and reducing energy needs;
* The building will be heated using ground source heat pumps - and
* The centre will include a rainwater collection system.
Landscaping and walking routes will be provided around the new centre and, in the longer-term, a series of looped walks will be laid out at the National Park itself.
Speaking at the sod turning, Minister Roche said - "The visitor centre for Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo will be a major new attraction for Ballycroy and all of the surrounding communities of North West Mayo. I believe that it will help to attract significant business and employment for the county - in terms of the spin-off from tourism - and will help to raise the profile of the area, both at home and internationally."
Ballycroy National Park was established in 1998 and consists of almost 12,000 hectares of some of the most important blanket bog in Europe. The Owenduff area in the Nephin Mountains, in particular, is a wild and remote area of blanket bog, cliffs and river habitats containing many rare species of plants.
The area is also important as a roosting, feeding and breeding site for certain migratory bird species - including the Greenland White-Fronted Goose. The Golden Eagle - which has been reintroduced to Ireland from Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal - has also been spotted in the National Park in Ballycroy.
The visitor centre is being built under the Government's National Development Plan at a cost of €3.8m. In order to maximise the benefit for the local community, the visitor centre is being built in the village of Ballycroy, rather than in the National Park itself. It will be constructed on a site of 42 hectares overlooking Blacksod Bay.
The new building - measuring some 650 square metres - will include reception and exhibition areas on the ground level, with a tearoom, education area and toilets on the first floor level. A lift will provide access to both floors and to a viewing platform.
Importantly, the visitor centre is being built on the principles of sustainability, for example -
* It will include solar panels for electricity generation;
* It is being built into the hill - thereby providing a high level of insulation and reducing energy needs;
* The building will be heated using ground source heat pumps - and
* The centre will include a rainwater collection system.
Landscaping and walking routes will be provided around the new centre and, in the longer-term, a series of looped walks will be laid out at the National Park itself.
Speaking at the sod turning, Minister Roche said - "The visitor centre for Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo will be a major new attraction for Ballycroy and all of the surrounding communities of North West Mayo. I believe that it will help to attract significant business and employment for the county - in terms of the spin-off from tourism - and will help to raise the profile of the area, both at home and internationally."
Ambitious Bioenergy Action Plan to reduce Ireland's CO2 emissions by 2m tonnes a year
Noel Dempsey T.D., the Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources, has published a new Government strategy entitled the 'Bioenergy Action Plan for Ireland'.
The action plan - produced by the Ministerial Task Force on Bioenergy, comprising seven Government Departments and Ministers - is a comprehensive strategy to increase the deployment of renewable energy across three key sectors - transport, heat and electricity.
Among the commitments in the Government Action Plan are -
* By 2020, a third of all electricity consumed in Ireland will come from renewable sources (i.e. wind, tidal, solar, etc);
* All peat electricity power stations will be co-fired by 30% renewable material by 2015 (this will lead to CO2 savings of 900,000 tonnes per year);
* 12% of all residential and commercial heating will be powered by renewable sources (wood chip, solar, etc) by 2020 (5% by 2010);
* Within 12 months, building regulations will be reviewed to raise the energy efficiency of all new homes by at least 40%;
* By 2009, a new biofuel obligation will mean that all petrol and diesel will have, on average, a 5.75% biofuel mix (this will lead to CO2 savings of 770,000 tonnes per year);
* All new buses in the public fleet will use a biofuel blend of at least 30%;
* New energy-efficient designs for schools (2.3 times more energy-efficient than international normal standards) will be piloted in 40 new schools, with a view to a national roll-out thereafter;
* A new programme of efficiency measures - including mandatory use of energy-efficient lighting in hospitals, offices and other public buildings - will be introduced with immediate effect.
Speaking at the launch of the Action Plan, Minister Dempsey stressed the significance of the Government decision to tackle renewable energy policy in an integrated and holistic manner - "We recognised, early, that the transport, heat and electricity sectors are almost equal in the amount of energy they use and the CO2 emissions they produce. In this plan, we set out clear, cross-department strategies to deal with each of these sectors. The end result will be CO2 savings in the region of 2 million tonnes a year. This is extremely good news for the environment."
