RYANAIR has objected to a €50m expansion of the existing terminal at Dublin Airport.
The low-cost airline, which has already objected to a second €395m terminal, says the extension will only add shops and restaurants to the airport and is an example of 'haphazard' planning.
The Dublin Airport Authority plans a 7,500 square metre extension which would provide additional space for passengers, 20 check-in desks and additional retail space.
But now the Spring 2008 deadline for the new facility to be open might not be met because of the objections from Ryanair, the Portmarnock Community Association and a resident, Angela Lawton.
Inconsistent
Residents claim the extension is 'inconsistent' with EU transport policy guidelines and that it constitutes over-development and over-concentration of airport services in one small area of Dublin.
They also claim it will have a negative impact on residents and cause congestion on the road network.
Ryanair claims it will be used only to add retail and restaurant facilities to Terminal One and will not improve the passenger experience and forms part of a 'haphazard' strategy for the airport.
The airline - which wants an independent terminal for the airport - also claims it will result in funds being unnecessarily spent developing an 'oversized, overly expensive' second terminal which is inconsistent with proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
The extension to Terminal One is part of a €2bn capital development programme to transform Dublin Airport over the next 10 years. It also includes the construction of T2, the second terminal, and a new runway.
Both the new terminal and runway have already been appealed, and both were the subject of lengthy public hearings. Residents have also requested that an oral hearing be held into the terminal extension proposal, but a decision has yet to be made on this.
If granted, it could push back the Spring 2008 opening date by some months.
The new triangular-shaped extension is a two-storey building with a mezzanine that will expand the existing terminal at the departures level, the arrivals level and the mezzanine level.
At the departures level, the new extension will provide space for a reconfigured check-in area that will have 20 desks and additional space for passengers.
Beyond the passenger security area, the project will also have a larger circulation area for passengers travelling to Pier A and the new Pier D, currently being built at a cost of €120m.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Concert hall in line for a €150m revamp
THE €150m redevelopment of the National Concert Hall is due to begin next year.
The huge project - which will be undertaken in three phases - has now been put out to tender on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis.
The historic site on Earlsfort Terrace near St Stephen's Green in Dublin will be redeveloped to include three separate but interlinked auditoriums.
The plans include:
* A new concert hall with capacity for 2,000 people.
* The existing auditorium to be preserved for use as rehearsal and mid-performance space.
* A smaller hall with capacity for 400 people for smaller concerts.
* Earlsfort Terrace buildings to be reunited with the Iveagh Gardens, incorporating new public rooms, cafes and restaurants.
The National Concert Hall building is Ireland's premier venue for classical music events, hosting over 500 music-based events a year to well over 300,000 people. However, the hall currently has to turn away 40pc of enquiries to its box office because of space limitations.
"In developing the Earlsfort Terrace site, it is intended that the new main auditorium will become a major addition to the world's stock of concert halls, with acoustic qualities recognised as first class," said a tender for the works.
"The aspiration is to join that select group of perhaps not more than a dozen halls which musicians, acoustic experts and discriminating patrons know to be the best. The importance of acoustic excellence, outstanding at international level, is paramount."
The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is now seeking to employ a team of technical consultants for the huge project.
However, it will still be some years before construction work begins on the 26-year-old hall as the consultants will only begin their work late next summer.
Financial
Recently Minister John O'Donoghue gave the NCH €1m to meet its immediate financial needs, including the extension of the Terrace Cafe and the purchase of IT equipment.
The €1m fund will also be used for a sales and marketing system and to provide other upgrades in equipment and dressing facilities.
Meanwhile, it is believed that the massive refurbishment of the concert hall will cost over €150m in addition to site costs.
It is hoped that the ambitious redevelopment will enable Dublin to compete for cultural tourism against major European cities.
Edel Kennedy
Irish Independent
The huge project - which will be undertaken in three phases - has now been put out to tender on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis.
The historic site on Earlsfort Terrace near St Stephen's Green in Dublin will be redeveloped to include three separate but interlinked auditoriums.
The plans include:
* A new concert hall with capacity for 2,000 people.
* The existing auditorium to be preserved for use as rehearsal and mid-performance space.
* A smaller hall with capacity for 400 people for smaller concerts.
* Earlsfort Terrace buildings to be reunited with the Iveagh Gardens, incorporating new public rooms, cafes and restaurants.
The National Concert Hall building is Ireland's premier venue for classical music events, hosting over 500 music-based events a year to well over 300,000 people. However, the hall currently has to turn away 40pc of enquiries to its box office because of space limitations.
"In developing the Earlsfort Terrace site, it is intended that the new main auditorium will become a major addition to the world's stock of concert halls, with acoustic qualities recognised as first class," said a tender for the works.
"The aspiration is to join that select group of perhaps not more than a dozen halls which musicians, acoustic experts and discriminating patrons know to be the best. The importance of acoustic excellence, outstanding at international level, is paramount."
The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is now seeking to employ a team of technical consultants for the huge project.
However, it will still be some years before construction work begins on the 26-year-old hall as the consultants will only begin their work late next summer.
Financial
Recently Minister John O'Donoghue gave the NCH €1m to meet its immediate financial needs, including the extension of the Terrace Cafe and the purchase of IT equipment.
The €1m fund will also be used for a sales and marketing system and to provide other upgrades in equipment and dressing facilities.
Meanwhile, it is believed that the massive refurbishment of the concert hall will cost over €150m in addition to site costs.
It is hoped that the ambitious redevelopment will enable Dublin to compete for cultural tourism against major European cities.
Edel Kennedy
Irish Independent
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Dalkey conservation order urged as site faces demolition
An Taisce has called on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to make Dalkey an architectural conservation area, following a decision by An Bord Pleanála to approve the demolition of a historic building on its main street.
The Dalkey tram yard, in the centre of Dalkey village on Castle Street, will be replaced with a three-storey structure containing 20 apartments and a retail unit.
The yard and its four tram sheds date back to the late 19th century and housed Dublin's first electric tram, which began running in May 1896. It is the last remaining tram yard in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area and is next to the 18th century Queen's pub, a protected structure, and close to Dalkey Castle. Dalkey village is the county's only heritage town and is designated by Dúchas, the Irish heritage service, as a "zone of archaeological potential".
An Bord Pleanála approved the development, from J & P Monaghan and R Shiels, despite a recommendation from its inspector that it be rejected. Boundary walls are also to be retained as part of the permission and a photographic record is to be taken of the tram sheds before they are demolished. The original wrought-iron gates are also to be retained, but will be welded in an open position as they will not fit the widened entrance.
An Bord Pleanála attached 24 conditions to its planning approval, including the reduction of the number of apartments from 23 to 20, and the retention of the cobblestones and tramline within the yard, which are protected structures.
Maireád Mehigan, chairwoman of the Dún Laoghaire An Taisce Association, said the planning board's decision was a major disappointment.
"An Bord Pleanála did not address any of its planning concerns," she said.
If the village was designated an Architectural Conservation Area, it would have extra protection under planning laws and this would not have been approved."
Fiona Gartland
© 2007 The Irish Times
The Dalkey tram yard, in the centre of Dalkey village on Castle Street, will be replaced with a three-storey structure containing 20 apartments and a retail unit.
The yard and its four tram sheds date back to the late 19th century and housed Dublin's first electric tram, which began running in May 1896. It is the last remaining tram yard in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area and is next to the 18th century Queen's pub, a protected structure, and close to Dalkey Castle. Dalkey village is the county's only heritage town and is designated by Dúchas, the Irish heritage service, as a "zone of archaeological potential".
An Bord Pleanála approved the development, from J & P Monaghan and R Shiels, despite a recommendation from its inspector that it be rejected. Boundary walls are also to be retained as part of the permission and a photographic record is to be taken of the tram sheds before they are demolished. The original wrought-iron gates are also to be retained, but will be welded in an open position as they will not fit the widened entrance.
An Bord Pleanála attached 24 conditions to its planning approval, including the reduction of the number of apartments from 23 to 20, and the retention of the cobblestones and tramline within the yard, which are protected structures.
Maireád Mehigan, chairwoman of the Dún Laoghaire An Taisce Association, said the planning board's decision was a major disappointment.
"An Bord Pleanála did not address any of its planning concerns," she said.
If the village was designated an Architectural Conservation Area, it would have extra protection under planning laws and this would not have been approved."
Fiona Gartland
© 2007 The Irish Times
Sligo council warns HSE about monument
Sligo Borough Council has expressed concern that work being carried out to provide extra spaces at Sligo General Hospital's car park could permanently damage a national monument at Forthill.
Sligo Borough Council has issued a warning to the HSE West about unauthorised work being carried out there.
The site is a protected structure and it is claimed that part of it has been disturbed by construction work to pave way for additional car parking spaces.
Forthill is a walled fort and one of two protected structures in the borough of Sligo, the other being Sligo Abbey.
The fort was the last stronghold held by the Jacobite forces when they were driven into Connacht by William of Orange, following the defeat of James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
Brian Scanlon of the Green Party said that it is "outrageous" that construction workers were not warned about the Forthill structure.
"It is an absolute disgrace that mounds of earth were just thrown in the air to clear the way for extra car parking spaces.
"This area has never been excavated and there is a complete lack of planning here.
"Why were these men not told of the heritage at the site or an archaeologist brought onsite to show them where and when they could dig?"
He said that Forthill is an important part of Sligo's heritage, but that the area has "slid into disarray".
Sligo Borough Council, in a letter to Sheila Smith, general manager of Sligo General Hospital, said it had come to their attention that unauthorised development was being carried out at land west of the car park at Sligo General Hospital.
"If the following investigation finds that unauthorised development is being carried out, an enforcement notice will issue.
"The planning authority may also apply to the High Court for an injunction to ensure the land is restored to its original condition," it stated.
The letter also states that a person who carried out or is carrying out unauthorised development shall be guilty of an offence on conviction to a fine not exceeding €12,697,381 or imprisonment not exceeding two years.
HSE West has confirmed that a total of 75 additional spaces have been created through the realignment and marking of spaces in Sligo General Hospital's car park.
They say that the work is in response to Donegal Cllr Seán McEniff's call for an extension to the car park at Sligo General Hospital and for all hospitals in the western region.
"It will improve the efficiency of parking, through the development of additional unused areas, said a HSE West spokesman.
"We are continuing to monitor the situation."
© 2007 The Irish Times
Sligo Borough Council has issued a warning to the HSE West about unauthorised work being carried out there.
The site is a protected structure and it is claimed that part of it has been disturbed by construction work to pave way for additional car parking spaces.
Forthill is a walled fort and one of two protected structures in the borough of Sligo, the other being Sligo Abbey.
The fort was the last stronghold held by the Jacobite forces when they were driven into Connacht by William of Orange, following the defeat of James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
Brian Scanlon of the Green Party said that it is "outrageous" that construction workers were not warned about the Forthill structure.
"It is an absolute disgrace that mounds of earth were just thrown in the air to clear the way for extra car parking spaces.
"This area has never been excavated and there is a complete lack of planning here.
"Why were these men not told of the heritage at the site or an archaeologist brought onsite to show them where and when they could dig?"
He said that Forthill is an important part of Sligo's heritage, but that the area has "slid into disarray".
Sligo Borough Council, in a letter to Sheila Smith, general manager of Sligo General Hospital, said it had come to their attention that unauthorised development was being carried out at land west of the car park at Sligo General Hospital.
"If the following investigation finds that unauthorised development is being carried out, an enforcement notice will issue.
"The planning authority may also apply to the High Court for an injunction to ensure the land is restored to its original condition," it stated.
The letter also states that a person who carried out or is carrying out unauthorised development shall be guilty of an offence on conviction to a fine not exceeding €12,697,381 or imprisonment not exceeding two years.
HSE West has confirmed that a total of 75 additional spaces have been created through the realignment and marking of spaces in Sligo General Hospital's car park.
They say that the work is in response to Donegal Cllr Seán McEniff's call for an extension to the car park at Sligo General Hospital and for all hospitals in the western region.
"It will improve the efficiency of parking, through the development of additional unused areas, said a HSE West spokesman.
"We are continuing to monitor the situation."
© 2007 The Irish Times
Campaigners occupy section of M3 site again
Conservationists opposed to the construction of the M3 through the Tara-Skryne valley in Co Meath have again occupied a section of the site following the discovery of what they say are significant underground archeological remains.
Members of the Campaign to Save Tara and the Tara Solidarity Vigil said the man-made structure, which appears to be about nine metres (30ft) long, was revealed when construction workers were using heavy machinery for stripping topsoil on the Collierstown to Roestown section of the site last Saturday.
Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, of the department of medieval Irish studies at NUI Maynooth, said the conservationists would occupy the site until staff from the National Museum of Ireland arrived to assess the find. Its discovery highlighted the "inadequacy of the preliminary investigations" on the route, she said.
The site was the scene of clashes between protesters and construction workers last week.
"Perhaps this discovery explains why construction workers were so heavy-handed with the conservationists. . . Did the NRA [ National Roads Authority] and the contractors realise that there was something to hide here?", Dr Ní Bhrolcháin said.
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
Members of the Campaign to Save Tara and the Tara Solidarity Vigil said the man-made structure, which appears to be about nine metres (30ft) long, was revealed when construction workers were using heavy machinery for stripping topsoil on the Collierstown to Roestown section of the site last Saturday.
Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, of the department of medieval Irish studies at NUI Maynooth, said the conservationists would occupy the site until staff from the National Museum of Ireland arrived to assess the find. Its discovery highlighted the "inadequacy of the preliminary investigations" on the route, she said.
The site was the scene of clashes between protesters and construction workers last week.
"Perhaps this discovery explains why construction workers were so heavy-handed with the conservationists. . . Did the NRA [ National Roads Authority] and the contractors realise that there was something to hide here?", Dr Ní Bhrolcháin said.
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
Incinerator hideous, hearing told
The waste incinerator planned for Poolbeg in Dublin would be "intrusive and hideous" and could pose a terrorism threat, a public hearing was told yesterday.
Conservation adviser Maurice Bryan told the Bord Pleanála hearing that people did not realise the true scale of development and if they knew that it was the size of Croke Park, there would be "a storm of protest".
The retired chartered engineer and scientist was making a submission on his own behalf and on behalf of the Combined Residents Against Incineration group.
The public hearing into the proposed municipal waste incinerator began on April 19th and is now hearing final submissions.
An Bord Pleanála inspector Pádraic Thornton said he hoped to conclude the oral hearing today if at all possible.
Mr Bryan told the hearing that he was not opposed to incineration in the past and had even written in favour of it at one point.
However, his experience with the Poolbeg facility had changed his view. The incinerator was being "foisted on an unwilling community", he said.
Mr Bryan said there was a democratic deficit at work as the local community had almost no resources to put their case opposing the plan while Dublin City Council was able to produce 29 highly-qualified paid experts.
Referring to a 1,984-page environmental impact statement and a further 2,500 pages of technical information, he said it seemed that there was an attempt to "overwhelm" people with documentation.
Mr Bryan claimed the Poolbeg site was agreed on before the assessments on its suitability were carried out. Poolbeg was "politically acceptable" because it already had a lot of chimneys "and they won't notice a couple more".
He also said the incinerator would not be financially sustainable and he warned that the hazardous nature of the facility could make it a target for a terrorist attack.
Environmental consultant Dr Edward Porter said incineration was more favourable to the climate than some other waste disposal options. He produced a report for Dublin City Council which documented the effect in terms of emissions of various forms of waste disposal on the climate.
Using guidelines from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, he found that the incineration of mixed solid waste was a more favourable option from a climate perspective "both currently and into the foreseeable future" than landfilling alone or landfilling combined with anaerobic digestion.
Labour's Cllr Kevin Humphreys told the hearing that Dublin city councillors had never endorsed the plan for an incinerator at Poolbeg.
Alison Healy
© 2007 The Irish Times
Conservation adviser Maurice Bryan told the Bord Pleanála hearing that people did not realise the true scale of development and if they knew that it was the size of Croke Park, there would be "a storm of protest".
The retired chartered engineer and scientist was making a submission on his own behalf and on behalf of the Combined Residents Against Incineration group.
The public hearing into the proposed municipal waste incinerator began on April 19th and is now hearing final submissions.
An Bord Pleanála inspector Pádraic Thornton said he hoped to conclude the oral hearing today if at all possible.
Mr Bryan told the hearing that he was not opposed to incineration in the past and had even written in favour of it at one point.
However, his experience with the Poolbeg facility had changed his view. The incinerator was being "foisted on an unwilling community", he said.
Mr Bryan said there was a democratic deficit at work as the local community had almost no resources to put their case opposing the plan while Dublin City Council was able to produce 29 highly-qualified paid experts.
Referring to a 1,984-page environmental impact statement and a further 2,500 pages of technical information, he said it seemed that there was an attempt to "overwhelm" people with documentation.
Mr Bryan claimed the Poolbeg site was agreed on before the assessments on its suitability were carried out. Poolbeg was "politically acceptable" because it already had a lot of chimneys "and they won't notice a couple more".
He also said the incinerator would not be financially sustainable and he warned that the hazardous nature of the facility could make it a target for a terrorist attack.
Environmental consultant Dr Edward Porter said incineration was more favourable to the climate than some other waste disposal options. He produced a report for Dublin City Council which documented the effect in terms of emissions of various forms of waste disposal on the climate.
Using guidelines from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, he found that the incineration of mixed solid waste was a more favourable option from a climate perspective "both currently and into the foreseeable future" than landfilling alone or landfilling combined with anaerobic digestion.
Labour's Cllr Kevin Humphreys told the hearing that Dublin city councillors had never endorsed the plan for an incinerator at Poolbeg.
Alison Healy
© 2007 The Irish Times
New €200m shopping centre plan for city
A RETAIL centre, worth an estimated €200m, is planned for Waterford city.
Known as First City Quarter, the 32-acre development will include retail space, offices, leisure and sports facilities, and a cinema. It is expected that the development will bring more than 3,000 new jobs to the region in the retail and office sectors, as well as indirectly creating about 3,200 jobs.
Retail giant Marks & Spencer has confirmed that First City Quarter is the only site that can accommodate its plans for a 50,000 square foot store in the region. Opportunity
For the development to proceed, Waterford City Council needs to rezone the site as a 'mixed use opportunity site' in the city development plan.
Currently, two-thirds of the site complies with this zoning strategy, but one-third does not.
Up to 13 acres of the 32-acre site needs to be rezoned for the development to go ahead.
The Waterford city development plan, which will determine the level and nature of development in Waterford over the next six years, is due to be agreed in the coming weeks.
Sarah Murphy
Irish independent
Known as First City Quarter, the 32-acre development will include retail space, offices, leisure and sports facilities, and a cinema. It is expected that the development will bring more than 3,000 new jobs to the region in the retail and office sectors, as well as indirectly creating about 3,200 jobs.
Retail giant Marks & Spencer has confirmed that First City Quarter is the only site that can accommodate its plans for a 50,000 square foot store in the region. Opportunity
For the development to proceed, Waterford City Council needs to rezone the site as a 'mixed use opportunity site' in the city development plan.
Currently, two-thirds of the site complies with this zoning strategy, but one-third does not.
Up to 13 acres of the 32-acre site needs to be rezoned for the development to go ahead.
The Waterford city development plan, which will determine the level and nature of development in Waterford over the next six years, is due to be agreed in the coming weeks.
Sarah Murphy
Irish independent
Motorists fume stuck beside empty unused bus corridors
SO MANY bus corridors, so few buses.
Over a dozen bus lanes and quality bus corridors in Dublin are finished and ready for use - but there are no buses to serve them.
Yesterday, it emerged that 13 bus lanes had been completed, but that a shortage of buses means they are not being used and motorists are being forced to sit in long tailbacks each day in single-lane traffic.
They include a two-kilometre 24-hour lane on one of the most heavily-congested roads in the capital - the N32 from the M50 junction to the Malahide Road - which has not been commissioned despite being finished two years ago.
Another QBC on the Rock Road linking the city centre to Blackrock is unused, and is not set to open until mid-summer.
The dedicated bus lanes which are finished, but not yet open for business, include the Pennyhill to Ballyowen Road in Clondalkin; Belgard Road; Leopardstown Road to Sandyford; Kingswood north to Ballyowen; Hole in the Wall to the north fringe, Clongriffin; Ongar Road, Dublin 15; Cherrywood Road; Enniskerry to Dundrum; Exit of Sandyford Industrial Estate to the Sandyford Road; Blackthorn Drive to Sandyford and another at Wyckham Way.
They are not being used because of the shortage of buses available to Dublin Bus and because of a spat between the Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrats government over opening new routes to private operators. Local authorities also required developers to install bus lanes when they received planning permission to build new homes, but many of these are unused.
Services
Dublin Bus said it expects to have more services operating later in the summer when 100 new buses go into service.
"We have half the 100 buses in place and by the end of the summer we should have them all in place," a spokesman said. "There would be a relatively limited number of sections unused."
The Dublin Transportation Office said that most bus lanes did not take away road space available to private motorists, and that there was an "overall plan" to roll-out more dedicated bus lanes.
"The Leopardstown Road to Sandyford lane is in place but not yet fully utilised. The QBC has been there for some time but is waiting for bus routes. A decision was taken not to wait until the physical buses were in place.
"There is an overall plan, but there will be some gaps in the service until buses come on stream."
But south Dublin residents could find themselves with a headache when the Rock Road QBC opens later this summer because one lane previously available to cars will be gone.
"The Rock Road QBC is a contentious scheme because there's less road space," a spokesman for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown county council said.
"That will be open after the Leaving Cert but it's been in a state of readiness for the last two or three months. Dublin Bus has said it will reorganise its number four route which will justify opening it, but it's likely to be quite difficult for people when the full force of traffic returns in September."
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Over a dozen bus lanes and quality bus corridors in Dublin are finished and ready for use - but there are no buses to serve them.
Yesterday, it emerged that 13 bus lanes had been completed, but that a shortage of buses means they are not being used and motorists are being forced to sit in long tailbacks each day in single-lane traffic.
They include a two-kilometre 24-hour lane on one of the most heavily-congested roads in the capital - the N32 from the M50 junction to the Malahide Road - which has not been commissioned despite being finished two years ago.
Another QBC on the Rock Road linking the city centre to Blackrock is unused, and is not set to open until mid-summer.
The dedicated bus lanes which are finished, but not yet open for business, include the Pennyhill to Ballyowen Road in Clondalkin; Belgard Road; Leopardstown Road to Sandyford; Kingswood north to Ballyowen; Hole in the Wall to the north fringe, Clongriffin; Ongar Road, Dublin 15; Cherrywood Road; Enniskerry to Dundrum; Exit of Sandyford Industrial Estate to the Sandyford Road; Blackthorn Drive to Sandyford and another at Wyckham Way.
They are not being used because of the shortage of buses available to Dublin Bus and because of a spat between the Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrats government over opening new routes to private operators. Local authorities also required developers to install bus lanes when they received planning permission to build new homes, but many of these are unused.
Services
Dublin Bus said it expects to have more services operating later in the summer when 100 new buses go into service.
"We have half the 100 buses in place and by the end of the summer we should have them all in place," a spokesman said. "There would be a relatively limited number of sections unused."
The Dublin Transportation Office said that most bus lanes did not take away road space available to private motorists, and that there was an "overall plan" to roll-out more dedicated bus lanes.
"The Leopardstown Road to Sandyford lane is in place but not yet fully utilised. The QBC has been there for some time but is waiting for bus routes. A decision was taken not to wait until the physical buses were in place.
"There is an overall plan, but there will be some gaps in the service until buses come on stream."
But south Dublin residents could find themselves with a headache when the Rock Road QBC opens later this summer because one lane previously available to cars will be gone.
"The Rock Road QBC is a contentious scheme because there's less road space," a spokesman for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown county council said.
"That will be open after the Leaving Cert but it's been in a state of readiness for the last two or three months. Dublin Bus has said it will reorganise its number four route which will justify opening it, but it's likely to be quite difficult for people when the full force of traffic returns in September."
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Waterford developers seek help for plans
THE COMPANY behind a proposed €200 million retail centre in Waterford has launched a campaign to attempt to win public support for the project.
According to property developers Edward Holdings, the proposal at Airport Road would bring 3,000 jobs to Waterford and rejuvenate the city section.
Known as First City Quarter, the development includes retail space, offices, leisure and sports facilities and a cinema. Retail giant Marks & Spencer is set to be one of the anchor tenants with a 50,000 square foot flagship store.
For the development to proceed, Waterford City Council needs to rezone the site as a ‘mixed use opportunity site’ in the statutory Waterford City Development Plan. Currently, two- thirds of the 32-acre site complies with this zoning strategy but the rest does not.
The development plan is due to be agreed in the coming weeks.
Independent research was published at yesterday’s campaign launch in Waterford which indicated that 82 % of local residents are in favour of the proposed project.
The survey by Behaviour & Attitudes Marketing Research also highlighted the value of business being lost to the city, estimating that Waterford shoppers spend €19.2 million per annum in retail centres in Cork, Kilkenny, Dublin, Clonmel and New Ross.
The research also found that 72% of people say they want a greater choice of shops in Waterford, with 75% stating that they want more fashion shops. Two-thirds of people are in favour of retail developments both in the city centre and on the ring roads.
“We decided to carry out this research to determine the people of Waterford’s attitudes towards shopping and development in the region,” said Edward Holdings director Gerry Barrett. “The overwhelming response from the people of Waterford is that they are in favour of bringing jobs, investment and leading retailers, such as Marks & Spencer, to the city.”
He said that the company was now calling on the people of Waterford “to help us deliver” on the proposal for First City Quarter. “We need public support to ensure that part of the site is rezoned to allow us to proceed with the development without delay. First City Quarter will give the people of Waterford a much greater choice for retail and leisure. It will create jobs and benefit the local economy and it will facilitate the expansion of the regional airport.”
According to Mr Barrett, if the city council does not agree to rezone part of the site, Edward Holdings will not be able to proceed with this development, “and Waterford will lose out on a huge opportunity for the region”.
A website where the public can learn about the proposed development and vote for First City Quarter can be found at www.firstcity.ie.
Irish Examiner
According to property developers Edward Holdings, the proposal at Airport Road would bring 3,000 jobs to Waterford and rejuvenate the city section.
Known as First City Quarter, the development includes retail space, offices, leisure and sports facilities and a cinema. Retail giant Marks & Spencer is set to be one of the anchor tenants with a 50,000 square foot flagship store.
For the development to proceed, Waterford City Council needs to rezone the site as a ‘mixed use opportunity site’ in the statutory Waterford City Development Plan. Currently, two- thirds of the 32-acre site complies with this zoning strategy but the rest does not.
The development plan is due to be agreed in the coming weeks.
Independent research was published at yesterday’s campaign launch in Waterford which indicated that 82 % of local residents are in favour of the proposed project.
The survey by Behaviour & Attitudes Marketing Research also highlighted the value of business being lost to the city, estimating that Waterford shoppers spend €19.2 million per annum in retail centres in Cork, Kilkenny, Dublin, Clonmel and New Ross.
The research also found that 72% of people say they want a greater choice of shops in Waterford, with 75% stating that they want more fashion shops. Two-thirds of people are in favour of retail developments both in the city centre and on the ring roads.
“We decided to carry out this research to determine the people of Waterford’s attitudes towards shopping and development in the region,” said Edward Holdings director Gerry Barrett. “The overwhelming response from the people of Waterford is that they are in favour of bringing jobs, investment and leading retailers, such as Marks & Spencer, to the city.”
He said that the company was now calling on the people of Waterford “to help us deliver” on the proposal for First City Quarter. “We need public support to ensure that part of the site is rezoned to allow us to proceed with the development without delay. First City Quarter will give the people of Waterford a much greater choice for retail and leisure. It will create jobs and benefit the local economy and it will facilitate the expansion of the regional airport.”
According to Mr Barrett, if the city council does not agree to rezone part of the site, Edward Holdings will not be able to proceed with this development, “and Waterford will lose out on a huge opportunity for the region”.
A website where the public can learn about the proposed development and vote for First City Quarter can be found at www.firstcity.ie.
Irish Examiner
Sunday, 27 May 2007
Planners make profound decisions
My Grandfather's funeral was Friday. Bit of a mortality reminder; if such selfish thought are permitted on such days. I spent most of the day reflecting on what a person is remembered for after they are gone. Tributes paid to the man tended to partially reflect the person I knew. The man was fanatical about his home, birds, biodiversity and wood. He fought in WWII, married and raised a family, taught at university, produced carved regionally significant artworks, produced countless small design feats, could name every bird in the UK from sight and sound, and much much more. He was a quiet over-achiever. In later life, for my family and others, he was the man you contacted for advice on every practical problem.
The reason why this man is relevant to my Blog is, perhaps sadly, due to my lasting memory of a bugbear of his which existed for the part of his lifetime we shared. What I remembered was how he objected to the extent to which the lands around his home, which were once part of the village, into which he moved post-war, were re-zoned, and subsequently developed, for track housing. Over the final three decades of his life, he watched as more and more housing of a dubious quality was built, and less and less of the place he once knew remained. The effect of this was, I think, hardly noticed by my family.
The effect was one familiar in Ireland. He focused on his interests and his work and did not interact with any of this new development. My Grandparents' property became a private enclave surrounded by tall hedges. Beautiful inside, with bird tables, many species of flora, and a peaceful, away from it all, atmosphere. A large site amongst tiny suburban boxes. Sadly, while their interests in nature and especially birds flourished, their lives became hermit-like. Today, like many parts of Ireland, there are houses everywhere. Children and their parents interact on estate roads and cars drive in and around the area with a constant hum. Perhaps the original occupants of all areas eventually become forgotten as development takes over and villages are overwhelmed, their inhabitants blind-sided with such severity their association with the area is circumcised. The death of my Grandfather made me think of all the people who are coping with change in their communities as they get older. It is these people, many of whom never object,who experience the repercussions of what we planners permit today. They live with it from the date of grant. The aim here is not to be moralistic; not to take a potshot at Irish planning; but to try to remind all planners of the profound importance of remembering how planning decisons can alter people's lives.
The celebration of my Grandfather's life was shared by friends, family and associates, but not by neighbours. I hope our new communities will remember to introduce themselves to the existing residents of an area. Anyone who had taken the time to knock on my Grandfather's door could have embarked on an adventure. A perfectionist in all he did all his life. A man who found beauty and happiness in a lump of wood, was a man with whom to share a road.
The question of course is what he thought of my being a planner. He thought you could only change things from the inside. My responsibility, he said, is to plan to protect. By this he meant protect nature. But the lesson is a wider one. The planner's role is one with a great responsibility to protect. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we do not. We must strive to do better: to protect.
Brendan Buck
The reason why this man is relevant to my Blog is, perhaps sadly, due to my lasting memory of a bugbear of his which existed for the part of his lifetime we shared. What I remembered was how he objected to the extent to which the lands around his home, which were once part of the village, into which he moved post-war, were re-zoned, and subsequently developed, for track housing. Over the final three decades of his life, he watched as more and more housing of a dubious quality was built, and less and less of the place he once knew remained. The effect of this was, I think, hardly noticed by my family.
The effect was one familiar in Ireland. He focused on his interests and his work and did not interact with any of this new development. My Grandparents' property became a private enclave surrounded by tall hedges. Beautiful inside, with bird tables, many species of flora, and a peaceful, away from it all, atmosphere. A large site amongst tiny suburban boxes. Sadly, while their interests in nature and especially birds flourished, their lives became hermit-like. Today, like many parts of Ireland, there are houses everywhere. Children and their parents interact on estate roads and cars drive in and around the area with a constant hum. Perhaps the original occupants of all areas eventually become forgotten as development takes over and villages are overwhelmed, their inhabitants blind-sided with such severity their association with the area is circumcised. The death of my Grandfather made me think of all the people who are coping with change in their communities as they get older. It is these people, many of whom never object,who experience the repercussions of what we planners permit today. They live with it from the date of grant. The aim here is not to be moralistic; not to take a potshot at Irish planning; but to try to remind all planners of the profound importance of remembering how planning decisons can alter people's lives.
The celebration of my Grandfather's life was shared by friends, family and associates, but not by neighbours. I hope our new communities will remember to introduce themselves to the existing residents of an area. Anyone who had taken the time to knock on my Grandfather's door could have embarked on an adventure. A perfectionist in all he did all his life. A man who found beauty and happiness in a lump of wood, was a man with whom to share a road.
The question of course is what he thought of my being a planner. He thought you could only change things from the inside. My responsibility, he said, is to plan to protect. By this he meant protect nature. But the lesson is a wider one. The planner's role is one with a great responsibility to protect. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we do not. We must strive to do better: to protect.
Brendan Buck
What can the EU do for your city?
How can European Union policies help towns and cities? How can towns and cities have a bigger say in implementing the policies? Find the answers in the European Commission's new guide for stakeholders, urban managers and anyone interested in urban issues.
The guide, entitled - 'Guide to the Urban Dimension in Community Policies - aims to help all involved to make best use of the opportunities EU policies offer. It identifies initiatives with direct and indirect implications for sustainable development of urban areas and provides a clear overview of the urban dimension of all Community policies over the current funding period, 2007-2013.
"The good governance of urban areas requires quality information. I am convinced that this guide is a key contribution" - Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner says in the foreword to the Guide. The Commissioner will present the first draft of the Guide during the informal Council of Ministers of Urban Affairs - 24-25 May - in Leipzig, Germany.
The guide puts each policy in context and specifies relevant financial resources, exchange mechanisms and information sources available -
* Part One presents cohesion policy for 2007-2013 through its three financial instruments - the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund.
* Part Two describes the urban dimension of Community policies conducted by other Directorates-General:
- Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities;
- the Environment;
- Research;
- Energy and Transport;
- the Information Society and Media;
- Education and Culture;
- Justice, Freedom and Security;
- Enterprise and Industry;
- Health and Consumer Protection;
- Agriculture;
- Competition;
- Internal Market - and
- EuropeAid.
This project was prepared by the Commission inter-service group on urban development, set up in December 2005. It is an up-to-date information tool on EU urban policies.
The guide, entitled - 'Guide to the Urban Dimension in Community Policies - aims to help all involved to make best use of the opportunities EU policies offer. It identifies initiatives with direct and indirect implications for sustainable development of urban areas and provides a clear overview of the urban dimension of all Community policies over the current funding period, 2007-2013.
"The good governance of urban areas requires quality information. I am convinced that this guide is a key contribution" - Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner says in the foreword to the Guide. The Commissioner will present the first draft of the Guide during the informal Council of Ministers of Urban Affairs - 24-25 May - in Leipzig, Germany.
The guide puts each policy in context and specifies relevant financial resources, exchange mechanisms and information sources available -
* Part One presents cohesion policy for 2007-2013 through its three financial instruments - the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund.
* Part Two describes the urban dimension of Community policies conducted by other Directorates-General:
- Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities;
- the Environment;
- Research;
- Energy and Transport;
- the Information Society and Media;
- Education and Culture;
- Justice, Freedom and Security;
- Enterprise and Industry;
- Health and Consumer Protection;
- Agriculture;
- Competition;
- Internal Market - and
- EuropeAid.
This project was prepared by the Commission inter-service group on urban development, set up in December 2005. It is an up-to-date information tool on EU urban policies.
Green light for Slieve Divena wind farm
RES UK & Ireland Ltd has received full planning permission to build a new 12 turbine wind farm at Slieve Divena, near Garvaghy, Co. Tyrone.
Eimear Lenehan, Project Manager for RES UK & Ireland, said - "Wind energy makes sense for Northern Ireland, as we are still over 95% dependent on polluting and insecure imported fuels like oil and gas. Slieve Divena Wind Farm will generate electricity equivalent to the annual needs of nearly 17,000 homes annually, providing a local source of energy and helping to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas."
The wind farm will be located to the east of Garvaghy, 7km north-west of Ballygawley and 6km south-east of Beragh and Sixmilecross. Planning permission was granted for 12 turbines, site tracks, a substation and meteorological mast.
The project will be built by Renewable Energy Systems Construction Ltd., using local company - WH Alexander Construction Ltd of Omagh - to undertake all the civil works.
The planning application, accompanied by a full environmental statement, was made in 2005, following a six-month long information programme for the local community and their representatives - involving door-to-door visits, letters and public exhibitions.
Eimear continued - "The Slieve Divena project has been well received by the local community and we would like to thank them for their continued support."
RES UK & Ireland Ltd is a member of the Renewable Energy Systems Group (RES Group), which is one of the world's leading wind farm companies, involved in the development, construction and operation of wind farms across the UK and Ireland, Europe, North America and Australia. It is part of the Sir Robert McAlpine group of companies.
RES Group has developed six of the existing wind farms in Northern Ireland (Rigged Hill, Corkey, Elliott's Hill, Lendrum's Bridge, Altahullion and Callagheen) and the single turbine Slievenahanaghan. A further four RES-developed Northern Ireland projects have been granted planning permission and are in the process of being constructed/awaiting construction (Lough Hill, Altahullion Extension, Wolf Bog, Slieve Divena).
The planning application for Slieve Divena was submitted under Wind Farm Developments Ltd - a joint venture between RES Ltd and B9 Energy Services Ltd. RES Group has fully-owned Wind Farm Developments since May 2006. Wind Farm Developments Ltd's business has been conducted by RES UK & Ireland Ltd since February 2007.
Eimear Lenehan, Project Manager for RES UK & Ireland, said - "Wind energy makes sense for Northern Ireland, as we are still over 95% dependent on polluting and insecure imported fuels like oil and gas. Slieve Divena Wind Farm will generate electricity equivalent to the annual needs of nearly 17,000 homes annually, providing a local source of energy and helping to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas."
The wind farm will be located to the east of Garvaghy, 7km north-west of Ballygawley and 6km south-east of Beragh and Sixmilecross. Planning permission was granted for 12 turbines, site tracks, a substation and meteorological mast.
The project will be built by Renewable Energy Systems Construction Ltd., using local company - WH Alexander Construction Ltd of Omagh - to undertake all the civil works.
The planning application, accompanied by a full environmental statement, was made in 2005, following a six-month long information programme for the local community and their representatives - involving door-to-door visits, letters and public exhibitions.
Eimear continued - "The Slieve Divena project has been well received by the local community and we would like to thank them for their continued support."
RES UK & Ireland Ltd is a member of the Renewable Energy Systems Group (RES Group), which is one of the world's leading wind farm companies, involved in the development, construction and operation of wind farms across the UK and Ireland, Europe, North America and Australia. It is part of the Sir Robert McAlpine group of companies.
RES Group has developed six of the existing wind farms in Northern Ireland (Rigged Hill, Corkey, Elliott's Hill, Lendrum's Bridge, Altahullion and Callagheen) and the single turbine Slievenahanaghan. A further four RES-developed Northern Ireland projects have been granted planning permission and are in the process of being constructed/awaiting construction (Lough Hill, Altahullion Extension, Wolf Bog, Slieve Divena).
The planning application for Slieve Divena was submitted under Wind Farm Developments Ltd - a joint venture between RES Ltd and B9 Energy Services Ltd. RES Group has fully-owned Wind Farm Developments since May 2006. Wind Farm Developments Ltd's business has been conducted by RES UK & Ireland Ltd since February 2007.
€150m redevelopment of Dominick Street
An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern has welcomed the selection of a preferred bidder for the €150 million redevelopment of Dominick Street Lower flat complex through a Public Private Partnership.
The Taoiseach said - "This redevelopment will result in a state-of-the-art mixed-use city development, with public and private open space, community, leisure and retail facilities and sustainable urban housing."
The project will be managed by Dublin City Council, on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government - together with Michael McNamara & Co. when a Project Agreement has been successfully negotiated by the parties. The estimated duration of the project will be five years.
Upon completion, the project will deliver 120 Social Dwellings, Private Dwellings, circa 1,600 square metres of Community Space and circa 7,623 square metres of Retail Space.
The Taoiseach added - "This development will re-invigorate the area. Importantly, the developer's plans will be presented to the residents for their consideration before and during the redevelopment. It will be an excellent example of what can be achieved through such partnerships and this project will be used as a yardstick for future developments."
The Taoiseach said - "This redevelopment will result in a state-of-the-art mixed-use city development, with public and private open space, community, leisure and retail facilities and sustainable urban housing."
The project will be managed by Dublin City Council, on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government - together with Michael McNamara & Co. when a Project Agreement has been successfully negotiated by the parties. The estimated duration of the project will be five years.
Upon completion, the project will deliver 120 Social Dwellings, Private Dwellings, circa 1,600 square metres of Community Space and circa 7,623 square metres of Retail Space.
The Taoiseach added - "This development will re-invigorate the area. Importantly, the developer's plans will be presented to the residents for their consideration before and during the redevelopment. It will be an excellent example of what can be achieved through such partnerships and this project will be used as a yardstick for future developments."
Dublin Chamber - 5-point plan to tackle traffic gridlock
A 5-point plan to tackle traffic gridlock in Dublin has been announced by Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
Dublin Chamber state that, in the absence of an adequate public transport system, many employees are forced to commute the equivalent of a day and half of working time each week - nearly 10 hours. The Chamber believes that action must be taken immediately to address this issue and have produced an emergency plan to sort out Dublin's traffic gridlock.
In the plan, Dublin Chamber urges that the following emergency actions be taken immediately -
1. Increase the bus fleet currently serving the Dublin Region by 200 within a year. Private operators should be given unfettered access to the city with immediate effect - in particular in relation to the development of new routes not covered by Dublin Bus.
2. Work on the M50 extension should be conducted 24 hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week in order to ensure that this project of national strategic importance is completed ahead of schedule.
3. Accelerate progress on all projects listed in T21 to the stage that they are ready for procurement by the end of 2008, if resources permit.
This will require that the NRA, RPA and CIE are adequately resourced - perhaps by the deployment of public servants from other State Agencies and bodies, such as local authorities.
4. Build 3,000 Park and Ride spaces for DART and bus users on land in public ownership.
5. Require, from September next, all secondary schools to provide a bus service for their pupils. This service should be tendered.
As a Public Service Obligation may arise, some routes should be subsidised where this need is clearly demonstrated.
Dublin Chamber state that, in the absence of an adequate public transport system, many employees are forced to commute the equivalent of a day and half of working time each week - nearly 10 hours. The Chamber believes that action must be taken immediately to address this issue and have produced an emergency plan to sort out Dublin's traffic gridlock.
In the plan, Dublin Chamber urges that the following emergency actions be taken immediately -
1. Increase the bus fleet currently serving the Dublin Region by 200 within a year. Private operators should be given unfettered access to the city with immediate effect - in particular in relation to the development of new routes not covered by Dublin Bus.
2. Work on the M50 extension should be conducted 24 hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week in order to ensure that this project of national strategic importance is completed ahead of schedule.
3. Accelerate progress on all projects listed in T21 to the stage that they are ready for procurement by the end of 2008, if resources permit.
This will require that the NRA, RPA and CIE are adequately resourced - perhaps by the deployment of public servants from other State Agencies and bodies, such as local authorities.
4. Build 3,000 Park and Ride spaces for DART and bus users on land in public ownership.
5. Require, from September next, all secondary schools to provide a bus service for their pupils. This service should be tendered.
As a Public Service Obligation may arise, some routes should be subsidised where this need is clearly demonstrated.
Some views on the housing boom of interest to planners
Much has been said of late about the level of housing development in Ireland, with some concerns being expressed as to whether Ireland’s housing market is oversupplied.
There is no doubt that Ireland has enjoyed a very buoyant period of expansion in recent years, significantly ahead of our European counterparts.
In the past decade alone, we have effectively increased our housing stock by over 40 per cent, which is a significant achievement.
The latest available data shows that the housing stock in Ireland has increased to 1.8 million units. This trend peaked in 2006when construction was completed on over 93,000 residential units, equivalent to building almost 22 houses per thousand of our population.
By contrast, completion levels in mainland Europe ranged from about three to five houses per thousand of the population.
With such a significant uplift in housing stock, it is perhaps not surprising that concerns are being raised about whether we have oversupplied our housing market.
To address this issue, it is important that we view the housing stock level within the context of the population data.
At the time of Census 2006, Ireland had achieved a housing supply of 417 houses per thousand of our population. This is a significant improvement on the position at the start of the period of expansion, when it was just over 334 houses per thousand of the population.
Despite the significant increase in this period, Ireland’s housing stock per capita is still below that of most of our European counterparts, where the average housing stock per thousand of the population stood at 460 per thousand of the population at the end of 2005.
For comparison purposes, it is worth noting that established economies in mainland Europe such as Germany and France would have a housing supply of 461 and 504 units per thousand of the population.
Interestingly, Spain has a housing stock of 522 units per thousand of their population, while developing economies such as Poland and Slovakia would have a much lower housing stock, of 338 and 361 respectively.
Clearly, this analysis suggests that within the context of the wider European market, the Irish housing market is certainly not oversupplied. However, it is worth mentioning that within Ireland, the supply of property differs considerably between different counties.
Some counties, particularly those with a stronger tourist trade, have a higher stock level per capita while others, and perhaps in particular Dublin, have a much lower stock level.
This trend of lower housing density is most prevalent in the eastern corridor and regional centres. The average housing density level in the greater Dublin area, which includes Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, stood at 403 units per thousand of the population, while surrounding counties such as Carlow and Kilkenny also have lower density levels of 400 and 392 units respectively.
The average stock per thousand of the population in Dublin at the time of the last census was 403. Unsurprisingly, the density levels were strongest in the Dublin City Council area at 441 per thousand of population, with lower levels in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin at 399, 376 and 354 respectively.
Such low stock levels suggest that the Dublin housing market is still undersupplied, a factor which will underwrite the performance of property prices in this location in the future.
This county analysis of housing stock also reveals a strong correlation between high housing stock and high vacancy rates in certain counties, while counties on the eastern corridor and the major regional centres display lower housing density levels and lower vacancy rates. This is perhaps best illustrated in South Dublin, where the vacancy rate is only 6.2 per cent.
In conclusion, it would appear that concerns about the housing supply levels in Ireland are largely unfounded - indeed, one could go so far as to say that there are still locations within the country that are significantly undersupplied.
This and the projected reduction in the supply of residential units delivered to the market this year suggest that we may see a more disparate housing market in the future, with above trend price inflation being achieved in locations which have not yet achieved equilibrium in their housing stock.
For the country as a whole, it is fair to say that we have gone a long way to reduce this historical imbalance between demand and supply, a commendable achievement in a relatively short period of time.
Furthermore, the market has now clearly taken a more conservative view as regards the delivery of units, a factor which will underwrite the performance of the market in the medium term. Both of these factors bode well for the future price performance of the housing market, which is positive news for the economy overall.
Marian Finnegan is chief economist with the Sherry FitzGerald Group
Sunday Business Post
There is no doubt that Ireland has enjoyed a very buoyant period of expansion in recent years, significantly ahead of our European counterparts.
In the past decade alone, we have effectively increased our housing stock by over 40 per cent, which is a significant achievement.
The latest available data shows that the housing stock in Ireland has increased to 1.8 million units. This trend peaked in 2006when construction was completed on over 93,000 residential units, equivalent to building almost 22 houses per thousand of our population.
By contrast, completion levels in mainland Europe ranged from about three to five houses per thousand of the population.
With such a significant uplift in housing stock, it is perhaps not surprising that concerns are being raised about whether we have oversupplied our housing market.
To address this issue, it is important that we view the housing stock level within the context of the population data.
At the time of Census 2006, Ireland had achieved a housing supply of 417 houses per thousand of our population. This is a significant improvement on the position at the start of the period of expansion, when it was just over 334 houses per thousand of the population.
Despite the significant increase in this period, Ireland’s housing stock per capita is still below that of most of our European counterparts, where the average housing stock per thousand of the population stood at 460 per thousand of the population at the end of 2005.
For comparison purposes, it is worth noting that established economies in mainland Europe such as Germany and France would have a housing supply of 461 and 504 units per thousand of the population.
Interestingly, Spain has a housing stock of 522 units per thousand of their population, while developing economies such as Poland and Slovakia would have a much lower housing stock, of 338 and 361 respectively.
Clearly, this analysis suggests that within the context of the wider European market, the Irish housing market is certainly not oversupplied. However, it is worth mentioning that within Ireland, the supply of property differs considerably between different counties.
Some counties, particularly those with a stronger tourist trade, have a higher stock level per capita while others, and perhaps in particular Dublin, have a much lower stock level.
This trend of lower housing density is most prevalent in the eastern corridor and regional centres. The average housing density level in the greater Dublin area, which includes Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, stood at 403 units per thousand of the population, while surrounding counties such as Carlow and Kilkenny also have lower density levels of 400 and 392 units respectively.
The average stock per thousand of the population in Dublin at the time of the last census was 403. Unsurprisingly, the density levels were strongest in the Dublin City Council area at 441 per thousand of population, with lower levels in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin at 399, 376 and 354 respectively.
Such low stock levels suggest that the Dublin housing market is still undersupplied, a factor which will underwrite the performance of property prices in this location in the future.
This county analysis of housing stock also reveals a strong correlation between high housing stock and high vacancy rates in certain counties, while counties on the eastern corridor and the major regional centres display lower housing density levels and lower vacancy rates. This is perhaps best illustrated in South Dublin, where the vacancy rate is only 6.2 per cent.
In conclusion, it would appear that concerns about the housing supply levels in Ireland are largely unfounded - indeed, one could go so far as to say that there are still locations within the country that are significantly undersupplied.
This and the projected reduction in the supply of residential units delivered to the market this year suggest that we may see a more disparate housing market in the future, with above trend price inflation being achieved in locations which have not yet achieved equilibrium in their housing stock.
For the country as a whole, it is fair to say that we have gone a long way to reduce this historical imbalance between demand and supply, a commendable achievement in a relatively short period of time.
Furthermore, the market has now clearly taken a more conservative view as regards the delivery of units, a factor which will underwrite the performance of the market in the medium term. Both of these factors bode well for the future price performance of the housing market, which is positive news for the economy overall.
Marian Finnegan is chief economist with the Sherry FitzGerald Group
Sunday Business Post
Town centre set to transform Athlone
The developer of the Athlone Town centre believes it will act as a catalyst for the growth of the midlands town.
John O’Sullivan of Gallico Developments believes the opening of the firm’s €500 million Athlone Towncentre in October will reinvigorate the centre of the midlands town and provide a catalyst for its future growth.
‘‘When our development is open there will be around one million square feet of retail in total in a pedestrian friendly zone in the town centre,” he said.’ ‘Within that you can get all of the offerings of Dublin or Galway without getting into your car and driving from place to place.”
He also believes the opening of the development will help Athlone to grow into a city.
‘‘The government came up with the idea and facilitated it with infrastructure, and the National Spatial Strategy will help, but it is really private enterprise that will make this town a city. Athlone Towncentre will hopefully be a catalyst towards that,” he said.
The scheme, which is now 85 per cent let, will be anchored by Marks & Spencer, while other tenants include Tommy Hilfiger and Best Menswear.
The Athlone Towncentre scheme first started becoming a reality when the Royal Hoey Hotel in the town came on the market.’ ‘We were developing Manor Mills in Maynooth at the time the hotel in Athlone came up. I had been interested in acquiring it over the years but certain problems came up and it had never been sold,” O’Sullivan recalled.
‘‘I subsequently bought the hotel on 3.5 acres. It was next to a site which had been bought by the local authority; I approached them and acquired the remaining portion of that site after they had built civic offices and a civic square on part of it. We then acquired other properties around the site, so there were about 20 properties bought in total. Everything was acquired within three years and we then went for planning.”
According to O’Sullivan, the planners did not think that the original proposals for the site had enough mixed uses, and even though planning was approved at local level it was refused permission by An Bord Pleanala.
‘‘We went away to lick our wounds, then chartered a small plane and went to shopping centres around England to see what was happening there,” he said.
‘‘One of the trends we saw was a multi-anchored approach, with a number of department stores and very little food offering.
‘‘We decided to go for a Grafton Street-type environment as a result and that’s been the key to our success. We got more fashion retail in and there’s no major anchor. T hat is key to the whole project, because if you have that situation, their success or failure impacts on everything else.”
The new scheme comprises 27,870 square metres of retail space over two levels, a four-star 160-bedroom hotel, a 1,300 space car park and a spa and leisure centre.
Designed by Murray O’Laoire, it will be laid out in a mix of single and double height units with a fully glazed roof structure.
‘‘It’s a very clever scheme that takes advantage of the typography,” said O’Sullivan.
‘‘The architect created an east-west street at lower level and a north-south street facing onto Mardyke Street, which intersect at a large square. In general the retailers are very happy with the scheme.”
O’Sullivan hired Demographics Ireland to research the catchment area for the centre, and it estimated the disposable spend of the target population was €800 million.
‘‘We started to do marketing on that basis, but Marks & Spencer decided to get a company in Britain to check the figures. T hey found there was a catchment population of 680,000 and a comparison spend of €1.3 billion. Marks & Spencer then wanted to be there. In Maynooth we maybe needed to drag retailers in, but in Athlone we haven’t had to do that,” he said.
‘‘Although it’s in the centre of Athlone, the centre is only 800metres from the motorway intersection, meaning people in places like Kilbeggan who might have gone to Liffey Valley or Galway will come to us. Our offering is equal to any of the big regional centres.”
O’Sullivan also owns the Hodson Bay and Galway Bay hotels. He said that the new hotel in Athlone will be run by that hotel group but will be branded under an international hotel chain’s name. He added they are looking for other opportunities as he believes many hotels will be coming on the market in the coming years as capital allowances expire.
‘‘People built them to get the capital allowances and only then went looking for an operator,” he said.
‘‘That was alright when things were good, but I think there will be acquisition opportunities in the next while. We’re certainly on the acquisition trail but we’re going to take them one at a time, because hotels take a lot of management.”
O’Sullivan is originally from south Kerry and graduated from Bolton Street before teaching engineering and technical drawing in Tallaght Community College.’ ‘In Dublin I had been doing some small scale development - buying a site, building a house and living there before selling it on,” he said.
He eventually moved to Athlone with his wife, who is from the town.
‘‘I bought a couple of buildings in the town when we moved here and knocked them together and made a pub. I also went back to teaching for a while,” he said.
H e eventually developed the Hodson Bay and Galway Bay hotels and is now looking for other retailled opportunities with his partners.
‘‘We’re looking at a number of opportunities,” he said.
‘‘We’re looking at three different locations that might be suitable for another development like Athlone Towncentre.”
Sunday Business Post
John O’Sullivan of Gallico Developments believes the opening of the firm’s €500 million Athlone Towncentre in October will reinvigorate the centre of the midlands town and provide a catalyst for its future growth.
‘‘When our development is open there will be around one million square feet of retail in total in a pedestrian friendly zone in the town centre,” he said.’ ‘Within that you can get all of the offerings of Dublin or Galway without getting into your car and driving from place to place.”
He also believes the opening of the development will help Athlone to grow into a city.
‘‘The government came up with the idea and facilitated it with infrastructure, and the National Spatial Strategy will help, but it is really private enterprise that will make this town a city. Athlone Towncentre will hopefully be a catalyst towards that,” he said.
The scheme, which is now 85 per cent let, will be anchored by Marks & Spencer, while other tenants include Tommy Hilfiger and Best Menswear.
The Athlone Towncentre scheme first started becoming a reality when the Royal Hoey Hotel in the town came on the market.’ ‘We were developing Manor Mills in Maynooth at the time the hotel in Athlone came up. I had been interested in acquiring it over the years but certain problems came up and it had never been sold,” O’Sullivan recalled.
‘‘I subsequently bought the hotel on 3.5 acres. It was next to a site which had been bought by the local authority; I approached them and acquired the remaining portion of that site after they had built civic offices and a civic square on part of it. We then acquired other properties around the site, so there were about 20 properties bought in total. Everything was acquired within three years and we then went for planning.”
According to O’Sullivan, the planners did not think that the original proposals for the site had enough mixed uses, and even though planning was approved at local level it was refused permission by An Bord Pleanala.
‘‘We went away to lick our wounds, then chartered a small plane and went to shopping centres around England to see what was happening there,” he said.
‘‘One of the trends we saw was a multi-anchored approach, with a number of department stores and very little food offering.
‘‘We decided to go for a Grafton Street-type environment as a result and that’s been the key to our success. We got more fashion retail in and there’s no major anchor. T hat is key to the whole project, because if you have that situation, their success or failure impacts on everything else.”
The new scheme comprises 27,870 square metres of retail space over two levels, a four-star 160-bedroom hotel, a 1,300 space car park and a spa and leisure centre.
Designed by Murray O’Laoire, it will be laid out in a mix of single and double height units with a fully glazed roof structure.
‘‘It’s a very clever scheme that takes advantage of the typography,” said O’Sullivan.
‘‘The architect created an east-west street at lower level and a north-south street facing onto Mardyke Street, which intersect at a large square. In general the retailers are very happy with the scheme.”
O’Sullivan hired Demographics Ireland to research the catchment area for the centre, and it estimated the disposable spend of the target population was €800 million.
‘‘We started to do marketing on that basis, but Marks & Spencer decided to get a company in Britain to check the figures. T hey found there was a catchment population of 680,000 and a comparison spend of €1.3 billion. Marks & Spencer then wanted to be there. In Maynooth we maybe needed to drag retailers in, but in Athlone we haven’t had to do that,” he said.
‘‘Although it’s in the centre of Athlone, the centre is only 800metres from the motorway intersection, meaning people in places like Kilbeggan who might have gone to Liffey Valley or Galway will come to us. Our offering is equal to any of the big regional centres.”
O’Sullivan also owns the Hodson Bay and Galway Bay hotels. He said that the new hotel in Athlone will be run by that hotel group but will be branded under an international hotel chain’s name. He added they are looking for other opportunities as he believes many hotels will be coming on the market in the coming years as capital allowances expire.
‘‘People built them to get the capital allowances and only then went looking for an operator,” he said.
‘‘That was alright when things were good, but I think there will be acquisition opportunities in the next while. We’re certainly on the acquisition trail but we’re going to take them one at a time, because hotels take a lot of management.”
O’Sullivan is originally from south Kerry and graduated from Bolton Street before teaching engineering and technical drawing in Tallaght Community College.’ ‘In Dublin I had been doing some small scale development - buying a site, building a house and living there before selling it on,” he said.
He eventually moved to Athlone with his wife, who is from the town.
‘‘I bought a couple of buildings in the town when we moved here and knocked them together and made a pub. I also went back to teaching for a while,” he said.
H e eventually developed the Hodson Bay and Galway Bay hotels and is now looking for other retailled opportunities with his partners.
‘‘We’re looking at a number of opportunities,” he said.
‘‘We’re looking at three different locations that might be suitable for another development like Athlone Towncentre.”
Sunday Business Post
Scheme stuck between a rock and a hard place
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 50m mixed-use scheme including a trade centre and a residential development near the Rock of Cashel have stalled after South Tipperary County Council served an enforcement order on the developer instructing him to demolish a number of cottages already constructed on the site.
Independent general-election candidate councillor Tom Wood has raised the issue of whether or not parts of the development already constructed are in compliance with the terms of the planning permission granted for the scheme. There is concern locally that some of the residential units already built are terraced houses rather than the semi-detached dwellings sanctioned in the development plans.
"A warning letter was sent to the developer on 27 March and prior to that an in-depth investigation was done, " said Marie McGivern, senior administrator in the council's planning department.
"The planning department has to be fair to everyone."
Developer Liam Campion says the controversy is "a storm in a tea cup" and claims there is widespread support for the scheme."I have been badly wronged."
He says the issue is causing Cashel to be portrayed in a bad light.
Sunday Tribune
Independent general-election candidate councillor Tom Wood has raised the issue of whether or not parts of the development already constructed are in compliance with the terms of the planning permission granted for the scheme. There is concern locally that some of the residential units already built are terraced houses rather than the semi-detached dwellings sanctioned in the development plans.
"A warning letter was sent to the developer on 27 March and prior to that an in-depth investigation was done, " said Marie McGivern, senior administrator in the council's planning department.
"The planning department has to be fair to everyone."
Developer Liam Campion says the controversy is "a storm in a tea cup" and claims there is widespread support for the scheme."I have been badly wronged."
He says the issue is causing Cashel to be portrayed in a bad light.
Sunday Tribune
Transport developments spur industrial park boom
Industrial parks in Ireland tend to fall into two main categories . . . the estates constructed in suburban locations in the 1970s and 1980s and modern parks built along the new road networks from the 1990s on.
With more pressure than ever on space, it is no surprise that a number of new industrial park developments have been announced over the last year, while developers have also released details of redevelopments for many existing sites.
North Dublin has been the focus of much of this activity, with the opening of the Port Tunnel and other transport developments giving the area a major boost. But the industrial park phenomenon is not confined to the major cities - just about every major town has a facility of this kind as they seek to attract new investment.
Port Tunnel Business Park/Orion Business Centre/Broomhill Road Port Tunnel Business Park is a development of 38 owndoor office suites and 57 business units in Clonshaugh, Dublin 17 just minutes from the entrance to the Port Tunnel and the M1 motorway.
The office units range in size from 76 to 423 square metres, while the business units are between 150 and 658 square metres. All but five of the office suites and 18 of the business units are reserved.
Prices range from EUR 370,000 - 390,000 for the office units and from EUR 395,000 to EUR 1.475 million for the business units. They are also all available to rent.
Jones Lang LaSalle has another development of high quality industrial/office units available to buy or rent at the Orion Business Centre at Ballycoolin, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. These range in size from 205 - 309 square metres and prices start at EUR 350,000.
Orion is beside Northwest Business Park and about five minutes drive from Blanchardstown Town Centre.
Access to the M2 is being improved through the Corduff Road extension and the centre is about 2 kilometres from the M50.
Meanwhile, Jones Lang LaSalle is selling a redevelopment opportunity on Broomhill Road in Tallaght where a 3,752 square metre building on a 1.41 hectare site is for sale by tender. The area is zoned 'mainly industrial' under the Tallaght Town Centre Local Area Plan 2006 and the closing date for tenders is 28 June.
Further information can be obtained from Woody O'Neill at Jones Lang LaSalle.
Industrial parks address work/life balance CB Richard Ellis has noticed a trend over the last few years for small to medium enterprises to be located in the hinterland of large towns and cities. This is particularly evident in Dublin, where examples include M1 Business Park along the M1 motorway and Kingswood Business Park along the N7 corridor. This trend is set to continue as new business locations are emerging around Dublin's hinterland such as Ashbourne Business Park along the N2 or Osberstown at Naas, adjacent to the N7.
It has been the company's experience that those enterprises who move to new industrial and business areas (in particular those close to residential areas) experience a real improvement to their quality of life, which in turn has a positive impact on their business. The advent of these smaller enterprise units and larger industrial facilities being located adjacent to residential areas means businesses can attract experienced and willing employees from the local areas.
This has been the case at locations such as Centrepoint Business Park in Rosemount, Ballycoolin, Dublin 11, while mixed use developments like Northern Cross in Dublin 17 have started to attract high profile tenants such as JP Morgan and Experion.
Blanchardstown has more to offer Blanchardstown has seen phenomenal industrial development over the last few years but there are still site opportunities for serviced and zoned industrial land, explained Frank Frisby of FJ Frisby & Associates.
One such opportunity is Millennium Business Park, a high spec development by Hillview Developments, a McInerney company.
Hillview Developments has established itself as a leading developer of industrial property in the Dublin area, including Westpoint Business Park, Blanchardstown, Glasnevin Business Park, Tolka Valley Business Park, Whitestown Business Park at Tallaght and Newtown Business & Enterprise Centre in Newtownmountkennedy.
Millennium Business Centre is now sold out but the final phase . . . Millennium Trade Park . . . comprising approximately 70,000 square feet divided into 36 units is underway. These units, which can be combined in a variety of sizes from 1550 square feet upwards are in a highly visible position on the entrance to the development.
Further information in relation to Millennium Trade Park is available from sole agents FJ Frisby & Associates.
Low vacancy rates illustrate strength of sector Savills Hamilton Osborne King research indicates that the overall vacancy rate in the industrial sector fell from 11.5 per cent at the beginning of 2006 to 9.9 per cent in January 2007, with take-up particularly strong in northwest Dublin.
The total amount of space available on the market fell from 398,000 square metres at the beginning of 2006 to 338,000 square metres in January 2007. Take-up last year totalled approximately 231,400 square metres across the Greater Dublin Area and the rate of take-up was accelerating in the last six months of the year.
Activity in northwest Dublin was greater than anywhere else in the Greater Dublin Area in 2006 with demand being fuelled by similar factors as in northeast Dublin.
Transport links boost Greenogue Business Park Greenogue Business Park in Rathcoole has experienced a 16 per cent increase in prices over the last six months. According to Rory Penrose, managing director of Coldwell Banker Penrose & O'Sullivan Auctioneers, demand has been driven by its accessibility to the M50/N7 and the link to the N4, which is due for completion next year.
Units range from 1000 to 20,000 square feet. A new 12,000 square feet services centre, 4000 square feet restaurant, branded retail outlet and petrol station store are all opening soon.
Sunday Tribune
Coldwell Banker Penrose & O'Sullivan is now taking enquiries on 4500 square feet of prime office space and two 1000 square feet retail units to let.
With more pressure than ever on space, it is no surprise that a number of new industrial park developments have been announced over the last year, while developers have also released details of redevelopments for many existing sites.
North Dublin has been the focus of much of this activity, with the opening of the Port Tunnel and other transport developments giving the area a major boost. But the industrial park phenomenon is not confined to the major cities - just about every major town has a facility of this kind as they seek to attract new investment.
Port Tunnel Business Park/Orion Business Centre/Broomhill Road Port Tunnel Business Park is a development of 38 owndoor office suites and 57 business units in Clonshaugh, Dublin 17 just minutes from the entrance to the Port Tunnel and the M1 motorway.
The office units range in size from 76 to 423 square metres, while the business units are between 150 and 658 square metres. All but five of the office suites and 18 of the business units are reserved.
Prices range from EUR 370,000 - 390,000 for the office units and from EUR 395,000 to EUR 1.475 million for the business units. They are also all available to rent.
Jones Lang LaSalle has another development of high quality industrial/office units available to buy or rent at the Orion Business Centre at Ballycoolin, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. These range in size from 205 - 309 square metres and prices start at EUR 350,000.
Orion is beside Northwest Business Park and about five minutes drive from Blanchardstown Town Centre.
Access to the M2 is being improved through the Corduff Road extension and the centre is about 2 kilometres from the M50.
Meanwhile, Jones Lang LaSalle is selling a redevelopment opportunity on Broomhill Road in Tallaght where a 3,752 square metre building on a 1.41 hectare site is for sale by tender. The area is zoned 'mainly industrial' under the Tallaght Town Centre Local Area Plan 2006 and the closing date for tenders is 28 June.
Further information can be obtained from Woody O'Neill at Jones Lang LaSalle.
Industrial parks address work/life balance CB Richard Ellis has noticed a trend over the last few years for small to medium enterprises to be located in the hinterland of large towns and cities. This is particularly evident in Dublin, where examples include M1 Business Park along the M1 motorway and Kingswood Business Park along the N7 corridor. This trend is set to continue as new business locations are emerging around Dublin's hinterland such as Ashbourne Business Park along the N2 or Osberstown at Naas, adjacent to the N7.
It has been the company's experience that those enterprises who move to new industrial and business areas (in particular those close to residential areas) experience a real improvement to their quality of life, which in turn has a positive impact on their business. The advent of these smaller enterprise units and larger industrial facilities being located adjacent to residential areas means businesses can attract experienced and willing employees from the local areas.
This has been the case at locations such as Centrepoint Business Park in Rosemount, Ballycoolin, Dublin 11, while mixed use developments like Northern Cross in Dublin 17 have started to attract high profile tenants such as JP Morgan and Experion.
Blanchardstown has more to offer Blanchardstown has seen phenomenal industrial development over the last few years but there are still site opportunities for serviced and zoned industrial land, explained Frank Frisby of FJ Frisby & Associates.
One such opportunity is Millennium Business Park, a high spec development by Hillview Developments, a McInerney company.
Hillview Developments has established itself as a leading developer of industrial property in the Dublin area, including Westpoint Business Park, Blanchardstown, Glasnevin Business Park, Tolka Valley Business Park, Whitestown Business Park at Tallaght and Newtown Business & Enterprise Centre in Newtownmountkennedy.
Millennium Business Centre is now sold out but the final phase . . . Millennium Trade Park . . . comprising approximately 70,000 square feet divided into 36 units is underway. These units, which can be combined in a variety of sizes from 1550 square feet upwards are in a highly visible position on the entrance to the development.
Further information in relation to Millennium Trade Park is available from sole agents FJ Frisby & Associates.
Low vacancy rates illustrate strength of sector Savills Hamilton Osborne King research indicates that the overall vacancy rate in the industrial sector fell from 11.5 per cent at the beginning of 2006 to 9.9 per cent in January 2007, with take-up particularly strong in northwest Dublin.
The total amount of space available on the market fell from 398,000 square metres at the beginning of 2006 to 338,000 square metres in January 2007. Take-up last year totalled approximately 231,400 square metres across the Greater Dublin Area and the rate of take-up was accelerating in the last six months of the year.
Activity in northwest Dublin was greater than anywhere else in the Greater Dublin Area in 2006 with demand being fuelled by similar factors as in northeast Dublin.
Transport links boost Greenogue Business Park Greenogue Business Park in Rathcoole has experienced a 16 per cent increase in prices over the last six months. According to Rory Penrose, managing director of Coldwell Banker Penrose & O'Sullivan Auctioneers, demand has been driven by its accessibility to the M50/N7 and the link to the N4, which is due for completion next year.
Units range from 1000 to 20,000 square feet. A new 12,000 square feet services centre, 4000 square feet restaurant, branded retail outlet and petrol station store are all opening soon.
Sunday Tribune
Coldwell Banker Penrose & O'Sullivan is now taking enquiries on 4500 square feet of prime office space and two 1000 square feet retail units to let.
Longford to get fifth shopping centre despite negative recommendation from Planning Inspector
LONGFORD town is set to get a fifth shopping centre, despite a planning inspector having recommended that permission be refused for the proposed development. An Bord Pleanala has given the green light for the threestorey centre on a 1.92 hectare brownfield site at the Richmond Street/Connaught Road junction in the centre of the midlands town. The site is currently occupied by derelict agricultural sheds and disused creamery buildings.
The new development will include an anchor store covering 3,000sq m of floor space, 14 retail units with a total area of 1,834 sq m, an enclosed mall area measuring 962sq m, a foodhall (445sq m), a restaurant (506sq m) of floor space and a creche (195sq m). Four hundred and nineteen car park spaces are also included in the plan.
In sanctioning the scheme, An Bord Pleanala overruled the recommendation of inspector Michael Dillon who stated in his report that the planned centre would constitute "a wasteful use of scarce, serviced, urban land".
He said: "The design of the proposed building would be detrimental to the amenities of the area." And he claimed:
"The development would be contrary to the policies of the council, as set out in Section 2.11 of the current development plan for the area, in terms of design, layout and contribution to the streetscape and built fabric of the town."
However, An Bord Pleanala ruled that "the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity, would enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre, would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."
The Longford County Development Plan 2003-2009 identifies Longford town as the provider of both a county and inter-regional level of shopping facilities.
Two substantial shopping centres are already under construction in the town, one at the Weavers factory site on the Dublin road and a second at the AIBP site on Church Street.
The Lanternsford development on the old factory site will include 21 retail units, offices and 264 car park spaces.
The Church Street development, known locally as the Dunnes Stores shopping centre, is expected to open soon.
The town already has two functioning retail centres known as the Tesco shopping centre and the Supervalu shopping centre.
Local estate agent Jonathan Quinn says a steady increase in the town's population justifies the expansion of retail facilities in Longford.
"The town has been expanding quickly for some time now, " he says. "The number of jobs being created has brought Longford on quite a bit. The Irish prison services is moving to town. There's Abbott Laboratories which is still ramping up employee numbers. Other companies are increasing staff numbers at a steady rate.
"Recently there was an announcement of 45 local job losses. But Longford should be able to deal with that. The employment base is quite diverse, so a shock like that doesn't have too much impact. Although Athlone is the regional centre and a magnet for shoppers, Longford is an attraction for people in this general area and for residents of smaller towns in the county who don't enjoy the same level of retail facilities."
Sunday Tribune
The new development will include an anchor store covering 3,000sq m of floor space, 14 retail units with a total area of 1,834 sq m, an enclosed mall area measuring 962sq m, a foodhall (445sq m), a restaurant (506sq m) of floor space and a creche (195sq m). Four hundred and nineteen car park spaces are also included in the plan.
In sanctioning the scheme, An Bord Pleanala overruled the recommendation of inspector Michael Dillon who stated in his report that the planned centre would constitute "a wasteful use of scarce, serviced, urban land".
He said: "The design of the proposed building would be detrimental to the amenities of the area." And he claimed:
"The development would be contrary to the policies of the council, as set out in Section 2.11 of the current development plan for the area, in terms of design, layout and contribution to the streetscape and built fabric of the town."
However, An Bord Pleanala ruled that "the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity, would enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre, would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."
The Longford County Development Plan 2003-2009 identifies Longford town as the provider of both a county and inter-regional level of shopping facilities.
Two substantial shopping centres are already under construction in the town, one at the Weavers factory site on the Dublin road and a second at the AIBP site on Church Street.
The Lanternsford development on the old factory site will include 21 retail units, offices and 264 car park spaces.
The Church Street development, known locally as the Dunnes Stores shopping centre, is expected to open soon.
The town already has two functioning retail centres known as the Tesco shopping centre and the Supervalu shopping centre.
Local estate agent Jonathan Quinn says a steady increase in the town's population justifies the expansion of retail facilities in Longford.
"The town has been expanding quickly for some time now, " he says. "The number of jobs being created has brought Longford on quite a bit. The Irish prison services is moving to town. There's Abbott Laboratories which is still ramping up employee numbers. Other companies are increasing staff numbers at a steady rate.
"Recently there was an announcement of 45 local job losses. But Longford should be able to deal with that. The employment base is quite diverse, so a shock like that doesn't have too much impact. Although Athlone is the regional centre and a magnet for shoppers, Longford is an attraction for people in this general area and for residents of smaller towns in the county who don't enjoy the same level of retail facilities."
Sunday Tribune
Bertie and the builder
T was Bertie's day in the sun. Behold the Taoiseach, applauded by priests and poets, by businessmen and actors, by princesses and prime ministers. Up there in the Royal Gallery of the Palace of Westminster, it was Bertie's finest hour.
His predecessors as guests of honour in the holiest of parliamentary holies included Boris Yeltsin, Bill Clinton and Francois Mitterand. On Wednesday, the list of political dignitaries in attendance embraced John Major, Gordon Brown, Neil Kinnock, Peter Brooke, General John de Chastelaine , Senator Maurice Hayes. All had been players in the peace effort. They came to honour Bertie.
Sportsmen Eddie Jordan and Keith Wood arrived to bow the knee to Bertie.
Ireland's business elite in the UK greeted Bertie. BA chief Willie Walsh was there; investment banker Hugo McNeill was invited; so was designer Paul Costelloe.
The Great and the Good of the Irish in England rubbed shoulders.
Suddenly, along the Royal Gallery strode the slimmeddown figure of Sean Dunne (or Lord Ballsbridge' as he is sometimes known).
One of the invited guests told me that he gasped at the sight of Sean.
The same shock must have passed through the mind of every guest who recognised the colourful builder from Carlow. Here was the greatest day in Anglo Irish history. All the main players in the peace process seemed to be on parade and there in the middle was property mogul Sean Dunne.
Despite the dogfight for tickets, Sean somehow bagged one.
Dunne's presence was peculiar enough. After all, he is merely an Irish builder with a beautiful wife. A multi-millionaire, probably a Fianna Fail supporter.
But even stranger, there was a remarkable absentee. The man who played the noblest role from our side of the Irish Sea was not invited.
Albert Reynolds failed to make the cut.
Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness can put the past behind them. Bertie Ahern, great peacemaker that he is, can still not salute the role of his predecessor.
The unsung hero of the peace process was excluded while Sean Dunne, speculator supreme, was a feted guest. There was room for 625 others too, but no seat for Albert.
Echoes of the snub delivered to Seamus Mallon just a week earlier. The loyal deputy- leader to John Hume in the darkest years of the Northern troubles was excluded from the opening of the Assembly in Stormont. On that day, where was the man who held the peace line deep in the provo stronghold of South Armagh despite severe pressure from violent republicans? Mallon never flinched when he was under threat ; it would have suited him to make more militant noises.
His reward: Mallon, from Markethill, South Armagh, was last year appointed a board member of the ailing ESB.
Quite a consolation prize; but the 17,500 director's fee would be useful income to a guy who does not enjoy the same resources as Sean Dunne.
Perhaps Dunne was in Westminster sizing up the joint? Maybe he thinks that the Palace would be a prime development site?
Perhaps he plans to ask her majesty the Queen for a wing or two to build a few 32-storey apartments?
Bertie's decision to invite Sean Dunne to place his backside on a seat at one of the most coveted events in Irish history is a mystery. Was this man meant to represent Irish business? Or was he just a friend?
Last week I put the question to the Taoiseach's office. Why was Dunne there? What did Lord Ballsbridge ever do for the peace process? Who else was on the Taoiseach's list? And why was Albert Reynolds slighted?
The reply was comical: the poor spokesman was sent out to say that "if someone was in London and rang up and asked to attend , the Taoiseach tried to facilitate them.,There was a silence when I asked what Dunne had done for the peace process. Next, the spokesman failed to respond to the Albert question. He muttered that the gig should be seen in the whole context of Anglo-Irish relations.
And what had Sean done for them? Another silence. Perhaps we are about to discover the Dunne Peace Foundation for cross-border communities? Somehow I doubt it.
Perhaps Bertie wanted to honour the booming construction industry? If that is the case, then Sean was a strange choice. Because Sean is currently negotiating the most sensitive planning application of his life. And the plann- ing process is still politically driven.
The noble Lord Ballsbridge may have been strutting his stuff around Westminster last week, but back home his plans for the controversial Jurys/ Berkeley Court site were running into a spot of bother.
The whole world now knows that Sean paid a stunning 370m for the Jurys/ Doyle and Berkeley Court sites. Today he must be under pressure to fast track a planning application to help fund this massive purchase. As every day passes, the interest bill could be rocketing.
More pressing still for Sean must be the knowledge that many of his competitors have publicly suggested that he paid too much for the sites, that it was vanity purchasing.
And even more stressful for him could be the sudden tremors in Ireland's property market and the hikes in interest rates.
The night before the big event in Westminster, Dublin City Councillors had made a pre-emptive strike against Sean's plans for Ballsbridge. They were against re-zoning Ballsbridge to suit one man.
Wendy Hederman, the energetic local councillor and guardian of the area's planning process, pointedly insisted that no different planning considerations should apply just because a sky-high price had been paid for the sites.
More directly she told me: "There should be no special treatment for Sean Dunne.,Wendy should have whispered the same message in Bertie's ear.
Sean Dunne is suddenly facing an uphill struggle in his Ballsbridge ambitions.
The presence of Sean at the Westminster gig tells us a lot about Ireland. Pride of place today goes to property billionaires. Guys who have not manufactured as much as a paper clip are honoured, while real wealth creators are ignored.
If Bertie wanted to give the world a view of successful Irish business, why was Michael O'Leary of Ryanair the most brilliant Irish entrepreneur of his generation not invited?
Bertie is not mad about Michael. Bertie is not mad about Albert. Granted, the peace process is partly his creation, but it does not belong to Bertie Ahern.
Property developers are often decent, honourable businessmen; but it is a measure of their uncomfortable ascension to the top of the Irish business scene that their most flamboyant but certainly not their most successful member was chosen to view a historic event for Ireland from a seat of honour.
Better business people were left on this side of the Irish Sea.
It was a good week for Bertie. His speech at Westminster was masterly. He won the debate with Enda. He deserves credit for his management of the Irish economy. A pity he cannot detach himself from the developers.
Shane Ross
Sunday Independent
His predecessors as guests of honour in the holiest of parliamentary holies included Boris Yeltsin, Bill Clinton and Francois Mitterand. On Wednesday, the list of political dignitaries in attendance embraced John Major, Gordon Brown, Neil Kinnock, Peter Brooke, General John de Chastelaine , Senator Maurice Hayes. All had been players in the peace effort. They came to honour Bertie.
Sportsmen Eddie Jordan and Keith Wood arrived to bow the knee to Bertie.
Ireland's business elite in the UK greeted Bertie. BA chief Willie Walsh was there; investment banker Hugo McNeill was invited; so was designer Paul Costelloe.
The Great and the Good of the Irish in England rubbed shoulders.
Suddenly, along the Royal Gallery strode the slimmeddown figure of Sean Dunne (or Lord Ballsbridge' as he is sometimes known).
One of the invited guests told me that he gasped at the sight of Sean.
The same shock must have passed through the mind of every guest who recognised the colourful builder from Carlow. Here was the greatest day in Anglo Irish history. All the main players in the peace process seemed to be on parade and there in the middle was property mogul Sean Dunne.
Despite the dogfight for tickets, Sean somehow bagged one.
Dunne's presence was peculiar enough. After all, he is merely an Irish builder with a beautiful wife. A multi-millionaire, probably a Fianna Fail supporter.
But even stranger, there was a remarkable absentee. The man who played the noblest role from our side of the Irish Sea was not invited.
Albert Reynolds failed to make the cut.
Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness can put the past behind them. Bertie Ahern, great peacemaker that he is, can still not salute the role of his predecessor.
The unsung hero of the peace process was excluded while Sean Dunne, speculator supreme, was a feted guest. There was room for 625 others too, but no seat for Albert.
Echoes of the snub delivered to Seamus Mallon just a week earlier. The loyal deputy- leader to John Hume in the darkest years of the Northern troubles was excluded from the opening of the Assembly in Stormont. On that day, where was the man who held the peace line deep in the provo stronghold of South Armagh despite severe pressure from violent republicans? Mallon never flinched when he was under threat ; it would have suited him to make more militant noises.
His reward: Mallon, from Markethill, South Armagh, was last year appointed a board member of the ailing ESB.
Quite a consolation prize; but the 17,500 director's fee would be useful income to a guy who does not enjoy the same resources as Sean Dunne.
Perhaps Dunne was in Westminster sizing up the joint? Maybe he thinks that the Palace would be a prime development site?
Perhaps he plans to ask her majesty the Queen for a wing or two to build a few 32-storey apartments?
Bertie's decision to invite Sean Dunne to place his backside on a seat at one of the most coveted events in Irish history is a mystery. Was this man meant to represent Irish business? Or was he just a friend?
Last week I put the question to the Taoiseach's office. Why was Dunne there? What did Lord Ballsbridge ever do for the peace process? Who else was on the Taoiseach's list? And why was Albert Reynolds slighted?
The reply was comical: the poor spokesman was sent out to say that "if someone was in London and rang up and asked to attend , the Taoiseach tried to facilitate them.,There was a silence when I asked what Dunne had done for the peace process. Next, the spokesman failed to respond to the Albert question. He muttered that the gig should be seen in the whole context of Anglo-Irish relations.
And what had Sean done for them? Another silence. Perhaps we are about to discover the Dunne Peace Foundation for cross-border communities? Somehow I doubt it.
Perhaps Bertie wanted to honour the booming construction industry? If that is the case, then Sean was a strange choice. Because Sean is currently negotiating the most sensitive planning application of his life. And the plann- ing process is still politically driven.
The noble Lord Ballsbridge may have been strutting his stuff around Westminster last week, but back home his plans for the controversial Jurys/ Berkeley Court site were running into a spot of bother.
The whole world now knows that Sean paid a stunning 370m for the Jurys/ Doyle and Berkeley Court sites. Today he must be under pressure to fast track a planning application to help fund this massive purchase. As every day passes, the interest bill could be rocketing.
More pressing still for Sean must be the knowledge that many of his competitors have publicly suggested that he paid too much for the sites, that it was vanity purchasing.
And even more stressful for him could be the sudden tremors in Ireland's property market and the hikes in interest rates.
The night before the big event in Westminster, Dublin City Councillors had made a pre-emptive strike against Sean's plans for Ballsbridge. They were against re-zoning Ballsbridge to suit one man.
Wendy Hederman, the energetic local councillor and guardian of the area's planning process, pointedly insisted that no different planning considerations should apply just because a sky-high price had been paid for the sites.
More directly she told me: "There should be no special treatment for Sean Dunne.,Wendy should have whispered the same message in Bertie's ear.
Sean Dunne is suddenly facing an uphill struggle in his Ballsbridge ambitions.
The presence of Sean at the Westminster gig tells us a lot about Ireland. Pride of place today goes to property billionaires. Guys who have not manufactured as much as a paper clip are honoured, while real wealth creators are ignored.
If Bertie wanted to give the world a view of successful Irish business, why was Michael O'Leary of Ryanair the most brilliant Irish entrepreneur of his generation not invited?
Bertie is not mad about Michael. Bertie is not mad about Albert. Granted, the peace process is partly his creation, but it does not belong to Bertie Ahern.
Property developers are often decent, honourable businessmen; but it is a measure of their uncomfortable ascension to the top of the Irish business scene that their most flamboyant but certainly not their most successful member was chosen to view a historic event for Ireland from a seat of honour.
Better business people were left on this side of the Irish Sea.
It was a good week for Bertie. His speech at Westminster was masterly. He won the debate with Enda. He deserves credit for his management of the Irish economy. A pity he cannot detach himself from the developers.
Shane Ross
Sunday Independent
'Entire town is dying on its feet' as the builders bicker
MORE than 400 angry residents held a silent vigil in the Diamond in Donegal town last Sunday morning to protest against a bitter seven-year rivalry between developers that locals claim is killing the town.
The protest flies in the face of other urban centres around the country, where ordinary residents' groups often actively campaign against yet another new retail development, rather than lobby for more shops, apartments and car parks.
However, Donegal is crying out for commercial and residential construction to breathe life into a town that has been left behind by the Celtic Tiger.
For more than 40,000 people in the northwest, Donegal is the natural commercial hub and market centre and a designated "tier 2" area in the Retail Planning Strategy 2000.
But according to its mayor, Ernan McGettigan, the town is stagnating.
He says Donegal is still reeling from the recent loss of 650 jobs at Hospira and Magees. "Now the town is standing still. If something isn't done to stop this madness, Donegal town will be dead as a commercial entity," he said.
While Letterkenny is the fastest-growing rural town in Europe, Donegal has been virtually undeveloped for nearly a decade.
Since 2001, ambitious plans for retail schemes capable of providing both jobs and a commercial kick-start have been stymied by objections to An Bord Pleanala - made by rival developers, or individuals with links to the owners of other potential development sites in the town.