By setting ambitious targets, the Bioenergy Action Plan will lead to the development of a significant indigenous renewable energy sector. Bioenergy can provide a continuous and predictable clean energy source that has enormous potential for reducing Ireland's dependence on fossil fuel imports. It will provide benefits to rural economies by creating new jobs in new industries and it has the potential to open massive opportunities for Irish agriculture and forestry, with the production of fuel producing crops.
"Since the launch, last year, of the Greener Homes scheme and the Power of One campaign, I have been struck by the strong public appetite for increased energy efficiency. For our part in Government, we will continue our drive to empower the entire community to play a role in the development of a more sustainable energy economy in Ireland" - the Minister continued.
"The Bioenergy Action Plan, launched today, is only one element of a comprehensive renewable energy policy and a broader national energy policy. This policy will be published shortly in the forthcoming White Paper on Energy. Together with the publication of the revised National Climate Change Strategy, this Government will ensure that Ireland achieves its goal of a sustainable energy future" - concluded Minister Dempsey.
The action plan - produced by the Ministerial Task Force on Bioenergy, comprising seven Government Departments and Ministers - is a comprehensive strategy to increase the deployment of renewable energy across three key sectors - transport, heat and electricity.
Among the commitments in the Government Action Plan are -
* By 2020, a third of all electricity consumed in Ireland will come from renewable sources (i.e. wind, tidal, solar, etc);
* All peat electricity power stations will be co-fired by 30% renewable material by 2015 (this will lead to CO2 savings of 900,000 tonnes per year);
* 12% of all residential and commercial heating will be powered by renewable sources (wood chip, solar, etc) by 2020 (5% by 2010);
* Within 12 months, building regulations will be reviewed to raise the energy efficiency of all new homes by at least 40%;
* By 2009, a new biofuel obligation will mean that all petrol and diesel will have, on average, a 5.75% biofuel mix (this will lead to CO2 savings of 770,000 tonnes per year);
* All new buses in the public fleet will use a biofuel blend of at least 30%;
* New energy-efficient designs for schools (2.3 times more energy-efficient than international normal standards) will be piloted in 40 new schools, with a view to a national roll-out thereafter;
* A new programme of efficiency measures - including mandatory use of energy-efficient lighting in hospitals, offices and other public buildings - will be introduced with immediate effect.
Speaking at the launch of the Action Plan, Minister Dempsey stressed the significance of the Government decision to tackle renewable energy policy in an integrated and holistic manner - "We recognised, early, that the transport, heat and electricity sectors are almost equal in the amount of energy they use and the CO2 emissions they produce. In this plan, we set out clear, cross-department strategies to deal with each of these sectors. The end result will be CO2 savings in the region of 2 million tonnes a year. This is extremely good news for the environment."
By setting ambitious targets, the Bioenergy Action Plan will lead to the development of a significant indigenous renewable energy sector. Bioenergy can provide a continuous and predictable clean energy source that has enormous potential for reducing Ireland's dependence on fossil fuel imports. It will provide benefits to rural economies by creating new jobs in new industries and it has the potential to open massive opportunities for Irish agriculture and forestry, with the production of fuel producing crops.
"Since the launch, last year, of the Greener Homes scheme and the Power of One campaign, I have been struck by the strong public appetite for increased energy efficiency. For our part in Government, we will continue our drive to empower the entire community to play a role in the development of a more sustainable energy economy in Ireland" - the Minister continued.
"The Bioenergy Action Plan, launched today, is only one element of a comprehensive renewable energy policy and a broader national energy policy. This policy will be published shortly in the forthcoming White Paper on Energy. Together with the publication of the revised National Climate Change Strategy, this Government will ensure that Ireland achieves its goal of a sustainable energy future" - concluded Minister Dempsey.
Friday, 2 March 2007
Public given another chance to query €300m marina proposals
A PUBLIC hearing into a controversial marina development in Co Wicklow will re-open at the end of the month.