In the latest twist in a long-running saga, local builders Michael Kelly Snr and Jnr were given permission by Donegal County Council to build a €40m mixed-use development near the centre.
The development proposal includes a major retail anchor tenant, a multi-screen cinema, business units, extra parking spaces, office suites, cafes and 52 apartments overlooking Donegal Bay.
Construction was due to begin by the end of the year and would have provided 50 jobs during construction and employment for another 150 people in the finished development. But the Sunday Independent has learned that An Bord Pleanala has received two detailed objections to the Kelly plan.
One is from rival London-based developer Danny Keeney, of Keeney Construction, who heads up a consortium that controls the old Magee factory in the town and who was recently granted permission for a €100m project on that site.
Mr Keeney's firm has a history of objecting to other developments in Donegal town. Applications from Bennett Construction for a Dunnes Stores anchored development was objected to by Tesco (Ireland) with Keeney Construction Limited as an observer. Permission was refused.
Another application, for the construction of an Atlantic Homecare, was also refused by An Bord Pleanala. Keeney Construction Limited was the sole objector.
In another objection by Keeney Construction - to proposed altered ground gradients in and around the River Eske - the company expressed its desire to protect the freshwater-pearl mussel population and to "ensure that this animal can once again breed in the waters upstream from Donegal town".
The second objection to the latest Kelly plan for Donegal town centre is from a Portmarnock resident, Oliver Byrne, who has also objected in the past to other developments in Donegal town.
The Sunday Independent has learned that Mr Byrne has a connection with the principals behind other development lands in Donegal town.
The connection is this. A Kildare solicitor, John Reidy, holds a one-eighth share in development lands at Revlin outside Donegal town, along with Danny Keeney and others. John Reidy is also a director of Revlin Property Ltd.
John Reidy's son, Barry Reidy, was a co-director of a company called Blueberry Cottons Ltd along with Oliver Byrne. Barry Reidy has also been a director of Revlin Property Ltd. Keeney Properties Ireland Ltd also holds a one-eighth share in the same lands at Revlin and also 15 ordinary shares, (an identical holding to John Reidy) in Revlin Property Ltd.
In an interview with the Sunday Independent, Danny Keeney, a former Donegal Emigrant of the Year and a self-made multimillionaire who started his career working on building sites in Germany, defended his right to object to planning permission.
"Over the past few years we in Keeney Construction have faced 25 objections to An Bord Pleanala against developments. I didn't see any silent protests or meetings about that," he said, adding that his objection to the Kelly plan was extremely detailed and could be viewed online. He said that extra traffic congestion was the central reason for objecting. He admitted he was concerned that extra traffic could impact on the "integrity" of his proposed development on the Magee lands.
"An Bord Pleanala is an independent body and will make its decision based on sound planning," he added.
"There is another detailed objection. It is not just us who are objecting," he added. Asked if he knew the other objector, Oliver Byrne, Mr Keeney said: "I do not know him."
Mr Byrne did not return phone calls.
Meanwhile, Ernan McGettigan says local people are fed up to the back teeth with delay after delay in getting retail developments off the ground.
"Not a brick has been laid in seven years. It is a scandal that an entire town is dying on its feet. Donegal town will be left behind while Ballyshannon and Dungloe thrive and Letterkenny thrives. We are fighting for the life of this town," he added.
Sunday Independent
The protest flies in the face of other urban centres around the country, where ordinary residents' groups often actively campaign against yet another new retail development, rather than lobby for more shops, apartments and car parks.
However, Donegal is crying out for commercial and residential construction to breathe life into a town that has been left behind by the Celtic Tiger.
For more than 40,000 people in the northwest, Donegal is the natural commercial hub and market centre and a designated "tier 2" area in the Retail Planning Strategy 2000.
But according to its mayor, Ernan McGettigan, the town is stagnating.
He says Donegal is still reeling from the recent loss of 650 jobs at Hospira and Magees. "Now the town is standing still. If something isn't done to stop this madness, Donegal town will be dead as a commercial entity," he said.
While Letterkenny is the fastest-growing rural town in Europe, Donegal has been virtually undeveloped for nearly a decade.
Since 2001, ambitious plans for retail schemes capable of providing both jobs and a commercial kick-start have been stymied by objections to An Bord Pleanala - made by rival developers, or individuals with links to the owners of other potential development sites in the town.
In the latest twist in a long-running saga, local builders Michael Kelly Snr and Jnr were given permission by Donegal County Council to build a €40m mixed-use development near the centre.
The development proposal includes a major retail anchor tenant, a multi-screen cinema, business units, extra parking spaces, office suites, cafes and 52 apartments overlooking Donegal Bay.
Construction was due to begin by the end of the year and would have provided 50 jobs during construction and employment for another 150 people in the finished development. But the Sunday Independent has learned that An Bord Pleanala has received two detailed objections to the Kelly plan.
One is from rival London-based developer Danny Keeney, of Keeney Construction, who heads up a consortium that controls the old Magee factory in the town and who was recently granted permission for a €100m project on that site.
Mr Keeney's firm has a history of objecting to other developments in Donegal town. Applications from Bennett Construction for a Dunnes Stores anchored development was objected to by Tesco (Ireland) with Keeney Construction Limited as an observer. Permission was refused.
Another application, for the construction of an Atlantic Homecare, was also refused by An Bord Pleanala. Keeney Construction Limited was the sole objector.
In another objection by Keeney Construction - to proposed altered ground gradients in and around the River Eske - the company expressed its desire to protect the freshwater-pearl mussel population and to "ensure that this animal can once again breed in the waters upstream from Donegal town".
The second objection to the latest Kelly plan for Donegal town centre is from a Portmarnock resident, Oliver Byrne, who has also objected in the past to other developments in Donegal town.
The Sunday Independent has learned that Mr Byrne has a connection with the principals behind other development lands in Donegal town.
The connection is this. A Kildare solicitor, John Reidy, holds a one-eighth share in development lands at Revlin outside Donegal town, along with Danny Keeney and others. John Reidy is also a director of Revlin Property Ltd.
John Reidy's son, Barry Reidy, was a co-director of a company called Blueberry Cottons Ltd along with Oliver Byrne. Barry Reidy has also been a director of Revlin Property Ltd. Keeney Properties Ireland Ltd also holds a one-eighth share in the same lands at Revlin and also 15 ordinary shares, (an identical holding to John Reidy) in Revlin Property Ltd.
In an interview with the Sunday Independent, Danny Keeney, a former Donegal Emigrant of the Year and a self-made multimillionaire who started his career working on building sites in Germany, defended his right to object to planning permission.
"Over the past few years we in Keeney Construction have faced 25 objections to An Bord Pleanala against developments. I didn't see any silent protests or meetings about that," he said, adding that his objection to the Kelly plan was extremely detailed and could be viewed online. He said that extra traffic congestion was the central reason for objecting. He admitted he was concerned that extra traffic could impact on the "integrity" of his proposed development on the Magee lands.
"An Bord Pleanala is an independent body and will make its decision based on sound planning," he added.
"There is another detailed objection. It is not just us who are objecting," he added. Asked if he knew the other objector, Oliver Byrne, Mr Keeney said: "I do not know him."
Mr Byrne did not return phone calls.
Meanwhile, Ernan McGettigan says local people are fed up to the back teeth with delay after delay in getting retail developments off the ground.
"Not a brick has been laid in seven years. It is a scandal that an entire town is dying on its feet. Donegal town will be left behind while Ballyshannon and Dungloe thrive and Letterkenny thrives. We are fighting for the life of this town," he added.
Sunday Independent
Inner city motorists face bigger fuel bill
MOTORISTS in the inner cities are facing a growing shortage of petrol stations, leading to fears they could be forced to pay over the odds for fuel.
Developers are snapping up city petrol stations so they can build houses on the plots, leading to a shortage of garages and reduced competition.
Now AA Ireland, which campaigns for motorists, is concerned that a lack of competition in urban areas is affecting consumer choice.
“This is a growing concern of ours and the lack of competition is not good for motorists,” said AA Ireland spokesman Conor Faughnan.
“It’s difficult to say with any accuracy if urban motorists are having to pay more for fuel but choice is diminishing and that’s not a good thing.”
City petrol stations are closing because the owners can make more money from selling the land to developers than from selling petrol on tight profit margins, he said.
The average price of a litre of unleaded petrol is now 115.9c while diesel is 108.5c, according to the AA Ireland’s latest survey of prices at the pump.
Yet motorists nationwide can find petrol as low as 110.9c and as high as 120.9c as fuel prices have been unregulated in Ireland since 1993.
Mr Faughnan said: “Prices will vary by around 10c and we’re not too concerned about that as long as the consumer has choice.
“But with relatively few service stations in urban areas there is no incentive (for stations to compete) and that has a negative effect on prices and the consumer’s ability to shop around.”
Based on the AA’s average petrol prices, a family will spend around 173.85 a month on a typical saloon car.
By using the cheapest stations they could cut that bill to 166.35, a saving of 7.50 a month or 90 a year.
But by filling up at the costliest stations they would pay 181.35, which works out at 15 a month or 180 annually more expensive than the best deals.
Now AA Ireland is advising drivers to beat high prices by planning ahead when buying fuel and ensuring they never run low.
Motorists are advised to get to know the locations of the cheapest garages and fill up in advance as the lack of stations in urban areas could leave drivers stranded or out of pocket.
“Rather than waiting for the tank to run low and then have to fill up at an expensive place it makes more sense to plan your petrol and buy early if you can,” he said.
One solution to the disappearance of urban filling stations could be the introduction of unmanned self-service pumps as used in France.
At the fuel stops, which have just one or two pumps and take up less space, drivers fill up their cars, pay by bank card and then drive off.
Irish Examiner
Developers are snapping up city petrol stations so they can build houses on the plots, leading to a shortage of garages and reduced competition.
Now AA Ireland, which campaigns for motorists, is concerned that a lack of competition in urban areas is affecting consumer choice.
“This is a growing concern of ours and the lack of competition is not good for motorists,” said AA Ireland spokesman Conor Faughnan.
“It’s difficult to say with any accuracy if urban motorists are having to pay more for fuel but choice is diminishing and that’s not a good thing.”
City petrol stations are closing because the owners can make more money from selling the land to developers than from selling petrol on tight profit margins, he said.
The average price of a litre of unleaded petrol is now 115.9c while diesel is 108.5c, according to the AA Ireland’s latest survey of prices at the pump.
Yet motorists nationwide can find petrol as low as 110.9c and as high as 120.9c as fuel prices have been unregulated in Ireland since 1993.
Mr Faughnan said: “Prices will vary by around 10c and we’re not too concerned about that as long as the consumer has choice.
“But with relatively few service stations in urban areas there is no incentive (for stations to compete) and that has a negative effect on prices and the consumer’s ability to shop around.”
Based on the AA’s average petrol prices, a family will spend around 173.85 a month on a typical saloon car.
By using the cheapest stations they could cut that bill to 166.35, a saving of 7.50 a month or 90 a year.
But by filling up at the costliest stations they would pay 181.35, which works out at 15 a month or 180 annually more expensive than the best deals.
Now AA Ireland is advising drivers to beat high prices by planning ahead when buying fuel and ensuring they never run low.
Motorists are advised to get to know the locations of the cheapest garages and fill up in advance as the lack of stations in urban areas could leave drivers stranded or out of pocket.
“Rather than waiting for the tank to run low and then have to fill up at an expensive place it makes more sense to plan your petrol and buy early if you can,” he said.
One solution to the disappearance of urban filling stations could be the introduction of unmanned self-service pumps as used in France.
At the fuel stops, which have just one or two pumps and take up less space, drivers fill up their cars, pay by bank card and then drive off.
Irish Examiner
M3 protesters claim bones visible
Conservationists protesting at the site of the proposed M3 motorway in Co Meath yesterday claimed ancient gravestones have been dumped in piles of topsoil and bones were visible in excavated spoil from the route of the motorway.
The claims were rejected by the National Roads Authority (NRA).
Six conservationists, some of whom are part of a vigil camp near Dunshaughlin yesterday postponed their blockade of a construction compound, concentrating instead on a known ancient burial ground at Collierstown. A conservationist who did not want to be identified said she had been "trying for a week to get the NRA to do something about the gravestones".
She said human and animal bones have been identified at the Collierstown cemetery as part of the archaeological excavations. But she insisted that stones which had been used to line the graves were now visible piled in heaps beside hard core, in spoil and lying about exposed to the elements.
She also maintained "bones are visible in the topsoil, in spoil and around the graves. She said she had removed a number of bones to give to the National Museum.
However, the NRA chief archaeologist Mary Deevey said the claims represented typical "misinformation".
She said the excavation had identified the burial ground as far back as 2004 and excavations began in earnest in 2005. Some 50 burials had been
identified in circular enclosures. The entire site had been hand excavated and all human bones were removed. She said there were no headstones and the gravestones referred to by the conservationist would have been stones used to line the graves. While these were recorded through photography and drawing, and any decorated stones saved, "ordinary" stones were simply set aside if they were not wanted by the National Museum.
Regarding bones she said they were most likely animal bones. She maintained any field in Ireland would yield animal bones "But this site was excavated by hand. The human bones were removed. I think what the conservationist was seeing was simply animal bones."
Ms Deevey said the site was thought to be early Christian, dating from the sixth or seventh centuries and in use for about 150 years. "The burials were laid on their backs and aligned east- west, which suggests a Christian burial", she said.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
The claims were rejected by the National Roads Authority (NRA).
Six conservationists, some of whom are part of a vigil camp near Dunshaughlin yesterday postponed their blockade of a construction compound, concentrating instead on a known ancient burial ground at Collierstown. A conservationist who did not want to be identified said she had been "trying for a week to get the NRA to do something about the gravestones".
She said human and animal bones have been identified at the Collierstown cemetery as part of the archaeological excavations. But she insisted that stones which had been used to line the graves were now visible piled in heaps beside hard core, in spoil and lying about exposed to the elements.
She also maintained "bones are visible in the topsoil, in spoil and around the graves. She said she had removed a number of bones to give to the National Museum.
However, the NRA chief archaeologist Mary Deevey said the claims represented typical "misinformation".
She said the excavation had identified the burial ground as far back as 2004 and excavations began in earnest in 2005. Some 50 burials had been
identified in circular enclosures. The entire site had been hand excavated and all human bones were removed. She said there were no headstones and the gravestones referred to by the conservationist would have been stones used to line the graves. While these were recorded through photography and drawing, and any decorated stones saved, "ordinary" stones were simply set aside if they were not wanted by the National Museum.
Regarding bones she said they were most likely animal bones. She maintained any field in Ireland would yield animal bones "But this site was excavated by hand. The human bones were removed. I think what the conservationist was seeing was simply animal bones."
Ms Deevey said the site was thought to be early Christian, dating from the sixth or seventh centuries and in use for about 150 years. "The burials were laid on their backs and aligned east- west, which suggests a Christian burial", she said.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Bronze Age burial urn unearthed in test dig
A BURIAL urn dating back to 1700 B.C. and containing the cremated remains of at least an adult and one young person, has been recovered during archaeological test excavations at the Airport Road Realignment at Monamintra crossroads a short distance from the city.
The early Bronze Age collared urn was uncovered on Wednesday last by archaeologist Orla Scully as she carried out archaeological test excavations on behalf of Waterford Co. Council.
The area of the find was highlighted by previous non-intrusive archaeological investigations as a location of archaeological potential.
The burial consists of a circular bowl shaped pit approximately 85cm in diameter and 45cm in depth, the bottom of which was lined with stones. The collared urn, approximately 35cm in height and 34cm in maximum width, contained the cremated remains of at least two individuals.
Originally the urn would have been slightly taller but the base has been damaged. Its collar is decorated by two bands of criss-cross motifs separated by a series of lines encir-cling the entire circumference of the urn.
The urn was inverted with the remains inside and placed on a stone lining within the pit. A layer of charcoal rich soil, possibly pyre material, was placed around the urn to a depth of approximately 10-15cm and then the remaining burial pit was filled with redeposited subsoil.
The urn is now with an archaeological conservator. As a result of the find, additional test trenches will be dug by Orla Scully to establish the extent of the site.
A full topsoil strip will be carried out at the location prior to the construction of the airport road.
Marion O’Mara
© Waterford News and Star
The early Bronze Age collared urn was uncovered on Wednesday last by archaeologist Orla Scully as she carried out archaeological test excavations on behalf of Waterford Co. Council.
The area of the find was highlighted by previous non-intrusive archaeological investigations as a location of archaeological potential.
The burial consists of a circular bowl shaped pit approximately 85cm in diameter and 45cm in depth, the bottom of which was lined with stones. The collared urn, approximately 35cm in height and 34cm in maximum width, contained the cremated remains of at least two individuals.
Originally the urn would have been slightly taller but the base has been damaged. Its collar is decorated by two bands of criss-cross motifs separated by a series of lines encir-cling the entire circumference of the urn.
The urn was inverted with the remains inside and placed on a stone lining within the pit. A layer of charcoal rich soil, possibly pyre material, was placed around the urn to a depth of approximately 10-15cm and then the remaining burial pit was filled with redeposited subsoil.
The urn is now with an archaeological conservator. As a result of the find, additional test trenches will be dug by Orla Scully to establish the extent of the site.
A full topsoil strip will be carried out at the location prior to the construction of the airport road.
Marion O’Mara
© Waterford News and Star
Concern at Annabella housing decision
MAJOR concern has been expressed by residents in Mallow that a large development in the town could set a negative precendent for future plans. The decision by An Bord Pleanala to grant permission for 104 residential units at
Annabella Park, despite objections from residents, has led town councillors to call for more authority in planning decisions.
Meanwhile, planning appeals ahave been lodge with An Bord regarding Castlelands Construction plans for 422 dwelling, also in Annabella.
IN Annabella Park, Canonbridge Ltd have been granted planning permission to build 104 dwellings, including three apartment blocks containing 26 apartments and a children’s play area.
The major concern voiced by residents is that the development is too big for the current infrastructure. A key part of the appeal was in relation to the inadequacy of the road network.
Mayor of Mallow Jerry Mullaly has voiced his deep concern about the road network in the area.
“I thought that there would be no further development until the roads were improved. This development will make the traffic situation worse,” said Mayor Mullally.
The frustration at the Canonbridge development has now escalated in the light of planning being sought for 30 apartments in Kennell Hill, Mallow.
Cllr Sean Sherlock voiced outrage at last Tuesday’s town council meeting that planning is being sought to knock a dwelling house at Springwood, and construct 30 apartments.
“A monstrosity like this is incongruous to a well established area of Mallow,’ said Cllr Sherlock.
Louise McCarthy
© The Corkman
Annabella Park, despite objections from residents, has led town councillors to call for more authority in planning decisions.
Meanwhile, planning appeals ahave been lodge with An Bord regarding Castlelands Construction plans for 422 dwelling, also in Annabella.
IN Annabella Park, Canonbridge Ltd have been granted planning permission to build 104 dwellings, including three apartment blocks containing 26 apartments and a children’s play area.
The major concern voiced by residents is that the development is too big for the current infrastructure. A key part of the appeal was in relation to the inadequacy of the road network.
Mayor of Mallow Jerry Mullaly has voiced his deep concern about the road network in the area.
“I thought that there would be no further development until the roads were improved. This development will make the traffic situation worse,” said Mayor Mullally.
The frustration at the Canonbridge development has now escalated in the light of planning being sought for 30 apartments in Kennell Hill, Mallow.
Cllr Sean Sherlock voiced outrage at last Tuesday’s town council meeting that planning is being sought to knock a dwelling house at Springwood, and construct 30 apartments.
“A monstrosity like this is incongruous to a well established area of Mallow,’ said Cllr Sherlock.
Louise McCarthy
© The Corkman
150 protest over housing development
Close to 150 people attended a protest meeting in a small town in Co Cork yesterday aimed at stopping a planned housing development which villagers claim will inhibit future expansion of their national school.
Members of Cloughduv National School Parents' Association say that the school, which was opened in 1995, will be turned into a "prefab slum" if developer Owen O'Callaghan is allowed to go ahead with plans to construct 120 houses around the facility.
The chairwoman of Cloughduv NS, Dr Mary Groarke, insists the land surrounding the primary school should never have been zoned for residential development as it will be needed for continued expansion of the school.
The school has 159 pupils at present but Dr Groarke says that projected population growth in the area means that in a few years up to 2½ times that number could be enrolled.
She says that the school needs room to expand in order to avert a crisis in the provision of educational services in Cloughduv in future years.
"This school was a treasure that we fought hard to get. We don't want to end up with oversized classes, no play area and multiple prefabricated buildings," she said. Local people also wanted to ensure that their national school did not become "yet another symptom of a malfunctioning planning policy".
Dr Groarke points out that while the developer has to adhere to certain stipulations regarding water, sewerage, road infrastructure, local amenities and green areas, no obligations are in place to secure the educational facilities to service such new housing developments.
Last month, Cork County Council gave planning permission to Mr O'Callaghan when he modified his development after the council had received 56 objections to the application from parents, teachers, the school board of management, GPs and the local parish priest.
Villagers are adamant that the housing development will prevent the national school from being able to expand to meet the educational needs of Cloughduv's growing population.
Members of the parents' association say there are a number of developments at the planning application and appeal stage in Cloughduv and in the surrounding areas which will almost treble the number of schoolgoing children to 500 in the next 5-8 years.
A spokesman for Mr O'Callaghan said yesterday that the housing development was at an advanced stage of planning and it would be inappropriate to comment on the matter.
Olivia Kelleher
© 2007 The Irish Times
Members of Cloughduv National School Parents' Association say that the school, which was opened in 1995, will be turned into a "prefab slum" if developer Owen O'Callaghan is allowed to go ahead with plans to construct 120 houses around the facility.
The chairwoman of Cloughduv NS, Dr Mary Groarke, insists the land surrounding the primary school should never have been zoned for residential development as it will be needed for continued expansion of the school.
The school has 159 pupils at present but Dr Groarke says that projected population growth in the area means that in a few years up to 2½ times that number could be enrolled.
She says that the school needs room to expand in order to avert a crisis in the provision of educational services in Cloughduv in future years.
"This school was a treasure that we fought hard to get. We don't want to end up with oversized classes, no play area and multiple prefabricated buildings," she said. Local people also wanted to ensure that their national school did not become "yet another symptom of a malfunctioning planning policy".
Dr Groarke points out that while the developer has to adhere to certain stipulations regarding water, sewerage, road infrastructure, local amenities and green areas, no obligations are in place to secure the educational facilities to service such new housing developments.
Last month, Cork County Council gave planning permission to Mr O'Callaghan when he modified his development after the council had received 56 objections to the application from parents, teachers, the school board of management, GPs and the local parish priest.
Villagers are adamant that the housing development will prevent the national school from being able to expand to meet the educational needs of Cloughduv's growing population.
Members of the parents' association say there are a number of developments at the planning application and appeal stage in Cloughduv and in the surrounding areas which will almost treble the number of schoolgoing children to 500 in the next 5-8 years.
A spokesman for Mr O'Callaghan said yesterday that the housing development was at an advanced stage of planning and it would be inappropriate to comment on the matter.
Olivia Kelleher
© 2007 The Irish Times
Council secures order against quarry
Meath County Council yesterday secured an interim court order restricting the hours of operation and volume of material removed from a quarry near Slane.
Trim Circuit Court heard that the blasting, rock crushing, traffic, noise and dust from the quarry at Knockmooney, Slane, have made the lives of nearby residents a "living hell". The motion seeking the order was taken by the council against Patrick Shiels, the owner of the quarry.
Mr Shiels's barrister said more than 60 quarry employees had been put on protective notice.
Thomas Clarke, for the council, argued that the intensification of activity at the quarry, which began last year, was unauthorised and it was seeking an order restraining Mr Shiels from continuing with it.
Mr Clarke said that when Mr Shiels registered the quarry in 2004, he said it operated on an occasional basis and there would be from zero to 20 loads extracted a day, the court heard. However, in early 2006 the council began to receive complaints from residents and it was claimed there are now between 50 and 60 loads moved a day.
The council said the level of activity "is five times the average previously suggested" and the amount of materials extracted "is more than double that suggested". The council sent a warning letter and an enforcement notice last year and then began the legal proceedings.
Mr Clarke said he had a number of affidavits, including one from Robert Newman, who lives 300 metres from the quarry. He said his home changed from an "idyllic rural setting" to being a "living hell". His family could not use their back garden last summer because "of the horrendous noise, dust and emissions".
John Gibbons SC, for Mr Shiels, said it would be submitted that a document attached to the registration form for the quarry referred to up to 200 movements a day or 1,400 a week.
Judge Mary Flaherty said the concerns outlined should be dealt with as speedily as possible by replying affidavits and in the interim she imposed levels on the activities at the quarry based on the registration document.
She said the hours of operation were to be from 8am to 6pm and that traffic should not exceed 15 loads a day.
The matter is expected before the court again next month.
Elaine Keogh
© 2007 The Irish Times
Trim Circuit Court heard that the blasting, rock crushing, traffic, noise and dust from the quarry at Knockmooney, Slane, have made the lives of nearby residents a "living hell". The motion seeking the order was taken by the council against Patrick Shiels, the owner of the quarry.
Mr Shiels's barrister said more than 60 quarry employees had been put on protective notice.
Thomas Clarke, for the council, argued that the intensification of activity at the quarry, which began last year, was unauthorised and it was seeking an order restraining Mr Shiels from continuing with it.
Mr Clarke said that when Mr Shiels registered the quarry in 2004, he said it operated on an occasional basis and there would be from zero to 20 loads extracted a day, the court heard. However, in early 2006 the council began to receive complaints from residents and it was claimed there are now between 50 and 60 loads moved a day.
The council said the level of activity "is five times the average previously suggested" and the amount of materials extracted "is more than double that suggested". The council sent a warning letter and an enforcement notice last year and then began the legal proceedings.
Mr Clarke said he had a number of affidavits, including one from Robert Newman, who lives 300 metres from the quarry. He said his home changed from an "idyllic rural setting" to being a "living hell". His family could not use their back garden last summer because "of the horrendous noise, dust and emissions".
John Gibbons SC, for Mr Shiels, said it would be submitted that a document attached to the registration form for the quarry referred to up to 200 movements a day or 1,400 a week.
Judge Mary Flaherty said the concerns outlined should be dealt with as speedily as possible by replying affidavits and in the interim she imposed levels on the activities at the quarry based on the registration document.
She said the hours of operation were to be from 8am to 6pm and that traffic should not exceed 15 loads a day.
The matter is expected before the court again next month.
Elaine Keogh
© 2007 The Irish Times
Outcry over discharge of raw sewage into river
A poster protesting against the discharge of raw sewage into the Avoca river in Arklow, Co Wicklow, and the lack of any sewage treatment facilities for the town, has been placed in the middle of the river.
The poster erected by Independent town councillor Peter Dempsey, shows a cartoon figure sitting on a toilet alongside the words: "Cut the crap, stop the objections, Arklow needs its sewage plant now."
A sewage treatment facility was originally planned for the town 14 years ago, but its development has been held up because of objections to the council's site selection.
An Bord Pleanála finally granted permission for construction of the plant at Seabank, on the coast near Arklow town, in January 2005; however, the decision was appealed to the High Court by Arklow Holidays Ltd, a company that owns a caravan park at Seabank.
The case will come before the court again on July 10th and work cannot commence on the plant unless the court decides against the appellants.
Mr Dempsey said the delays were unacceptable. "While this is being dragged through the court, turds are running down the river less than 30ft from people's front doors," he said.
The smell from the river was particularly bad during the summer months, he said, in addition to the public health risks posed by raw sewage.
"The stink is absolutely vile. We're going to have a typhoid epidemic on our hands unless something is done about this."
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
The poster erected by Independent town councillor Peter Dempsey, shows a cartoon figure sitting on a toilet alongside the words: "Cut the crap, stop the objections, Arklow needs its sewage plant now."
A sewage treatment facility was originally planned for the town 14 years ago, but its development has been held up because of objections to the council's site selection.
An Bord Pleanála finally granted permission for construction of the plant at Seabank, on the coast near Arklow town, in January 2005; however, the decision was appealed to the High Court by Arklow Holidays Ltd, a company that owns a caravan park at Seabank.
The case will come before the court again on July 10th and work cannot commence on the plant unless the court decides against the appellants.
Mr Dempsey said the delays were unacceptable. "While this is being dragged through the court, turds are running down the river less than 30ft from people's front doors," he said.
The smell from the river was particularly bad during the summer months, he said, in addition to the public health risks posed by raw sewage.
"The stink is absolutely vile. We're going to have a typhoid epidemic on our hands unless something is done about this."
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
River Slaney development plans
THE DEVELOPMENT of the River Slanley was discussed in a well-attended public meeting in the Boat Club in Wexford last week.
The feeling from all of those present was that development of the River Slaney has fallen behind New Ross, Courtown, Arklow and Kilmore.
Lorcan Scott, Divisional Wildlife Conservation Officer for Wexford, spoke before the meeting convened and outlined the status of the river as a Special Area of Conservation under EU Law. He noted that development must not be at the cost of protected wild-life and fauna, and he voiced his concern about the effect of development on vulnerable eco-systems.
Despite Mr Scott’s concerns, everyone present was in agreement that development of the river and its environs is essential.
Colette Browne
© Wexford Echo
The feeling from all of those present was that development of the River Slaney has fallen behind New Ross, Courtown, Arklow and Kilmore.
Lorcan Scott, Divisional Wildlife Conservation Officer for Wexford, spoke before the meeting convened and outlined the status of the river as a Special Area of Conservation under EU Law. He noted that development must not be at the cost of protected wild-life and fauna, and he voiced his concern about the effect of development on vulnerable eco-systems.
Despite Mr Scott’s concerns, everyone present was in agreement that development of the river and its environs is essential.
Colette Browne
© Wexford Echo
Shellfish industry warns of rezoning threat
Ireland could be in breach of EU regulations on protecting water quality if coastal land is rezoned for development in the south Galway village of Clarinbridge.
The warning is from the Irish Shellfish Association (ISA), which has appealed for "common sense" to prevail among Galway county councillors, who meet to vote on Clarinbridge's local area plan next week.
Otherwise, the ISA believes Galway could lose its international reputation for oysters, as a €50 million local shellfish industry is put in jeopardy.
"Galway is already in the middle of an environmental crisis over drinking water quality, and we really don't want to lose Clarinbridge bay," Michael Egan, of the Clarinbridge Oyster Co-Op, has said.
ISA chief executive Richie Flynn says it fully supports the co-op's stance in seeking no further development in the area until a proper sewage treatment system is commissioned and installed. It also believes a permanent buffer zone on the eastern, northern and southern shores of the bay must be secured.
Clarinbridge oysters still maintain class A quality status, but if waters are polluted and oysters are relegated to grade B status, it would have an "immediate catastrophic effect" on the historic fishery - and on the annual oyster festival - both the ISA and co-op point out. The oyster co-op supplies top quality shellfish to France, and some of its less active members are seeking to return to coastal cultivation due to a slowdown in the construction industry, Mr Egan points out.
Galway county councillors are due to vote early next week on 17 material alterations to the Clarinbridge local area plan, and the Clarinbridge Community Development Association believes the net effect would be to zone an additional 115 acres of land over and above an undeveloped 93 acres already zoned in the draft plan.
Lorna Siggins
© 2007 The Irish Times
The warning is from the Irish Shellfish Association (ISA), which has appealed for "common sense" to prevail among Galway county councillors, who meet to vote on Clarinbridge's local area plan next week.
Otherwise, the ISA believes Galway could lose its international reputation for oysters, as a €50 million local shellfish industry is put in jeopardy.
"Galway is already in the middle of an environmental crisis over drinking water quality, and we really don't want to lose Clarinbridge bay," Michael Egan, of the Clarinbridge Oyster Co-Op, has said.
ISA chief executive Richie Flynn says it fully supports the co-op's stance in seeking no further development in the area until a proper sewage treatment system is commissioned and installed. It also believes a permanent buffer zone on the eastern, northern and southern shores of the bay must be secured.
Clarinbridge oysters still maintain class A quality status, but if waters are polluted and oysters are relegated to grade B status, it would have an "immediate catastrophic effect" on the historic fishery - and on the annual oyster festival - both the ISA and co-op point out. The oyster co-op supplies top quality shellfish to France, and some of its less active members are seeking to return to coastal cultivation due to a slowdown in the construction industry, Mr Egan points out.
Galway county councillors are due to vote early next week on 17 material alterations to the Clarinbridge local area plan, and the Clarinbridge Community Development Association believes the net effect would be to zone an additional 115 acres of land over and above an undeveloped 93 acres already zoned in the draft plan.
Lorna Siggins
© 2007 The Irish Times
Group opposes Dublin water project
Campaigners are to step up their protest against proposals by Dublin City Council to draw water from the Shannon.
The Shannon Protection Alliance (SPA) is planning a poster campaign next month in the Lough Ree area in opposition to any attempt by the council to pump water from the lake to Dublin, a distance of 107 kilometres.
Dublin City Council is currently considering either pumping water from the Shannon or a desalination programme using water from Dublin Bay in response to an expected shortage in the next decade. It maintains that these are the only viable options to cope with demand for water in the coming decades.
The council estimates that the population of the greater Dublin area will reach 2.2 million within a decade and 350 million extra litres of water a day will be needed.
The alliance, which involves fishermen, guest-house owners and cruise hire companies, said it has extracted promises from all the candidates standing in the Westmeath-Longford constituency that they will oppose any attempt to extract water from the lake.
Alliance spokesman Michael Barrett, who owns the Lakeside Marina on the shores of Lough Ree, said they are fearful that the proposal will lead to dangerous water levels in the years ahead.
"For the last three years, we've been down to the minimum water levels in July, August and September, barely enabling boats to cruise or to allow Lough Ree to function as a tourist lake.
Dublin City Council deputy engineer Tom Leahy said the cost of either the Shannon or desalination options would be about €600 million at current prices, but the operating costs of desalination at approximately €100 million a year would be four times that of taking water from the Shannon.
He said the amount of water involved would be equal to only 2 per cent of the volume of water in the Shannon in a given year.
Ronan McGreevy
© 2007 The Irish Times
The Shannon Protection Alliance (SPA) is planning a poster campaign next month in the Lough Ree area in opposition to any attempt by the council to pump water from the lake to Dublin, a distance of 107 kilometres.
Dublin City Council is currently considering either pumping water from the Shannon or a desalination programme using water from Dublin Bay in response to an expected shortage in the next decade. It maintains that these are the only viable options to cope with demand for water in the coming decades.
The council estimates that the population of the greater Dublin area will reach 2.2 million within a decade and 350 million extra litres of water a day will be needed.
The alliance, which involves fishermen, guest-house owners and cruise hire companies, said it has extracted promises from all the candidates standing in the Westmeath-Longford constituency that they will oppose any attempt to extract water from the lake.
Alliance spokesman Michael Barrett, who owns the Lakeside Marina on the shores of Lough Ree, said they are fearful that the proposal will lead to dangerous water levels in the years ahead.
"For the last three years, we've been down to the minimum water levels in July, August and September, barely enabling boats to cruise or to allow Lough Ree to function as a tourist lake.
Dublin City Council deputy engineer Tom Leahy said the cost of either the Shannon or desalination options would be about €600 million at current prices, but the operating costs of desalination at approximately €100 million a year would be four times that of taking water from the Shannon.
He said the amount of water involved would be equal to only 2 per cent of the volume of water in the Shannon in a given year.
Ronan McGreevy
© 2007 The Irish Times
Fun back on the beach as council lifts by-law bans
SINGING on a beach in Kerry will no longer have the potential for breaking the law - unless it is very out of tune.
And the simple act of barbecuing will not need a permit under new amended beach laws adopted by Kerry County Council.
Two years ago the by-laws which promised to clamp down on anything considered "a nuisance" and which outlawed a range of activities without a permit provoked a storm of protest.
Now, following public consultation, the council has amended the laws governing Kerry's 13 blue flag beaches and dozens of smaller beaches.
Horses are still banned from most fragile dune systems, as are illegal dumping and off-road vehicles, as well as water craft in areas where bathers frequent.
There is a clampdown, too, on unauthorised caravans, and a new beach warden is to take up duty shortly. Rangers and officers from the OPW will have powers to enforce the by-laws along with Gardai and the warden.
Football and regatta and community club barbecues will no longer need a permit from the county council after an amendment.
Cllr Paul O'Donoghue FF has welcomed the more sensible approach being adopted by the council.
He led the protest against the by-laws, describing them as "draconian" and as "the nanny state gone too far".
© Irish Independent
And the simple act of barbecuing will not need a permit under new amended beach laws adopted by Kerry County Council.
Two years ago the by-laws which promised to clamp down on anything considered "a nuisance" and which outlawed a range of activities without a permit provoked a storm of protest.
Now, following public consultation, the council has amended the laws governing Kerry's 13 blue flag beaches and dozens of smaller beaches.
Horses are still banned from most fragile dune systems, as are illegal dumping and off-road vehicles, as well as water craft in areas where bathers frequent.
There is a clampdown, too, on unauthorised caravans, and a new beach warden is to take up duty shortly. Rangers and officers from the OPW will have powers to enforce the by-laws along with Gardai and the warden.
Football and regatta and community club barbecues will no longer need a permit from the county council after an amendment.
Cllr Paul O'Donoghue FF has welcomed the more sensible approach being adopted by the council.
He led the protest against the by-laws, describing them as "draconian" and as "the nanny state gone too far".
© Irish Independent
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Three-bed Martello to fetch €1.5m
POLITICAL party canvassers didn’t make it to the door of this unusual home, a rounded Martello tower with the ‘For Sale’ boards going up, just as the election posters come down.
Built in the early 1800s to keep military and naval marauders, as well as the French forces of the politically astute Napoleon Bonaparte out, this Irish Martello tower is now inviting people in. If they have €1.5 million or more to hand to breach its defences, that is.
With walls 9’ thick, of stone and brick, it is literally bomb-proof: in fact, back during the War of Independence its stored munitions went up with a bang. The internal walls came down, but the rest stood steady.
Bunker-like in its character and fortitude, it has now been made over into a fairly spectacular home which doesn’t quite fit the usual property description boxes.
Ironically, this ‘three-bed detached’ hits the market today as a national conference, des/Ire, at the National Sculpture Factory in Cork explores the limited range of housing options open to most house hunters.
U2 singer Bono had his spell in a Martello tower, and the James Joyce museum in Dublin’s Sandymount is housed in another, while several more around the coastline are also in domestic usage.
This island tower been fully renovated by a couple who have worked on lots of older properties, none until now as distinctive as this spot by Belvelly bridge, beside Fota Island on the way to Cobh, They are selling up to restore an inland riverside castle.
Selling agents are Sherry FitzGerald in Cork City, who say a buyer can come from literally anywhere in the world for such a show-off, one-off (speaking of which, Michael Flatley’s architect Peter Inston owns the ruined Belvelly castle across the road from this Martello tower). Viewing is by appointment only, don’t try coming by boat, with guns blazing. . .
Irish Examiner
Built in the early 1800s to keep military and naval marauders, as well as the French forces of the politically astute Napoleon Bonaparte out, this Irish Martello tower is now inviting people in. If they have €1.5 million or more to hand to breach its defences, that is.
With walls 9’ thick, of stone and brick, it is literally bomb-proof: in fact, back during the War of Independence its stored munitions went up with a bang. The internal walls came down, but the rest stood steady.
Bunker-like in its character and fortitude, it has now been made over into a fairly spectacular home which doesn’t quite fit the usual property description boxes.
Ironically, this ‘three-bed detached’ hits the market today as a national conference, des/Ire, at the National Sculpture Factory in Cork explores the limited range of housing options open to most house hunters.
U2 singer Bono had his spell in a Martello tower, and the James Joyce museum in Dublin’s Sandymount is housed in another, while several more around the coastline are also in domestic usage.
This island tower been fully renovated by a couple who have worked on lots of older properties, none until now as distinctive as this spot by Belvelly bridge, beside Fota Island on the way to Cobh, They are selling up to restore an inland riverside castle.
Selling agents are Sherry FitzGerald in Cork City, who say a buyer can come from literally anywhere in the world for such a show-off, one-off (speaking of which, Michael Flatley’s architect Peter Inston owns the ruined Belvelly castle across the road from this Martello tower). Viewing is by appointment only, don’t try coming by boat, with guns blazing. . .
Irish Examiner
Dunne hit with another blow to building plans
DEVELOPER Sean Dunne has been hit with another blow to his plans to build homes in leafy Dublin 4.
An Bord Pleanala yesterday refused permission to the Carlow businessman to build houses off Serpentine Avenue in Ballsbridge. It is the second time in recent weeks Mr Dunne has been set back in relation to a number of planned developments he has for the country's most expensive suburb.
Just last week, city councillors rejected a plan which would have allowed him build a 32-storey high-rise apartment and hotel complex on the Jury's Hotel/Berkeley Court site, which he bought for a reported €380m in 2005.
Interfere
Yesterday, An Bord Pleanala rejected an appeal from the 52-year-old businessman seeking permission to build four three-bedroom semi-detached houses on a site behind Serpentine Avenue.
The application, lodged in the name of Mr Dunne, his wife Gayle and children Steven, Elaine and John, was rejected by Dublin City Council last December as it would involve overdevelopment of the site.
The council also ruled that it would impact on neighbouring properties because of overshadowing, and there was not enough open space included.
The grounds for refusal in Mr Dunne's appeal were the same as those handed down by the council, but it also ruled that the proposal could interfere with the width of a laneway at the rear of the site.
"The proposed development would be contrary to the sustainable development of the area," its inspector noted.
Now Mr Dunne finds himself sitting on a large land bank in Dublin 4 with no guarantee he can make a return from it.
On May 15 last, city councillors rejected a draft area plan for Ballsbridge which would have allowed high-rise development in the area. But the decision might yet be overturned as the decision to accept or reject an area plan must be made by a full council meeting.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
An Bord Pleanala yesterday refused permission to the Carlow businessman to build houses off Serpentine Avenue in Ballsbridge. It is the second time in recent weeks Mr Dunne has been set back in relation to a number of planned developments he has for the country's most expensive suburb.
Just last week, city councillors rejected a plan which would have allowed him build a 32-storey high-rise apartment and hotel complex on the Jury's Hotel/Berkeley Court site, which he bought for a reported €380m in 2005.
Interfere
Yesterday, An Bord Pleanala rejected an appeal from the 52-year-old businessman seeking permission to build four three-bedroom semi-detached houses on a site behind Serpentine Avenue.
The application, lodged in the name of Mr Dunne, his wife Gayle and children Steven, Elaine and John, was rejected by Dublin City Council last December as it would involve overdevelopment of the site.
The council also ruled that it would impact on neighbouring properties because of overshadowing, and there was not enough open space included.
The grounds for refusal in Mr Dunne's appeal were the same as those handed down by the council, but it also ruled that the proposal could interfere with the width of a laneway at the rear of the site.
"The proposed development would be contrary to the sustainable development of the area," its inspector noted.
Now Mr Dunne finds himself sitting on a large land bank in Dublin 4 with no guarantee he can make a return from it.
On May 15 last, city councillors rejected a draft area plan for Ballsbridge which would have allowed high-rise development in the area. But the decision might yet be overturned as the decision to accept or reject an area plan must be made by a full council meeting.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
Tara protesters block depot to halt road works
OPPONENTS of the M3 motorway in Co Meath continued their protest yesterday with a day-long stand-off at a depot near Dunshaughlin.