The move comes after An Bord Pleanala, using new powers, suggested changes to the €300m project at Greystones planned by Wicklow County Council and a consortium of developers. The re-opened hearing on March 29 will allow the public to question contentious elements of the plan. It is expected to last two days, but could go on longer if necessary.
It will re-open almost a year to the day after the original An Bord Pleanala hearing began.
There has been massive opposition to the development, which has been objected to by thousands of Greystones residents, but is supported by most town councillors.
The original plans included a new Coast Guard station, beach area, a public boardwalk and 6,400 square metres (20,997 square feet) of commercial units. A 15-acre park and a 230-berth marina with a public slipway were also part of the plan.
But An Bord Pleanala asked the council to submit revised plans which would reduce the number of houses and remove apartment blocks close to Victorian housing in the area.
The revised plans included building over 340 houses and apartments, a 236-berth marina, more than 5,500 square metres of commercial space and provision of one of the largest public squares in Ireland.
Some 3,700 people made submissions on the revised plans, but opponents from the Greystones Protection and Development Association feel the development will not only make the 120-year old harbour look unsightly but will generate too much traffic.
Residents have also taken issue with plans to create a concrete batching plant near houses, and proposals on removing the old town dump from the beachfront.
They are also concerned about environmental issues and proposals to ship vast amounts of sand to replenish the beach.
Paul Melia
© Irish Independent
The move comes after An Bord Pleanala, using new powers, suggested changes to the €300m project at Greystones planned by Wicklow County Council and a consortium of developers. The re-opened hearing on March 29 will allow the public to question contentious elements of the plan. It is expected to last two days, but could go on longer if necessary.
It will re-open almost a year to the day after the original An Bord Pleanala hearing began.
There has been massive opposition to the development, which has been objected to by thousands of Greystones residents, but is supported by most town councillors.
The original plans included a new Coast Guard station, beach area, a public boardwalk and 6,400 square metres (20,997 square feet) of commercial units. A 15-acre park and a 230-berth marina with a public slipway were also part of the plan.
But An Bord Pleanala asked the council to submit revised plans which would reduce the number of houses and remove apartment blocks close to Victorian housing in the area.
The revised plans included building over 340 houses and apartments, a 236-berth marina, more than 5,500 square metres of commercial space and provision of one of the largest public squares in Ireland.
Some 3,700 people made submissions on the revised plans, but opponents from the Greystones Protection and Development Association feel the development will not only make the 120-year old harbour look unsightly but will generate too much traffic.
Residents have also taken issue with plans to create a concrete batching plant near houses, and proposals on removing the old town dump from the beachfront.
They are also concerned about environmental issues and proposals to ship vast amounts of sand to replenish the beach.
Paul Melia
© Irish Independent
Board rejects plan for housing on flood plain
An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for a housing development on a sensitive flood plain in Oranmore, Co Galway.
The decision, which has been welcomed by politicians and by the Oranmore Community Development Association, upholds a previous ruling by Galway County Council. The local authority had turned down an application by Lackagh Group Properties for construction of 83 houses, 64 apartments and a creche at Frenchfort, Oranmore.
The developers have already been granted permission for 68 houses on the northern end of the Carrowmoneash flood plain, which is divided by the Frenchfort stream.
The proximity of the location to low-lying coastline and to the Frenchfort stream and its "associated ecological corridor" is cited by the appeals board as one of the main reasons behind its decision.
This corridor links two designated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and the planning board believes that any such development could have a negative impact on both.
"The proposed development would constitute an inappropriate design response on this sensitive site, which would provide a poor-quality residential environment, would seriously injure the amenities of the area and of property in the vicinity, and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area," it stated.
Oranmore Community Development Association said yesterday that it was "very relieved" at the decision.
"With increased concern about rising sea levels due to global warming, we cannot have such developments on our flood plains," Ray Lavery said on behalf of the association.
During its planning application to build up to 300 houses in the Frenchfort area, Lackagh Group Properties had issued a successful legal challenge to Galway County Council's decision to zone the flood plain as amenity/environment.
Mr Lavery said that the association was now asking the local authority to introduce a material variation to the Oranmore area plan to restore this zoning.
"Otherwise, we are just going to see a repeat of these planning applications," he added.
Labour Party president and Galway West TD Michael D Higgins also welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála yesterday.
"Frenchfort stream and bog should now be recognised for the wonderful natural resources that they are," Mr Higgins said.
"The local authority and the local community have a great opportunity to develop this resource, among other uses, as an educational setting for the schools in the Oranmore area."
Lorna Siggins
© 2007 The Irish Times
The decision, which has been welcomed by politicians and by the Oranmore Community Development Association, upholds a previous ruling by Galway County Council. The local authority had turned down an application by Lackagh Group Properties for construction of 83 houses, 64 apartments and a creche at Frenchfort, Oranmore.
The developers have already been granted permission for 68 houses on the northern end of the Carrowmoneash flood plain, which is divided by the Frenchfort stream.
The proximity of the location to low-lying coastline and to the Frenchfort stream and its "associated ecological corridor" is cited by the appeals board as one of the main reasons behind its decision.
This corridor links two designated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and the planning board believes that any such development could have a negative impact on both.
"The proposed development would constitute an inappropriate design response on this sensitive site, which would provide a poor-quality residential environment, would seriously injure the amenities of the area and of property in the vicinity, and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area," it stated.
Oranmore Community Development Association said yesterday that it was "very relieved" at the decision.
"With increased concern about rising sea levels due to global warming, we cannot have such developments on our flood plains," Ray Lavery said on behalf of the association.
During its planning application to build up to 300 houses in the Frenchfort area, Lackagh Group Properties had issued a successful legal challenge to Galway County Council's decision to zone the flood plain as amenity/environment.
Mr Lavery said that the association was now asking the local authority to introduce a material variation to the Oranmore area plan to restore this zoning.
"Otherwise, we are just going to see a repeat of these planning applications," he added.
Labour Party president and Galway West TD Michael D Higgins also welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála yesterday.
"Frenchfort stream and bog should now be recognised for the wonderful natural resources that they are," Mr Higgins said.
"The local authority and the local community have a great opportunity to develop this resource, among other uses, as an educational setting for the schools in the Oranmore area."
Lorna Siggins
© 2007 The Irish Times
Parish priest objects to Shell project
The negative social and environmental implications of the Corrib gas controversy on "the parish, community and beyond" have been strongly highlighted in an objection by the parish priest of Kilcommon (Erris, north Mayo) to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In his submission, Fr Michael Nallen argues that "[our] environment is more precious, in both the long and short term, than economics".
A native of Belmullet, Fr Nallen said there were various concerns "which had driven him" to formulate his submission. His primary concern, he said, was for "the decent, good and ordinary people who are hurting".
"Our Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell has used spin saying it's [been hijacked by] Sinn Féin, but these people who are up and down to the [ Bellanaboy] gates every morning, are traditionally Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael," said Fr Nallen.
Fr Nallen's submission is among 12 objections to the preliminary decision by the EPA to grant an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) licence to Shell, four of which have called for an oral hearing.
In his written observation, he observes "[it] is evident that the Corrib gas project is adversely impacting on many people whether they are for or against the chosen method of development". He adds that people have "health, safety, environmental and sociological worries for the future facing them".
Meanwhile, at a public meeting held this week the engineering consultancy hired by Shell E&P Ireland to work on a modified route for the Corrib gas onshore pipeline has urged north Mayo residents to contribute to consultation.
The meeting, held in Belmullet, heard that RPS engineering has initiated discussions with the local community and landowners about the criteria for selecting a new route, and this "initial phase" is expected to last until the end of April, according to the Corrib gas partners.
The engineering company hopes that "viable pipeline corridors" will be available by this date for "further consideration by the local community".
RPS and Shell say they also intend to contact landowners and local residents over the coming weeks. RPS has opened an office in Belmullet, Co Mayo, and its group director, P J Rudden, said he was "pleased with the response" to the company's first public meeting on the new pipeline route.