Up to 10 protesters stopped construction machinery from leaving a depot at Cookstown to prevent further works being carried out on the controversial 60km motorway being built through the Tara/Skryne Valley.
Yesterday, Fine Gael released a statement saying it would re-route the road away from the Hill of Tara if the National Museum recommended it.
It emerged last month that a prehistoric ritual site, deemed to be a national monument, had been discovered on the route at Lismullin, but a decision has yet to be made to destroy it or leave it in place.
Transport spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said that while the party supported the €850m motorway, no national monuments should be destroyed during its construction.
"Fine Gael supports the development of the M3, given that the existing road is overcapacity, causes significant congestion and affects the quality of life of those who rely on it each day," she said.
Gardai were called to Dunshaughlin yesterday as protesters spent their second day trying to stop work on the motorway by preventing machinery from leaving the depot which is situated a kilometre from Dunshaughlin.
There were some scuffles between demonstrators and construction workers, but no arrests were made.
"We started a peaceful protest," one protester Debbie Reilly said.
"Gardai told me I wasn't in breach of the peace so I could continue my protest.
"Gardai told the workers they couldn't do anything because we weren't breaking the law." Contractors Siac Ferrovial were not available for comment.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Up to 10 protesters stopped construction machinery from leaving a depot at Cookstown to prevent further works being carried out on the controversial 60km motorway being built through the Tara/Skryne Valley.
Yesterday, Fine Gael released a statement saying it would re-route the road away from the Hill of Tara if the National Museum recommended it.
It emerged last month that a prehistoric ritual site, deemed to be a national monument, had been discovered on the route at Lismullin, but a decision has yet to be made to destroy it or leave it in place.
Transport spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said that while the party supported the €850m motorway, no national monuments should be destroyed during its construction.
"Fine Gael supports the development of the M3, given that the existing road is overcapacity, causes significant congestion and affects the quality of life of those who rely on it each day," she said.
Gardai were called to Dunshaughlin yesterday as protesters spent their second day trying to stop work on the motorway by preventing machinery from leaving the depot which is situated a kilometre from Dunshaughlin.
There were some scuffles between demonstrators and construction workers, but no arrests were made.
"We started a peaceful protest," one protester Debbie Reilly said.
"Gardai told me I wasn't in breach of the peace so I could continue my protest.
"Gardai told the workers they couldn't do anything because we weren't breaking the law." Contractors Siac Ferrovial were not available for comment.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Wildlife holds up work on bridge in Mountmelllick
BATS, snails, mussels, salmon and crayfish are hindering works planned for the Convent Bridge in Mountmellick.
Ciara Flynn, district consultant officer of the National Parks and Wildlife Services cautioned Mountmellick councillors to carry out an ecology study of the area before any work starts.
A committee in the town had drawn up plans to clean around the bridge and also intended to rock armour the base of the structure.
She said the River Owenass, which flows beneath the bridge, has an abundance of flora and fauna.
She mentioned such creatures as freshwater crayfish, salmon, lamprey, marsh snails, otters and pearl mussels living off the flora along the riverbank.
She also said Daubenton's bats, commonly known as water bats, have also been seen skimming the waters and may live in the crevices under the bridge.
She said the plans by the local group as they stand at present would not get approval to proceed.
Cllr Bobby Delaney was none to happy with the news. “There’s a lot of questions being asked why we can’t do the work. The way it is at the moment it’s just weeds, weeds, weeds. It looks appalling. We want to change the banks in that area. Ger Lynch (a member of the local committee) is our expert in the fishing area. We have plans drawn up. All we want to do is to clean up that area.”
Cathaoirleach of the council Cllr Marc Connolly said the bridge at Smithsfield had rock armour but Ms Flynn said that work was done without any consultation with her office. “The maintenance programme for the riverbank is not an issue. The issue is with rock armouring the banks,” she said.
Cllr Helen Hanson said the main concern of the committee was the appearance around the bridge. “Money is sitting there for the work and we’re anxious to carry out the improvement works. We’re only talking about a small section,” she said.
Ms Flynn asked: “Has the bridge ever been surveyed for bats?” Cllr Hanson said: “This thing is bigger than us.”
Cllr Delaney said: “People are coming to us asking us why can’t we do something about the bridge.” Ms Flynn said: “You could plant a few trees and carry out remedial work.”
Cllr Gormley said: “We never intended to meddle with the bridge. It’s very unsightly and embarrassing coming into town. I can’t see any problem lighting up the bridge.”
Ms Flynn said the lighting would need to be directed away from the bridge so as not to disturb the bats. She also cautioned: “If you don’t have vegetation on the river, bats wouldn’t get insects.”
Cllr Hanson proposed the committee should get together with Ms Flynn to discuss what can and can’t be done. “We haven’t moved one inch on this in two years. We should try to move this on.”
Joe Barrett
© Laois Nationalist
Ciara Flynn, district consultant officer of the National Parks and Wildlife Services cautioned Mountmellick councillors to carry out an ecology study of the area before any work starts.
A committee in the town had drawn up plans to clean around the bridge and also intended to rock armour the base of the structure.
She said the River Owenass, which flows beneath the bridge, has an abundance of flora and fauna.
She mentioned such creatures as freshwater crayfish, salmon, lamprey, marsh snails, otters and pearl mussels living off the flora along the riverbank.
She also said Daubenton's bats, commonly known as water bats, have also been seen skimming the waters and may live in the crevices under the bridge.
She said the plans by the local group as they stand at present would not get approval to proceed.
Cllr Bobby Delaney was none to happy with the news. “There’s a lot of questions being asked why we can’t do the work. The way it is at the moment it’s just weeds, weeds, weeds. It looks appalling. We want to change the banks in that area. Ger Lynch (a member of the local committee) is our expert in the fishing area. We have plans drawn up. All we want to do is to clean up that area.”
Cathaoirleach of the council Cllr Marc Connolly said the bridge at Smithsfield had rock armour but Ms Flynn said that work was done without any consultation with her office. “The maintenance programme for the riverbank is not an issue. The issue is with rock armouring the banks,” she said.
Cllr Helen Hanson said the main concern of the committee was the appearance around the bridge. “Money is sitting there for the work and we’re anxious to carry out the improvement works. We’re only talking about a small section,” she said.
Ms Flynn asked: “Has the bridge ever been surveyed for bats?” Cllr Hanson said: “This thing is bigger than us.”
Cllr Delaney said: “People are coming to us asking us why can’t we do something about the bridge.” Ms Flynn said: “You could plant a few trees and carry out remedial work.”
Cllr Gormley said: “We never intended to meddle with the bridge. It’s very unsightly and embarrassing coming into town. I can’t see any problem lighting up the bridge.”
Ms Flynn said the lighting would need to be directed away from the bridge so as not to disturb the bats. She also cautioned: “If you don’t have vegetation on the river, bats wouldn’t get insects.”
Cllr Hanson proposed the committee should get together with Ms Flynn to discuss what can and can’t be done. “We haven’t moved one inch on this in two years. We should try to move this on.”
Joe Barrett
© Laois Nationalist
Plan to protect Dublin's plants and animals
Developers in Dublin will be required to maintain the diversity of plant and animal life in the sites they build on, under a new biodiversity plan for the city.
The Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan also suggests incentives for developers who take steps to ensure that plant and animal life is maintained and enhanced when they construct new buildings.
The four-year plan, which aims to protect the city's natural heritage and minimise the loss of biodiversity, also calls on Dubliners to play their part in encouraging plant and animal life.
"Halting the loss of biodiversity is a significant challenge for all of us and requires urgent and informed action," says Dublin city manager John Tierney. Among the threats identified are the loss of habitats, their fragmentation and the arrival of invasive species that quickly take over spaces previously occupied by a native species.
About 25 per cent of Dublin's land area is in private gardens, a mapping project carried out for the plan has established. The plan says this is a considerable resource that can add to the city's natural heritage by providing cover, feeding and commuting routes for hedgehogs, badgers, breeding birds and other wildlife.
Gardeners can help by providing berry-bearing and flowering plants; for example, rowan and cherry trees and the humble dandelion can give food and/or shelter to a wide range of animals. Providing ponds is another way of boosting biodiversity for frogs, water beetles, pond snails and dragonflies, and neutering cats, and putting bells on their collars, helps urban birds.
Increased biodiversity can help Dublin cope with the effects of climate change, the plan suggests. Biodiversity can make the city more carbon neutral as vegetation absorbs CO2. To cope with extreme weather, soft landscaping and green roofs will reduce run-off and help avoid flooding. Green spaces and mature planting can help counteract the danger of overheating in areas with a high proportion of concrete.
The plan highlights the rich variety of animal life already in the city. Some 33 different species of wild bird live in Dublin Bay and there is an average of one fox family per square kilometre of the city. Foxes breed in Merrion Square and in gardens adjacent to St Stephen's Green.
Other species present in Dublin are seven types of bat, seals, otters, badgers, hares rabbits, dolphins and whales.
Areas listed for special conservation or protection include Dublin Bay, North Bull Island, the Glenasmole Valley, Sandymount Strand and the Tolka Estuary.
Aside from the 25 per cent in gardens, 20 per cent of the city's land is in other green space, such as grassland, woods and some remaining hedgerows.
Paul Cullen
© 2007 The Irish Times
The Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan also suggests incentives for developers who take steps to ensure that plant and animal life is maintained and enhanced when they construct new buildings.
The four-year plan, which aims to protect the city's natural heritage and minimise the loss of biodiversity, also calls on Dubliners to play their part in encouraging plant and animal life.
"Halting the loss of biodiversity is a significant challenge for all of us and requires urgent and informed action," says Dublin city manager John Tierney. Among the threats identified are the loss of habitats, their fragmentation and the arrival of invasive species that quickly take over spaces previously occupied by a native species.
About 25 per cent of Dublin's land area is in private gardens, a mapping project carried out for the plan has established. The plan says this is a considerable resource that can add to the city's natural heritage by providing cover, feeding and commuting routes for hedgehogs, badgers, breeding birds and other wildlife.
Gardeners can help by providing berry-bearing and flowering plants; for example, rowan and cherry trees and the humble dandelion can give food and/or shelter to a wide range of animals. Providing ponds is another way of boosting biodiversity for frogs, water beetles, pond snails and dragonflies, and neutering cats, and putting bells on their collars, helps urban birds.
Increased biodiversity can help Dublin cope with the effects of climate change, the plan suggests. Biodiversity can make the city more carbon neutral as vegetation absorbs CO2. To cope with extreme weather, soft landscaping and green roofs will reduce run-off and help avoid flooding. Green spaces and mature planting can help counteract the danger of overheating in areas with a high proportion of concrete.
The plan highlights the rich variety of animal life already in the city. Some 33 different species of wild bird live in Dublin Bay and there is an average of one fox family per square kilometre of the city. Foxes breed in Merrion Square and in gardens adjacent to St Stephen's Green.
Other species present in Dublin are seven types of bat, seals, otters, badgers, hares rabbits, dolphins and whales.
Areas listed for special conservation or protection include Dublin Bay, North Bull Island, the Glenasmole Valley, Sandymount Strand and the Tolka Estuary.
Aside from the 25 per cent in gardens, 20 per cent of the city's land is in other green space, such as grassland, woods and some remaining hedgerows.
Paul Cullen
© 2007 The Irish Times
Plan to restore earl's lake temple
A Co Monaghan group is to restore the James Wyatt-designed Lady Dawson temple near the Monaghan/Cavan border.
Dating from the late 1700s, the temple is set on a wooded island in a lake on the former estate of the Dawson family, Earls of Dartrey. It was built by Thomas Dawson MP to house an elaborate monument to the memory of his wife, Anne, who died at the age of 36 in 1769.
Noel Carney of the Dartrey Heritage Association said the MP had the temple built so he could see it as he worked in his first-floor office in the house across the lake.
Modelled on the pantheon in Rome, the red-brick and limestone temple was a grandiose project, even for the landlord classes. Its Carrera marble sculptures are by Joseph Wilton.
Romantic as the gesture seems, it appears the MP was able to recover from his loss as he married for a second time a year later. History does not record what his second wife thought of the temple.
Over the years the monument has been vandalised and the temple in which it is set has fallen into decay. Mr Carney said the cost of restoration was estimated at about €750,000, a figure he said could be reduced to €500,000 through voluntary work.
Funding is being provided by Monaghan and Cavan county councils and a grants scheme from the Department of the Environment.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Dating from the late 1700s, the temple is set on a wooded island in a lake on the former estate of the Dawson family, Earls of Dartrey. It was built by Thomas Dawson MP to house an elaborate monument to the memory of his wife, Anne, who died at the age of 36 in 1769.
Noel Carney of the Dartrey Heritage Association said the MP had the temple built so he could see it as he worked in his first-floor office in the house across the lake.
Modelled on the pantheon in Rome, the red-brick and limestone temple was a grandiose project, even for the landlord classes. Its Carrera marble sculptures are by Joseph Wilton.
Romantic as the gesture seems, it appears the MP was able to recover from his loss as he married for a second time a year later. History does not record what his second wife thought of the temple.
Over the years the monument has been vandalised and the temple in which it is set has fallen into decay. Mr Carney said the cost of restoration was estimated at about €750,000, a figure he said could be reduced to €500,000 through voluntary work.
Funding is being provided by Monaghan and Cavan county councils and a grants scheme from the Department of the Environment.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Apartotel plan is approved for former Riverside Hotel
A FORMER hotel in Sligo is to be converted into an apartotel.
Tadhg Lyne has been granted planning permission by Sligo Borough Council for extensive internal changes to the Riverside Hotel, which has been closed for some time.
The alterations to the ground floor level will include a change of use of part of hotel reception to a bar area and a change of use of existing kitchen and dining areas and portion of the reception and the present bar/restaurant area to two retail units.
The 66 hotel bedrooms on the first, second and third floor levels (22 on each level) will be converted to 30 apartments (eight 1-bedroom and two 2-bedroom on each level) to be used as an aparthotel.
The basement, which contains a separate gym and swimming pool, will be altered to include a reduction in area of the present bar store/plant room to accommodate new ESB meter room.
© Sligo Weekender
Tadhg Lyne has been granted planning permission by Sligo Borough Council for extensive internal changes to the Riverside Hotel, which has been closed for some time.
The alterations to the ground floor level will include a change of use of part of hotel reception to a bar area and a change of use of existing kitchen and dining areas and portion of the reception and the present bar/restaurant area to two retail units.
The 66 hotel bedrooms on the first, second and third floor levels (22 on each level) will be converted to 30 apartments (eight 1-bedroom and two 2-bedroom on each level) to be used as an aparthotel.
The basement, which contains a separate gym and swimming pool, will be altered to include a reduction in area of the present bar store/plant room to accommodate new ESB meter room.
© Sligo Weekender
Scandal of spread of human waste
IN THE WEEKS since over 130 tonnes of partially untreated human waste was spread over farmland at Ballygarrett, many of the residents living close to the site have been struck down with unexplained illnesses prompting them to wonder just how serious is exposure to the substance. Emma Gibson and her fiancé, Darren McLoughlin, live just a few yards from the land in question and say their lives have been made unbearable in recent weeks due to the noxious smell which has engulfed their home. The smell, however, is not their primary concern, but their health, as Ms. Gibson is six months pregnant with their first child and has been in very bad health over the past few weeks. “We have quite a few concerns aside from the terrible smell. The stress and worry of this situation is immense as well as the physical symptoms. I have had very bad pains lately and have been very sick. I have had to visit the
doctor numerous times this week alone and I am extremely worried to think this may be putting our child at risk,” she said. The couple cannot even open their windows due to the strength of the smell. Ms. Gibson also expressed her dismay that the sludge was left on the land even after complaints were made by residents to Wexford County Council. “This substance is already in the soil now and it should have been removed when concerns were first raised. It is an absolute disgrace that nobody is coming back to the residents. We have received no apology. Wexford County Council has received an apology from Dublin City Council but we need more than that. We need a guarantee that this will not happen again”. Breda Cahill lives across the road from the field and says that it is very coincidental that many local residents have been struck down with illness at this time. “There have been high levels of conjunctivitis among residents as well as a lot of vomiting and diarrhoea. I have had my children off sick from school for the second time in two weeks and they are hardly ever ill. These health issues are way more worrying than any smell”. According to Ms. Cahill, the people of Ballygarrett feel they have been fobbed off by Wexford County Council. “We are extremely concerned about the stock pile of sludge still on the farm in question as well as how this may affect our water supply. We need to know if there is a real risk there. There is also the issue of the nearby wind farm which could carry the fumes of this sludge further a field”. Ms. Cahill also described how the sludge has infringed on the quality of life of the public. “We realise that ordinary slurry will smell to a certain extent. I am from a farming background and am well aware that there may be times when there will be certain smells in the country, but this is just unbelievable. Sometimes we can’t even eat with the smell. It is like going into a filthy toilet to have dinner. It is unacceptable.”
Deborah Coleman © Gorey Echo
doctor numerous times this week alone and I am extremely worried to think this may be putting our child at risk,” she said. The couple cannot even open their windows due to the strength of the smell. Ms. Gibson also expressed her dismay that the sludge was left on the land even after complaints were made by residents to Wexford County Council. “This substance is already in the soil now and it should have been removed when concerns were first raised. It is an absolute disgrace that nobody is coming back to the residents. We have received no apology. Wexford County Council has received an apology from Dublin City Council but we need more than that. We need a guarantee that this will not happen again”. Breda Cahill lives across the road from the field and says that it is very coincidental that many local residents have been struck down with illness at this time. “There have been high levels of conjunctivitis among residents as well as a lot of vomiting and diarrhoea. I have had my children off sick from school for the second time in two weeks and they are hardly ever ill. These health issues are way more worrying than any smell”. According to Ms. Cahill, the people of Ballygarrett feel they have been fobbed off by Wexford County Council. “We are extremely concerned about the stock pile of sludge still on the farm in question as well as how this may affect our water supply. We need to know if there is a real risk there. There is also the issue of the nearby wind farm which could carry the fumes of this sludge further a field”. Ms. Cahill also described how the sludge has infringed on the quality of life of the public. “We realise that ordinary slurry will smell to a certain extent. I am from a farming background and am well aware that there may be times when there will be certain smells in the country, but this is just unbelievable. Sometimes we can’t even eat with the smell. It is like going into a filthy toilet to have dinner. It is unacceptable.”
Deborah Coleman © Gorey Echo
Hotelier contests Waterford route change
A Co Waterford hotelier is seeking leave from the High Court to challenge a decision to realign part of the Waterford city bypass road following discovery of an important Viking site at Woodstown.
Butlerstown, claims the approval last February by An Bord Pleanála of the change to the €20 million road, made under the provisions of the National Monuments Act, is invalid and in breach of the constitutional rights of himself and his family.
Mr Coughlan said he accepts that the Woodstown site, apparently dating from the 9th to the mid-11th centuries, is the most important Nordic site discovered within the past 100 years and is of international importance. However, he claims, the proposed road realignment would have a serious adverse impact on his business, property and family life, and those effects should have been considered before the realignment decision was taken.
The entire procedure adopted by Waterford City Council and An Bord Pleanála failed to have any regard to his personal rights as a citizen, he said. He also claims that he is unable to formulate a claim for compensation because the road scheme, which is being developed as a public/private partnership, has not been fully designed and the level of the road has not been determined.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly yesterday fixed June 19th next for the hearing of the application by Mr Coughlan, his wife, Catherine, and their company, Waterford Manor Hotel Ltd, for leave to challenge the realignment decision of February 6th 2007 in judicial review proceedings.
The judge said that, if the court decides Mr Coughlan has established the necessary substantial grounds to justify leave being granted, the court would also hear the substantive action on the same day. He was mindful of the contractual and other pressures involved, he said.
The court had heard that contractual problems would arise if the €20 million road realignment was delayed, and July 21st was the date for handover of the relevant lands
© Irish Times
Butlerstown, claims the approval last February by An Bord Pleanála of the change to the €20 million road, made under the provisions of the National Monuments Act, is invalid and in breach of the constitutional rights of himself and his family.
Mr Coughlan said he accepts that the Woodstown site, apparently dating from the 9th to the mid-11th centuries, is the most important Nordic site discovered within the past 100 years and is of international importance. However, he claims, the proposed road realignment would have a serious adverse impact on his business, property and family life, and those effects should have been considered before the realignment decision was taken.
The entire procedure adopted by Waterford City Council and An Bord Pleanála failed to have any regard to his personal rights as a citizen, he said. He also claims that he is unable to formulate a claim for compensation because the road scheme, which is being developed as a public/private partnership, has not been fully designed and the level of the road has not been determined.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly yesterday fixed June 19th next for the hearing of the application by Mr Coughlan, his wife, Catherine, and their company, Waterford Manor Hotel Ltd, for leave to challenge the realignment decision of February 6th 2007 in judicial review proceedings.
The judge said that, if the court decides Mr Coughlan has established the necessary substantial grounds to justify leave being granted, the court would also hear the substantive action on the same day. He was mindful of the contractual and other pressures involved, he said.
The court had heard that contractual problems would arise if the €20 million road realignment was delayed, and July 21st was the date for handover of the relevant lands
© Irish Times
Protesters blockade M3 building site
Opponents of the M3 motorway in Co Meath stepped up their protest yesterday, blockading entrances to the construction site at Roestown, and preventing vehicles from moving in or out.
Gardaí were called in by contractors Siac Ferrovial after the blockade began at the construction compound, about one kilometre north of Dunshaughlin, at 6am yesterday.
However, gardaí did not remove the protesters and by late afternoon the demonstrators claimed a team on nine people had prevented access to five gates to the motorway site.
A spokesman for the protesters who are based at a vigil camp nearby contacted The Irish Times to say they were "sitting at the entrance to a huge compound at Roestown on the Dunsany to Dunshaughlin road.
"There are approximately 15 huge earth-moving machines blockaded into the compound and unable to work.
"The gardaí were on site this morning at 7.30 but haven't returned since."
The protesters also issued an appeal for others to join their protest. "We are appealing to all friends of Tara to come to the valley to stand and be counted as the National Roads Authority are trying to keep the destruction of our ancestral home quiet until after Thursday."
They also said they had remained in the entrance but alterations to the boundary fence by the contractor had left them fenced in.
By 5pm the protesters had contacted gardaí themselves to complain about this.
The remains of a large enclosure were discovered at Roestown by archaeologists working for the National Roads Authority.
The complex, known as Roestown 2, was already bisected by the existing N3 and sits at a point where the M3 will cross the N3 for the first time heading out from Dublin.
The archaeologists determined that Roestown 2 was likely to be an early medieval settlement.
A spokeswoman for Siac Ferrovial said five people "blocked a few of the site entrances to prevent plant and machinery entering and exiting a small section of the site".
She added that gardaí were called "as it is the responsibility of the company to protect the health and safety of its workers and the public on its site".
The spokeswoman added that "work is continuing as normal on the rest of the 60km scheme".
The protest took place as a number of academics met at Trinity College Dublin in opposition to the road.
The conference resulted in a unanimous call for Opposition leader Enda Kenny to address the Hill of Tara/M3 motorway issue.
The conference was hosted by the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Speakers included Dr Sean Duffy of the department of medieval history; Dr Gerald Morgan of the department of English; Vincent Salafia and Independent Meath County Councillor Phil Cantwell.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Gardaí were called in by contractors Siac Ferrovial after the blockade began at the construction compound, about one kilometre north of Dunshaughlin, at 6am yesterday.
However, gardaí did not remove the protesters and by late afternoon the demonstrators claimed a team on nine people had prevented access to five gates to the motorway site.
A spokesman for the protesters who are based at a vigil camp nearby contacted The Irish Times to say they were "sitting at the entrance to a huge compound at Roestown on the Dunsany to Dunshaughlin road.
"There are approximately 15 huge earth-moving machines blockaded into the compound and unable to work.
"The gardaí were on site this morning at 7.30 but haven't returned since."
The protesters also issued an appeal for others to join their protest. "We are appealing to all friends of Tara to come to the valley to stand and be counted as the National Roads Authority are trying to keep the destruction of our ancestral home quiet until after Thursday."
They also said they had remained in the entrance but alterations to the boundary fence by the contractor had left them fenced in.
By 5pm the protesters had contacted gardaí themselves to complain about this.
The remains of a large enclosure were discovered at Roestown by archaeologists working for the National Roads Authority.
The complex, known as Roestown 2, was already bisected by the existing N3 and sits at a point where the M3 will cross the N3 for the first time heading out from Dublin.
The archaeologists determined that Roestown 2 was likely to be an early medieval settlement.
A spokeswoman for Siac Ferrovial said five people "blocked a few of the site entrances to prevent plant and machinery entering and exiting a small section of the site".
She added that gardaí were called "as it is the responsibility of the company to protect the health and safety of its workers and the public on its site".
The spokeswoman added that "work is continuing as normal on the rest of the 60km scheme".
The protest took place as a number of academics met at Trinity College Dublin in opposition to the road.
The conference resulted in a unanimous call for Opposition leader Enda Kenny to address the Hill of Tara/M3 motorway issue.
The conference was hosted by the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Speakers included Dr Sean Duffy of the department of medieval history; Dr Gerald Morgan of the department of English; Vincent Salafia and Independent Meath County Councillor Phil Cantwell.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Minister Roche announces Interim CEO for the forthcoming Limerick Regeneration Agencies
Mr. Dick Roche, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today (17 May 2007) announced that Mr Brendan Kenny (current Assistant Dublin City Manager) will act as interim joint Chief Executive Officer of the two forthcoming Regeneration Agencies in Limerick. These Agencies are being established to lead the development of comprehensive measures to address issues of social exclusion and disadvantage in the Moyross and Southill areas of Limerick City and to drive forward the regeneration of these areas.
Last October, the former Dublin City Manager, Mr John Fitzgerald, was appointed by the Government to lead an initiative to address social exclusion, crime and disorder in Moyross and other parts of Limerick City. Mr Fitzgerald presented his recommendations to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion recently and the Government subsequently agreed to the implementation of his recommendations.
One specific recommendation from Mr Fitzgerald’s analysis was for the establishment of two area-based special purpose regeneration agencies – namely Limerick Northside Regeneration and Limerick Southside Regeneration.
Under Mr Fitzgerald, as interim Chairperson, these Agencies are being established to drive economic and infrastructural development in defined areas and to direct and co-ordinate intensive action to deal with social and economic disadvantage.
“My Department is currently finalising the necessary Establishment Orders to provide the statutory underpinning for the two Limerick Regeneration Agencies and to provide them with a wide range of powers to enable them to deliver on their mandate. This task is being given high priority by Government. The significant improvements that we are determined to deliver will be of benefit not only to the areas in question, but will also deliver spin-off benefits for the people of Limerick generally,” the Minister concluded.
Mr Brendan Kenny, is currently Assistant Dublin City Manager with responsibility for Housing, Social and Community Services. He has wide ranging experience in the types of challenges that will face the proposed Limerick Regeneration Agencies – in particular, he has carried responsibility for a range of social and community services that are essential to the creation of sustainable and vibrant communities and that impinge strongly on issues such as education, employment, health, security, childcare, leisure and recreation. A significant element of his recent work has been the major physical and social regeneration of a number of Dublin’s public housing estates such as Fatima Mansions, St Michael’s Estate and O’Devaney Gardens.
Last October, the former Dublin City Manager, Mr John Fitzgerald, was appointed by the Government to lead an initiative to address social exclusion, crime and disorder in Moyross and other parts of Limerick City. Mr Fitzgerald presented his recommendations to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion recently and the Government subsequently agreed to the implementation of his recommendations.
One specific recommendation from Mr Fitzgerald’s analysis was for the establishment of two area-based special purpose regeneration agencies – namely Limerick Northside Regeneration and Limerick Southside Regeneration.
Under Mr Fitzgerald, as interim Chairperson, these Agencies are being established to drive economic and infrastructural development in defined areas and to direct and co-ordinate intensive action to deal with social and economic disadvantage.
“My Department is currently finalising the necessary Establishment Orders to provide the statutory underpinning for the two Limerick Regeneration Agencies and to provide them with a wide range of powers to enable them to deliver on their mandate. This task is being given high priority by Government. The significant improvements that we are determined to deliver will be of benefit not only to the areas in question, but will also deliver spin-off benefits for the people of Limerick generally,” the Minister concluded.
Mr Brendan Kenny, is currently Assistant Dublin City Manager with responsibility for Housing, Social and Community Services. He has wide ranging experience in the types of challenges that will face the proposed Limerick Regeneration Agencies – in particular, he has carried responsibility for a range of social and community services that are essential to the creation of sustainable and vibrant communities and that impinge strongly on issues such as education, employment, health, security, childcare, leisure and recreation. A significant element of his recent work has been the major physical and social regeneration of a number of Dublin’s public housing estates such as Fatima Mansions, St Michael’s Estate and O’Devaney Gardens.
Green light for hotel and €80m development
A NEW hotel has been earmarked for one of the country’s fastest-growing satellite towns, while an €80 million housing project is on the cards for one of Cork’s most secluded villages.
The hotel is to be built in Ballincollig while the 265-unit housing scheme has been approved for Glounthaune.
Planners in Cork’s County Hall, meanwhile, have received a number of significant applications in recent days on proposed projects from Banteer to Bandon.
After a rather quiet start to the year compared to 2006, things began to heat up during the past week.
Developers Paraic O’Donoghue and Michael Murray have got the green light for the 122-bed hotel at Innishmore, Ballincollig West. The hotel will be a split four/five-storey building and will feature a conference centre, spa, health centre, swimming pool, bar, restaurant and meeting rooms. The developers have also been given permission to tag on three commercial units and 25 apartments.
O’Mahony Developments are to build the €80m project in Glounthaune.
The company plans a mixed scheme comprising of 83 apartments, 72 duplexes, 59 semi-detached houses, 22 terraced homes and 20 detached houses in the townland of Killahora. Five local play areas and a crèche are also part of the project.
Meanwhile, planning officials have received an application from John Murphy Construction for 86 homes in Banteer, north Cork.
The company proposes to build 42 three-bed semi-detached houses, 20 townhouses and 24 detached homes. Also included in the proposal are five play areas.
Elsewhere, developer Pat O’Farrell is eyeing Mitchelstown for 70 homes. He has lodged plans for a mixed development of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses at Cork Road, Brigown.
Mallow could also be in line for a new hotel if planning officials approve an application lodged by Jimnoe Ltd. The company is proposing a 54-bed hotel with function rooms at Quartertown Upper near Barry’s Cash & Carry.
A few miles west of the town, at the village of Drommahane, Roche Design & Build is seeking the go-ahead for 100 houses, four apartments and a crèche, while developers Moira Fitzgerald and Michael Quirke want to build 50 houses at Bridgeland East, Rathcormac.
Meanwhile, An Bord Pleanála has decided to ignore its inspector’s advice and has granted permission for 30 houses at Curryclogh, Bandon.
Inspector Derek Daly said he felt the project would affect the visual landscape of the area. However, the board overruled him and granted permission, albeit with revised conditions.
Cork County Council’s own plans to upgrade the water supply in the Glenville area, which includes compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for land, will be the subject of a Bord Pleanála oral hearing. The hearing is scheduled to take place in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow this morning.
Irish Examiner
The hotel is to be built in Ballincollig while the 265-unit housing scheme has been approved for Glounthaune.
Planners in Cork’s County Hall, meanwhile, have received a number of significant applications in recent days on proposed projects from Banteer to Bandon.
After a rather quiet start to the year compared to 2006, things began to heat up during the past week.
Developers Paraic O’Donoghue and Michael Murray have got the green light for the 122-bed hotel at Innishmore, Ballincollig West. The hotel will be a split four/five-storey building and will feature a conference centre, spa, health centre, swimming pool, bar, restaurant and meeting rooms. The developers have also been given permission to tag on three commercial units and 25 apartments.
O’Mahony Developments are to build the €80m project in Glounthaune.
The company plans a mixed scheme comprising of 83 apartments, 72 duplexes, 59 semi-detached houses, 22 terraced homes and 20 detached houses in the townland of Killahora. Five local play areas and a crèche are also part of the project.
Meanwhile, planning officials have received an application from John Murphy Construction for 86 homes in Banteer, north Cork.
The company proposes to build 42 three-bed semi-detached houses, 20 townhouses and 24 detached homes. Also included in the proposal are five play areas.
Elsewhere, developer Pat O’Farrell is eyeing Mitchelstown for 70 homes. He has lodged plans for a mixed development of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses at Cork Road, Brigown.
Mallow could also be in line for a new hotel if planning officials approve an application lodged by Jimnoe Ltd. The company is proposing a 54-bed hotel with function rooms at Quartertown Upper near Barry’s Cash & Carry.
A few miles west of the town, at the village of Drommahane, Roche Design & Build is seeking the go-ahead for 100 houses, four apartments and a crèche, while developers Moira Fitzgerald and Michael Quirke want to build 50 houses at Bridgeland East, Rathcormac.
Meanwhile, An Bord Pleanála has decided to ignore its inspector’s advice and has granted permission for 30 houses at Curryclogh, Bandon.
Inspector Derek Daly said he felt the project would affect the visual landscape of the area. However, the board overruled him and granted permission, albeit with revised conditions.
Cork County Council’s own plans to upgrade the water supply in the Glenville area, which includes compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for land, will be the subject of a Bord Pleanála oral hearing. The hearing is scheduled to take place in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow this morning.
Irish Examiner
Council unveils growth blueprint
VILLAGES and growing hamlets in West Cork are being lined up for a €100 million investment in water and sewage schemes, many of which are likely to be undertaken by Private Public Partnerships (PPPs).
Engineers working for Cork County Council have spent the past 18 months looking at plans for West Cork, with particular emphasis on an expected 55% population growth in the region in the next 20 years.
The blueprint for the future was unveiled yesterday by senior engineer, Niall O’Mahony, who said that the needs of 74 locations had been examined.
Mr O’Mahony said that potential developers had been in contact with the council about its future plans for various areas. However, without plans for the necessary infrastructure being in place, large-scale building would not be possible.
The blueprint, which is nearing completion, looks at the amount of land zoned in a particular village, estimated population increases and what type of water and sewerage systems need to be put in place.
The move was welcomed by a number of councillors.
Council officials said consultants had already been appointed in some cases to draw up detailed plans, which could be used for PPPs.
Irish Examiner
Engineers working for Cork County Council have spent the past 18 months looking at plans for West Cork, with particular emphasis on an expected 55% population growth in the region in the next 20 years.
The blueprint for the future was unveiled yesterday by senior engineer, Niall O’Mahony, who said that the needs of 74 locations had been examined.
Mr O’Mahony said that potential developers had been in contact with the council about its future plans for various areas. However, without plans for the necessary infrastructure being in place, large-scale building would not be possible.
The blueprint, which is nearing completion, looks at the amount of land zoned in a particular village, estimated population increases and what type of water and sewerage systems need to be put in place.
The move was welcomed by a number of councillors.
Council officials said consultants had already been appointed in some cases to draw up detailed plans, which could be used for PPPs.
Irish Examiner
Tara plan 'an attack on medieval studies'
BUILDING a motorway through the Tara/Skryne valley is evidence of a further attack on the study of Ireland's medieval history, a senior lecturer at Trinity College claimed yesterday.
A number of senior academic positions in medieval studies in Trinity (TCD) and UCD were unfilled and a "death blow" was being applied to historical research, Dr Gerald Morgan claimed.
A conference on the historical significance of the Hill of Tara organised by the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies also called for Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny to state if he would re-route the controversial M3 motorway if elected Taoiseach.
Dr Gerald Morgan, of TCD's School of English, said that Mr Kenny should give his "honest opinion" on the proposal to build the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara.
"This is a concerted assault on medieval studies in Ireland," he said.
"In TCD the chair of early Irish and the chair of medieval and renaissance literature are vacant - the death blow seems to be applied to the study of medieval Irish.
"We must raise this issue in the crucial days leading up to the general election. How can Enda Kenny seriously expect the Irish people to make him king, if he will not show leadership and give his honest position on the matter?" Dr Sean Duffy, of the department of medieval history at TCD, said that although very little was known about Tara, no conquering army had ever attempted to destroy it.
"We will be the first generation in 5,000 years to deface Tara. This motorway will cut us off from our past."
Environment Minister Dick Roche has yet to decide if the national monument discovered at Lismullin last month should be preserved on-site or destroyed to allow the road to go ahead. A decision is not expected until after the general election.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
A number of senior academic positions in medieval studies in Trinity (TCD) and UCD were unfilled and a "death blow" was being applied to historical research, Dr Gerald Morgan claimed.
A conference on the historical significance of the Hill of Tara organised by the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies also called for Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny to state if he would re-route the controversial M3 motorway if elected Taoiseach.
Dr Gerald Morgan, of TCD's School of English, said that Mr Kenny should give his "honest opinion" on the proposal to build the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara.
"This is a concerted assault on medieval studies in Ireland," he said.
"In TCD the chair of early Irish and the chair of medieval and renaissance literature are vacant - the death blow seems to be applied to the study of medieval Irish.
"We must raise this issue in the crucial days leading up to the general election. How can Enda Kenny seriously expect the Irish people to make him king, if he will not show leadership and give his honest position on the matter?" Dr Sean Duffy, of the department of medieval history at TCD, said that although very little was known about Tara, no conquering army had ever attempted to destroy it.
"We will be the first generation in 5,000 years to deface Tara. This motorway will cut us off from our past."
Environment Minister Dick Roche has yet to decide if the national monument discovered at Lismullin last month should be preserved on-site or destroyed to allow the road to go ahead. A decision is not expected until after the general election.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
City commuters spend 10 hours a week at the wheel
COMMUTERS into Dublin are forced to spend, on average, nearly 10 hours - the equivalent of almost a day-and-a-half's working time - behind the wheel every week.
And the journey was made even more stressful for many drivers yesterday after a truck overturned.
The gridlock on the N7 Naas Road spread quickly to the notorious M50, causing tailbacks stretching for miles.
Plan
The Automobile Association (AA) warned that such incidents were happening on an almost weekly basis and would continue unless public transport improved.
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce has outlined a new five-point traffic plan that includes more private buses, park-and-ride facilities and 24-hour work on the M50 upgrade project.
The organisation revealed that commuters were spending 10 hours a week stuck in Dublin's traffic.
"This situation is unsustainable for the hundreds and thousands of people working and living in Dublin, and it has got to the stage where urgent decisions are needed," said Gina Quinn, the chamber's chief executive.
Its plan, published yesterday, entails:
* Increasing the number of buses serving the Dublin region by 200 within a year. Private operators should be given unfettered access to the city immediately, particularly for new routes not covered by Dublin Bus.
* Work on the M50 extension for 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure completion ahead of schedule.
* Accelerated progress on all Transport 21 projects so they are ready for procurement by the end of 2008, if resources permit. This will require that the NRA, RPA and CIE be adequately resourced, perhaps by the deployment of public servants from other state agencies and bodies such as local authorities.
* Building 3,000 park-and-ride spaces for DART and bus users on land in public ownership.
* Requiring all secondary schools to provide a bus service for their pupils from September next year. This service should be tendered. As a Public Service Obligation may arise, some routes should be subsidised if the need is demonstrated.
These proposals were little solace for the thousands of motorists stuck in their cars for at least an extra hour yesterday after the truck overturned on the outbound lane of the N7 beside the Red Cow roundabout. Most delays are on the inbound routes.
The 40ft heavy goods vehicle brought traffic to a standstill across west Dublin from 6am, when it lost control at the notorious junction. The mayhem was further increased when another truck broke down only 100 yards away. Garda teams had to divert traffic around the overturned articulated lorry and traffic along the N7 was backed up past Rathcoole.
The truck driver had a lucky escape when a metal barrier prevented the cab from collapsing fully on to the road. Part of the barrier pierced the front of the 40ft container as the truck flipped over, and skewered some radiators that the lorry was transporting.
Airbags were then placed under the trailer in an effort to push it into an upright position. A large diesel spillage from the tractor unit was treated with absorbent material. As crews worked to prevent traffic chaos, a second truck travelling in the same direction broke down a hundred yards behind the overturned lorry, stretching the resources of the gardai and towing services. The tailbacks grew as rush-hour approached.
One driver who left Newbridge at 6.25am did not arrive in the city centre until 8.45am - a two-hour, 20-minute journey. "This was yet another traffic disaster," said AA corporate affairs manager Conor Faughnan. "They are coming thick and fast, on an almost weekly basis."
He predicted that completion of the M50 upgrade would make the area less vulnerable to the gridlock caused by crashes.
Olivia Mitchell, Fine Gael transport spokesperson, said there was an urgent need for a city-wide congestion strategy including year-round Operation Freeflow.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
And the journey was made even more stressful for many drivers yesterday after a truck overturned.
The gridlock on the N7 Naas Road spread quickly to the notorious M50, causing tailbacks stretching for miles.
Plan
The Automobile Association (AA) warned that such incidents were happening on an almost weekly basis and would continue unless public transport improved.
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce has outlined a new five-point traffic plan that includes more private buses, park-and-ride facilities and 24-hour work on the M50 upgrade project.
The organisation revealed that commuters were spending 10 hours a week stuck in Dublin's traffic.
"This situation is unsustainable for the hundreds and thousands of people working and living in Dublin, and it has got to the stage where urgent decisions are needed," said Gina Quinn, the chamber's chief executive.
Its plan, published yesterday, entails:
* Increasing the number of buses serving the Dublin region by 200 within a year. Private operators should be given unfettered access to the city immediately, particularly for new routes not covered by Dublin Bus.
* Work on the M50 extension for 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure completion ahead of schedule.
* Accelerated progress on all Transport 21 projects so they are ready for procurement by the end of 2008, if resources permit. This will require that the NRA, RPA and CIE be adequately resourced, perhaps by the deployment of public servants from other state agencies and bodies such as local authorities.
* Building 3,000 park-and-ride spaces for DART and bus users on land in public ownership.
* Requiring all secondary schools to provide a bus service for their pupils from September next year. This service should be tendered. As a Public Service Obligation may arise, some routes should be subsidised if the need is demonstrated.
These proposals were little solace for the thousands of motorists stuck in their cars for at least an extra hour yesterday after the truck overturned on the outbound lane of the N7 beside the Red Cow roundabout. Most delays are on the inbound routes.
The 40ft heavy goods vehicle brought traffic to a standstill across west Dublin from 6am, when it lost control at the notorious junction. The mayhem was further increased when another truck broke down only 100 yards away. Garda teams had to divert traffic around the overturned articulated lorry and traffic along the N7 was backed up past Rathcoole.
The truck driver had a lucky escape when a metal barrier prevented the cab from collapsing fully on to the road. Part of the barrier pierced the front of the 40ft container as the truck flipped over, and skewered some radiators that the lorry was transporting.
Airbags were then placed under the trailer in an effort to push it into an upright position. A large diesel spillage from the tractor unit was treated with absorbent material. As crews worked to prevent traffic chaos, a second truck travelling in the same direction broke down a hundred yards behind the overturned lorry, stretching the resources of the gardai and towing services. The tailbacks grew as rush-hour approached.
One driver who left Newbridge at 6.25am did not arrive in the city centre until 8.45am - a two-hour, 20-minute journey. "This was yet another traffic disaster," said AA corporate affairs manager Conor Faughnan. "They are coming thick and fast, on an almost weekly basis."
He predicted that completion of the M50 upgrade would make the area less vulnerable to the gridlock caused by crashes.