Lorna Siggins & Áine Ryan
© 2007 The Irish Times
In his submission, Fr Michael Nallen argues that "[our] environment is more precious, in both the long and short term, than economics".
A native of Belmullet, Fr Nallen said there were various concerns "which had driven him" to formulate his submission. His primary concern, he said, was for "the decent, good and ordinary people who are hurting".
"Our Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell has used spin saying it's [been hijacked by] Sinn Féin, but these people who are up and down to the [ Bellanaboy] gates every morning, are traditionally Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael," said Fr Nallen.
Fr Nallen's submission is among 12 objections to the preliminary decision by the EPA to grant an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) licence to Shell, four of which have called for an oral hearing.
In his written observation, he observes "[it] is evident that the Corrib gas project is adversely impacting on many people whether they are for or against the chosen method of development". He adds that people have "health, safety, environmental and sociological worries for the future facing them".
Meanwhile, at a public meeting held this week the engineering consultancy hired by Shell E&P Ireland to work on a modified route for the Corrib gas onshore pipeline has urged north Mayo residents to contribute to consultation.
The meeting, held in Belmullet, heard that RPS engineering has initiated discussions with the local community and landowners about the criteria for selecting a new route, and this "initial phase" is expected to last until the end of April, according to the Corrib gas partners.
The engineering company hopes that "viable pipeline corridors" will be available by this date for "further consideration by the local community".
RPS and Shell say they also intend to contact landowners and local residents over the coming weeks. RPS has opened an office in Belmullet, Co Mayo, and its group director, P J Rudden, said he was "pleased with the response" to the company's first public meeting on the new pipeline route.
Lorna Siggins & Áine Ryan
© 2007 The Irish Times
Director of the RIAI objects to energy standard for new homes
A dispute has broken out in the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) about an objection made by its director, John Graby, to higher energy performance standards for new homes in Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown.
In a letter to the county council last month Mr Graby said it was the RIAI's view that "such matters are properly dealt with through the building regulations regulatory systems and not by variation to [ county] development plans".
Although the institute "fully supports the concept of improved standards in energy efficiency and sustainability generally", this "should be dealt with on a national basis by the Minister for the Environment . . . and the Building Regulations Advisory Board".
The Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown proposal had been examined by the RIAI sustainability task force and it was felt that there would be "substantial problems" in implementing it, "including lack of agreed standards, methodologies and local authority resources".
The Irish Home Builders' Association, which also opposed setting a standard 60 per cent higher than the current regulations on the basis that it was "not achievable", said that the industry's concerns about the proposal were "fully shared by the RIAI".
However, one member of the sustainability task force, who did not wish to be identified, said that all of its members "supported Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown wholeheartedly" in adopting the new standards, and they had requested a meeting with Mr Graby to discuss the issue.
"I can only say that we were very unhappy about the tone of the letter, which was very negative and wouldn't have been something that we endorsed."
Mr Graby said that he discussed the matter with John Goulding, who chairs the task- force, and he had agreed that energy standards for new housing should be dealt with on a national basis rather than by individual local authorities imposing their own standards.
Frank McDonald
© 2007 The Irish Times
In a letter to the county council last month Mr Graby said it was the RIAI's view that "such matters are properly dealt with through the building regulations regulatory systems and not by variation to [ county] development plans".
Although the institute "fully supports the concept of improved standards in energy efficiency and sustainability generally", this "should be dealt with on a national basis by the Minister for the Environment . . . and the Building Regulations Advisory Board".
The Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown proposal had been examined by the RIAI sustainability task force and it was felt that there would be "substantial problems" in implementing it, "including lack of agreed standards, methodologies and local authority resources".
The Irish Home Builders' Association, which also opposed setting a standard 60 per cent higher than the current regulations on the basis that it was "not achievable", said that the industry's concerns about the proposal were "fully shared by the RIAI".
However, one member of the sustainability task force, who did not wish to be identified, said that all of its members "supported Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown wholeheartedly" in adopting the new standards, and they had requested a meeting with Mr Graby to discuss the issue.