Olivia Mitchell, Fine Gael transport spokesperson, said there was an urgent need for a city-wide congestion strategy including year-round Operation Freeflow.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
Monday, 21 May 2007
High rents on Grafton Street squeeze tenants out
Grafton Street is one of the world’s most expensive streets for retailers, and there been a slow but steady flow of businesses moving on in the past five years as rent reviews squeeze them out.
Cafe Java recently sold the lease of its outlet on South Anne Street, just off Grafton Street, for €1 million, due to escalating rents, while British retailer Jigsaw has sold its lease on Grafton Street to fashion chain Ted Baker for €1.4 million.
Other names to leave the street over the past couple of years include up-market menswear shop FX Kelly and boutique Pia Bang. One reason blamed for spiralling rents is that pension funds and other investors seek top rents regardless of the tenant.
Some retailers feel that this has resulted in the appeal of Grafton Street diminishing as mobile phone retailers and fast food shops – which are owned by highly profitable parent companies – increasingly dominate the thoroughfare.
However, it may be a case of killing the golden goose, as less choice and individuality on the street may ultimately lead to Grafton Street’s appeal to shoppers dying off.
But the street’s track record for rising rents may soon come to an end. One property insider noted that, while large British retailers say their Irish stores are top performers in terms of turnover, they are the among least profitable due to rent outlay and other costs.
As the economy slows down, British retailers may opt out of high-cost locations such as Grafton Street. ‘‘The level of spending might ease off, and if overseas chains shy away, that will put the brakes on,” said the source.
Marie Hunt, research director with commercial property firm CBRE, said while Irish and overseas retailers continued to look for expansion opportunities in Ireland, there had been strong resistance to increasing rental values – particularly from the Irish retailers – in recent months.
‘‘This comes on the back of some high-profile rent reviews in centres such as Blanchardstown, Jervis Street, Liffey Valley and the Pavilions in Dublin and the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick,” she said. Hunt said a growing number of rent reviews were going to arbitration.
‘‘We are confident the retail sector will continue to perform strongly in the months ahead against a backdrop of strong economic activity,” she said.
‘‘However, it would appear the pace of rental appreciation will be much tamer in future and schemes that quote realistic rents will, undoubtedly, fare best in this environment.”
Sunday Business Post
Cafe Java recently sold the lease of its outlet on South Anne Street, just off Grafton Street, for €1 million, due to escalating rents, while British retailer Jigsaw has sold its lease on Grafton Street to fashion chain Ted Baker for €1.4 million.
Other names to leave the street over the past couple of years include up-market menswear shop FX Kelly and boutique Pia Bang. One reason blamed for spiralling rents is that pension funds and other investors seek top rents regardless of the tenant.
Some retailers feel that this has resulted in the appeal of Grafton Street diminishing as mobile phone retailers and fast food shops – which are owned by highly profitable parent companies – increasingly dominate the thoroughfare.
However, it may be a case of killing the golden goose, as less choice and individuality on the street may ultimately lead to Grafton Street’s appeal to shoppers dying off.
But the street’s track record for rising rents may soon come to an end. One property insider noted that, while large British retailers say their Irish stores are top performers in terms of turnover, they are the among least profitable due to rent outlay and other costs.
As the economy slows down, British retailers may opt out of high-cost locations such as Grafton Street. ‘‘The level of spending might ease off, and if overseas chains shy away, that will put the brakes on,” said the source.
Marie Hunt, research director with commercial property firm CBRE, said while Irish and overseas retailers continued to look for expansion opportunities in Ireland, there had been strong resistance to increasing rental values – particularly from the Irish retailers – in recent months.
‘‘This comes on the back of some high-profile rent reviews in centres such as Blanchardstown, Jervis Street, Liffey Valley and the Pavilions in Dublin and the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick,” she said. Hunt said a growing number of rent reviews were going to arbitration.
‘‘We are confident the retail sector will continue to perform strongly in the months ahead against a backdrop of strong economic activity,” she said.
‘‘However, it would appear the pace of rental appreciation will be much tamer in future and schemes that quote realistic rents will, undoubtedly, fare best in this environment.”
Sunday Business Post
Dublin centre’s big fightback
Suburban shopping centres have put Dublin city centre shops under pressure in recent years, but now the city retailers are fighting back.
Shoppers keen to spend their hard-earned euro may not be aware of it, but there has been a retail battle under way in recent years.
On one side are the established city centre retailers, who are facing a challenge from sparkling new state-of-the-art shopping centres. When the spotlight was put on Dublin city centre over the past few years, the country’s main shopping thoroughfares were found badly wanting.
Grafton Street, once considered the highlight of Irish retailing, has been accused of becoming like any British high street, with chain stores, phone shops and fast-food joints. Dirty paving and overflowing bins made the area more bargain basement than haute couture.
However, plans are afoot to ensure that Dublin can compete with the most sophisticated shopping districts in the world. Dublin City Council has recently given Grafton Street special status, which will see restrictions on flashy advertising and changes to shop facades.
The plan to upgrade the city centre is timely, as competition will become fiercer with several new shopping centres due to open in Dublin this year. They include Charlesland Centre in Finglas, Citywest Shopping Centre in west Dublin and Beacon South Quarter in Sandyford. Many other centres, including
The Square in Tallaght, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown, are expanding and upgrading. Despite the challenge, retailers on both sides of the city centre are optimistic about their prospects for the year, with the number of people passing through town - the so-called ‘footfall’ - up about 4-5 per cent so far this year.
Shops and restaurant have been given a boost by recent spells of good weather and retail spending figures are holding up reasonably well. Simon Barry, senior economist with Ulster Bank, said retail volume growth so far this year was running at the same pace as 2006 - a strong year.
‘‘There are some signs of a loss of momentum, but the key thing is the jobs market. If employment continues to grow, that is a really important support,” he said. The turnaround for the city centre came as some retailers acknowledged problems exist with the area.
Litter has been a sore point, for example. Aebhric McGibney of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce said: ‘‘Dublin compares unfavourably with European cities of a similar size, and also with large urban centres like London and Chicago, which are a multiple of Dublin’s size. A critical element of the retail proposition is the retail environment - the look and feel of a street - whether it is clean, safe and well presented.”
McGibney said the chamber welcomed the council’s plans for what he called ‘‘a coherent retail district in the city’’.
‘‘We are supportive of the use of architectural conservation areas to maintain the look and feel of individual streets in the city,” he said. On the northside of the river Liffey, O’Connell Street has already benefited from an overhaul, which saw a focus on pedestrians, landscaping and lighting. Once a no-go area after dark, the street is now considered an example of howa retail area can be transformed to attract shoppers.
PJ Timmins, chief executive of Clerys department store on O’Connell Street, said footfall on the street rose 25 per cent in the last two years. ‘‘It really is much more vibrant,” he said. ‘‘Business has been buoyant and a far cry from where we were two or three years ago. It was difficult when all the works were going on.”
Timmins was positive about the affect ‘‘new communities’’ would have on the city, with ethnic cafes, restaurants and shops spilling onto the side streets around O’Connell Street and nearby Henry Street. Timmins said the challenge to street-based shops from out-of-town shopping centres was overplayed.
‘‘I always feel that the city centre is dominant for fashion and also there is a lot more competition,” he said, claiming that shopping centres were limited in their ability to change. ‘‘They are built in a point in time and they start to get tired.”
He pointed out that individual shops had the ability to evolve, with Clerys undergoing a €2 million face-lift of its ground floor cosmetic hall. He said Irish retailers were finding the market competitive and that standards had to be high. Tom Coffey of the Dublin City Centre Business Association was upbeat about the prospects for the city centre in 2007.
‘‘We think things are moving very, very well,” he said. ‘‘The [footfall] numbers this year are up 4-5 per cent and they were up 2 per cent last year. Prior to that, the numbers were fairly static. Certainly we feel that the city is performing fairly well.”
Coffey said the good weather in recent weeks had boosted the city centre. ‘‘The city has a huge advantage when the weather is good. The whole ambience of the city is more like Paris, where you can have a coffee and listen to buskers, and we’re finding that there is a growing customer base of retired people,” he said.
Coffey said about 260 million people would come through the city in a year, and that numbers had increased dramatically over the past 20 years. He played down concerns expressed by some retailers over the impact of the Dundrum Town Centre, with the Luas at the end of Grafton Street waiting to ferry people away. ‘‘The problem was not Dundrum,” said Coffey.
‘‘The problem was mobile phone shops. They are not an attractor of business, they live off the footfall that everyone else creates.”
Under the new city council plans, phone shops, fast food businesses and financial institutions will have restricted access to Grafton Street. Coffey’s association is trying to encourage financial institutions and other offices to free up ground level retail space. It has identified Dawson Street, which runs parallel to Grafton Street, as a thoroughfare with particular potential for new shops.
While the city retailers say they are experiencing growth, Dundrum Town Centre - seen as a premium shopping centre - is also wooing consumers. Retailers believe that dated shopping centres, rather than the city centre, are taking the hit in shopper volumes.
Don Nugent, director of Dundrum Town Centre, was upbeat about the centre’s performance in the early months of this year, with fashion scoring particularly well.
‘‘Most promising is the fact that sales growth has exceeded footfall growth,” he said - meaning that shoppers are spending more than ever. He said fashion sales were up 15 to 25 per cent, with all the ‘‘majors’’ such as House of Fraser, Harvey Nichols and Primark (Penneys) up more than 20 per cent interms of revenue. Restaurant and cafes are also seeing 10 to 15 per cent growth, even though there is more competition.
Nugent said that while shoppers traditionally stayed away from centres in good weather, Dundrum had not suffered and may have benefited from the fact that the complex has an indoor-outdoor mix. ‘‘We’ve pitched ourselves as an extension of the city centre,” he said.
Sunday Business Post
Shoppers keen to spend their hard-earned euro may not be aware of it, but there has been a retail battle under way in recent years.
On one side are the established city centre retailers, who are facing a challenge from sparkling new state-of-the-art shopping centres. When the spotlight was put on Dublin city centre over the past few years, the country’s main shopping thoroughfares were found badly wanting.
Grafton Street, once considered the highlight of Irish retailing, has been accused of becoming like any British high street, with chain stores, phone shops and fast-food joints. Dirty paving and overflowing bins made the area more bargain basement than haute couture.
However, plans are afoot to ensure that Dublin can compete with the most sophisticated shopping districts in the world. Dublin City Council has recently given Grafton Street special status, which will see restrictions on flashy advertising and changes to shop facades.
The plan to upgrade the city centre is timely, as competition will become fiercer with several new shopping centres due to open in Dublin this year. They include Charlesland Centre in Finglas, Citywest Shopping Centre in west Dublin and Beacon South Quarter in Sandyford. Many other centres, including
The Square in Tallaght, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown, are expanding and upgrading. Despite the challenge, retailers on both sides of the city centre are optimistic about their prospects for the year, with the number of people passing through town - the so-called ‘footfall’ - up about 4-5 per cent so far this year.
Shops and restaurant have been given a boost by recent spells of good weather and retail spending figures are holding up reasonably well. Simon Barry, senior economist with Ulster Bank, said retail volume growth so far this year was running at the same pace as 2006 - a strong year.
‘‘There are some signs of a loss of momentum, but the key thing is the jobs market. If employment continues to grow, that is a really important support,” he said. The turnaround for the city centre came as some retailers acknowledged problems exist with the area.
Litter has been a sore point, for example. Aebhric McGibney of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce said: ‘‘Dublin compares unfavourably with European cities of a similar size, and also with large urban centres like London and Chicago, which are a multiple of Dublin’s size. A critical element of the retail proposition is the retail environment - the look and feel of a street - whether it is clean, safe and well presented.”
McGibney said the chamber welcomed the council’s plans for what he called ‘‘a coherent retail district in the city’’.
‘‘We are supportive of the use of architectural conservation areas to maintain the look and feel of individual streets in the city,” he said. On the northside of the river Liffey, O’Connell Street has already benefited from an overhaul, which saw a focus on pedestrians, landscaping and lighting. Once a no-go area after dark, the street is now considered an example of howa retail area can be transformed to attract shoppers.
PJ Timmins, chief executive of Clerys department store on O’Connell Street, said footfall on the street rose 25 per cent in the last two years. ‘‘It really is much more vibrant,” he said. ‘‘Business has been buoyant and a far cry from where we were two or three years ago. It was difficult when all the works were going on.”
Timmins was positive about the affect ‘‘new communities’’ would have on the city, with ethnic cafes, restaurants and shops spilling onto the side streets around O’Connell Street and nearby Henry Street. Timmins said the challenge to street-based shops from out-of-town shopping centres was overplayed.
‘‘I always feel that the city centre is dominant for fashion and also there is a lot more competition,” he said, claiming that shopping centres were limited in their ability to change. ‘‘They are built in a point in time and they start to get tired.”
He pointed out that individual shops had the ability to evolve, with Clerys undergoing a €2 million face-lift of its ground floor cosmetic hall. He said Irish retailers were finding the market competitive and that standards had to be high. Tom Coffey of the Dublin City Centre Business Association was upbeat about the prospects for the city centre in 2007.
‘‘We think things are moving very, very well,” he said. ‘‘The [footfall] numbers this year are up 4-5 per cent and they were up 2 per cent last year. Prior to that, the numbers were fairly static. Certainly we feel that the city is performing fairly well.”
Coffey said the good weather in recent weeks had boosted the city centre. ‘‘The city has a huge advantage when the weather is good. The whole ambience of the city is more like Paris, where you can have a coffee and listen to buskers, and we’re finding that there is a growing customer base of retired people,” he said.
Coffey said about 260 million people would come through the city in a year, and that numbers had increased dramatically over the past 20 years. He played down concerns expressed by some retailers over the impact of the Dundrum Town Centre, with the Luas at the end of Grafton Street waiting to ferry people away. ‘‘The problem was not Dundrum,” said Coffey.
‘‘The problem was mobile phone shops. They are not an attractor of business, they live off the footfall that everyone else creates.”
Under the new city council plans, phone shops, fast food businesses and financial institutions will have restricted access to Grafton Street. Coffey’s association is trying to encourage financial institutions and other offices to free up ground level retail space. It has identified Dawson Street, which runs parallel to Grafton Street, as a thoroughfare with particular potential for new shops.
While the city retailers say they are experiencing growth, Dundrum Town Centre - seen as a premium shopping centre - is also wooing consumers. Retailers believe that dated shopping centres, rather than the city centre, are taking the hit in shopper volumes.
Don Nugent, director of Dundrum Town Centre, was upbeat about the centre’s performance in the early months of this year, with fashion scoring particularly well.
‘‘Most promising is the fact that sales growth has exceeded footfall growth,” he said - meaning that shoppers are spending more than ever. He said fashion sales were up 15 to 25 per cent, with all the ‘‘majors’’ such as House of Fraser, Harvey Nichols and Primark (Penneys) up more than 20 per cent interms of revenue. Restaurant and cafes are also seeing 10 to 15 per cent growth, even though there is more competition.
Nugent said that while shoppers traditionally stayed away from centres in good weather, Dundrum had not suffered and may have benefited from the fact that the complex has an indoor-outdoor mix. ‘‘We’ve pitched ourselves as an extension of the city centre,” he said.
Sunday Business Post
Strategic Environmental Assessment of Porcupine Basin begins
The Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, has announced the commencement of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Porcupine Basin area.
The comprehensive environmental assessment is being held prior to an exploration licensing round later this year, in which applications will be invited for licences to explore the potential of the Porcupine area.
The SEA will primarily involve the gathering and analysis of a wide range of data on the Porcupine area. It will assess the projected level of activity arising from any potential exploration in the area and consider measures to ensure that any effects of exploration on the marine environment are minimal.
External environmental experts ERT (Scotland) and AquaFact (Ireland) have been appointed to conduct the assessment, which will be managed by a technical Steering Group. The Steering Group has membership drawn from Governmental and non-governmental agencies, environmental agencies, industry and the research and university sectors. The Steering Group will publish a draft environmental report.
A six-week public consultation process will then take place, after which a final report will be published - taking account of the issues raised during the public consultation phase.
The comprehensive environmental assessment is being held prior to an exploration licensing round later this year, in which applications will be invited for licences to explore the potential of the Porcupine area.
The SEA will primarily involve the gathering and analysis of a wide range of data on the Porcupine area. It will assess the projected level of activity arising from any potential exploration in the area and consider measures to ensure that any effects of exploration on the marine environment are minimal.
External environmental experts ERT (Scotland) and AquaFact (Ireland) have been appointed to conduct the assessment, which will be managed by a technical Steering Group. The Steering Group has membership drawn from Governmental and non-governmental agencies, environmental agencies, industry and the research and university sectors. The Steering Group will publish a draft environmental report.
A six-week public consultation process will then take place, after which a final report will be published - taking account of the issues raised during the public consultation phase.
€11m port development in Louth
Noel Dempsey TD, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has officially opened a new €11 million harbour development at Port Oriel, County Louth, accompanied by his colleague, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern TD.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Dempsey said - "It gives me great pleasure to be part of a Government that is committed to providing modern, efficient, fishing harbours like this one in Port Oriel, that can play a strong role in the local economy. I have no doubt that this new development will add immensely to the prosperity of Clogherhead and of the fishermen from all parts along the east coast."
This project was jointly-funded by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Louth County Council. The total joint investment in the completed works was more than €11 million - the Department funded 75% of the total cost and the remaining 25% was provided by Louth County Council.
"Port Oriel now has one of the finest fishing ports in the country and, onshore, there is a port community that is skilled and committed to developing the port and its reputation" - Dempsey continued.
The future of Port Oriel harbour is an exciting one, filled with greater opportunities than at any time in its history. There are opportunities for expansion, for further marine development and for contribution to the growth of the local area. I urge everybody to see the potential of what a modern fishery harbour should be about - a place of prosperity for everybody" - concluded the Minister.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Dempsey said - "It gives me great pleasure to be part of a Government that is committed to providing modern, efficient, fishing harbours like this one in Port Oriel, that can play a strong role in the local economy. I have no doubt that this new development will add immensely to the prosperity of Clogherhead and of the fishermen from all parts along the east coast."
This project was jointly-funded by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Louth County Council. The total joint investment in the completed works was more than €11 million - the Department funded 75% of the total cost and the remaining 25% was provided by Louth County Council.
"Port Oriel now has one of the finest fishing ports in the country and, onshore, there is a port community that is skilled and committed to developing the port and its reputation" - Dempsey continued.
The future of Port Oriel harbour is an exciting one, filled with greater opportunities than at any time in its history. There are opportunities for expansion, for further marine development and for contribution to the growth of the local area. I urge everybody to see the potential of what a modern fishery harbour should be about - a place of prosperity for everybody" - concluded the Minister.
Thorntons Recycling opens largest indoor composting facility in Ireland
Ireland's largest fully-enclosed commercial composting facility has been officially opened in Co. Meath by Thorntons Recycling.
Kilmainhamwood Compost - the purpose-built state-of-the-art facility will produce Class 1 compost for use in Ireland's agriculture and horticulture sectors.
Thorntons Recycling, one of Ireland's most successful recycling companies, has invested €6 million to build the country's largest indoor composting facility. The company has installed the most advanced technologies and environmental systems at Kilmainhamwood Compost, which will process 20,000 tonnes of biodegradable material annually.
"Kilmainhamwood Composting is an important addition to Ireland's recycling infrastructure and will play a key role in helping local authorities in the North-East region achieve their recycling targets" - said Gary Brady, managing director, Thorntons Recycling. "As a country, we need to identify alternative solutions to landfill and commercial composting is an environmentally-friendly solution which also protects our peat bogs. Grade 1 compost from a facility like Kilmainhamwood Compost will be an alternative to peat-based composts currently on the market."
Kilmainhamwood Compost is fully licensed by the EPA and the Department of Agriculture. The facility employs 6 people directly and uses many services from local industry. Earlier this year, Thorntons Recycling invested over €1 million in an end-of-life vehicle recycling facility in Dublin.
"Thorntons Recycling is one of Ireland's longest established recycling companies - and these investments are critical to our strategy of becoming Ireland's largest integrated recycling company. We are committed to investing in both new and existing facilities and this latest investment positions Thorntons Recycling at the forefront of Ireland's recycling industry" - Brady added.
Established by Padraig and Carmel Thornton in 1979, Thorntons Recycling currently employs over 270 people at its recycling centres in Dublin, Kildare and Meath.
Kilmainhamwood Compost - the purpose-built state-of-the-art facility will produce Class 1 compost for use in Ireland's agriculture and horticulture sectors.
Thorntons Recycling, one of Ireland's most successful recycling companies, has invested €6 million to build the country's largest indoor composting facility. The company has installed the most advanced technologies and environmental systems at Kilmainhamwood Compost, which will process 20,000 tonnes of biodegradable material annually.
"Kilmainhamwood Composting is an important addition to Ireland's recycling infrastructure and will play a key role in helping local authorities in the North-East region achieve their recycling targets" - said Gary Brady, managing director, Thorntons Recycling. "As a country, we need to identify alternative solutions to landfill and commercial composting is an environmentally-friendly solution which also protects our peat bogs. Grade 1 compost from a facility like Kilmainhamwood Compost will be an alternative to peat-based composts currently on the market."
Kilmainhamwood Compost is fully licensed by the EPA and the Department of Agriculture. The facility employs 6 people directly and uses many services from local industry. Earlier this year, Thorntons Recycling invested over €1 million in an end-of-life vehicle recycling facility in Dublin.
"Thorntons Recycling is one of Ireland's longest established recycling companies - and these investments are critical to our strategy of becoming Ireland's largest integrated recycling company. We are committed to investing in both new and existing facilities and this latest investment positions Thorntons Recycling at the forefront of Ireland's recycling industry" - Brady added.
Established by Padraig and Carmel Thornton in 1979, Thorntons Recycling currently employs over 270 people at its recycling centres in Dublin, Kildare and Meath.
Business park to provide more than 4,000 jobs
A NEW business park being built in Shannon will provide more than 4,000 jobs within the next three years, it was announced yesterday.
Westpark, a €200 million 40-acre development, near Shannon, has already taken in its first companies.
When work is completed, the park will consist of seven office blocks totalling one million square feet.
The campus will also offer lifestyle facilities including a health and fitness centre, bistro, medical facility and convenience store.
A spokeswoman for Westpark said yesterday: “Our first tenants, international e-commerce firm Digital River, have taken up occupancy as have Limerick-based risk management company LinkresQ and Genesis. Schwarz Pharma have announced occupancy of one full building. Other new international tenant announcements are imminent.”
Westpark has invested over €2m in IT infrastructure. This includes the design and construction of a bespoke regional Data Centre Facility, which already incorporates a multi-tier telecoms infrastructure.
The spokeswoman said: “This is a vital aspect to attracting knowledge-sensitive companies to the campus. The on-site Telecoms house will offer tenants a multiple choice of local and international telecommunications carriers and a future-proofed and secure infrastructure.
“The business park and its tenants will be connected to several tier one international telecommunications networks, strategically positioning Westpark Shannon as a major global business gateway between the US and Europe.”
Westpark has signed a ground-breaking agreement with ESB Telecoms that connects the campus to ESB Telecoms’ National Fibre Network and offers tenants a “carrier neutral” service offering for telecoms and broadband.
Tenants can choose from ESB Telecom, BT/ESAT, DigiWeb, Eircom, Magnet or Verizon.
Westpark will employ 4,000 people. Phase two is due for completion next December and Phase three in March 2008.
Office suites from 5,000 square feet up to 50,000 square feet are on offer in building three of the development.&
Varying accommodation options are being offered and customer call centre type offices start at €12.50 per square foot, with grade A corporate suites available from €18.
Irish Examiner
Westpark, a €200 million 40-acre development, near Shannon, has already taken in its first companies.
When work is completed, the park will consist of seven office blocks totalling one million square feet.
The campus will also offer lifestyle facilities including a health and fitness centre, bistro, medical facility and convenience store.
A spokeswoman for Westpark said yesterday: “Our first tenants, international e-commerce firm Digital River, have taken up occupancy as have Limerick-based risk management company LinkresQ and Genesis. Schwarz Pharma have announced occupancy of one full building. Other new international tenant announcements are imminent.”
Westpark has invested over €2m in IT infrastructure. This includes the design and construction of a bespoke regional Data Centre Facility, which already incorporates a multi-tier telecoms infrastructure.
The spokeswoman said: “This is a vital aspect to attracting knowledge-sensitive companies to the campus. The on-site Telecoms house will offer tenants a multiple choice of local and international telecommunications carriers and a future-proofed and secure infrastructure.
“The business park and its tenants will be connected to several tier one international telecommunications networks, strategically positioning Westpark Shannon as a major global business gateway between the US and Europe.”
Westpark has signed a ground-breaking agreement with ESB Telecoms that connects the campus to ESB Telecoms’ National Fibre Network and offers tenants a “carrier neutral” service offering for telecoms and broadband.
Tenants can choose from ESB Telecom, BT/ESAT, DigiWeb, Eircom, Magnet or Verizon.
Westpark will employ 4,000 people. Phase two is due for completion next December and Phase three in March 2008.
Office suites from 5,000 square feet up to 50,000 square feet are on offer in building three of the development.&
Varying accommodation options are being offered and customer call centre type offices start at €12.50 per square foot, with grade A corporate suites available from €18.
Irish Examiner
Tesco and Lidl top of this town’s agenda
IN KANTURK at the moment all politics boils down to whether or not Lidl and Tesco will be allowed to build in the town.
Tonight more than 500 people are expected to attend a meeting organised by the town’s community council to demand the supermarket chains be facilitated in moving to the town.
But for both sides of the debate it is about far more than competition between grocery stores.
The outcome will have ramifications for employment, road access, age profile, planning, income levels and rural infrastructure.
Local cinema-owner Michael O’Riordan strongly believes the town needs the two stores.
“There is no employment available in Kanturk, for years everybody has been trying to get employment here but it hasn’t worked. That is very hard especially for young people. There are young people who need a start in life and don’t have the ability to travel somewhere else to work so they either move away or stay and not have a job,” he said.
If two shops were allowed to be built it would create in the region of 70 jobs and Mr O’Riordan said this would drive the local economy.
“At the moment people are driving all the way to Mallow to do their shopping. That is money being lost to the town. I am very annoyed about it because it is difficult to keep a business going and get people through the door if they don’t have the money, that is why we need jobs here in Kanturk,” he said.
The two shops are offering other sweeteners ahead of their arrival and are agreeing to contribute towards a new road bridge in the town. For local quarries and heavy goods operators this would greatly improve their ability to do business around the town and, in turn, improve the viability of the economy.
The chief objector to the shops is the local chamber of commerce, which is at loggerheads with the community council.
Both sites being looked at by Lidl and Tesco are outside the town boundaries and the council would need to change its development plan before planning permission is granted.
This requires a two-thirds majority backing from county councillors and this is where the community council is trying to put pressure on political parties.
It is argued that moving the boundaries would undermine the existing town core and threaten the other retailers. It may also set a precedent for bad planning in the hinterland of the town.
The alternative is to move one of the shops to the site of the existing mart, within the town boundaries.
However, the mart is not likely to be sold for some time and Aine O’Leary of the community council said the people of the town are not willing to wait.
“People are putting pressure on us to call this meeting and get something done now. We were told first they could not change the zoning until 2009, but that is not the case and we are saying this needs to be done right away,” she said.
Irish Examiner
Tonight more than 500 people are expected to attend a meeting organised by the town’s community council to demand the supermarket chains be facilitated in moving to the town.
But for both sides of the debate it is about far more than competition between grocery stores.
The outcome will have ramifications for employment, road access, age profile, planning, income levels and rural infrastructure.
Local cinema-owner Michael O’Riordan strongly believes the town needs the two stores.
“There is no employment available in Kanturk, for years everybody has been trying to get employment here but it hasn’t worked. That is very hard especially for young people. There are young people who need a start in life and don’t have the ability to travel somewhere else to work so they either move away or stay and not have a job,” he said.
If two shops were allowed to be built it would create in the region of 70 jobs and Mr O’Riordan said this would drive the local economy.
“At the moment people are driving all the way to Mallow to do their shopping. That is money being lost to the town. I am very annoyed about it because it is difficult to keep a business going and get people through the door if they don’t have the money, that is why we need jobs here in Kanturk,” he said.
The two shops are offering other sweeteners ahead of their arrival and are agreeing to contribute towards a new road bridge in the town. For local quarries and heavy goods operators this would greatly improve their ability to do business around the town and, in turn, improve the viability of the economy.
The chief objector to the shops is the local chamber of commerce, which is at loggerheads with the community council.
Both sites being looked at by Lidl and Tesco are outside the town boundaries and the council would need to change its development plan before planning permission is granted.
This requires a two-thirds majority backing from county councillors and this is where the community council is trying to put pressure on political parties.
It is argued that moving the boundaries would undermine the existing town core and threaten the other retailers. It may also set a precedent for bad planning in the hinterland of the town.
The alternative is to move one of the shops to the site of the existing mart, within the town boundaries.
However, the mart is not likely to be sold for some time and Aine O’Leary of the community council said the people of the town are not willing to wait.
“People are putting pressure on us to call this meeting and get something done now. We were told first they could not change the zoning until 2009, but that is not the case and we are saying this needs to be done right away,” she said.
Irish Examiner
Construction of new 'super' jail delayed until end of next year
CONSTRUCTION of a €100m new 'super-prison' capable of handling over 600 inmates will not begin until late 2008 - despite the fact that severe overcrowding has now been blamed for a spate of attacks on prison officers.
Three prison officers based at Cork jail are currently recovering from minor injuries sustained in separate attacks over the past week.
Cork Prison - one of the most overcrowded in Ireland - was designed with an inmate capacity of 160 but has been catering for 278 prisoners, which is 73pc more that its limit.
However, the Irish Independent has learned that Kilworth Prison in north Cork - which is scheduled to replace Cork Prison - won't begin construction until late 2008 and is unlikely to be commissioned before 2010/2011.
Ironically, this is despite the fact that the prison doesn't even require planning permission because it is sited on former Defence Force lands.
The Government has still to decide whether the state-of-the-art mixed jail will be funded directly by the Exchequer or will be financed as part of a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
This week, outline proposals on the prison are being circulated amongst community groups in north Cork who have, so far, given the project on Lynch Camp lands a cautious welcome.
However, prison officers want the proposed prison developed as a matter of priority - particularly since Spike Island jail was mothballed and a proposed expansion of Cork Prison was dropped.
Heritage
Justice Minister Michael McDowell has already revealed that the Cabinet ratified in principle the Kilworth location over the long-favoured site on Spike Island.
The Cork harbour island is now expected to be developed as a multi-million euro tourism, leisure and heritage site.
Mr McDowell - who personally toured the Lynch Camp site in Kilworth last January - confirmed that he now expects work to begin shortly on the project.
Ralph Riegel
Irish Independent
Three prison officers based at Cork jail are currently recovering from minor injuries sustained in separate attacks over the past week.
Cork Prison - one of the most overcrowded in Ireland - was designed with an inmate capacity of 160 but has been catering for 278 prisoners, which is 73pc more that its limit.
However, the Irish Independent has learned that Kilworth Prison in north Cork - which is scheduled to replace Cork Prison - won't begin construction until late 2008 and is unlikely to be commissioned before 2010/2011.
Ironically, this is despite the fact that the prison doesn't even require planning permission because it is sited on former Defence Force lands.
The Government has still to decide whether the state-of-the-art mixed jail will be funded directly by the Exchequer or will be financed as part of a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
This week, outline proposals on the prison are being circulated amongst community groups in north Cork who have, so far, given the project on Lynch Camp lands a cautious welcome.
However, prison officers want the proposed prison developed as a matter of priority - particularly since Spike Island jail was mothballed and a proposed expansion of Cork Prison was dropped.
Heritage
Justice Minister Michael McDowell has already revealed that the Cabinet ratified in principle the Kilworth location over the long-favoured site on Spike Island.
The Cork harbour island is now expected to be developed as a multi-million euro tourism, leisure and heritage site.
Mr McDowell - who personally toured the Lynch Camp site in Kilworth last January - confirmed that he now expects work to begin shortly on the project.
Ralph Riegel
Irish Independent
Towns clamber for CCTV cameras in bid to beat crime
BIG Brother is set to take a leading role in the fight against crime.
Some 51 new closed-circuit television systems will be installed and fully operational on the streets of Irish towns by the end of the year, new figures show.
Apart from the private systems already installed in businesses, dozens more are planned for towns over the coming years to act as a deterrent to street violence, late-night drunkenness and public order offences.
Local officials have said rural hamlets are queuing up to get a CCTV system. The Justice Department has confirmed that applications had been received from 179 community groups looking for funding.Apart from major towns and cities which have systems operated by gardai, community groups are being formed to state their case to have CCTV installed in their areas.
Towns including Youghal in Cork, Ballybay in Monaghan and Carlingford in Co Louth have been given funding to develop proposals, while 15 schemes have received €100,000 each to allow a system to be installed.
Other areas looking for a system include Ballaghderreen, Co Roscommon.
Donal O'Callaghan, of Ballaghderreen and Districts Development Ltd, said gardai don't have the manpower to keep an eye on late-night revellers.
"There is a concern about public order offences at night and at weekends," he said.
The Central Statistics Office are working on a new system to compile crime figures, which will be able to pinpoint on a street by street basis how many crimes have been committed in the previous 12 months.
However, the new technology won't be available until 2009 at the earliest. Only then, will it become clear if CCTV is a deterrent.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Some 51 new closed-circuit television systems will be installed and fully operational on the streets of Irish towns by the end of the year, new figures show.
Apart from the private systems already installed in businesses, dozens more are planned for towns over the coming years to act as a deterrent to street violence, late-night drunkenness and public order offences.
Local officials have said rural hamlets are queuing up to get a CCTV system. The Justice Department has confirmed that applications had been received from 179 community groups looking for funding.Apart from major towns and cities which have systems operated by gardai, community groups are being formed to state their case to have CCTV installed in their areas.
Towns including Youghal in Cork, Ballybay in Monaghan and Carlingford in Co Louth have been given funding to develop proposals, while 15 schemes have received €100,000 each to allow a system to be installed.
Other areas looking for a system include Ballaghderreen, Co Roscommon.
Donal O'Callaghan, of Ballaghderreen and Districts Development Ltd, said gardai don't have the manpower to keep an eye on late-night revellers.
"There is a concern about public order offences at night and at weekends," he said.
The Central Statistics Office are working on a new system to compile crime figures, which will be able to pinpoint on a street by street basis how many crimes have been committed in the previous 12 months.
However, the new technology won't be available until 2009 at the earliest. Only then, will it become clear if CCTV is a deterrent.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Friday, 18 May 2007
O'Leary and other 'lifestyle' farmers making land prices dearest in Europe
MULTIMILLIONAIRE "lifestyle" farmers like Michael O'Leary have helped push land prices to the highest in Europe.
New figures show that Irish farmland is the most expensive in the continent at a hefty €60,000 a hectare.
The average price here is 10 times the value of land in Scotland and six times the cost of a hectare in Scotland.
Farm prices soared by 40pc during 2006 and estate agents predict a further 12pc growth in the Dublin commuter belt this year.
Farmland still lags far behind the outragous price tags of up to €125m a hectare for residential land in Dublin city centre or around €70m a hectare in Dublin 4. As a result, risktaking developers are also putting pressure on prices by snapping up land in agricultural zones in the hope it will be rezoned for residential or commercial use.
Estate agents said the growth in farmland prices has been heavily fuelled by wealthy businessmen who might only visit their country estates at the weekend.
They can easily afford to splash out up to €5m on a new farm - half what they might spend on a city pad in Dublin 4.
Traditional farmers in lucrative counties in Dublin's hinterland, including Meath, Louth and Kildare, have been tempted by their big money offers to sell up and move abroad.
They have relocated as far afield as Argentina but can also pick up bargains in Scotland and in England. Recent research revealed that 3pc of farm buyers in the UK are Irish.
The owner of a 40-acre farm in Kildare worth €2m could buy a 260-acre farm in Perth with a big Georgian house and still have enough change to buy a flat in Dublin.
Estate agent Savills Hamilton Osborne King said having a country estate has become as much of a status symbol as having a shop on Grafton Street.
Head of research Derek Brawn said many businessmen prefer to keep their private retreats a secret. High-profile farmers include Ryanair boss and Gigginstown estate squire Michael O'Leary and Sunderland chief Niall Quinn.
"These farmers include businessmen like Michael O'Leary, who has prize Angus cows," said Mr Brawn. "A lot of people of stature who have money want to have farms and horses and stables. It's almost like a trophy asset. They can have a private jet and helicopter but also want to have the country estate and farm.
"A lot are hobby farmers and have another income source. Many of them might like the idea of living on the farm at the weekend, and some farms have airstrips and golf courses.
"A lot of these high network business people can afford €8 or €9m for a house on Ailesbury Road and think nothing of spending €3 or €4m to be a lifestyle farmer. The former Taoiseach Charlie Haughey did the same thing at Kinsealy."
Anne-Marie Walsh
© Irish Independent
New figures show that Irish farmland is the most expensive in the continent at a hefty €60,000 a hectare.
The average price here is 10 times the value of land in Scotland and six times the cost of a hectare in Scotland.
Farm prices soared by 40pc during 2006 and estate agents predict a further 12pc growth in the Dublin commuter belt this year.
Farmland still lags far behind the outragous price tags of up to €125m a hectare for residential land in Dublin city centre or around €70m a hectare in Dublin 4. As a result, risktaking developers are also putting pressure on prices by snapping up land in agricultural zones in the hope it will be rezoned for residential or commercial use.
Estate agents said the growth in farmland prices has been heavily fuelled by wealthy businessmen who might only visit their country estates at the weekend.
They can easily afford to splash out up to €5m on a new farm - half what they might spend on a city pad in Dublin 4.
Traditional farmers in lucrative counties in Dublin's hinterland, including Meath, Louth and Kildare, have been tempted by their big money offers to sell up and move abroad.
They have relocated as far afield as Argentina but can also pick up bargains in Scotland and in England. Recent research revealed that 3pc of farm buyers in the UK are Irish.
The owner of a 40-acre farm in Kildare worth €2m could buy a 260-acre farm in Perth with a big Georgian house and still have enough change to buy a flat in Dublin.
Estate agent Savills Hamilton Osborne King said having a country estate has become as much of a status symbol as having a shop on Grafton Street.
Head of research Derek Brawn said many businessmen prefer to keep their private retreats a secret. High-profile farmers include Ryanair boss and Gigginstown estate squire Michael O'Leary and Sunderland chief Niall Quinn.
"These farmers include businessmen like Michael O'Leary, who has prize Angus cows," said Mr Brawn. "A lot of people of stature who have money want to have farms and horses and stables. It's almost like a trophy asset. They can have a private jet and helicopter but also want to have the country estate and farm.
"A lot are hobby farmers and have another income source. Many of them might like the idea of living on the farm at the weekend, and some farms have airstrips and golf courses.
"A lot of these high network business people can afford €8 or €9m for a house on Ailesbury Road and think nothing of spending €3 or €4m to be a lifestyle farmer. The former Taoiseach Charlie Haughey did the same thing at Kinsealy."
Anne-Marie Walsh
© Irish Independent
Ferris says planning guidelines are a stunt
RURAL planning guidelines are not worth the paper they are written on and are little more than a publicity stunt Sinn Féin TD, Martin Ferris, has claimed.
He said that when Minister Dick Roche launched the guidelines in 2004, they were nothing more than a publicity stunt in the run into the local elections, a situation now being borne out in rural parts of Kerry.
Deputy Ferris said the inconsistencies and difficulties that people face when seeking planning permission in rural areas are as apparent now as they were three years ago.
"If there is to be fairness and consistency in rural planning then many of these guidelines will have to be written into legislation," he said.
"I will be proposing many parts of the guidelines to be written into legislation, particularly around people building on family land," the Kerry North TD said.
"I am acutely aware of many cases where young people seeking to build a home on plots given to them by their parents find it very difficult to get permission," Deputy Ferris added.
"If the minister and his government were serious about changing the planning system then they would have made sure that local planners were given a little more than just guidelines," the Sinn Féin Dail candidate said.
Mary Murphy
© The Kingdom
He said that when Minister Dick Roche launched the guidelines in 2004, they were nothing more than a publicity stunt in the run into the local elections, a situation now being borne out in rural parts of Kerry.
Deputy Ferris said the inconsistencies and difficulties that people face when seeking planning permission in rural areas are as apparent now as they were three years ago.
"If there is to be fairness and consistency in rural planning then many of these guidelines will have to be written into legislation," he said.
"I will be proposing many parts of the guidelines to be written into legislation, particularly around people building on family land," the Kerry North TD said.
"I am acutely aware of many cases where young people seeking to build a home on plots given to them by their parents find it very difficult to get permission," Deputy Ferris added.
"If the minister and his government were serious about changing the planning system then they would have made sure that local planners were given a little more than just guidelines," the Sinn Féin Dail candidate said.
Mary Murphy
© The Kingdom
Judge warns Laois family to clear up illegal landfill site
A High Court judge has warned three members of a Co Laois family that they will go to jail if they fail, within one year, to clear up lands where an illegal landfill was operated and where the scale of pollution was "truly enormous".
Richard Scully, Michael Scully and Eileen Scully were ordered by Mr Justice Michael Peart to comply with a High Court order of April 2006 to stop an illegal landfill operation at lands at Knockacrin, Timahoe, Co Laois, to remove all waste on the lands to an authorised waste disposal facility and to remediate the lands.
The orders were sought by Laois County Council.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Peart said he was prepared to order the committal of the Scullys to prison for six months. He said he would suspend that order for 12 months only on condition they completed, as required by the council, the programme of works to restore the lands.
The scale of pollution of the lands was "truly enormous" and was not denied, the judge said. The only matter raised by the Scullys in the application by the council for orders under the Waste Management Acts was the method by which the lands should be remediated.
Mr Justice Peart said he would adjourn to next week the making of a final order in the case to allow the sides put forward legal submissions on the programme of works for the restoring of the lands.
In an earlier decision in January 2006, the judge had urged the Scullys to agree a timetable of events for the restoring of the lands and the parties agreed to a remedial action plan with the works to be completed by September 2006.
However, the judge said, the only works carried out had resulted in a situation where the lands were placed in an even worse position. The Scullys had contended that they were not bound by a part of the court order because the wording meant they were not specifically directed to do anything.
The judge said it was "a blatant attempt" to avoid complying with the requirements of the remedial action plan which the Scullys had agreed to and which formed the basis of the court order.
© 2007 The Irish Times
Richard Scully, Michael Scully and Eileen Scully were ordered by Mr Justice Michael Peart to comply with a High Court order of April 2006 to stop an illegal landfill operation at lands at Knockacrin, Timahoe, Co Laois, to remove all waste on the lands to an authorised waste disposal facility and to remediate the lands.
The orders were sought by Laois County Council.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Peart said he was prepared to order the committal of the Scullys to prison for six months. He said he would suspend that order for 12 months only on condition they completed, as required by the council, the programme of works to restore the lands.
The scale of pollution of the lands was "truly enormous" and was not denied, the judge said. The only matter raised by the Scullys in the application by the council for orders under the Waste Management Acts was the method by which the lands should be remediated.
Mr Justice Peart said he would adjourn to next week the making of a final order in the case to allow the sides put forward legal submissions on the programme of works for the restoring of the lands.
In an earlier decision in January 2006, the judge had urged the Scullys to agree a timetable of events for the restoring of the lands and the parties agreed to a remedial action plan with the works to be completed by September 2006.
However, the judge said, the only works carried out had resulted in a situation where the lands were placed in an even worse position. The Scullys had contended that they were not bound by a part of the court order because the wording meant they were not specifically directed to do anything.
The judge said it was "a blatant attempt" to avoid complying with the requirements of the remedial action plan which the Scullys had agreed to and which formed the basis of the court order.
© 2007 The Irish Times
Quarries becoming a problem
QUARRY regulations, or lack of, were questioned by Cllr Michelle Mulherin at this month’s meeting of Ballina Area Electoral Committee.
Speaking to members and officials she said that a recent report has shown that quarries have now increased from .267 hectares to 5 hectares in Mayo.
Chairing the meeting, she raised the issue of Breaffy Quarry which she said is causing concern for the people of the area.
“There is a school there and a residential area and with the current levels of noise and dust the residents feel they are not getting much information back from the enforcement section of the Planning Department,” said Cllr Mulherin.
She said she was in no way trying to work against the value of quarries. “In general I acknowledge that they are necessary but we need to construct proper roads in these areas. There are big trucks on these roads such as Attymachugh and Mullafarry and something just has to be done to sort it out.
Cllr Eddie Staunton said he also wants to see the issue of enforcement laws cleared up once and for all and questioned the difference between planning permission and a licence in the case of quarries. Deeming the situation “ludicrous”, he demanded something be done and sited a local quarry as in receipt of a 32-point conditional licence. “If there are so many conditions, then what is the difference between that and planning?” he asked.
Official Noel Burke told the meeting that regis-tered quarries face different planning systems and suggested that the enforcement section be contacted to address a future meeting on the various methods applied to quarries.
Anna-Marie Flynn
© Western People
Speaking to members and officials she said that a recent report has shown that quarries have now increased from .267 hectares to 5 hectares in Mayo.
Chairing the meeting, she raised the issue of Breaffy Quarry which she said is causing concern for the people of the area.
“There is a school there and a residential area and with the current levels of noise and dust the residents feel they are not getting much information back from the enforcement section of the Planning Department,” said Cllr Mulherin.
She said she was in no way trying to work against the value of quarries. “In general I acknowledge that they are necessary but we need to construct proper roads in these areas. There are big trucks on these roads such as Attymachugh and Mullafarry and something just has to be done to sort it out.
Cllr Eddie Staunton said he also wants to see the issue of enforcement laws cleared up once and for all and questioned the difference between planning permission and a licence in the case of quarries. Deeming the situation “ludicrous”, he demanded something be done and sited a local quarry as in receipt of a 32-point conditional licence. “If there are so many conditions, then what is the difference between that and planning?” he asked.
Official Noel Burke told the meeting that regis-tered quarries face different planning systems and suggested that the enforcement section be contacted to address a future meeting on the various methods applied to quarries.
Anna-Marie Flynn
© Western People
Shell refuses to move gas project
The site of the proposed Corrib gas refinery near Rossport in Co Mayo, the focus of a bitter dispute for years, will not be moved, Malcolm Brinded, the Royal Dutch Shell executive in charge of exploration and production, told the annual general meeting of the company yesterday.
He told hundreds of Dutch shareholders that the Corrib gas project would be realised. Shell had satisfied all regulatory requirements and the project was
very important for Co Mayo and Ireland, creating employment and enabling self-sufficiency by meeting 60 per cent of future Irish gas demand.
Referring to the violence which has accompanied protests, he thanked "the law enforcement agencies for their assistance."
New shareholders present included Willie Corduff, recent winner of the international Goldman Environmental Award, who with four other members of the Shell to Sea campaign and Rossport Solidarity Camp travelled to the agm.
They were entitled to attend and address the meeting only because they were donated 50 shares anonymously.
Mr Corduff, with John Monaghan, son-in-law of one of the jailed Rossport five, and Terence Conway delivered emotionally charged speeches. They wanted to inform Dutch shareholders about the issue, appeal to their consciences, and to the better judgment and wisdom of the 16-member Shell board, to move the site to an alternative location, they explained.
But the group came away disappointed, convinced, in the words of Willie Corduff, that "Shell will tolerate people even getting killed if necessary to get this project done".
"Our expectations were not that high, we knew what we were up against, but instead of moving forward, I had the feeling when I left the meeting that things had actually gone backwards; I felt we were dealing with bullies up there on the stage ". He was especially critical of Shell's public expression of gratitude to gardaí who were, he claimed, "harassing and intimidating opponents".
Mr Corduff said that after he left for Holland on Monday his wife had been visited by gardaí and ordered to hand over video footage she had in her possession or a court order would be obtained. "The aim was to frighten her when I had gone away", he claimed.
Mr Corduff, who stood behind a microphone waiting to speak for an hour in the auditorium at The Circus Theatre in Scheveningen on the outskirts of The Hague, said, "if this project is to go ahead as it is, then Shell will have more blood on its hands in Mayo. We are not giving up and if any of you think we should give up and let Shell drive us out of our homes, that's okay, but I want you all to know what Shell are doing to pay you your shares".
Earlier he told the audience, predominantly made up of middle-aged and elderly well- dressed couples, "I am very lucky to be here because with the reputation of Shell I should not be here. They only jailed me for 94 days for asking questions".
Terence Conway accused Shell of misleading its shareholders about the extent of opposition to the project, saying it was untrue that the majority of people in Mayo supported it, as was claimed yesterday . "Come and find out
for yourself, not on a Shell guided tour, but go and check out the facts for yourself", he challenged them.
Finnish-born chairman Jorma Ollila replied: "The Shell board has certainly been visiting there, we hear your concern and we will continue to engage".
Replying to all questions concerning the Rossport project, Mr Brinded said there was no question of the company reconfiguring the project, although they were going to look at the onshore pipeline route.
He was sorry that Mr Corduff and others had gone to jail and looking back to early events, things could have been done differently, he said.
Isabel Conway
© 2007 The Irish Times
He told hundreds of Dutch shareholders that the Corrib gas project would be realised. Shell had satisfied all regulatory requirements and the project was
very important for Co Mayo and Ireland, creating employment and enabling self-sufficiency by meeting 60 per cent of future Irish gas demand.
Referring to the violence which has accompanied protests, he thanked "the law enforcement agencies for their assistance."
New shareholders present included Willie Corduff, recent winner of the international Goldman Environmental Award, who with four other members of the Shell to Sea campaign and Rossport Solidarity Camp travelled to the agm.
They were entitled to attend and address the meeting only because they were donated 50 shares anonymously.
Mr Corduff, with John Monaghan, son-in-law of one of the jailed Rossport five, and Terence Conway delivered emotionally charged speeches. They wanted to inform Dutch shareholders about the issue, appeal to their consciences, and to the better judgment and wisdom of the 16-member Shell board, to move the site to an alternative location, they explained.
But the group came away disappointed, convinced, in the words of Willie Corduff, that "Shell will tolerate people even getting killed if necessary to get this project done".
"Our expectations were not that high, we knew what we were up against, but instead of moving forward, I had the feeling when I left the meeting that things had actually gone backwards; I felt we were dealing with bullies up there on the stage ". He was especially critical of Shell's public expression of gratitude to gardaí who were, he claimed, "harassing and intimidating opponents".
Mr Corduff said that after he left for Holland on Monday his wife had been visited by gardaí and ordered to hand over video footage she had in her possession or a court order would be obtained. "The aim was to frighten her when I had gone away", he claimed.
Mr Corduff, who stood behind a microphone waiting to speak for an hour in the auditorium at The Circus Theatre in Scheveningen on the outskirts of The Hague, said, "if this project is to go ahead as it is, then Shell will have more blood on its hands in Mayo. We are not giving up and if any of you think we should give up and let Shell drive us out of our homes, that's okay, but I want you all to know what Shell are doing to pay you your shares".
Earlier he told the audience, predominantly made up of middle-aged and elderly well- dressed couples, "I am very lucky to be here because with the reputation of Shell I should not be here. They only jailed me for 94 days for asking questions".
Terence Conway accused Shell of misleading its shareholders about the extent of opposition to the project, saying it was untrue that the majority of people in Mayo supported it, as was claimed yesterday . "Come and find out
for yourself, not on a Shell guided tour, but go and check out the facts for yourself", he challenged them.
Finnish-born chairman Jorma Ollila replied: "The Shell board has certainly been visiting there, we hear your concern and we will continue to engage".
Replying to all questions concerning the Rossport project, Mr Brinded said there was no question of the company reconfiguring the project, although they were going to look at the onshore pipeline route.
He was sorry that Mr Corduff and others had gone to jail and looking back to early events, things could have been done differently, he said.
Isabel Conway
© 2007 The Irish Times
Application to demolish Rynvanney House
An application is to be lodged with Wexford County Council for the demolition of Rynvanney House in Gorey Town. The historic building has been derelict for some time.
Forth Estates is to lodge an application for permission to demolish the Pearse Street building at the back entrance to Pettitt's carpark. It is a protected structure.
The same company is also applying to alter the shopfront at Pettitt's Supervalu on Main Street.
© Gorey Guardian
Forth Estates is to lodge an application for permission to demolish the Pearse Street building at the back entrance to Pettitt's carpark. It is a protected structure.
The same company is also applying to alter the shopfront at Pettitt's Supervalu on Main Street.
© Gorey Guardian
Council plans to delist Georgian Clonmel hotel
Councillors in Clonmel, Co Tipperary plan to remove a Georgian building from the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) in order to allow the development of a multistorey car park, hotel and shopping centre, which was refused by An Bord Pleanála last week.
An Bord Pleanála upheld appeals by the Department of the Environment and An Taisce against the controversial €40 million development which was approved by Clonmel Borough Council last August.
The council had given planning permission to the Borc Partnership to build a 500-space car park over nine levels, a 2770 sq m shopping centre and an 80-bedroom hotel on a one-acre site in the town centre currently occupied by the Clonmel Arms Hotel.
The hotel is a listed Georgian building and the proposed development would have involved its partial demolition.
An Bord Pleanála refused permission on the grounds of excessive scale and height of the development in the historic town centre and that there were no exceptional circumstances that would permit the demolition of a protected structure.
In its ruling the board also said the development would have an adverse impact on a nearby national monument, the restored 17th century customs house, the Main Guard, and was contrary to council's own development plan for the town.
"The monolithic nature and scale of the proposed development would be out of keeping with its surroundings and would significantly detract from the historic centre of Clonmel in general, and the setting of a national monument," Bord Pleanála inspector Graham Carlisle said.
An emergency meeting of the borough council was held on Tuesday night to discuss the decision. It is understood that councillors had been contacted by the developer last weekend to express his disappointment at the reversal of the council's original planning decision.
A motion was put forward by mayor Phil Prendergast proposing that the hotel should be delisted, to allow plans for the development to be resubmitted. The motion was unanimously agreed by the 12-member council. The proposal will now be put out to public consultation before it can be formally ratified by the council.
The town had been "devastated" by An Bord Pleanála's decision, which had been prompted by unnecessary interference by An Taisce and the Department of the Environment, Ms Prendergast said.
"Clonmel has been demoralised by this negative decision, we really need this centre for investment in Clonmel."
While there was no guarantee that a new application for the same site would be successful, at least the "heritage barrier" had been removed, she said.
A spokesman for An Taisce said yesterday that the council's decision was short-sighted and highlighted its failure to protect national monuments and listed buildings.
"Rather than face up to the reality that this was an ill-advised development they are attempting to accommodate a repeat application that won't succeed."
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
An Bord Pleanála upheld appeals by the Department of the Environment and An Taisce against the controversial €40 million development which was approved by Clonmel Borough Council last August.
The council had given planning permission to the Borc Partnership to build a 500-space car park over nine levels, a 2770 sq m shopping centre and an 80-bedroom hotel on a one-acre site in the town centre currently occupied by the Clonmel Arms Hotel.
The hotel is a listed Georgian building and the proposed development would have involved its partial demolition.
An Bord Pleanála refused permission on the grounds of excessive scale and height of the development in the historic town centre and that there were no exceptional circumstances that would permit the demolition of a protected structure.
In its ruling the board also said the development would have an adverse impact on a nearby national monument, the restored 17th century customs house, the Main Guard, and was contrary to council's own development plan for the town.
"The monolithic nature and scale of the proposed development would be out of keeping with its surroundings and would significantly detract from the historic centre of Clonmel in general, and the setting of a national monument," Bord Pleanála inspector Graham Carlisle said.
An emergency meeting of the borough council was held on Tuesday night to discuss the decision. It is understood that councillors had been contacted by the developer last weekend to express his disappointment at the reversal of the council's original planning decision.
A motion was put forward by mayor Phil Prendergast proposing that the hotel should be delisted, to allow plans for the development to be resubmitted. The motion was unanimously agreed by the 12-member council. The proposal will now be put out to public consultation before it can be formally ratified by the council.
The town had been "devastated" by An Bord Pleanála's decision, which had been prompted by unnecessary interference by An Taisce and the Department of the Environment, Ms Prendergast said.
"Clonmel has been demoralised by this negative decision, we really need this centre for investment in Clonmel."
While there was no guarantee that a new application for the same site would be successful, at least the "heritage barrier" had been removed, she said.
A spokesman for An Taisce said yesterday that the council's decision was short-sighted and highlighted its failure to protect national monuments and listed buildings.
"Rather than face up to the reality that this was an ill-advised development they are attempting to accommodate a repeat application that won't succeed."
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
Heritage group calls for repeal of monuments Act
Leading academics and archaeologists yesterday launched the Heritage Protection Alliance, to campaign for repeal of the National Monuments Act 2004.
The alliance identified 16 sites island-wide, including three in the Taoiseach's constituency, which it says are inadequately protected. It claims the 2004 Act provides for the destruction rather than preservation of such sites.
Included in the list is the home of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, which the alliance pointed out was referred to by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in his address at Westminster on Tuesday.
Commenting on the number of Irishmen who had links with Westminster, Mr Ahern said: "Not the least of those Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who served in this House, was born in Dorset Street in my constituency and is now buried nearby in Poets Corner at Westminster Abbey." Brinsley Sheridan's birthplace is currently the subject of an application for demolition.
The past ten years have seen an unprecedented number of sites being subjected to unnecessary destruction, according to the alliance which includes Prof Donnchadh Ó Corráin, Dr David Edwards, Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, Dr Pádraig Lenihan, Rev Brian Kennaway and Senator David Norris.
They concluded "that Irish archaeology and protection given to heritage is in crisis".
In a statement, the new alliance said: "During the past 10 years over 10,000 sites of archaeological potential have been investigated in the Republic of Ireland under licence to the Department of the Environment and Heritage. Approximately 70 per cent of these sites have tested 'archaeologically positive', a phenomenal number by any standards. To put this number in perspective, it should be recalled that in 1989 a mere 101 sites were excavated."
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
The alliance identified 16 sites island-wide, including three in the Taoiseach's constituency, which it says are inadequately protected. It claims the 2004 Act provides for the destruction rather than preservation of such sites.
Included in the list is the home of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, which the alliance pointed out was referred to by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in his address at Westminster on Tuesday.
Commenting on the number of Irishmen who had links with Westminster, Mr Ahern said: "Not the least of those Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who served in this House, was born in Dorset Street in my constituency and is now buried nearby in Poets Corner at Westminster Abbey." Brinsley Sheridan's birthplace is currently the subject of an application for demolition.
The past ten years have seen an unprecedented number of sites being subjected to unnecessary destruction, according to the alliance which includes Prof Donnchadh Ó Corráin, Dr David Edwards, Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, Dr Pádraig Lenihan, Rev Brian Kennaway and Senator David Norris.
They concluded "that Irish archaeology and protection given to heritage is in crisis".
In a statement, the new alliance said: "During the past 10 years over 10,000 sites of archaeological potential have been investigated in the Republic of Ireland under licence to the Department of the Environment and Heritage. Approximately 70 per cent of these sites have tested 'archaeologically positive', a phenomenal number by any standards. To put this number in perspective, it should be recalled that in 1989 a mere 101 sites were excavated."
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Call for a list of rented properties
ABSENTEE landlords are causing huge problems in housing estates throughout Limerick, it was claimed yesterday.
A call was made for Limerick city and county councils to make available an up-to-date list of rented houses within their administrative areas, that are registered by landlords.
The demand was made by Deputy Jan O’Sullivan.
She noted that, under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, landlords are required to register their properties with the Private Residential Tenancies Board.
The Labour TD said: “Rented houses and absentee landlords are causing terrible problems. Gardens are overgrown with rubbish strewn all over them. These houses are a total eyesore.”
Ms O’Sullivan said she had received many complaints from home owners who are unable to discover the identity of absentee landlords who she said show little regard for their plight.
“If residents can confirm that a house is not registered they can then notify the Tenancies Board who, in turn, can take the necessary action to identify the owners of these rented properties,” she added.
Irish Examiner
A call was made for Limerick city and county councils to make available an up-to-date list of rented houses within their administrative areas, that are registered by landlords.
The demand was made by Deputy Jan O’Sullivan.
She noted that, under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, landlords are required to register their properties with the Private Residential Tenancies Board.
The Labour TD said: “Rented houses and absentee landlords are causing terrible problems. Gardens are overgrown with rubbish strewn all over them. These houses are a total eyesore.”
Ms O’Sullivan said she had received many complaints from home owners who are unable to discover the identity of absentee landlords who she said show little regard for their plight.
“If residents can confirm that a house is not registered they can then notify the Tenancies Board who, in turn, can take the necessary action to identify the owners of these rented properties,” she added.
Irish Examiner
Challenge to Bertie over house ruin
THE Taoiseach was yesterday challenged to see the ruined building once home of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the Dublin-born 18th century writer he had praised in his Westminster address.
Historian and archaeologist Dr Mark Clinton said given the run down condition of the house in Dublin's Dorset St, he could not believe Mr Ahern should single out Sheridan for mention and then admit the house was in his own constituency.
Dr Clinton, a member of An Taisce's National Monuments and Antiquities Committee, said of the house which developers want to demolish and replace with apartments: "This is one house the Taoiseach did not invest in." He said either Sheridan, whose plays include 'School for Scandal' and 'The Rivals', was a writer who deserved to be mentioned alongside Shaw, Beckett and Joyce, or he wasn't. "Either he's important or or he isn't, and either it's a house worth saving or it's not, but the fact is at the moment it's a ruin," he said.
He added: "It is always possible to restore it." The building, listed as a protected structure, has had the plaque acknowledging Sheridan's birthplace removed.
Dr Clinton joked that he hoped Tony Blair had not been so impressed by the Taoiseach's reference to Sheridan that he had asked for a visit to the Dorset St house. "What's he going to say? 'Ahhhh Tony, can you give us a few weeks till I get Paddy the Plasterer to have a look at it?'," said a bemused Dr Clinton. The day before the Taoiseach's reference, An Taisce had been preparing to take part in the launch of a new alliance of heritage groups which had listed the house as a key priority.
Sen David Norris, of the Heritage Protection Alliance, said he plans to appeal the permission given by the City Council for demolition and replacement with apartments. "It's bizarre that the Taoiseach has just mentioned it. It's a listed building and I would like to see it reinstated."
Eugene Moloney
Irish Independent
Historian and archaeologist Dr Mark Clinton said given the run down condition of the house in Dublin's Dorset St, he could not believe Mr Ahern should single out Sheridan for mention and then admit the house was in his own constituency.
Dr Clinton, a member of An Taisce's National Monuments and Antiquities Committee, said of the house which developers want to demolish and replace with apartments: "This is one house the Taoiseach did not invest in." He said either Sheridan, whose plays include 'School for Scandal' and 'The Rivals', was a writer who deserved to be mentioned alongside Shaw, Beckett and Joyce, or he wasn't. "Either he's important or or he isn't, and either it's a house worth saving or it's not, but the fact is at the moment it's a ruin," he said.
He added: "It is always possible to restore it." The building, listed as a protected structure, has had the plaque acknowledging Sheridan's birthplace removed.
Dr Clinton joked that he hoped Tony Blair had not been so impressed by the Taoiseach's reference to Sheridan that he had asked for a visit to the Dorset St house. "What's he going to say? 'Ahhhh Tony, can you give us a few weeks till I get Paddy the Plasterer to have a look at it?'," said a bemused Dr Clinton. The day before the Taoiseach's reference, An Taisce had been preparing to take part in the launch of a new alliance of heritage groups which had listed the house as a key priority.
Sen David Norris, of the Heritage Protection Alliance, said he plans to appeal the permission given by the City Council for demolition and replacement with apartments. "It's bizarre that the Taoiseach has just mentioned it. It's a listed building and I would like to see it reinstated."
Eugene Moloney
Irish Independent
Literary treasures to get new home in €50m library extension
MILLIONS of priceless historical manuscripts and books are to be rehoused in a state-of-the-art new wing for the National Library.
Instead of literary papers from Ireland's foremost authors being scattered across the Kildare Street site in a haphazard manner, a €50m purpose-built building is to store the documents so they will be safely preserved for future generations.
Yesterday An Bord Pleanala gave the go-ahead for the project which will be the most significant investment in the National Library and the first major extension.
To be built in the car park, the seven-storey building will have two storeys underground and will be 6,180 square metres in area.
It will include a bridge linking the main library building to offices in the sprawling complex, and should serve the library's needs for the next 20 years.
"It's about ten years in the pipeline," director Aongus O hAonghusa said yesterday. "It's first and foremost a storage building. The library has storage space but none of it is up to international standards.
"There's millions of books and manuscripts ranging from old papers from the landed estates to literary papers from our foremost authors including WB Yeats, James Joyce and Brian Friel stored all over the place.
"There is a logic to what we do, but it's very much a band aid situation. This building will also go some way to providing better security."
And while the papers aren't in immediate danger, the passage of time makes them vulnerable.
"We're fighting a constant battle against humidity and temperature fluctuations and dust," Mr O hAonghusa said.
"We reckon there's about eight millon items including individual photographs and negatives, manuscripts, maps, prints and drawings," he added.
Much of the area currently being used for storage will be freed-up and could see the reading room being extended.
The new building could also be used for exhibit space as well as housing the book repository.
"The beauty about this is it frees up space in the rest of the building," the director added. "It gives us much more flexibility." The project will be funded by the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Instead of literary papers from Ireland's foremost authors being scattered across the Kildare Street site in a haphazard manner, a €50m purpose-built building is to store the documents so they will be safely preserved for future generations.
Yesterday An Bord Pleanala gave the go-ahead for the project which will be the most significant investment in the National Library and the first major extension.
To be built in the car park, the seven-storey building will have two storeys underground and will be 6,180 square metres in area.
It will include a bridge linking the main library building to offices in the sprawling complex, and should serve the library's needs for the next 20 years.
"It's about ten years in the pipeline," director Aongus O hAonghusa said yesterday. "It's first and foremost a storage building. The library has storage space but none of it is up to international standards.
"There's millions of books and manuscripts ranging from old papers from the landed estates to literary papers from our foremost authors including WB Yeats, James Joyce and Brian Friel stored all over the place.
"There is a logic to what we do, but it's very much a band aid situation. This building will also go some way to providing better security."
And while the papers aren't in immediate danger, the passage of time makes them vulnerable.
"We're fighting a constant battle against humidity and temperature fluctuations and dust," Mr O hAonghusa said.
"We reckon there's about eight millon items including individual photographs and negatives, manuscripts, maps, prints and drawings," he added.
Much of the area currently being used for storage will be freed-up and could see the reading room being extended.
The new building could also be used for exhibit space as well as housing the book repository.
"The beauty about this is it frees up space in the rest of the building," the director added. "It gives us much more flexibility." The project will be funded by the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
At the grand old age of 135, famous stadium makes way for a new era
GOODBYE, and thanks for the memories.
Over 130 years of sporting history came to an end yesterday as the wrecking ball finally moved into Dublin's Lansdowne Road stadium.
Terraces crumbled as diggers began demolishing the arena which has provided more than its fair share of sporting highlights since it opened in 1872.
Who could forget the Triple Crown wins of 1982, 1985 and 2004? Or the sight of 48,500 fans who squeezed into the ancient ground to watch the 2005 Heineken Cup quarter-final between Leinster and Leicester - a record for a non-test rugby match.
And while the soccer team have never clinched qualification for a major championships by winning in Dublin 4, fans of the beautiful game did see a young Diego Maradona play in 1978 against an Irish select XI before breaking into the Argentina team.
Watched by Sports Minister John O'Donoghue, the IRFU's Philip Browne and John Delaney from the FAI, workers began the task of clearing the site early yesterday morning.
The South Terrace was the first to go as part of a seven-month job to remove the pitch and stands from the capital's skyline. From the rubble will rise a 50,000 all-seater stadium, due to open for business by early 2010.
"This is another milestone in the long history of Lansdowne Road," said Mr Browne. "After the various delays, we are delighted to see this project get under way and I know that Irish rugby supporters will be proud of their new stadium when it is complete."
The ground hosted its first international rugby match in 1878 (between Ireland and England), and 30 years later sporting bodies were paying the princely sum of £50 a year to the Pembroke Estate to lease the ground.
When it reopens, some €365m will have been spent creating a new stadium that will be taller than Croke Park.
Demolition will continue until next December, but this month work will be begin on removing the South Terrace and the 'soft strip' - wood, lights, partitioning - of the West Stand.
The lower terrace and roof of the West Stand will also go, but the stand itself will remain in place until later in the summer.
No demolition works can be undertaken that might interfere with the operation of the DART, and the stand can only be removed during non-operating hours and by agreement with Iarnrod Eireann.
And while the wrecking ball is at work, contractors will begin pouring the foundations so the tight two-and-a-half-year construction deadline will be met.
Work on installing the new pitch will begin in April 2009, and commissioning of the new stadium will begin the following month.
This will see a series of small events - such as the restaurant and conference centre opening for business - so that systems can be checked to make sure everything is working properly.
Some small sporting events are also likely to be held on the new pitch.
There is just one small hurdle to overcome.
Residents are seeking a judicial review aimed at stopping the redevelopment. It will be heard next month.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Over 130 years of sporting history came to an end yesterday as the wrecking ball finally moved into Dublin's Lansdowne Road stadium.
Terraces crumbled as diggers began demolishing the arena which has provided more than its fair share of sporting highlights since it opened in 1872.
Who could forget the Triple Crown wins of 1982, 1985 and 2004? Or the sight of 48,500 fans who squeezed into the ancient ground to watch the 2005 Heineken Cup quarter-final between Leinster and Leicester - a record for a non-test rugby match.
And while the soccer team have never clinched qualification for a major championships by winning in Dublin 4, fans of the beautiful game did see a young Diego Maradona play in 1978 against an Irish select XI before breaking into the Argentina team.
Watched by Sports Minister John O'Donoghue, the IRFU's Philip Browne and John Delaney from the FAI, workers began the task of clearing the site early yesterday morning.
The South Terrace was the first to go as part of a seven-month job to remove the pitch and stands from the capital's skyline. From the rubble will rise a 50,000 all-seater stadium, due to open for business by early 2010.
"This is another milestone in the long history of Lansdowne Road," said Mr Browne. "After the various delays, we are delighted to see this project get under way and I know that Irish rugby supporters will be proud of their new stadium when it is complete."
The ground hosted its first international rugby match in 1878 (between Ireland and England), and 30 years later sporting bodies were paying the princely sum of £50 a year to the Pembroke Estate to lease the ground.
When it reopens, some €365m will have been spent creating a new stadium that will be taller than Croke Park.
Demolition will continue until next December, but this month work will be begin on removing the South Terrace and the 'soft strip' - wood, lights, partitioning - of the West Stand.
The lower terrace and roof of the West Stand will also go, but the stand itself will remain in place until later in the summer.
No demolition works can be undertaken that might interfere with the operation of the DART, and the stand can only be removed during non-operating hours and by agreement with Iarnrod Eireann.
And while the wrecking ball is at work, contractors will begin pouring the foundations so the tight two-and-a-half-year construction deadline will be met.
Work on installing the new pitch will begin in April 2009, and commissioning of the new stadium will begin the following month.
This will see a series of small events - such as the restaurant and conference centre opening for business - so that systems can be checked to make sure everything is working properly.
Some small sporting events are also likely to be held on the new pitch.
There is just one small hurdle to overcome.
Residents are seeking a judicial review aimed at stopping the redevelopment. It will be heard next month.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Architectural merit? You must be joking
MOTORISTS stuck on the M50 at 6pm could be forgiven for missing the fact that they are slowly inching their way through what could become an area of great architectural esteem.
The same goes for the landfill site at Dunsink in north county Dublin. Merely a dump? No, of course not, it is an area which screams future development and possibility.
Both the M50 and Dunsink will form part of the Irish entry to an international architecture festival in Lisbon about urban spaces and how they can be improved through appropriate buildings.
With a theme of 'Urban Void', Ireland is one of 11 countries which has been invited to exhibit at the inaugural Lisbon Architecture Triennale.
As part of the Irish entry to the exhibition, Grafton Architects will look at the Dunsink landfill and how the area might be grown, while Dermot Foley Landscape Architects are looking at the green areas along the M50 and how they could be made into parks.
The Irish section is being curated by Peter Cody, of Boyd Cody Architects, and Peter Carroll, of A2 Architects. It will focus on how the city works as a whole and the issue of space within the city.
The organisers are proud of what is a prestigious achievement in being invited to the exhibition, while other countries, such as the UK, have not been.
Other architectural areas which will be examined are the Digital Hub, the River Liffey and the Ballymun Regeneration Project.
"Our aim is to reawaken a new examination of the city in its broader context," said Mr Cody.
"We have found an almost unconscious city, there is very little knowledge of the scale of change going on out there. What are Dublin city's boundaries? Where does the city begin and end? "We have come to realise that the project of the city is continuous. Through the process of decay, rarefaction and urban rapture, the city is constantly being remade and reimagined from within."
And Mr Carroll, of A2 Architects, added: "This is the first time the majority of these projects will be seen in the public sphere." The exhibition will run in Lisbon from May 31 to July 31 and is being supported by the Royal Institute of Architects and Dublin City Council among others.
Shane Hickey
Irish Independent
The same goes for the landfill site at Dunsink in north county Dublin. Merely a dump? No, of course not, it is an area which screams future development and possibility.
Both the M50 and Dunsink will form part of the Irish entry to an international architecture festival in Lisbon about urban spaces and how they can be improved through appropriate buildings.
With a theme of 'Urban Void', Ireland is one of 11 countries which has been invited to exhibit at the inaugural Lisbon Architecture Triennale.
As part of the Irish entry to the exhibition, Grafton Architects will look at the Dunsink landfill and how the area might be grown, while Dermot Foley Landscape Architects are looking at the green areas along the M50 and how they could be made into parks.
The Irish section is being curated by Peter Cody, of Boyd Cody Architects, and Peter Carroll, of A2 Architects. It will focus on how the city works as a whole and the issue of space within the city.
The organisers are proud of what is a prestigious achievement in being invited to the exhibition, while other countries, such as the UK, have not been.
Other architectural areas which will be examined are the Digital Hub, the River Liffey and the Ballymun Regeneration Project.
"Our aim is to reawaken a new examination of the city in its broader context," said Mr Cody.
"We have found an almost unconscious city, there is very little knowledge of the scale of change going on out there. What are Dublin city's boundaries? Where does the city begin and end? "We have come to realise that the project of the city is continuous. Through the process of decay, rarefaction and urban rapture, the city is constantly being remade and reimagined from within."
And Mr Carroll, of A2 Architects, added: "This is the first time the majority of these projects will be seen in the public sphere." The exhibition will run in Lisbon from May 31 to July 31 and is being supported by the Royal Institute of Architects and Dublin City Council among others.
Shane Hickey
Irish Independent
Residents' challenge may hold up revamp of Lansdowne
THE redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium could be delayed because of a legal challenge.
Residents living on Lansdowne Road and O'Connell Gardens sought leave from the High Court yesterday to have a decision last March by An Bord Pleanala to grant permission for a new €365m stadium on the site overturned. Transform
It is planned to transform Lansdowne Road into a 50,000-seater soccer and rugby stadium which should be open for competitive matches in 2010.
The legal challenge comes just over a week after the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company (LRSDC), an affiliate of the IRFU and the FAI, came to an agreement with Dublin City Council to allow it use a half-acre strip of land in the redevelopment.
Residents Brian O'Keeffe and Rosemary Loftus of Lansdowne Road have sought a judicial review of the decision to award planning permission for the new stadium, along with a separate application from Kevin McMahon and Mariaelena Byrne of O'Connell Gardens.
It is understood the appeal centres on An Bord Pleanala's planning approval contradicting its inspector's report which recommended refusal, and that residents living nearby will see a loss of daylight and their homes will devalue when the stadium is complete.
The appeal can only be taken on strict planning grounds, and would relate to flaws in procedures used to decide the application.
It is not uncommon for the board to overturn its inspector's report, which happens in about 10pc of cases.
Last night, the LRSDC said that work had already begun on the project and would proceed as planned.
"We have been given the go-ahead by Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanala," a spokesman said.
Appeal
The residents seeking the review will appear in court on June 11. If granted leave to appeal, work on the stadium could be stopped at the discretion of the judge.
Demolition work began at the site in the past month. It has been estimated that the stadium project will take about two-and-a-half years to complete.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Residents living on Lansdowne Road and O'Connell Gardens sought leave from the High Court yesterday to have a decision last March by An Bord Pleanala to grant permission for a new €365m stadium on the site overturned. Transform
It is planned to transform Lansdowne Road into a 50,000-seater soccer and rugby stadium which should be open for competitive matches in 2010.
The legal challenge comes just over a week after the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company (LRSDC), an affiliate of the IRFU and the FAI, came to an agreement with Dublin City Council to allow it use a half-acre strip of land in the redevelopment.
Residents Brian O'Keeffe and Rosemary Loftus of Lansdowne Road have sought a judicial review of the decision to award planning permission for the new stadium, along with a separate application from Kevin McMahon and Mariaelena Byrne of O'Connell Gardens.
It is understood the appeal centres on An Bord Pleanala's planning approval contradicting its inspector's report which recommended refusal, and that residents living nearby will see a loss of daylight and their homes will devalue when the stadium is complete.
The appeal can only be taken on strict planning grounds, and would relate to flaws in procedures used to decide the application.
It is not uncommon for the board to overturn its inspector's report, which happens in about 10pc of cases.
Last night, the LRSDC said that work had already begun on the project and would proceed as planned.
"We have been given the go-ahead by Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanala," a spokesman said.
Appeal
The residents seeking the review will appear in court on June 11. If granted leave to appeal, work on the stadium could be stopped at the discretion of the judge.
Demolition work began at the site in the past month. It has been estimated that the stadium project will take about two-and-a-half years to complete.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Locals risk lives crossing road over poor planning
BROKEN promises and years of poor planning are foremost in the minds of voters in rural north Cork.
At Rathduff every morning, the school run has become the most stressful job of the day.
The village is cut in half by the main Cork to Mallow Road where the speed signs require cars to slow to 60kmph but drivers rarely oblige.
Parents have devised tactics to cross between the cars to drop their children to the secondary school buses.
Some do not feel comfortable driving across the stream of traffic and instead watch their children cross by foot instead.
Pat Moynihan owns a shop at the junction and watches cars queuing to cross the main road.
“From 7am until after nine, there are cars just flying along the main road and you see the line of cars here waiting to get across. It is crazy, there are more houses planned on the other side of the road, but I don’t know how they are going to cross as well,” he said.
Those queuing up at Rathduff live along the borders of the Cork North Central, Cork East and Cork North West constituencies.
The village was promised €250,000 for a roundabout at the junction and detailed designs were distributed.
But after hopes rose they were dashed by the recent intervention of the National Roads Authority. It has decided to prioritise planning for a motorway between Limerick and Cork and to shelve plans for improvements to the junction.
Local people have been told the original construction grant will now be spent on a feasibility study for what was already planned. They were told it was not a political decision but this argument is not winning supporters ahead of General Election.
Mary O’Keefe-Jones prefers to drive the long route to Blarney rather than run the gauntlet of the N20.
She works in the Rathduff before-and-after school service, used mainly by parents commuting to Cork city during the day.
Outside the school, the inadequate rural road network is in evidence again. A lack of parking spaces along the single-lane road means buses and cars are fighting for spots when they converge to drop children off.
Ms O’Keefe-Jones’s children are among those who have to leave school 10 minutes early every evening so their buses can pull away before the parents arrive.
The 170 new houses overlooking the school promise more problems with inadequate water, sewerage and roads remaining untouched despite the investment in housing.
‘The cars just fly past’
RATHDUFF woman Liz O’Sullivan rises well in advance of the 8am school bus which collects two of her children on the main Mallow to Cork Road.
She said she takes her life in her hands every morning, darting between gaps in the rush-hour traffic which streams through the middle of the village.
“There is nothing there to help us get out and the cars just fly past.”
At 9am at Rathduff National School, parents of 165 children and two buses converge on 15 parking spaces. Sitting on a single-lane country road, the drop-off point is chaotic with cars stopping, manoeuvring on a sixpence.
Ms O’Sullivan is among those campaigning for better infrastructure for years and watched in frustration as more than 170 houses were built overlooking the school without any investment to ease congestion.
Ms O’Sullivan says she was once told nothing will be done because there have not been “enough fatalities” and is worried what it will take before the network is improved.
Irish Examiner
At Rathduff every morning, the school run has become the most stressful job of the day.
The village is cut in half by the main Cork to Mallow Road where the speed signs require cars to slow to 60kmph but drivers rarely oblige.
Parents have devised tactics to cross between the cars to drop their children to the secondary school buses.
Some do not feel comfortable driving across the stream of traffic and instead watch their children cross by foot instead.
Pat Moynihan owns a shop at the junction and watches cars queuing to cross the main road.
“From 7am until after nine, there are cars just flying along the main road and you see the line of cars here waiting to get across. It is crazy, there are more houses planned on the other side of the road, but I don’t know how they are going to cross as well,” he said.
Those queuing up at Rathduff live along the borders of the Cork North Central, Cork East and Cork North West constituencies.
The village was promised €250,000 for a roundabout at the junction and detailed designs were distributed.
But after hopes rose they were dashed by the recent intervention of the National Roads Authority. It has decided to prioritise planning for a motorway between Limerick and Cork and to shelve plans for improvements to the junction.
Local people have been told the original construction grant will now be spent on a feasibility study for what was already planned. They were told it was not a political decision but this argument is not winning supporters ahead of General Election.
Mary O’Keefe-Jones prefers to drive the long route to Blarney rather than run the gauntlet of the N20.
She works in the Rathduff before-and-after school service, used mainly by parents commuting to Cork city during the day.
Outside the school, the inadequate rural road network is in evidence again. A lack of parking spaces along the single-lane road means buses and cars are fighting for spots when they converge to drop children off.
Ms O’Keefe-Jones’s children are among those who have to leave school 10 minutes early every evening so their buses can pull away before the parents arrive.
The 170 new houses overlooking the school promise more problems with inadequate water, sewerage and roads remaining untouched despite the investment in housing.
‘The cars just fly past’
RATHDUFF woman Liz O’Sullivan rises well in advance of the 8am school bus which collects two of her children on the main Mallow to Cork Road.
She said she takes her life in her hands every morning, darting between gaps in the rush-hour traffic which streams through the middle of the village.
“There is nothing there to help us get out and the cars just fly past.”
At 9am at Rathduff National School, parents of 165 children and two buses converge on 15 parking spaces. Sitting on a single-lane country road, the drop-off point is chaotic with cars stopping, manoeuvring on a sixpence.
Ms O’Sullivan is among those campaigning for better infrastructure for years and watched in frustration as more than 170 houses were built overlooking the school without any investment to ease congestion.
Ms O’Sullivan says she was once told nothing will be done because there have not been “enough fatalities” and is worried what it will take before the network is improved.
Irish Examiner
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Town reveals blueprint for economic success
A TOWN that economic success overlooked is determined to get back on track with a blueprint for the future.
The Cobh and Harbour Chamber of Commerce was so concerned about the town’s failure to capitalise on boom times, it commissioned Brady Shipman Martin consultants to draw up a report highlighting the area’s failures and ways to deal with them.
The extensive report was launched last night.
The chamber’s president Joe MacCoitir said the community hoped it would be “a signpost towards extensive redevelopment” but warned that cross-community effort was needed to ensure its full implementation.
Cobh, in recent years, has lost a huge number of industrial jobs, including the closure of the Ispat and IFI plants. Efforts to replace them have been hindered by the lack of 21st century roads.
Mr MacCoitir said his organisation would lobby extensively for the creation of a new route off the N25 (Cork-Midleton road) passing through Fota, over Belvelly Bridge and into the town centre.
“We have the same road system of 40 or 50 years ago. The IDA has told us that we won’t get industrialists coming in along the Fota Road — it’s a definite turn-off. Companies have told us the same thing, this was probably one of the main reasons why the former IFI plant was overlooked for job creation. Nearly all our traditional industrial jobs are gone,” the chamber president said.
The report also highlights Cobh’s lack of retail quantity and diversity, which is causing money to flow out of the town to higher profile shopping venues.
As a large percentage of people living in Cobh have to commute to work, they are not getting involved in the local community and often do their shopping in the city or other towns on their way home.
Mr MacCoitir said that the town especially needed more restaurants, due to its tourist potential.
“It has to be a cross-community effort,” said Mr MacCoitir. “I am not fearful for the future, provided we start doing something about it now.”
On a positive note, he said that the planned redevelopment of the Ispat site on Haulbowline and the possibility that Spike Island could be turned into a heritage site should auger well for the future.
Irish Examiner
The Cobh and Harbour Chamber of Commerce was so concerned about the town’s failure to capitalise on boom times, it commissioned Brady Shipman Martin consultants to draw up a report highlighting the area’s failures and ways to deal with them.
The extensive report was launched last night.
The chamber’s president Joe MacCoitir said the community hoped it would be “a signpost towards extensive redevelopment” but warned that cross-community effort was needed to ensure its full implementation.
Cobh, in recent years, has lost a huge number of industrial jobs, including the closure of the Ispat and IFI plants. Efforts to replace them have been hindered by the lack of 21st century roads.
Mr MacCoitir said his organisation would lobby extensively for the creation of a new route off the N25 (Cork-Midleton road) passing through Fota, over Belvelly Bridge and into the town centre.
“We have the same road system of 40 or 50 years ago. The IDA has told us that we won’t get industrialists coming in along the Fota Road — it’s a definite turn-off. Companies have told us the same thing, this was probably one of the main reasons why the former IFI plant was overlooked for job creation. Nearly all our traditional industrial jobs are gone,” the chamber president said.
The report also highlights Cobh’s lack of retail quantity and diversity, which is causing money to flow out of the town to higher profile shopping venues.
As a large percentage of people living in Cobh have to commute to work, they are not getting involved in the local community and often do their shopping in the city or other towns on their way home.
Mr MacCoitir said that the town especially needed more restaurants, due to its tourist potential.
“It has to be a cross-community effort,” said Mr MacCoitir. “I am not fearful for the future, provided we start doing something about it now.”
On a positive note, he said that the planned redevelopment of the Ispat site on Haulbowline and the possibility that Spike Island could be turned into a heritage site should auger well for the future.
Irish Examiner
Poisoned by Avoca
"Today is not the end of a process but the beginning of a new one," the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dick Roche, said at the launch of the Avoca Mines Pilot Plant Treatment Trials report by Unipure Europe Ltd in the Woodenbridge Hotel, Vale of Avoca, Arklow, Co Wicklow, last Wednesday.
The background to the report is dramatic. For nearly 250 years the Avoca Mines produced a variety of metals, including iron in the 17th century, lead until 1750, sulphur intermittently up to 1949 and copper until closure in 1982. "In their heyday, the mines were major contributors to the local economy," the Minister said.