"I can only say that we were very unhappy about the tone of the letter, which was very negative and wouldn't have been something that we endorsed."
Mr Graby said that he discussed the matter with John Goulding, who chairs the task- force, and he had agreed that energy standards for new housing should be dealt with on a national basis rather than by individual local authorities imposing their own standards.
Frank McDonald
© 2007 The Irish Times
Green houses for all: now we must prove energy efficiency
NEW homes will not get planning permission unless they meet very stringent environmental standards to reduce carbon emissions.
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is leading the way by forcing new applicants for planning permission from next year to prove their homes will be 40pc more energy efficient than prevailing norms.
They will also be obliged to ensure their homes get at least 20pc of their heating from a renewable energy source.
The measures apply to all new house and apartment developments with more than 10 dwellings, and to commercial properties greater than 1,000 square metres, for planning applications submitted from January 1, 2008.
Other local authorities are now expected to follow suit by introducing their own planning requirements for new homes. But builders are crying foul, claiming it will be impossible to meet different energy standards in every area.
The moves are coming because our homes contribute a staggering 31pc of all greenhouse gas emissions - more than transport (22pc) and industry (27pc) - figures from Sustainable Energy Ireland show.
Fingal County Council has introduced even more stringent standards, including a requirement that 30pc of heating needs to be met by sustainable energy sources, but these only apply in certain areas such as Cappagh and Donabate.
Builders are being provided with a menu of measures to choose from to ensure new homes are energy efficient, said Michael Gough, director of economic development and planning in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Daylight
This includes simple measures such as maximising daylight, avoiding single-aspect homes, fitting high-quality insulation, and incorporating energy-efficient lighting systems and variable temperature controls. Developers would also be encouraged to incorporate group or district heating systems with options such as biomass, solar heating and heat pumps.
"This has become such an important issue that it's better we make new homes energy efficient now rather than going back and trying to do it retrospectively in a few years," he said.
The council had given plenty of warning of these measures contained in a variation to their county development plan published this month and would consult with builders on the details in pre-planning application meetings before they come into force next year, Mr Gough said.
However, the measures could lead to a slump in new house starts and place extra pressure on house prices due to considerable extra costs, the Irish Home Builders Association has warned.
Some of the measures, such as ventilation controls, also conflicted with national building regulations and builders and architects would be left uncertain which to follow, a spokesperson said.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown scaled back some of the requirements after objections from builders, as they were initially stipulating a more stringent 60pc improvement in energy efficiency - 30pc from renewable energy sources.
Aideen Sheehan
© Irish Independent
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is leading the way by forcing new applicants for planning permission from next year to prove their homes will be 40pc more energy efficient than prevailing norms.
They will also be obliged to ensure their homes get at least 20pc of their heating from a renewable energy source.
The measures apply to all new house and apartment developments with more than 10 dwellings, and to commercial properties greater than 1,000 square metres, for planning applications submitted from January 1, 2008.
Other local authorities are now expected to follow suit by introducing their own planning requirements for new homes. But builders are crying foul, claiming it will be impossible to meet different energy standards in every area.
The moves are coming because our homes contribute a staggering 31pc of all greenhouse gas emissions - more than transport (22pc) and industry (27pc) - figures from Sustainable Energy Ireland show.
Fingal County Council has introduced even more stringent standards, including a requirement that 30pc of heating needs to be met by sustainable energy sources, but these only apply in certain areas such as Cappagh and Donabate.
Builders are being provided with a menu of measures to choose from to ensure new homes are energy efficient, said Michael Gough, director of economic development and planning in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Daylight
This includes simple measures such as maximising daylight, avoiding single-aspect homes, fitting high-quality insulation, and incorporating energy-efficient lighting systems and variable temperature controls. Developers would also be encouraged to incorporate group or district heating systems with options such as biomass, solar heating and heat pumps.
"This has become such an important issue that it's better we make new homes energy efficient now rather than going back and trying to do it retrospectively in a few years," he said.