Unfortunately, the Avoca River happens to run alongside the now-derelict mine, and today the river is the recipient of 35 litres of acid mine drainage per second emanating from the site. Since mining ceased in 1982 the workings have been allowed to flood, resulting in the release of untreated mine water.
The upshot is that as far as 11.5 km of river downstream of the mine site is very seriously polluted and branded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as Class D with a Q value of 1 (very poor water quality). From these statistics, it is easy to understand why the lower section is regarded as the most polluted river in Ireland and tagged locally as "the poison river".
Despite the problems, and by some "divine miracle", salmon and trout still endeavour to survive. In 2002, an electrofishing survey and baseline water-sampling programme by the fisheries board showed that juvenile salmon and trout parr were distributed at 74 per cent of sites sampled throughout the catchment.
The aforementioned facts undoubtedly spurred the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB) to initiate a rehabilitation programme to restore the river to its former glory. First mooted by former ERFB chief executive officer, Alan McGurdy, and now fronted by ERFB inspector, Josie Mahon, the river has its best chance to recover in more than 200 years. Prior to 1850, records indicate the Avoca was an excellent salmon river.
A management group was established of Wicklow County Council, Department of Marine, EPA, ERFB, Geological Survey of Ireland, Irish Farmers Association, Coillte, Vale of Avoca Development Association, Avoca Mining Heritage Trust, Annamoe Trout Fisheries, Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, accommodation providers, industry, landowners, angling associations and community groups.
With funding of €51,182 from the Tourism Angling Measure scheme, the University of Newcastle was appointed to carry out a desktop study with the aim of reducing the acid mine drainage. Its findings suggested that restoring the river could create €750,000 per year in fishing-related revenue, together with a significant economic boost to the local community.
The report also recommended that a pilot plant should be undertaken to demonstrate mine water treatability. The group again applied for funding and
received €296,820 under an EU Ireland/Wales Interreg programme for a project known as Celtic Copper Heritage.
To address the impact of pollution from the copper mines, the ERFB and Wicklow County Council commissioned Unipure to establish whether it was possible to treat the acid mine drainage on a small scale and what the parameters of a full-scale treatment would be for the Avoca River.
The findings of the Unipure report show the trials were successful in demonstrating that an active treatment will reduce metal concentration downstream of the mines by between 66 and 72 per cent. This reduction would result in significant improvement in water quality and enable the river to achieve salmonid fishery standard.
The estimated cost of building a full-scale treatment plant is €3.6 million with an annual operational cost of €500,000.
Now that the surveys and studies are complete and the facts laid before us, surely this is a small price to pay in the quest to restore a magnificent salmonid river to its former glory?
Derek Evans
© Irish Times
The background to the report is dramatic. For nearly 250 years the Avoca Mines produced a variety of metals, including iron in the 17th century, lead until 1750, sulphur intermittently up to 1949 and copper until closure in 1982. "In their heyday, the mines were major contributors to the local economy," the Minister said.
Unfortunately, the Avoca River happens to run alongside the now-derelict mine, and today the river is the recipient of 35 litres of acid mine drainage per second emanating from the site. Since mining ceased in 1982 the workings have been allowed to flood, resulting in the release of untreated mine water.
The upshot is that as far as 11.5 km of river downstream of the mine site is very seriously polluted and branded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as Class D with a Q value of 1 (very poor water quality). From these statistics, it is easy to understand why the lower section is regarded as the most polluted river in Ireland and tagged locally as "the poison river".
Despite the problems, and by some "divine miracle", salmon and trout still endeavour to survive. In 2002, an electrofishing survey and baseline water-sampling programme by the fisheries board showed that juvenile salmon and trout parr were distributed at 74 per cent of sites sampled throughout the catchment.
The aforementioned facts undoubtedly spurred the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB) to initiate a rehabilitation programme to restore the river to its former glory. First mooted by former ERFB chief executive officer, Alan McGurdy, and now fronted by ERFB inspector, Josie Mahon, the river has its best chance to recover in more than 200 years. Prior to 1850, records indicate the Avoca was an excellent salmon river.
A management group was established of Wicklow County Council, Department of Marine, EPA, ERFB, Geological Survey of Ireland, Irish Farmers Association, Coillte, Vale of Avoca Development Association, Avoca Mining Heritage Trust, Annamoe Trout Fisheries, Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, accommodation providers, industry, landowners, angling associations and community groups.
With funding of €51,182 from the Tourism Angling Measure scheme, the University of Newcastle was appointed to carry out a desktop study with the aim of reducing the acid mine drainage. Its findings suggested that restoring the river could create €750,000 per year in fishing-related revenue, together with a significant economic boost to the local community.
The report also recommended that a pilot plant should be undertaken to demonstrate mine water treatability. The group again applied for funding and
received €296,820 under an EU Ireland/Wales Interreg programme for a project known as Celtic Copper Heritage.
To address the impact of pollution from the copper mines, the ERFB and Wicklow County Council commissioned Unipure to establish whether it was possible to treat the acid mine drainage on a small scale and what the parameters of a full-scale treatment would be for the Avoca River.
The findings of the Unipure report show the trials were successful in demonstrating that an active treatment will reduce metal concentration downstream of the mines by between 66 and 72 per cent. This reduction would result in significant improvement in water quality and enable the river to achieve salmonid fishery standard.
The estimated cost of building a full-scale treatment plant is €3.6 million with an annual operational cost of €500,000.
Now that the surveys and studies are complete and the facts laid before us, surely this is a small price to pay in the quest to restore a magnificent salmonid river to its former glory?
Derek Evans
© Irish Times
Locals set to fight Askeaton quarry
A PROPOSED 50-acre limestone quarry outside Askeaton would generate 700 truck movements a day on the N69, according to the group which has been formed to oppose the project. Denis Lane, from Croom, has applied through a Dublin firm of architects for planning permission for a quarry and site development and landscaping works, including the construction of an internal road, prefabricated office
buildings, canteen, ancillary mobile processing plant, wheelwash, control cabin and weighbridge, fuel tank, settlement lagoons, boundary treatment, wastewater treatment system and parking on an overall application area of 19.9 hectares (50 acres). The site is at Ballyclough, off the Askeaton to Ardagh road, a mile south of the town. A preliminary meeting of locals has already been held, at which 87 people attended, and an action committee has been formed to oppose the project. “The environmental impact statement states that there would be 35 lorries an hour over a 10-hour working day,” said action group chairman Tommy Kelly, who works at Aughinish Alumina and who has land near the proposed quarry on which he keeps thoroughbred horses. “That would amount to 700 truck movements a day. There is no way that the N69 could take that extra heavy traffic all the way into Limerick. People coming to work at Aughinish and Wyeth would be inconvenienced. Going by the previous experience, where a quarry was being applied for near Ferrybridge, property in the area would be devalued by 25 per cent. We’ll be getting our own auctioneers to do a valuation in this case.” Mr Kelly said that his own business would be badly affected, because thoroughbred bloodstock would be upset by the noise of the quarry working and of the heavy traffic. It was suggested at the preliminary meeting of residents that Dáil candidate Cllr Niall Collins was in some way connected with the applicant for the quarry. Cllr Collins this week denied any connection with Mr Lane or the quarry project and insisted that he would be among the first to object to the work. A further meeting will be held next Monday at Askeaton Community Hall, the purpose of which, said Mr Kelly, will be to have the greatest number of people as possible object to the planning application. Cllr Collins said that he will attend that meeting, or be represented, to voice his objection to the quarry going ahead.
Martin Byrnes
© Limerick Leader
buildings, canteen, ancillary mobile processing plant, wheelwash, control cabin and weighbridge, fuel tank, settlement lagoons, boundary treatment, wastewater treatment system and parking on an overall application area of 19.9 hectares (50 acres). The site is at Ballyclough, off the Askeaton to Ardagh road, a mile south of the town. A preliminary meeting of locals has already been held, at which 87 people attended, and an action committee has been formed to oppose the project. “The environmental impact statement states that there would be 35 lorries an hour over a 10-hour working day,” said action group chairman Tommy Kelly, who works at Aughinish Alumina and who has land near the proposed quarry on which he keeps thoroughbred horses. “That would amount to 700 truck movements a day. There is no way that the N69 could take that extra heavy traffic all the way into Limerick. People coming to work at Aughinish and Wyeth would be inconvenienced. Going by the previous experience, where a quarry was being applied for near Ferrybridge, property in the area would be devalued by 25 per cent. We’ll be getting our own auctioneers to do a valuation in this case.” Mr Kelly said that his own business would be badly affected, because thoroughbred bloodstock would be upset by the noise of the quarry working and of the heavy traffic. It was suggested at the preliminary meeting of residents that Dáil candidate Cllr Niall Collins was in some way connected with the applicant for the quarry. Cllr Collins this week denied any connection with Mr Lane or the quarry project and insisted that he would be among the first to object to the work. A further meeting will be held next Monday at Askeaton Community Hall, the purpose of which, said Mr Kelly, will be to have the greatest number of people as possible object to the planning application. Cllr Collins said that he will attend that meeting, or be represented, to voice his objection to the quarry going ahead.
Martin Byrnes
© Limerick Leader
Tiernan refutes An Taisce claims on Doon project
Claims by An Taisce that Roscommon County Council neglected its responsibilities for the protection of the environment in relation to a hotel project for the Doon area of Boyle were rejected this week by the County Manager.
Mr John Tiernan told the Roscommon Herald that he stood over his decision to disagree with a recommendation from his own planning department that the hotel plans be refused planning permission.
With controversy still ranging in Boyle over the decision of An Bord Pleanala to reject the project, and emotions in the town running high, Mr Tiernan stressed that on inspecting the site for the proposed hotel development near Lough Key, he felt that the hotel plans as put forward were “very appropriate”. He explained that he gave the go ahead for the development, despite concerns over visual impact and the potential impact to the ecology of the area.
“I stand over my decision. An Bord Pleanala made a different decision. To say that I would have favoured the views of the developers blindly and that I would override the views of others is wrong,” Mr Tiernan stressed.
“My decision is recorded on file and the reasons behind it are recorded on file and are freely available for inspection by the public. I do my job in an open and public manner,” he remarked.
Mr Tiernan said that by law he had the responsibility to make planning decisions and that by overruling a planning recommendation he was exercising his function as manager to do so.
“That is part of the legislation that the manager decides. It is something that I do everyday and in other areas as well, whether it is road works, water or planning. In order for me to do my job right, I accept a lot of recommendations but I weigh them up, and I decide, and therefore I also reject a number of decisions,” Mr Tiernan explained.
“When I make my decision, if it is different to the final recommendation that has come to me from the technical planners I must put my reasons down on record for that, that is something that is not required of An Bord Pleanala but is something that I do willingly, as I stand over all of the decisions that I make,” he stressed.
Maresa Fagan
© Rosocmmon Herald
Mr John Tiernan told the Roscommon Herald that he stood over his decision to disagree with a recommendation from his own planning department that the hotel plans be refused planning permission.
With controversy still ranging in Boyle over the decision of An Bord Pleanala to reject the project, and emotions in the town running high, Mr Tiernan stressed that on inspecting the site for the proposed hotel development near Lough Key, he felt that the hotel plans as put forward were “very appropriate”. He explained that he gave the go ahead for the development, despite concerns over visual impact and the potential impact to the ecology of the area.
“I stand over my decision. An Bord Pleanala made a different decision. To say that I would have favoured the views of the developers blindly and that I would override the views of others is wrong,” Mr Tiernan stressed.
“My decision is recorded on file and the reasons behind it are recorded on file and are freely available for inspection by the public. I do my job in an open and public manner,” he remarked.
Mr Tiernan said that by law he had the responsibility to make planning decisions and that by overruling a planning recommendation he was exercising his function as manager to do so.
“That is part of the legislation that the manager decides. It is something that I do everyday and in other areas as well, whether it is road works, water or planning. In order for me to do my job right, I accept a lot of recommendations but I weigh them up, and I decide, and therefore I also reject a number of decisions,” Mr Tiernan explained.
“When I make my decision, if it is different to the final recommendation that has come to me from the technical planners I must put my reasons down on record for that, that is something that is not required of An Bord Pleanala but is something that I do willingly, as I stand over all of the decisions that I make,” he stressed.
Maresa Fagan
© Rosocmmon Herald
One in four Mayo houses are empty
FIGURES released from Census 2006 have shown that Mayo has one of the highest vacancy rates of housing units in the State, at a staggering 24.4 per cent. It means that almost a quarter of the county’s entire housing stock of 58,717 is vacant – with many of the houses being used as holiday homes.
Only counties Kerry, Donegal and Leitrim have a higher rate of empty housing stock at 24.8, 27 and 29.3 per cent respectively.
The total population of Mayo is 123,839, but what is clear from the census results is that a significant percentage of the county’s home-owners do not reside permanently in the county.
In the census breakdown of figures, there are four categories that fall under unoccupied permanent housing units: residents temporarily absent; vacant house; vacant flat; and holiday-home.
The figures for Mayo are: absent 736; vacant house 9,136; vacant flat 946; and holiday-home 4,216. Many of the empty houses are located in parts of the county that are known as tourist attractions with entire estates in some towns and villages remaining vacant for most of the year.
The huge increase in property speculation is also reflected in the Census figures with the number of vacant houses increasingly substantially in the last five years.
On the day of the 2002 census, it was estimated that there were just over 140,000 houses vacant across Ireland. In the subsequent five years, this figure increased by over 50 per cent, to about 230,000.
According to Ian Lumley, Heritage Officer of An Taisce, the figures for vacant houses are “startling” for the area around Westport while the picturesque village of Cong is “another emerging second-home cluster”.
“It is a significant concern as to what happens when a village is swamped by holiday-homes,” said Mr Lumley.
“During the summer, the influx of tourists and second-home owners can create a burden on services such as the sewerage system.”
Labour Party councillor Keith Martin, based in Westport, said that while it is “tragic” to have empty houses in an area, “in the majority of cases, the houses are rented and the money is earned by local people”.
Dharragh Hunt, member of lobby group Irish Rural Link, said: “There is a real problem of social isolation in rural areas and, if half of the ten houses neighbouring you are empty, it’ll create even more of a sense of isolation.”
The Economic Social Research Institute (ESRI) did a study on empty houses in Ireland in May 2005 and found that, traditionally, the country has had a high vacancy rate; the fact explained by emigration where houses were left when the people moved to Britain or the US.
Although there is a tradition of homes abandoned because of poverty and emigration – and the emigrants holding onto their homes, hoping to someday return – what is clear from the census figures is that the majority of Mayo’s
vacant houses are holiday-homes, second homes or investment properties; empty not because of poverty and emigration, but because of wealth.
Daniel Hickey
© Western People
Only counties Kerry, Donegal and Leitrim have a higher rate of empty housing stock at 24.8, 27 and 29.3 per cent respectively.
The total population of Mayo is 123,839, but what is clear from the census results is that a significant percentage of the county’s home-owners do not reside permanently in the county.
In the census breakdown of figures, there are four categories that fall under unoccupied permanent housing units: residents temporarily absent; vacant house; vacant flat; and holiday-home.
The figures for Mayo are: absent 736; vacant house 9,136; vacant flat 946; and holiday-home 4,216. Many of the empty houses are located in parts of the county that are known as tourist attractions with entire estates in some towns and villages remaining vacant for most of the year.
The huge increase in property speculation is also reflected in the Census figures with the number of vacant houses increasingly substantially in the last five years.
On the day of the 2002 census, it was estimated that there were just over 140,000 houses vacant across Ireland. In the subsequent five years, this figure increased by over 50 per cent, to about 230,000.
According to Ian Lumley, Heritage Officer of An Taisce, the figures for vacant houses are “startling” for the area around Westport while the picturesque village of Cong is “another emerging second-home cluster”.
“It is a significant concern as to what happens when a village is swamped by holiday-homes,” said Mr Lumley.
“During the summer, the influx of tourists and second-home owners can create a burden on services such as the sewerage system.”
Labour Party councillor Keith Martin, based in Westport, said that while it is “tragic” to have empty houses in an area, “in the majority of cases, the houses are rented and the money is earned by local people”.
Dharragh Hunt, member of lobby group Irish Rural Link, said: “There is a real problem of social isolation in rural areas and, if half of the ten houses neighbouring you are empty, it’ll create even more of a sense of isolation.”
The Economic Social Research Institute (ESRI) did a study on empty houses in Ireland in May 2005 and found that, traditionally, the country has had a high vacancy rate; the fact explained by emigration where houses were left when the people moved to Britain or the US.
Although there is a tradition of homes abandoned because of poverty and emigration – and the emigrants holding onto their homes, hoping to someday return – what is clear from the census figures is that the majority of Mayo’s
vacant houses are holiday-homes, second homes or investment properties; empty not because of poverty and emigration, but because of wealth.
Daniel Hickey
© Western People
PDs have new ideas for rural planning laws
THE Progressive Democrats have vowed to remove An Bord Pleanala's role in deciding rural planning matters if returned to government.
Launching its rural and agricultural manifesto yesterday, party president Tom Parlon proposed that three regional planning appeals boards will be established to decide if one-off housing should be approved.
Its package also contained provisions for more rural transport, tax breaks for farmers and support services for older people living alone in rural isolation.
Anyone living in a rural area for seven years will be entitled to build a home, while the party also plans a 'name and shame' campaign of those found to have breached planning laws.
Mr Parlon accused the Green Party of "disowning" a policy to ban live cattle exports.
"In this election campaign one of the most notable features has been the anxiety of some of the opposition parties to disown long-held policy positions in a bid to make themselves more acceptable to the voters before May 24th next," he said.
"The Green Party's animal welfare policy is very precise on this issue of crucial importance to the farming community. Let me quote directly from it: The Green Party does not promote or support live exports of animals.
"I leave it to the people of Ireland - and in this case the farmers of Ireland - to give their verdict on this kind of dishonest politics." But the Greens dismissed the comments as 'paranoid bluster', saying the party wanted to create local abattoirs and meat processing plants to encourage demand for fresh, healthy local produce rather than propagate a system that could place animals under undue stress.
"We recognise however that a viable alternative does not yet exist, and until it does we favour the phasing out over time of live exports," deputy leader Cllr Mary White said.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Launching its rural and agricultural manifesto yesterday, party president Tom Parlon proposed that three regional planning appeals boards will be established to decide if one-off housing should be approved.
Its package also contained provisions for more rural transport, tax breaks for farmers and support services for older people living alone in rural isolation.
Anyone living in a rural area for seven years will be entitled to build a home, while the party also plans a 'name and shame' campaign of those found to have breached planning laws.
Mr Parlon accused the Green Party of "disowning" a policy to ban live cattle exports.
"In this election campaign one of the most notable features has been the anxiety of some of the opposition parties to disown long-held policy positions in a bid to make themselves more acceptable to the voters before May 24th next," he said.
"The Green Party's animal welfare policy is very precise on this issue of crucial importance to the farming community. Let me quote directly from it: The Green Party does not promote or support live exports of animals.
"I leave it to the people of Ireland - and in this case the farmers of Ireland - to give their verdict on this kind of dishonest politics." But the Greens dismissed the comments as 'paranoid bluster', saying the party wanted to create local abattoirs and meat processing plants to encourage demand for fresh, healthy local produce rather than propagate a system that could place animals under undue stress.
"We recognise however that a viable alternative does not yet exist, and until it does we favour the phasing out over time of live exports," deputy leader Cllr Mary White said.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Council orders holiday home builder to provide social housing
THE developer of a luxury holiday home scheme has been ordered by the local county council to transfer one-fifth of the development for social and affordable housing.
The exact transfer arrangements and the actual price the council will pay for the units will now have to be agreed, Kerry Council officials said after yesterday's Bord Pleanala ruling.
The houses were being sold through Kenmare auctioneers Sherry Fitzgerald Daly auctioneer, with an average price of over €340,000 including VAT.
A large number of the houses are now sold. They are part of a tax-driven holiday home scheme operated by a management company on a leaseback basis for 10 years.
The developer has eight weeks to comply with the board's order.
The decision came after a dispute arose with Kerry Co Council over compliance with Part V of the planning and development Act 2000, which governs social housing provisions.
Developer Eamon McCarthy, c/o Ryan Walsh Associates of Dun Laoghaire, argued strongly that a holiday home scheme was not suitable for social and affordable housing and offered to pay financial compensation instead.
In 2005, the council granted permission for 42 semi-detached and terraced holiday homes and services buildings at Dromnevane.
A condition was that, prior to the commencement, the developer would enter into an agreement with Kerry County Council in relation to the provision of social and affordable units.
The details were not finalised before the scheme began. The developer and his agents argued the scheme was unsuitable for social housing and proposed financial compensation or land.
They argued the holiday homes were of very high quality, for transient occupation, and for owners looking for access to golf clubs, leisure centre, sailing and sports centres. In addition, the units in the scheme would be subject to management charges '"which will be expensive and rise incrementally". Such charges would not be suitable for social and affordable housing, they said.
Planning Board inspector Robert Ryan noted the area was zoned residential and was within the urban boundary. This holiday home development had a standard residential, not a clustered holiday home, appearance and there were existing housing schemes nearby, he said. He recommended that the council's request for eight units instead of cash should be acceded to.
Anne Lucey
Irish Independent
The exact transfer arrangements and the actual price the council will pay for the units will now have to be agreed, Kerry Council officials said after yesterday's Bord Pleanala ruling.
The houses were being sold through Kenmare auctioneers Sherry Fitzgerald Daly auctioneer, with an average price of over €340,000 including VAT.
A large number of the houses are now sold. They are part of a tax-driven holiday home scheme operated by a management company on a leaseback basis for 10 years.
The developer has eight weeks to comply with the board's order.
The decision came after a dispute arose with Kerry Co Council over compliance with Part V of the planning and development Act 2000, which governs social housing provisions.
Developer Eamon McCarthy, c/o Ryan Walsh Associates of Dun Laoghaire, argued strongly that a holiday home scheme was not suitable for social and affordable housing and offered to pay financial compensation instead.
In 2005, the council granted permission for 42 semi-detached and terraced holiday homes and services buildings at Dromnevane.
A condition was that, prior to the commencement, the developer would enter into an agreement with Kerry County Council in relation to the provision of social and affordable units.
The details were not finalised before the scheme began. The developer and his agents argued the scheme was unsuitable for social housing and proposed financial compensation or land.
They argued the holiday homes were of very high quality, for transient occupation, and for owners looking for access to golf clubs, leisure centre, sailing and sports centres. In addition, the units in the scheme would be subject to management charges '"which will be expensive and rise incrementally". Such charges would not be suitable for social and affordable housing, they said.
Planning Board inspector Robert Ryan noted the area was zoned residential and was within the urban boundary. This holiday home development had a standard residential, not a clustered holiday home, appearance and there were existing housing schemes nearby, he said. He recommended that the council's request for eight units instead of cash should be acceded to.
Anne Lucey
Irish Independent
Dublin 4 but not 32 . . . in this location size matters
SIZE DOES matter in fashionable Ballsbridge, the exclusive heart of Dublin 4.
The area which includes the US embassy, the Lansdowne Road stadium and the RDS, not to mention countless houses worth €30m plus, is THE location in the country.
When property developer Sean Dunne bought both Jury's and the Berkeley Court hotels and outlined plans for a 32-storey skyscraper of apartments, no fewer than 14 residents associations went on the warpath.
It was the mother of all acquisitions in the heart of the gold-plated property belt, costing the developer €380m. But under the existing development plan the height will have to be restricted.
The residents said the proposed rezoning of substantial tracts of land - including the hotel sites between Pembroke Road and Shelbourne Road - was entirely unnecessary as Ballsbridge already had all the amenities appropriate to its character.
Yesterday, councillors agreed and adopted a motion which throws the Sean Dunne plan for an apartment skyscraper into serious doubt.
Legal challenges may ensure more council meetings - and more residents meetings. In the meantime, the plan for 632 apartments will be on hold.
TREACY HOGAN
Irish Independent
The area which includes the US embassy, the Lansdowne Road stadium and the RDS, not to mention countless houses worth €30m plus, is THE location in the country.
When property developer Sean Dunne bought both Jury's and the Berkeley Court hotels and outlined plans for a 32-storey skyscraper of apartments, no fewer than 14 residents associations went on the warpath.
It was the mother of all acquisitions in the heart of the gold-plated property belt, costing the developer €380m. But under the existing development plan the height will have to be restricted.
The residents said the proposed rezoning of substantial tracts of land - including the hotel sites between Pembroke Road and Shelbourne Road - was entirely unnecessary as Ballsbridge already had all the amenities appropriate to its character.
Yesterday, councillors agreed and adopted a motion which throws the Sean Dunne plan for an apartment skyscraper into serious doubt.
Legal challenges may ensure more council meetings - and more residents meetings. In the meantime, the plan for 632 apartments will be on hold.
TREACY HOGAN
Irish Independent
Dunne skyscraper dream is dashed
THE hopes of property tycoon Sean Dunne to build a 32-storey skyscraper with more than 600 exclusive apartments on the site of Jury's Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, were dashed last night.
Dublin city councillors voted to withdraw a plan for the area which could have accommodated the development.
Instead, they opted for a previous plan limiting tall buildings in the area to eight storeys.
The decision is a major setback to the ambitious proposal by Mr Dunne to erect the skyscraper with 632 apartments.
He spent €380m buying the Jury's and Berkeley Court hotels for the residential development.
A plan for high-rise development had been opposed by a group of 14 residents' associations.
Councillors in the south-east area adopted a motion recommending rejection of a local plan that would have effectively cleared the way for the 32-storey development. They reverted to a previous plan limiting developments to eight storeys.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
Dublin city councillors voted to withdraw a plan for the area which could have accommodated the development.
Instead, they opted for a previous plan limiting tall buildings in the area to eight storeys.
The decision is a major setback to the ambitious proposal by Mr Dunne to erect the skyscraper with 632 apartments.
He spent €380m buying the Jury's and Berkeley Court hotels for the residential development.
A plan for high-rise development had been opposed by a group of 14 residents' associations.
Councillors in the south-east area adopted a motion recommending rejection of a local plan that would have effectively cleared the way for the 32-storey development. They reverted to a previous plan limiting developments to eight storeys.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
Planning permission sought for apartments in Dublin 7
Pascal Conroy’s Albion Properties is seeking planning permission for 220 apartments and 5,135 square metres of office space at a 1.88-acre site next to St Brendan’s Hospital in Grangegorman in Dublin 7.
The company is also seeking to develop a creche, just under 290 square metres of shops, a 178 square metre gallery and a restaurant on the site.
The site incorporates part of Grangegorman Lower, Blake Villas, 22-27 North Brunswick Street and is next to the Richmond apartment complex.
All of the existing structures on the site are to be demolished under the plan, and just under 23,700 square metres of development would then be built, including 44 one-bed units, 164 two-beds and 12 three-beds.
The development would be spread between six blocks, ranging in height from two to 11 storeys. If approved, it will also include 184 car parking spaces and 200 bike spaces.
The site is next to the former psychiatric hospital, St Brendan’s, and adjoining land which is to be redeveloped by DIT as its new campus.
An international design competition to masterplan the development of Grange gorman has been undertaken, and expressions of interest closed last month.
The masterplan will include the development of a new campus for the Dublin Institute of Technology, along with health and other community facilities at the 74-acre site near Smithfield in Dublin city centre.
The site is in two lots located on either side of the Grangegorman Road. It extends from the North Circular Road as far south as North Brunswick Street and from Broadstone to the rear of Prussia Street. It is zoned for recreational, institutional and community use.
Albion Properties also owns the Phibsboro shopping centre, which is to be given a €75 million redevelopment. The 1967 shopping centre is the second oldest in the country.
It was developed by Canadian billionaire Galen Weston, who also owns Brown Thomas.
The shopping centre, which is on a 1.23-acre site, is to triple in size. It should also benefit from the redevelopment of Daly mount Park, which has been bought by Liam Carroll.
He is expected to include a significant amount of retail outlets when he eventually seeks permission to build on the site.
Albion is also developing Ridge Hall, a scheme of apartments on three acres in Ballybrack in south Dublin, and renovating and extending three listed Georgian buildings on Parnell Square and converting them into apartments and medical suites.
Its other projects include apartments on Distillery Road in Dublin 9 which overlook Belvedere College’s sports grounds, and a scheme of 49 apartments on the Lucan Road in Chapelizod.
Sunday Business Post
The company is also seeking to develop a creche, just under 290 square metres of shops, a 178 square metre gallery and a restaurant on the site.
The site incorporates part of Grangegorman Lower, Blake Villas, 22-27 North Brunswick Street and is next to the Richmond apartment complex.
All of the existing structures on the site are to be demolished under the plan, and just under 23,700 square metres of development would then be built, including 44 one-bed units, 164 two-beds and 12 three-beds.
The development would be spread between six blocks, ranging in height from two to 11 storeys. If approved, it will also include 184 car parking spaces and 200 bike spaces.
The site is next to the former psychiatric hospital, St Brendan’s, and adjoining land which is to be redeveloped by DIT as its new campus.
An international design competition to masterplan the development of Grange gorman has been undertaken, and expressions of interest closed last month.
The masterplan will include the development of a new campus for the Dublin Institute of Technology, along with health and other community facilities at the 74-acre site near Smithfield in Dublin city centre.
The site is in two lots located on either side of the Grangegorman Road. It extends from the North Circular Road as far south as North Brunswick Street and from Broadstone to the rear of Prussia Street. It is zoned for recreational, institutional and community use.
Albion Properties also owns the Phibsboro shopping centre, which is to be given a €75 million redevelopment. The 1967 shopping centre is the second oldest in the country.
It was developed by Canadian billionaire Galen Weston, who also owns Brown Thomas.
The shopping centre, which is on a 1.23-acre site, is to triple in size. It should also benefit from the redevelopment of Daly mount Park, which has been bought by Liam Carroll.
He is expected to include a significant amount of retail outlets when he eventually seeks permission to build on the site.
Albion is also developing Ridge Hall, a scheme of apartments on three acres in Ballybrack in south Dublin, and renovating and extending three listed Georgian buildings on Parnell Square and converting them into apartments and medical suites.
Its other projects include apartments on Distillery Road in Dublin 9 which overlook Belvedere College’s sports grounds, and a scheme of 49 apartments on the Lucan Road in Chapelizod.
Sunday Business Post
Central Park owners seeking approval for two office blocks
Treasury Holdings, David Arnold and Derek Quinlan have applied to develop just under 30,000 square metres of new offices at their Central Park development on the Leopardstown Road, Dublin 18.
Using a vehicle called the Clyde Road Partnership, they have sought permission to develop two buildings of 11 storeys over three basement levels.
The first block would be 16,100 square metres and the second 13,707 square metres. If they are granted permission, they are likely to try to attract a financial institution looking to relocate some or all of its staff away from the city centre.
Rents in Central Park are more than 50 per cent less than rents being achieved for prime space in the city centre at present.
Urban Initiatives is currently preparing an urban framework plan for Central Park along with South County Business Park and Sandyford industrial estate on behalf of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
That could result in higher building heights as well as the site being zoned for more mixed-use development.
Sunday Business Post
Using a vehicle called the Clyde Road Partnership, they have sought permission to develop two buildings of 11 storeys over three basement levels.
The first block would be 16,100 square metres and the second 13,707 square metres. If they are granted permission, they are likely to try to attract a financial institution looking to relocate some or all of its staff away from the city centre.
Rents in Central Park are more than 50 per cent less than rents being achieved for prime space in the city centre at present.
Urban Initiatives is currently preparing an urban framework plan for Central Park along with South County Business Park and Sandyford industrial estate on behalf of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
That could result in higher building heights as well as the site being zoned for more mixed-use development.
Sunday Business Post
Monday, 14 May 2007
Wicklow/Arklow population grows
Wicklow and Arklow have joined the ranks of large towns, according to the latest Census figures.
Figures released last week reveal both towns have populations in excess of 10,000 people.
Arklow's population has reached 11,759 - a 17.7 percent increase from 2002s figure of 9,993. Wicklow town's population is now 10,070, up 7.6 percent on 2002's figure of 9,355. A large proportion of Wicklow's population, 3,140 people, live outside the town boundary.
Figures released last week reveal both towns have populations in excess of 10,000 people.
Arklow's population has reached 11,759 - a 17.7 percent increase from 2002s figure of 9,993. Wicklow town's population is now 10,070, up 7.6 percent on 2002's figure of 9,355. A large proportion of Wicklow's population, 3,140 people, live outside the town boundary.
Residents baffled about why property remains vacant Empty house used as dumping ground
An empty house in the middle of a Rathnew housing estate has become a dumping ground, leaving residents baffled by its vacant status.
The house, number 25, is part of the council and affordable housing scheme at Drumkay and has been vacant for at least three years.
Now a build-up of illegally dumped rubbish and the overgrown nature of the garden is attracting rats, forcing neighbours of the house to keep their children indoors because of invading vermin.
The premises is one of the affordable houses included in the scheme but no one has yet to actually move into the home. Repeated efforts to get Wicklow County Council to clean up the garden belonging to the house and to repair a number of broken windows have fallen on deaf ears.
According to a spokesperson for the Drumkay Residents Association, 'this premises is causing all sorts of problems for everyone living in the estate. The garden is covered in all kinds of rubbish, including domestic waste, and has started attracting rats. A number of neighbours have seen them running around their back gardens and are afraid to let their children out to play in case they are bitten. The grass is also completely overgrown, and we think the rats are breeding there.'
The spokesperson added that the council have been contacted on a number of occasions, but so far to no avail. A series of broken windows were also reported by parents concerned that some local children may end up cutting themselves if they become curious and wander into the home.
'Its not only dangerous, but also an eye-sore. Its only a matter of time before it starts attracting all kinds of anti-social behaviour,' concluded the Drumkay Residents Association spokesperson.
When contacted by the Wicklow People, the Wicklow County Council housing department acknowledged that their had been difficulties over the sale of the house but said that talks are nearing completion and a sale is likely to take place soon.
Wicklow People
The house, number 25, is part of the council and affordable housing scheme at Drumkay and has been vacant for at least three years.
Now a build-up of illegally dumped rubbish and the overgrown nature of the garden is attracting rats, forcing neighbours of the house to keep their children indoors because of invading vermin.
The premises is one of the affordable houses included in the scheme but no one has yet to actually move into the home. Repeated efforts to get Wicklow County Council to clean up the garden belonging to the house and to repair a number of broken windows have fallen on deaf ears.
According to a spokesperson for the Drumkay Residents Association, 'this premises is causing all sorts of problems for everyone living in the estate. The garden is covered in all kinds of rubbish, including domestic waste, and has started attracting rats. A number of neighbours have seen them running around their back gardens and are afraid to let their children out to play in case they are bitten. The grass is also completely overgrown, and we think the rats are breeding there.'
The spokesperson added that the council have been contacted on a number of occasions, but so far to no avail. A series of broken windows were also reported by parents concerned that some local children may end up cutting themselves if they become curious and wander into the home.
'Its not only dangerous, but also an eye-sore. Its only a matter of time before it starts attracting all kinds of anti-social behaviour,' concluded the Drumkay Residents Association spokesperson.
When contacted by the Wicklow People, the Wicklow County Council housing department acknowledged that their had been difficulties over the sale of the house but said that talks are nearing completion and a sale is likely to take place soon.
Wicklow People
Major masterplan for The Murrough
A hotel, apartment blocks, and a civic area could be constructed on The Murrough in Wicklow town following the unveiling of a new plan drawn up for the Town Council.
The 'Concept Masterplan for The Murrough' sees the hotel being constructed on the site of the former Veha radiators factory. Also included are five blocks of apartments which span the area between Veha and Urban Villas.
A civic centre also forms part of the plan. This would comprise retail, commercial and leisure uses surrounding a small square.
At least three of these apartment blocks are planned for land which is currently occupied by a selection of businesses including the government buildings office and Wicklow Enterprise Park along with other private concerns.
The plan has been described by Town Manager, Michael Nicholson, as 'merely a plan'. 'It in itself won't actually lead to any development happening. It is up to individuals, if they wish to do so, to apply for planning...the plan merely ensures that if anyone does apply, it must comply with the overall plan for the area,' he stated.
Rumours that the Quinn Group, which purchased Veha shortly before the factory closed, planned to construct a luxury hotel on their site have continually been dismissed in recent months.
However, representatives of the company have attended recent meetings about the Murrough masterplan and are believed to have approached a number of property owners on the Murrough in a bid to increase their holding in the area.
The Murrough was identified in the review of the town development plan is being of strategic importance to the orderly development of the town. The current masterplan has been drawn up in that context.
The preparation of the action area plan for the Murrough began immediately as the council was concerned that the new owners of the Veha site were about to lodge a planning application. Mr Nicholson stated that the council wanted to ensure that any planning applications complied with the overall objectives of the Murrough.
No-one from the Quinn Group was available to comment on the matter.
Wicklow People
The 'Concept Masterplan for The Murrough' sees the hotel being constructed on the site of the former Veha radiators factory. Also included are five blocks of apartments which span the area between Veha and Urban Villas.
A civic centre also forms part of the plan. This would comprise retail, commercial and leisure uses surrounding a small square.
At least three of these apartment blocks are planned for land which is currently occupied by a selection of businesses including the government buildings office and Wicklow Enterprise Park along with other private concerns.
The plan has been described by Town Manager, Michael Nicholson, as 'merely a plan'. 'It in itself won't actually lead to any development happening. It is up to individuals, if they wish to do so, to apply for planning...the plan merely ensures that if anyone does apply, it must comply with the overall plan for the area,' he stated.
Rumours that the Quinn Group, which purchased Veha shortly before the factory closed, planned to construct a luxury hotel on their site have continually been dismissed in recent months.
However, representatives of the company have attended recent meetings about the Murrough masterplan and are believed to have approached a number of property owners on the Murrough in a bid to increase their holding in the area.
The Murrough was identified in the review of the town development plan is being of strategic importance to the orderly development of the town. The current masterplan has been drawn up in that context.
The preparation of the action area plan for the Murrough began immediately as the council was concerned that the new owners of the Veha site were about to lodge a planning application. Mr Nicholson stated that the council wanted to ensure that any planning applications complied with the overall objectives of the Murrough.
No-one from the Quinn Group was available to comment on the matter.
Wicklow People
€600m town near tourism hotspot sparks objections
MAJOR objections have been lodged to the proposed development of a €600m new town close to one of Ireland's top tourist attractions.
The massive development - which involves more than 2,000 residential dwellings - aims to create a new town just two miles outside Blarney in Co Cork.
The Cork village and the famous Blarney stone in its castle remains one of Ireland's top five tourist destinations.
Outline proposals for the new town project - which has been devised by Fleming Construction and Coleman Brothers - were lodged with Cork Co Council last February.
Already more than 30 objections have been received by the council.
The objections involve issues ranging from the scale of the developments to the lack of local facilities and to its potential environmental and transport impact.
Both developers have insisted their projects will include ample amenities - with Stoneview East and Stoneview West being developed alongside new schools, a public park, sports facilities and even a new rail station which will link Blarney with Cork city.
The developments also aim to promote a town centre-style retail element for Stoneview.
However, local politicians stressed that they want to see full details of the community infrastructure facilities as part of the Stoneview planning process.
Councillor John Gilroy said while development was important it had to include adequate planning for infrastructure and proper amenities.
Ralph Riegel
Irish Independent
The massive development - which involves more than 2,000 residential dwellings - aims to create a new town just two miles outside Blarney in Co Cork.
The Cork village and the famous Blarney stone in its castle remains one of Ireland's top five tourist destinations.
Outline proposals for the new town project - which has been devised by Fleming Construction and Coleman Brothers - were lodged with Cork Co Council last February.
Already more than 30 objections have been received by the council.
The objections involve issues ranging from the scale of the developments to the lack of local facilities and to its potential environmental and transport impact.
Both developers have insisted their projects will include ample amenities - with Stoneview East and Stoneview West being developed alongside new schools, a public park, sports facilities and even a new rail station which will link Blarney with Cork city.
The developments also aim to promote a town centre-style retail element for Stoneview.
However, local politicians stressed that they want to see full details of the community infrastructure facilities as part of the Stoneview planning process.
Councillor John Gilroy said while development was important it had to include adequate planning for infrastructure and proper amenities.
Ralph Riegel
Irish Independent
Councils levied charge twice for development of same premises
A SHAKE-UP of the controversial council development levies scheme has been ordered by the Government after a damning report revealed massive variations between authorities.
Some local authorities had charged two levies for the same development, the report found.
Councils have already pocketed €1.45bn since the controversial scheme was introduced seven years ago.
And they stand to earn another €2.1bn between now and 2013.
A developer is obliged to fork out the special levy to a local authority after planning permission is approved for the construction of either residential or commercial property.
The amount is determined by the size of the development.
The council use the cash to pay for infrastructure such as sewage, roads and public lighting in the vicinity of a development.
A Department of Environment committee - Inter-Departmental Committee on Development Levies - set up to probe local authorities over the levies branded the practice of councils charging two fees for the same development as "wholly inappropriate".
In one case, the IDA paid the levy on a premises and a private enterprise that later moved in and made changes to the site which needed planning permission was also hit with the fee.
The review also raised concerns about huge variations in charges between neighbouring counties and called for greater transparency.
But a request by the Department of Education for a waiver on the levy for the construction of new schools was turned down.
Local authorities earned €110m in 2000 when the scheme was first introduced. This sum soared to €517m a year by 2005.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
Some local authorities had charged two levies for the same development, the report found.
Councils have already pocketed €1.45bn since the controversial scheme was introduced seven years ago.
And they stand to earn another €2.1bn between now and 2013.
A developer is obliged to fork out the special levy to a local authority after planning permission is approved for the construction of either residential or commercial property.
The amount is determined by the size of the development.
The council use the cash to pay for infrastructure such as sewage, roads and public lighting in the vicinity of a development.
A Department of Environment committee - Inter-Departmental Committee on Development Levies - set up to probe local authorities over the levies branded the practice of councils charging two fees for the same development as "wholly inappropriate".
In one case, the IDA paid the levy on a premises and a private enterprise that later moved in and made changes to the site which needed planning permission was also hit with the fee.
The review also raised concerns about huge variations in charges between neighbouring counties and called for greater transparency.
But a request by the Department of Education for a waiver on the levy for the construction of new schools was turned down.
Local authorities earned €110m in 2000 when the scheme was first introduced. This sum soared to €517m a year by 2005.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
Over 80pc of residents in city flat complex rely on social welfare
OVER 80pc of the working-age population of a Dublin city flats complex relies on social welfare to make ends meet.
And despite our booming economy and emphasis on further education, less than 1pc of residents living in St Teresa's Gardens attends college, compared to over 50pc in nearby Ranelagh.
A major study commissioned as part of a planned regeneration project has found that eight of every 10 people living in the 1950s complex are unhappy with their current living conditions and want new homes.
Chairman of the St Teresa's Gardens Regeneration Board, Dr Sean Daly, said yesterday the 324 flats currently occupied were too old and too small, and that a group of private developers had been shortlisted to undertake a multi-million euro regeneration project under a public-private partnership.
The study 'Growing Our Future Together' also found:
* Over 70pc of the 835-strong population is below 35 years of age, but just 0.5pc attend third level education.
* Unemployment rates are 'disturbingly high' with over 80pc of the working-age population without work compared to the national average of 4pc.
* Almost half of residents (43pc) are in receipt of social welfare.