The council had given plenty of warning of these measures contained in a variation to their county development plan published this month and would consult with builders on the details in pre-planning application meetings before they come into force next year, Mr Gough said.
However, the measures could lead to a slump in new house starts and place extra pressure on house prices due to considerable extra costs, the Irish Home Builders Association has warned.
Some of the measures, such as ventilation controls, also conflicted with national building regulations and builders and architects would be left uncertain which to follow, a spokesperson said.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown scaled back some of the requirements after objections from builders, as they were initially stipulating a more stringent 60pc improvement in energy efficiency - 30pc from renewable energy sources.
Aideen Sheehan
© Irish Independent
Proposal to ban private cars from city centre
Radical new traffic management plans from the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO)to ban private cars from Dublin city centre are to be put to city councillors today.
The plans, devised in consultation with several agencies including Dublin Bus and the Railway Procurement Agency, (RPA), would make it impossible for cars to use the city centre to cross north to south and vice versa.
Cars would be banned from College Green, Westmoreland Street, O'Connell Bridge, on Dame Street from the junction with George's Street, northbound on O'Connell Street and southbound on O'Connell Street from the junction with Abbey Street.
These areas would be accessible to public transport only.
The DTO also plans to introduce a system that would give buses priority at traffic lights by enabling the light to switch in favour of an approaching bus. This system would also allow for countdown clocks at bus stops that would show the actual time a bus will arrive.
The plan was approved by the board of Dublin Bus last December and is supported by the RPA, but must be ratified by the city council before it can be put into action.
Fine Gael councillor Naoise Ó Muirí said he supported pedestrianisation but the DTO plan was "extreme, impractical and unworkable" and would lead to "segregation" between northsiders and southsiders.
Labour councillor Andrew Montague said the plans could be realised but only when the public transport infrastructure had been put in place.
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
The plans, devised in consultation with several agencies including Dublin Bus and the Railway Procurement Agency, (RPA), would make it impossible for cars to use the city centre to cross north to south and vice versa.
Cars would be banned from College Green, Westmoreland Street, O'Connell Bridge, on Dame Street from the junction with George's Street, northbound on O'Connell Street and southbound on O'Connell Street from the junction with Abbey Street.
These areas would be accessible to public transport only.
The DTO also plans to introduce a system that would give buses priority at traffic lights by enabling the light to switch in favour of an approaching bus. This system would also allow for countdown clocks at bus stops that would show the actual time a bus will arrive.
The plan was approved by the board of Dublin Bus last December and is supported by the RPA, but must be ratified by the city council before it can be put into action.
Fine Gael councillor Naoise Ó Muirí said he supported pedestrianisation but the DTO plan was "extreme, impractical and unworkable" and would lead to "segregation" between northsiders and southsiders.
Labour councillor Andrew Montague said the plans could be realised but only when the public transport infrastructure had been put in place.
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
'A burn it or bury it strategy'
WASTE cannot simply be legislated away, environment minister Dick Roche told Green TD Ciaran Cuffe. Recycling was an issue we must work on, he said, before suggesting use of an energy source to deal with waste.
Mr Cuffe replied: "The Minister means incineration." He accused Mr Roche of hypocrisy and said his attempt to wrap the green flag around him was sullied by his adoption of a 'burn it or bury it' strategy.
© Irish Independen
Mr Cuffe replied: "The Minister means incineration." He accused Mr Roche of hypocrisy and said his attempt to wrap the green flag around him was sullied by his adoption of a 'burn it or bury it' strategy.
© Irish Independen
Councils to insist on incineration
Local authorities in Dublin are planning to make it a legal requirement that a large proportion of waste collected by private firms in the Dublin area is sent for incineration.
The councils are to insist that the bulk of waste now going to landfill must instead be sent for thermal treatment once the proposed incinerator at Poolbeg is open and operational.
The move is being seen by some private waste firms as an attempt to ensure that the Poolbeg incinerator will be commercially viable, a charge that the local authorities reject. Legal challenges by private waste firms are expected when the requirement is introduced.
The direction is expected to be included in all new waste permits issued to private waste firms and will stipulate that a specific proportion of the non-recyclable waste collected is sent for thermal treatment. The amount of waste involved could be as high as 300,000 tonnes.
Representatives of waste firms were informed of the proposal at a meeting with local authority officials last month to discuss a major review of the current
waste permit system. At present there is no stipulation in permits directing firms on where they should take their waste.
Assistant city manager Matt Twomey, who is responsible for waste policy in the Dublin region, said the direction was in line with the region's waste management policy.
He said the policy stipulated that thermal treatment was seen as a better environmental option than landfill and that this hierarchy should be adhered to.
"It's an objective in the waste-management policy to direct waste to the appropriate facilities in the waste hierarchy," he said. "The objective is to achieve the best possible diversion away from landfill."
He said there would also be directions on organic material such as kitchen and garden waste, requiring it to be sent for biological treatment, which will be available at two facilities currently being planned.
Materials collected for recycling would remain unaffected by the thermal treatment direction. He rejected suggestions that the direction would amount to a landfill ban. "There will always be a requirement for landfill," he said.
Mr Twomey also rejected suggestions that the direction could be anti-competitive, as the council will operate the only incinerator in the region. Similar directions were in place in other jurisdictions and had been upheld by the European courts.
Representatives of waste firms were not commenting in public on the proposed direction until it is published in the coming months, as part of the permit review plans. It is understood that a number of firms are to consider legal challenges against any such proposal.
Discussions are ongoing between the council and owners of the private firm which won the contract to design, build and operate the facility.
Danish Oil and Natural Gas (Dong) the new owners of Elsam, which won the contract, has sought significant changes to the financing of the contract, which the council has rejected.
A decision on the future involvement of Dong is expected in the coming weeks, but Dublin City Council has insisted it will not affect the timetable of the incinerator project.
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
The councils are to insist that the bulk of waste now going to landfill must instead be sent for thermal treatment once the proposed incinerator at Poolbeg is open and operational.
The move is being seen by some private waste firms as an attempt to ensure that the Poolbeg incinerator will be commercially viable, a charge that the local authorities reject. Legal challenges by private waste firms are expected when the requirement is introduced.
The direction is expected to be included in all new waste permits issued to private waste firms and will stipulate that a specific proportion of the non-recyclable waste collected is sent for thermal treatment. The amount of waste involved could be as high as 300,000 tonnes.
Representatives of waste firms were informed of the proposal at a meeting with local authority officials last month to discuss a major review of the current
waste permit system. At present there is no stipulation in permits directing firms on where they should take their waste.
Assistant city manager Matt Twomey, who is responsible for waste policy in the Dublin region, said the direction was in line with the region's waste management policy.
He said the policy stipulated that thermal treatment was seen as a better environmental option than landfill and that this hierarchy should be adhered to.
"It's an objective in the waste-management policy to direct waste to the appropriate facilities in the waste hierarchy," he said. "The objective is to achieve the best possible diversion away from landfill."
He said there would also be directions on organic material such as kitchen and garden waste, requiring it to be sent for biological treatment, which will be available at two facilities currently being planned.
Materials collected for recycling would remain unaffected by the thermal treatment direction. He rejected suggestions that the direction would amount to a landfill ban. "There will always be a requirement for landfill," he said.
Mr Twomey also rejected suggestions that the direction could be anti-competitive, as the council will operate the only incinerator in the region. Similar directions were in place in other jurisdictions and had been upheld by the European courts.
Representatives of waste firms were not commenting in public on the proposed direction until it is published in the coming months, as part of the permit review plans. It is understood that a number of firms are to consider legal challenges against any such proposal.
Discussions are ongoing between the council and owners of the private firm which won the contract to design, build and operate the facility.
Danish Oil and Natural Gas (Dong) the new owners of Elsam, which won the contract, has sought significant changes to the financing of the contract, which the council has rejected.
A decision on the future involvement of Dong is expected in the coming weeks, but Dublin City Council has insisted it will not affect the timetable of the incinerator project.
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times