"People want change. They're not happy with the conditions they have but they want to stay in the area and in the St Teresa's Gardens community," Dr Daly, the former Master of the Coombe Hospital, said yesterday. "In fairness to Dublin City Council, St Teresa's Gardens was neglected for many years, but in the last 10 years the council have engaged with the local community and now have a presence there."
Asked if they were happy with current facilities and social environment, a staggering 81pc of residents said they were not. In return for providing 300 new homes, the developer chosen to undertake the PPP will be allowed to build housing units for sale on the open market.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
And despite our booming economy and emphasis on further education, less than 1pc of residents living in St Teresa's Gardens attends college, compared to over 50pc in nearby Ranelagh.
A major study commissioned as part of a planned regeneration project has found that eight of every 10 people living in the 1950s complex are unhappy with their current living conditions and want new homes.
Chairman of the St Teresa's Gardens Regeneration Board, Dr Sean Daly, said yesterday the 324 flats currently occupied were too old and too small, and that a group of private developers had been shortlisted to undertake a multi-million euro regeneration project under a public-private partnership.
The study 'Growing Our Future Together' also found:
* Over 70pc of the 835-strong population is below 35 years of age, but just 0.5pc attend third level education.
* Unemployment rates are 'disturbingly high' with over 80pc of the working-age population without work compared to the national average of 4pc.
* Almost half of residents (43pc) are in receipt of social welfare.
"People want change. They're not happy with the conditions they have but they want to stay in the area and in the St Teresa's Gardens community," Dr Daly, the former Master of the Coombe Hospital, said yesterday. "In fairness to Dublin City Council, St Teresa's Gardens was neglected for many years, but in the last 10 years the council have engaged with the local community and now have a presence there."
Asked if they were happy with current facilities and social environment, a staggering 81pc of residents said they were not. In return for providing 300 new homes, the developer chosen to undertake the PPP will be allowed to build housing units for sale on the open market.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Carrigaline calls for a 10-year halt to the rezoning of land for houses
ONE of the country’s fastest growing towns has called for a 10-year ban on rezoning land for more houses.
The people of Carrigaline — reputedly the country’s number one commuter town — want Cork County Council to hold off on the rezoning of further land in the area until 2016 so that proper roads and amenities can be put in place.
When currently zoned lands are occupied — including a 1,000-house development at Shannonpark and a 1,500-house development on the eastern side of town — its population will swell from 16,000 to 25,000.
The results of a massive survey of over 1,200 households show that people want a halt to what the community association has labelled ‘rampant developer-led growth’.
The results show that:
96% of people want a ban on rezoning until 2016 so that the provision of proper amenities catches up.
More that half the people think the town’s Western Relief Road is in the wrong place.
Almost three-quarters of people think the town needs another Eastern Relief Road.
94% of people think Carrigaline needs a dedicated planner working exclusively on the town’s issues.
Only 38% of people use public transport but almost 90% of respondents said they would use a light rail system to the city if it was provided.
Almost 3,000 questionnaires were distributed by Carrigaline Community Association last month, with over 1,200 returned. People were asked about a range of issues including planning, traffic, education, sport, transport and youth facilities.
The results highlighted the stark lack of facilities in the town which has no cinema, indoor sports complex, public swimming pool or cultural centre.
While the county council is working on some issues, the community association said that housing development has far outpaced the provision of adequate infrastructure.
Association spokesman Maurice Coveney, who was born in the town in 1939, said the town’s future should be decided by the people living there and not by developers.
“We will be making the county council aware of the preliminary results of the survey within a few days,” he said. “But we have a lot of work to do yet — examining some of the comments which came back in the survey. The section on sports facilities alone attracted over 500 comments.”
Work is expected to be completed within a month at which time the full results of the survey will be published and placed in the town’s library.
In 2002, CSO census figures showed the town had the highest proportion of workers commuting to work by car every day.
At 74%, Carrigaline topped the nation’s list followed by Dunboyne (70%), Tramore (67%) and Naas (65%).
Meanwhile, a study aimed at tackling traffic chaos in and around the town is continuing.
The Carrigaline Transportation and Traffic Study will outline a plan to cope with traffic and transport up to 2020 and it is expected to be completed within weeks.
Irish Examiner
The people of Carrigaline — reputedly the country’s number one commuter town — want Cork County Council to hold off on the rezoning of further land in the area until 2016 so that proper roads and amenities can be put in place.
When currently zoned lands are occupied — including a 1,000-house development at Shannonpark and a 1,500-house development on the eastern side of town — its population will swell from 16,000 to 25,000.
The results of a massive survey of over 1,200 households show that people want a halt to what the community association has labelled ‘rampant developer-led growth’.
The results show that:
96% of people want a ban on rezoning until 2016 so that the provision of proper amenities catches up.
More that half the people think the town’s Western Relief Road is in the wrong place.
Almost three-quarters of people think the town needs another Eastern Relief Road.
94% of people think Carrigaline needs a dedicated planner working exclusively on the town’s issues.
Only 38% of people use public transport but almost 90% of respondents said they would use a light rail system to the city if it was provided.
Almost 3,000 questionnaires were distributed by Carrigaline Community Association last month, with over 1,200 returned. People were asked about a range of issues including planning, traffic, education, sport, transport and youth facilities.
The results highlighted the stark lack of facilities in the town which has no cinema, indoor sports complex, public swimming pool or cultural centre.
While the county council is working on some issues, the community association said that housing development has far outpaced the provision of adequate infrastructure.
Association spokesman Maurice Coveney, who was born in the town in 1939, said the town’s future should be decided by the people living there and not by developers.
“We will be making the county council aware of the preliminary results of the survey within a few days,” he said. “But we have a lot of work to do yet — examining some of the comments which came back in the survey. The section on sports facilities alone attracted over 500 comments.”
Work is expected to be completed within a month at which time the full results of the survey will be published and placed in the town’s library.
In 2002, CSO census figures showed the town had the highest proportion of workers commuting to work by car every day.
At 74%, Carrigaline topped the nation’s list followed by Dunboyne (70%), Tramore (67%) and Naas (65%).
Meanwhile, a study aimed at tackling traffic chaos in and around the town is continuing.
The Carrigaline Transportation and Traffic Study will outline a plan to cope with traffic and transport up to 2020 and it is expected to be completed within weeks.
Irish Examiner
€40m redevelopment kicks off at Thomond Park
THE likely salvation of the Heineken European Cup will come as a major relief to Munster rugby fans.
And also to the IRFU, which is investing €40 million in the redevelopment of Thomond Park.
The development necessitated the buy-out of a terrace of houses at Knockalisheen Road at a cost of €4m.
The wrecking ball has been busy at work levelling the old stand.
The new 27,000 capacity stadium will have two new stands capable of seating nearly 17,000 fans.All going well, the new Thomond Park will be ready for the commencement of the 2007/2008 Heineken Cup.
Up to 10,000 ten-year tickets are in the process of being sold and the first batches at €5,000 per ticket have been snapped up.
There were a few planning hiccups which have all been resolved to the satisfaction of Limerick City Council.
Negotiations with the 16 households at Knockalisheen Road also added a complication to the plan.
However, after months of negotiations, the 13 residents who had purchased their homes from Limerick City Council under the tenant purchase scheme struck a deal with the IRFU.
Thee of the houses were still in council ownership and some of the tenants were reluctant to move to alternative accommodation provided by the council.
Acquisition of the row of houses was essential for the redevelopment of the venue to go ahead.
The plans provide for a major access way from the Knockalisheen Road side.
The council also sold on derelict apartments to the IRFU which were located near the boundary wall of the park.
Fears that the Heineken Cup would go ahead next year without the top English and French club sides caused major worries for the IRFU as the development was based on ongoing revenue from the competition.
While talks are still continuing, indications are that it is now likely the competition in its present format will be continued.
An announcement is due next weekend.
Irish Examiner
And also to the IRFU, which is investing €40 million in the redevelopment of Thomond Park.
The development necessitated the buy-out of a terrace of houses at Knockalisheen Road at a cost of €4m.
The wrecking ball has been busy at work levelling the old stand.
The new 27,000 capacity stadium will have two new stands capable of seating nearly 17,000 fans.All going well, the new Thomond Park will be ready for the commencement of the 2007/2008 Heineken Cup.
Up to 10,000 ten-year tickets are in the process of being sold and the first batches at €5,000 per ticket have been snapped up.
There were a few planning hiccups which have all been resolved to the satisfaction of Limerick City Council.
Negotiations with the 16 households at Knockalisheen Road also added a complication to the plan.
However, after months of negotiations, the 13 residents who had purchased their homes from Limerick City Council under the tenant purchase scheme struck a deal with the IRFU.
Thee of the houses were still in council ownership and some of the tenants were reluctant to move to alternative accommodation provided by the council.
Acquisition of the row of houses was essential for the redevelopment of the venue to go ahead.
The plans provide for a major access way from the Knockalisheen Road side.
The council also sold on derelict apartments to the IRFU which were located near the boundary wall of the park.
Fears that the Heineken Cup would go ahead next year without the top English and French club sides caused major worries for the IRFU as the development was based on ongoing revenue from the competition.
While talks are still continuing, indications are that it is now likely the competition in its present format will be continued.
An announcement is due next weekend.
Irish Examiner
Dredging of Bantry harbour paves way for €12m development
THE planned dredging of Bantry’s inner harbour will pave the way for proposed developments costing up to €12 million in the world famous west Cork bay.
The board of Bantry Harbour Commissioners has been notified of the provision of €3m for dredging and other related works.
The weekend announcement by Transport Minister Martin Cullen gives the go- ahead for the first stage of development in the inner harbour. The money had been outlined in the Government’s Supplementary Budget in January 2007.
Chairman of the harbour board Letty Baker said the planned project was one of the most important to take place in Bantry and would be of tremendous benefit to fishing, local residents, bay-users and tourism. She said the multipurpose plan would cater for all marine activity.
It involves dredging a minimum of two metres below spring low water in the inner harbour.
Ms Baker said the works will allow for further improvement works such as extending the existing pier, access to the entire dock wall at all times, upgrading the quay walls, docks and construction of a breakwater out from the railway pier. The plan, she said, had been in the pipeline since 2005.
The harbour board, in conjunction with officials attached to Cork County Council’s western division, commissioned financial consultant Raymond Burke to prepare a report for submission to the Department of Transport.
After public consultation, the report was given to Mr Cullen in late 2006.
“The dredging is crucial,” said former mayor Ms Baker. “Although the bay is a magnificent natural resource, total movement within the inner harbour is restricted to high tide.”
“The important thing,” she said, “is that we harnessed local expertise and presented all parties with an opportunity to make an input into the plan.”
Ms Baker said it was hoped the dredging works would commence before the end of the year.
Irish Examiner
The board of Bantry Harbour Commissioners has been notified of the provision of €3m for dredging and other related works.
The weekend announcement by Transport Minister Martin Cullen gives the go- ahead for the first stage of development in the inner harbour. The money had been outlined in the Government’s Supplementary Budget in January 2007.
Chairman of the harbour board Letty Baker said the planned project was one of the most important to take place in Bantry and would be of tremendous benefit to fishing, local residents, bay-users and tourism. She said the multipurpose plan would cater for all marine activity.
It involves dredging a minimum of two metres below spring low water in the inner harbour.
Ms Baker said the works will allow for further improvement works such as extending the existing pier, access to the entire dock wall at all times, upgrading the quay walls, docks and construction of a breakwater out from the railway pier. The plan, she said, had been in the pipeline since 2005.
The harbour board, in conjunction with officials attached to Cork County Council’s western division, commissioned financial consultant Raymond Burke to prepare a report for submission to the Department of Transport.
After public consultation, the report was given to Mr Cullen in late 2006.
“The dredging is crucial,” said former mayor Ms Baker. “Although the bay is a magnificent natural resource, total movement within the inner harbour is restricted to high tide.”
“The important thing,” she said, “is that we harnessed local expertise and presented all parties with an opportunity to make an input into the plan.”
Ms Baker said it was hoped the dredging works would commence before the end of the year.
Irish Examiner
Faeces ‘illegally dumped’ in Wexford by Dublin council
UP TO 150 tonnes of toxic human excrement dumped in Wexford by Dublin County Council last month contained 29 times the legal level of human coliforms, a local councillor has claimed.
The waste, taken from Dublin City Council’s sewage treatment plant in Ringsend was dumped on farmland at Peppards Castle near Gorey.
Waste is routinely spread on lands but it is usually treated to become tillage fertiliser. That removes potentially harmful material such as human coliform which poses a risk of contamination for up to 40 days.
According to councillor Lisa McDonald, a sample of the waste dumped in Wexford was taken and processed by local laboratories Q-Labs and the extreme levels of the coliform were detected.
The waste was also found to contain E. coli and bacteriological readings which were 15 times the legal limit.
Wexford County Council has initiated an investigation and will decide whether the incident constitutes illegal dumping. One of its senior engineers has said the sludge is in breach of government and EU codes.
Dublin City Council meanwhile has said it was a “once off mistake” for which it has apologised.
However, that apology is not enough for Emma Louise Gibson, who lives just yards from where the material was spread. Ms Gibson is six months pregnant and fears that the foul smell may be the least of her and her partner’s worries.
“People in the area have been complaining of illnesses. I fear that it has put my baby’s life at risk. Dublin City Council have apologised but I want to know what they are going to do to get it taken back off the land.”
Irish Examiner
The waste, taken from Dublin City Council’s sewage treatment plant in Ringsend was dumped on farmland at Peppards Castle near Gorey.
Waste is routinely spread on lands but it is usually treated to become tillage fertiliser. That removes potentially harmful material such as human coliform which poses a risk of contamination for up to 40 days.
According to councillor Lisa McDonald, a sample of the waste dumped in Wexford was taken and processed by local laboratories Q-Labs and the extreme levels of the coliform were detected.
The waste was also found to contain E. coli and bacteriological readings which were 15 times the legal limit.
Wexford County Council has initiated an investigation and will decide whether the incident constitutes illegal dumping. One of its senior engineers has said the sludge is in breach of government and EU codes.
Dublin City Council meanwhile has said it was a “once off mistake” for which it has apologised.
However, that apology is not enough for Emma Louise Gibson, who lives just yards from where the material was spread. Ms Gibson is six months pregnant and fears that the foul smell may be the least of her and her partner’s worries.
“People in the area have been complaining of illnesses. I fear that it has put my baby’s life at risk. Dublin City Council have apologised but I want to know what they are going to do to get it taken back off the land.”
Irish Examiner
Sunday, 13 May 2007
Bathing Water Quality in Ireland Report 2006
Mr. Dick Roche, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today (11th May 2007) welcomed the publication of the Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘The Quality of Bathing Water in Ireland’ report for the year 2006.
The Minister was pleased to note that the results for the 2006 bathing season show that the quality of bathing water in Ireland is very good, with 97% of bathing areas complying with EU mandatory standards and 90% complying with (stricter) guide standards.
The Minister stated, that “this Government has been fully committed to maintaining and improving the high standards of our bathing waters”. He is confident that the quality of bathing waters and water quality surface waters generally, will be improved further by significant measures taken during the lifetime of this Government, such as the substantial investment in the Water Services Investment Programme under the National Development Plan, implementation of the Water Framework Directive and introduction of a Nitrates Action Programme.
Although 127 out of our 131 designated bathing areas met the EU mandatory standard, the Minister is disappointed that 4 bathing areas, did not meet this standard. Whilst this is an improvement from last year, when 5 bathing areas failed, it is still a disappointment when bathing areas are non-compliant. The Minister welcomes the efforts of the Office of the Environmental Enforcement, in addressing the previous year’s non-compliant bathing waters, and he looks forward to the continuation of these efforts.
The Minister said that he is pleased that the new EU Directive on bathing water quality will deliver increased health-protection for bathers, and that it will introduce a more pro-active approach to beach management, including public involvement. Member States have until 24 March 2008 to transpose this Directive into national law. The new Directive also aims to make more use of modern communication methods, such as the Internet, to inform the public about the quality of bathing waters.
The Minister was pleased to note that the results for the 2006 bathing season show that the quality of bathing water in Ireland is very good, with 97% of bathing areas complying with EU mandatory standards and 90% complying with (stricter) guide standards.
The Minister stated, that “this Government has been fully committed to maintaining and improving the high standards of our bathing waters”. He is confident that the quality of bathing waters and water quality surface waters generally, will be improved further by significant measures taken during the lifetime of this Government, such as the substantial investment in the Water Services Investment Programme under the National Development Plan, implementation of the Water Framework Directive and introduction of a Nitrates Action Programme.
Although 127 out of our 131 designated bathing areas met the EU mandatory standard, the Minister is disappointed that 4 bathing areas, did not meet this standard. Whilst this is an improvement from last year, when 5 bathing areas failed, it is still a disappointment when bathing areas are non-compliant. The Minister welcomes the efforts of the Office of the Environmental Enforcement, in addressing the previous year’s non-compliant bathing waters, and he looks forward to the continuation of these efforts.
The Minister said that he is pleased that the new EU Directive on bathing water quality will deliver increased health-protection for bathers, and that it will introduce a more pro-active approach to beach management, including public involvement. Member States have until 24 March 2008 to transpose this Directive into national law. The new Directive also aims to make more use of modern communication methods, such as the Internet, to inform the public about the quality of bathing waters.
Top civil servants warn of relocation disaster
THE country's top civil servants have denounced the decentralisation programme as fatally flawed.
Senior civil service workers who have opted not to relocate now have to watch others being recruited for their jobs, a ploy which they say is vindictive, unjust and deplorable and makes a mockery of voluntary relocation.
They say that the programme, costed at €900m and rising, will have to be radically changed before it undermines the entire public service.
"The carry-on-regardless attitude of the Government means that the loss of corporate memory caused by decentralisation will be overwhelming," the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants (AHCPS) has warned.
Dublin will become the career backwater for civil servants who will not relocate and over 3,000 of them, including 80pc of senior managers, will be "surplus to requirements in the capital", the AHCPS said.
Retiring general secretary Sean O'Riordan told the association's annual conference in Dublin that while pay was the glue holding social partnership together, decentralisation dominated industrial relations in the civil service and many of the state agencies. He said the scope and time scale of decentralisation should be adjusted.
"We want to see the programme changed in a manner which stops the undermining of public services," he said."We want an immediate and radical review of decentralisation, and this must specifically consider abandoning proposals to move entire departments from Dublin to scattered provincial locations."
Mr O'Riordan said that under the programme, whose capital costs would be at least €900m, more than 90pc of the people with very high levels of policy expertise and understanding would change jobs.
Skills could haemorrhage at senior level unless career development paths were maintained, he said. The AHCPS believes that the current decentralisation programme is not well thought out, rational or carefully planned.
Applications
Mr O'Riordan said meeting the targets was critically dependant on transferring staff, but over 46pc of civil servants targeted had not applied.
These included many in senior management positions, whose work was critical to the efficiency and good performance of their departments.
A report from the executive committee of the AHCPS said that if the decentralisation system remained in place, Dublin would become the end of the career development line for hundreds of highly skilled and dedicated senior civil servants.
"When or if this programme is completed, fewer than 10pc of Dublin-based civil servants will have relocated with their current jobs to departments and offices outside the capital," the report adds.
On benchmarking, Mr O'Riordan said that he did not want to add to difficulties in the health sector, but independent benchmarking was put in place by both sides as a reasonable alternative to having public service pay determined on the streets.
"Public sector unions will not buy into any benchmarking models that might depart from the criteria for pay determination," he added.
Lorna Reid
Irish Independent
Senior civil service workers who have opted not to relocate now have to watch others being recruited for their jobs, a ploy which they say is vindictive, unjust and deplorable and makes a mockery of voluntary relocation.
They say that the programme, costed at €900m and rising, will have to be radically changed before it undermines the entire public service.
"The carry-on-regardless attitude of the Government means that the loss of corporate memory caused by decentralisation will be overwhelming," the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants (AHCPS) has warned.
Dublin will become the career backwater for civil servants who will not relocate and over 3,000 of them, including 80pc of senior managers, will be "surplus to requirements in the capital", the AHCPS said.
Retiring general secretary Sean O'Riordan told the association's annual conference in Dublin that while pay was the glue holding social partnership together, decentralisation dominated industrial relations in the civil service and many of the state agencies. He said the scope and time scale of decentralisation should be adjusted.
"We want to see the programme changed in a manner which stops the undermining of public services," he said."We want an immediate and radical review of decentralisation, and this must specifically consider abandoning proposals to move entire departments from Dublin to scattered provincial locations."
Mr O'Riordan said that under the programme, whose capital costs would be at least €900m, more than 90pc of the people with very high levels of policy expertise and understanding would change jobs.
Skills could haemorrhage at senior level unless career development paths were maintained, he said. The AHCPS believes that the current decentralisation programme is not well thought out, rational or carefully planned.
Applications
Mr O'Riordan said meeting the targets was critically dependant on transferring staff, but over 46pc of civil servants targeted had not applied.
These included many in senior management positions, whose work was critical to the efficiency and good performance of their departments.
A report from the executive committee of the AHCPS said that if the decentralisation system remained in place, Dublin would become the end of the career development line for hundreds of highly skilled and dedicated senior civil servants.
"When or if this programme is completed, fewer than 10pc of Dublin-based civil servants will have relocated with their current jobs to departments and offices outside the capital," the report adds.
On benchmarking, Mr O'Riordan said that he did not want to add to difficulties in the health sector, but independent benchmarking was put in place by both sides as a reasonable alternative to having public service pay determined on the streets.
"Public sector unions will not buy into any benchmarking models that might depart from the criteria for pay determination," he added.
Lorna Reid
Irish Independent
Friday, 11 May 2007
Councillors could block new sewage plant plan
THE POWER to veto controversial plans to build a monster sewage plant in Portrane may lie in the hands of Fingal councillors.
Environment Minister, Dick Roche has told residents he cannot direct a local authority to build a plant.
Minister Roche met a delegation from Donabate Parish Council and Fairshare in the Dáil last Thursday and said any decision to build a plant was in the hands of Fingal councillors.
The initial proposal to build a sewage plant in Portrane which would process sewage for the Greater Dublin Area was contained in the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study, which was commissioned by the seven local authorities in the region.
To date, it was believed that any decision to build a plant will be shared jointly between the seven authorities.
DPC and Fairshare asked if six authorities agreed to proceed with the plant and one authority dissented, would the Minister override the negating council and move forward with building the plant.
Minister Roche said that as a result of the Strategic Infrastructure Bill he coudln’t direct a council to build a large facility in Portrane. If one local authority, say Fingal council, said no, then the project, in law, would be dead.
He reaffirmed this by saying that if a local authority brings a project to light, it is the authority's ‘baby’.
The Minister said he would write to Fairshare and DPC and set out the legal process.
PRO of the DPC, Bob Dowling, said: ‘if the absolute power lies in the hands of Fingal councillors no one ever told us that’.
‘We eagerly await the letter from Minister Roche confirming that power is vested in Fingal hands,’ said Mr Dowling.
The Fianna Fáil candidates in the upcoming election, Cllr Michael Kennedy, Cllr Darragh O’Brien and John O’Leary, all attended the meeting.
Afterwards, they issued a statement saying: ‘It was a fantastic opportunity for the Minister to meet Donabate representatives and inform them of the truth.
‘The truth is that it is Fingal council and the councillors who’ll make the decision to proceed or not. It is not the Department of Environment, Fianna Fail or the County Manager. It is the elected councillors.’
Eimear Cotter
© Fingal Independent
Environment Minister, Dick Roche has told residents he cannot direct a local authority to build a plant.
Minister Roche met a delegation from Donabate Parish Council and Fairshare in the Dáil last Thursday and said any decision to build a plant was in the hands of Fingal councillors.
The initial proposal to build a sewage plant in Portrane which would process sewage for the Greater Dublin Area was contained in the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study, which was commissioned by the seven local authorities in the region.
To date, it was believed that any decision to build a plant will be shared jointly between the seven authorities.
DPC and Fairshare asked if six authorities agreed to proceed with the plant and one authority dissented, would the Minister override the negating council and move forward with building the plant.
Minister Roche said that as a result of the Strategic Infrastructure Bill he coudln’t direct a council to build a large facility in Portrane. If one local authority, say Fingal council, said no, then the project, in law, would be dead.
He reaffirmed this by saying that if a local authority brings a project to light, it is the authority's ‘baby’.
The Minister said he would write to Fairshare and DPC and set out the legal process.
PRO of the DPC, Bob Dowling, said: ‘if the absolute power lies in the hands of Fingal councillors no one ever told us that’.
‘We eagerly await the letter from Minister Roche confirming that power is vested in Fingal hands,’ said Mr Dowling.
The Fianna Fáil candidates in the upcoming election, Cllr Michael Kennedy, Cllr Darragh O’Brien and John O’Leary, all attended the meeting.
Afterwards, they issued a statement saying: ‘It was a fantastic opportunity for the Minister to meet Donabate representatives and inform them of the truth.
‘The truth is that it is Fingal council and the councillors who’ll make the decision to proceed or not. It is not the Department of Environment, Fianna Fail or the County Manager. It is the elected councillors.’
Eimear Cotter
© Fingal Independent
Shell hearing told locals are terrified
The parish priest of Kilcommon in Co Mayo, Fr Michael Nallen, has called for an independent body to undertake "a root and branch" examination of the overall design of the Corrib gas project.
He was making a closing submission on the final day of the Environmental Protection Agency's oral hearing into the issuing of an integrated pollution prevention control licence for the north Co Mayo project.
"These people are really terrified; they're conscious of a changing climate and see the Bellanaboy site [ of the proposed refinery] as unsuitable.
"They see what happened in Glengad and Pollathomas a short distance away when they had the terrifying experience of the bog starting to move all over the place when the rain fell heavily," said Fr Nallen.
He was referring to landslides in the area on September 19th, 2003, which led to the evacuation of many houses and millions of euro in damages.
He said the community was in turmoil, trust had been broken since the inception of the project, and that the health and safety of the people should be prioritised.
"There will be no progress until we get [ back] to peace and harmony and above all trust; that which existed when I came there. To work towards this we need to get an independent body."
Senior counsel for Shell E&P Ireland, Esmonde Keane, said "a large number of submissions appeared in essence to centre on planning application issues which have already been fully assessed by Mayo County Council and An Bord Pleanála". They had already granted planning permission.
He conceded that Shell would be happy to expand its "robust monitoring" system of the marine environment around the discharge point from the refinery in line with proposals made by expert witness Prof Peter Matthiessen, who had appeared on behalf of a local shell fish group.
The chairman of the Erris Inshore Fishermen's Association, Eddie Diver, accused the Government of not acting responsibly and abandoning the community "to the exploits of a multinational corporation".
"It is time our Government re-establishes control of our natural resources, whether on land, sea or under the sea, and have them developed in the national interest with no adverse effect on local communities or indigenous industries."
Closing the hearing, chairman Frank Clinton said it may be two to three months before an outcome to his deliberations is announced.
Áine Ryan
© 2007 The Irish Times
He was making a closing submission on the final day of the Environmental Protection Agency's oral hearing into the issuing of an integrated pollution prevention control licence for the north Co Mayo project.
"These people are really terrified; they're conscious of a changing climate and see the Bellanaboy site [ of the proposed refinery] as unsuitable.
"They see what happened in Glengad and Pollathomas a short distance away when they had the terrifying experience of the bog starting to move all over the place when the rain fell heavily," said Fr Nallen.
He was referring to landslides in the area on September 19th, 2003, which led to the evacuation of many houses and millions of euro in damages.
He said the community was in turmoil, trust had been broken since the inception of the project, and that the health and safety of the people should be prioritised.
"There will be no progress until we get [ back] to peace and harmony and above all trust; that which existed when I came there. To work towards this we need to get an independent body."
Senior counsel for Shell E&P Ireland, Esmonde Keane, said "a large number of submissions appeared in essence to centre on planning application issues which have already been fully assessed by Mayo County Council and An Bord Pleanála". They had already granted planning permission.
He conceded that Shell would be happy to expand its "robust monitoring" system of the marine environment around the discharge point from the refinery in line with proposals made by expert witness Prof Peter Matthiessen, who had appeared on behalf of a local shell fish group.
The chairman of the Erris Inshore Fishermen's Association, Eddie Diver, accused the Government of not acting responsibly and abandoning the community "to the exploits of a multinational corporation".
"It is time our Government re-establishes control of our natural resources, whether on land, sea or under the sea, and have them developed in the national interest with no adverse effect on local communities or indigenous industries."
Closing the hearing, chairman Frank Clinton said it may be two to three months before an outcome to his deliberations is announced.
Áine Ryan
© 2007 The Irish Times
EPA urged to prevent Galway land rezoning
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been urged to prevent a land rezoning in south Galway that threatens the future of the Clarenbridge oyster industry.
Labour Party president and Galway West TD Michael D Higgins says if the EPA is to "have any credibility", it must intervene before Galway county councillors amend their county development plan on May 28th.
Earlier this year, councillors decided to make 17 material alterations to the Clarenbridge local area plan.
The material alterations resulted in an extra 115 acres of land within the village boundary being zoned for development - totalling 180 acres - in what is described as a "small settlement" in the county plan.
Residents say this would expand the village of just over 400 people to a suburb of up to 10,000 at a time when other suburban areas in Galway are suffering serious water contamination due to overdevelopment.
The move was made against the advice of the Galway county manager and planning officials, and some 333 submissions opposing the move have been filed.
Residents of the village point out that the adequate sewerage and water treatment infrastructure is not provided for in the Clarenbridge area plan.
Moreover, members of the Clarenbridge oyster community have argued that provision of adequate sewerage facilities is required if the 700 acres harvested in Dunbulcan Bay are to maintain "class A" status.
Local residents in Clarenbridge are supporting their demand for a permanent buffer zone of up to 400m (0.25 miles) on the eastern, northern and southern shores of the bay to protect their industry and the shoreline environment.
Drinking water in the area has already exceeded E.coli parameters, and the limestone aquifer on which the village is located holds the highest rating for vulnerability to pollution, according to Geological Survey of Ireland assessments. The issue underscores the fact that successive governments have failed to implement policy on coastal-zone management.
Supporters of a group known as the Concerned Clarenbridge Residents have contacted individual Galway councillors to seek their support for the proposed buffer zone.
The group argues that the oyster fisheries are world famous, and provide full and part-time work for 204 members of the oyster co-operative and their families.
This has a significant spin-off for the local economy, it emphasises, and is worth some €5 million annually.
To date, only one of 10 Fianna Fáil councillors and four of 10 Fine Gael councillors have confirmed to the grouping that they "agree with" the buffer zoning, while three Progressive Democrats councillors, three of four Independents, and the Sinn Féin and Labour representatives on the local authority have also said they support it.
Ms Bridgette Brew, spokeswoman for the residents, said that this indicated those councillors who didn't support the oyster industry were in favour of the rezoning.
Mr Higgins says he has contacted the EPA's Office of Environmental Enforcement on the issue to prevent "further environmental disaster in Galway". The agency must make its views known to councillors before the May 28th meeting, he says.
"Irresponsible action" has already destroyed a natural oyster bed at Clarenbridge, he points out.
Earlier this year, EPA director, Dr Mary Kelly, noted that enhanced powers given to the agency under the Protection of the Environment Act for "tackling environmental crime" had been used to good effect.
Lorna Siggins
© 2007 The Irish Times
Labour Party president and Galway West TD Michael D Higgins says if the EPA is to "have any credibility", it must intervene before Galway county councillors amend their county development plan on May 28th.
Earlier this year, councillors decided to make 17 material alterations to the Clarenbridge local area plan.
The material alterations resulted in an extra 115 acres of land within the village boundary being zoned for development - totalling 180 acres - in what is described as a "small settlement" in the county plan.
Residents say this would expand the village of just over 400 people to a suburb of up to 10,000 at a time when other suburban areas in Galway are suffering serious water contamination due to overdevelopment.
The move was made against the advice of the Galway county manager and planning officials, and some 333 submissions opposing the move have been filed.
Residents of the village point out that the adequate sewerage and water treatment infrastructure is not provided for in the Clarenbridge area plan.
Moreover, members of the Clarenbridge oyster community have argued that provision of adequate sewerage facilities is required if the 700 acres harvested in Dunbulcan Bay are to maintain "class A" status.
Local residents in Clarenbridge are supporting their demand for a permanent buffer zone of up to 400m (0.25 miles) on the eastern, northern and southern shores of the bay to protect their industry and the shoreline environment.
Drinking water in the area has already exceeded E.coli parameters, and the limestone aquifer on which the village is located holds the highest rating for vulnerability to pollution, according to Geological Survey of Ireland assessments. The issue underscores the fact that successive governments have failed to implement policy on coastal-zone management.
Supporters of a group known as the Concerned Clarenbridge Residents have contacted individual Galway councillors to seek their support for the proposed buffer zone.
The group argues that the oyster fisheries are world famous, and provide full and part-time work for 204 members of the oyster co-operative and their families.
This has a significant spin-off for the local economy, it emphasises, and is worth some €5 million annually.
To date, only one of 10 Fianna Fáil councillors and four of 10 Fine Gael councillors have confirmed to the grouping that they "agree with" the buffer zoning, while three Progressive Democrats councillors, three of four Independents, and the Sinn Féin and Labour representatives on the local authority have also said they support it.
Ms Bridgette Brew, spokeswoman for the residents, said that this indicated those councillors who didn't support the oyster industry were in favour of the rezoning.
Mr Higgins says he has contacted the EPA's Office of Environmental Enforcement on the issue to prevent "further environmental disaster in Galway". The agency must make its views known to councillors before the May 28th meeting, he says.
"Irresponsible action" has already destroyed a natural oyster bed at Clarenbridge, he points out.
Earlier this year, EPA director, Dr Mary Kelly, noted that enhanced powers given to the agency under the Protection of the Environment Act for "tackling environmental crime" had been used to good effect.
Lorna Siggins
© 2007 The Irish Times
Welcome to Galway . . . where you can't drink the water or swim in the sea
SOME of the country's most popular swimming spots in Dublin, Galway and Waterford, are polluted by raw sewage from council plants.
Nine popular beaches in Dublin have bugs in their water - even after the opening of a state-of-the-art €300m sewage treatment plant in Ringsend in 2003.
The name and shame revelations are contained in the annual Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ) Bathing Water Quality report.
As the swimming season approaches, Galway, still in the grip of a drinking water contamination crisis, is also named as having one of four national beaches that fail to meet even the minimum mandatory EU water standards because of council sewage.
But the EPA report finds that overall the water quality at most Irish beaches is high. But it urges local authorities to protect public health by keeping beaches free from pollution.
The report finds:
* The most polluted bathing water is at Clifden, Balbriggan, Dunmore East, and Malahide - because of e-coli from untreated sewage.
* Two of Galway's beaches, Spiddal and Clifden, are branded "persistent offenders".
* Thirteen other beaches fail to meet a higher EU standard which all councils have been told to meet. They are Dollymount Strand, Balbriggan, Loughshinny, Malahide, Sutton Burrow Beach (all Dublin), Clifden, Spiddal and Na Forbacha (Galway), Enniscrone (Sligo), Ardmore and Dunmore East Main Strand (Waterford), Ballyallia Lake, Ennis (Clare), Keeldra lake Cloone (Leitrim).
* Nine beaches failed to meet national standards because of faecal streptococci bugs. They are Balbriggan, Loughshinny, Malahide, Portmarnock, Rush , Sutton, Clifden, Ardmore and Tramore.
The report says the worst persistent offenders over five years are Balbriggan, Sutton Burrow Beach, Clifden, Spiddal and Ardmore.
Gerard O'Leary, EPA Programme Manager, said: "While the overall level of bathing water quality remains high, the EPA remains concerned that a small number of bathing areas do not conform to the minimum mandatory standards."
The report found that 127 of the 131 bathing areas (97pc) complied with the mandatory standards, one more than in 2005.
A total of 118 (90pc) spots complied with the much stricter EU guideline standards, one fewer than in 2005.
Mr O'Leary said the main reason for beach waters failing the EU standards was inadequately treated sewage.
"Local Authorities should continually update the public on the quality of bathing waters during the upcoming bathing water season. They must ensure that water quality complies with the bathing water standards," he said.
On the positive side 11 out of the 18 local authorities complied fully with the EU standards. These were: Cork Co Council, Donegal, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown, Galway City, Kerry , Louth, Mayo, Meath , Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
Treacy Hogan
© Irish Independent
Nine popular beaches in Dublin have bugs in their water - even after the opening of a state-of-the-art €300m sewage treatment plant in Ringsend in 2003.
The name and shame revelations are contained in the annual Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ) Bathing Water Quality report.
As the swimming season approaches, Galway, still in the grip of a drinking water contamination crisis, is also named as having one of four national beaches that fail to meet even the minimum mandatory EU water standards because of council sewage.
But the EPA report finds that overall the water quality at most Irish beaches is high. But it urges local authorities to protect public health by keeping beaches free from pollution.
The report finds:
* The most polluted bathing water is at Clifden, Balbriggan, Dunmore East, and Malahide - because of e-coli from untreated sewage.
* Two of Galway's beaches, Spiddal and Clifden, are branded "persistent offenders".
* Thirteen other beaches fail to meet a higher EU standard which all councils have been told to meet. They are Dollymount Strand, Balbriggan, Loughshinny, Malahide, Sutton Burrow Beach (all Dublin), Clifden, Spiddal and Na Forbacha (Galway), Enniscrone (Sligo), Ardmore and Dunmore East Main Strand (Waterford), Ballyallia Lake, Ennis (Clare), Keeldra lake Cloone (Leitrim).
* Nine beaches failed to meet national standards because of faecal streptococci bugs. They are Balbriggan, Loughshinny, Malahide, Portmarnock, Rush , Sutton, Clifden, Ardmore and Tramore.
The report says the worst persistent offenders over five years are Balbriggan, Sutton Burrow Beach, Clifden, Spiddal and Ardmore.
Gerard O'Leary, EPA Programme Manager, said: "While the overall level of bathing water quality remains high, the EPA remains concerned that a small number of bathing areas do not conform to the minimum mandatory standards."
The report found that 127 of the 131 bathing areas (97pc) complied with the mandatory standards, one more than in 2005.
A total of 118 (90pc) spots complied with the much stricter EU guideline standards, one fewer than in 2005.
Mr O'Leary said the main reason for beach waters failing the EU standards was inadequately treated sewage.
"Local Authorities should continually update the public on the quality of bathing waters during the upcoming bathing water season. They must ensure that water quality complies with the bathing water standards," he said.
On the positive side 11 out of the 18 local authorities complied fully with the EU standards. These were: Cork Co Council, Donegal, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown, Galway City, Kerry , Louth, Mayo, Meath , Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
Treacy Hogan
© Irish Independent
Campaigners to consider protests if plan proceeds
Campaigners at Tara are preparing a fresh legal challenge and possible "direct action" protests if the Minister for the Environment directs that construction of the M3 motorway at an archaeologically significant "henge" at Lismullen should proceed.
Outlining details of a submission which it handed in to Dick Roche yesterday, spokesman for TaraWatch Vincent Salafia said the Minister had rerouted the N25 at a similar site at Woodstown in Waterford in 2005.
As a result, Mr Salafia said, he wanted to know why Mr Roche could not pursue a similar course of action in relation to the M3 and Tara.
Colleague Siobhán Rice said protesters were prepared to engage in direct action to halt work on the site "if we have to", but stressed that she hoped it would not come to that.
Mr Salafia said the organisation sympathised with the people of Meath and had in fact adopted a "compromise" position in advocating a rerouting of the proposed motorway, rather than a decision to abandon the proposed motorway altogether.
TaraWatch wishes to see a formal mediation process introduced which would allow all interested parties to be consulted and would help to avoid lengthy court battles and unnecessary delays to the project.
"I can almost guarantee that if he does give the go-ahead, there will be a legal challenge," Mr Salafia said. "We would be racing [ against] the clock to get our application in there."
He added that TaraWatch was "simply calling for responsible road building". The discovery of the Lismullen site represented prima facie evidence that the process for constructing the M3 had failed, he added.
Mr Roche consulted Pat Wallace, director of the National Museum, after the National Monuments Service inspected the Lismullen site and officials are considering his report.
John Downes
© 2007 The Irish Times
Outlining details of a submission which it handed in to Dick Roche yesterday, spokesman for TaraWatch Vincent Salafia said the Minister had rerouted the N25 at a similar site at Woodstown in Waterford in 2005.
As a result, Mr Salafia said, he wanted to know why Mr Roche could not pursue a similar course of action in relation to the M3 and Tara.
Colleague Siobhán Rice said protesters were prepared to engage in direct action to halt work on the site "if we have to", but stressed that she hoped it would not come to that.
Mr Salafia said the organisation sympathised with the people of Meath and had in fact adopted a "compromise" position in advocating a rerouting of the proposed motorway, rather than a decision to abandon the proposed motorway altogether.
TaraWatch wishes to see a formal mediation process introduced which would allow all interested parties to be consulted and would help to avoid lengthy court battles and unnecessary delays to the project.
"I can almost guarantee that if he does give the go-ahead, there will be a legal challenge," Mr Salafia said. "We would be racing [ against] the clock to get our application in there."
He added that TaraWatch was "simply calling for responsible road building". The discovery of the Lismullen site represented prima facie evidence that the process for constructing the M3 had failed, he added.
Mr Roche consulted Pat Wallace, director of the National Museum, after the National Monuments Service inspected the Lismullen site and officials are considering his report.
John Downes
© 2007 The Irish Times
Minister urged to rethink excavation of M3 site
The director of the National Museum, Dr Pat Wallace, has called for a complete archaeological excavation of the important prehistoric circular "henge" at Lismullen along the route of the controversial M3 motorway.
In a letter to Minister for the Environment Dick Roche, he said there should now be a pause for reflection on the preparatory works being carried out for the motorway to allow a committee of experts to recommend the best way of excavating Lismullen.
Although Dr Wallace declined to comment on his letter when contacted yesterday, it is known that he expressed serious concern about the methodology used by National Roads Authority (NRA) archaeologists in dealing with other sites on the route.
In particular, he took exception to the stripping of topsoil by mechanical diggers, with the effect that only archaeological features in the subsoil were left and the stratographic record of each site was being compromised as a result.
He congratulated the Minister on having designated Lismullen as a national monument and queried whether similar designations might not have been applied to at least some of the 30-plus sites on this section of the route.
Dr Wallace's letter also noted that he had warned the Minister in April 2005 that the discovery of sites such as Lismullen was entirely possible, given that the motorway is planned to run through what he and others regard as the Hill of Tara's archaeological landscape.
Conor Newman, lecturer in archaeology at NUI Galway and one of the leading experts on Tara, said the only way to preserve Lismullen was to cover it in topsoil and walk away.
"The NRA has done more than enough damage to this landscape already," he added.
"This site proves without a shadow of doubt that the Tara complex extends into the surrounding landscape exactly as we said. The suggestion made on Meath County Council's website that somehow it was a temple that served a lesser political unit is asinine."
Mr Newman said such attempts to distance Lismullen and other sites from Tara and its surrounding landscape were "absolutely disingenuous" while the speed with which excavations had been carried out on the motorway route was "unseemly".
Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, of the Campaign to Save Tara, has called for a full excavation of the area between Lismullen and Rath Lugh, a prehistoric promontory fort, part of which was "shaved" by preparatory works on the motorway.
"The fact that the huge henge of Lismullen remained undiscovered and unidentified by geophysical surveys and test-trenching means that the NRA's archaeological surveys and test-trenching results are highly suspect," she said yesterday.
In response to a request for a copy of Dr Wallace's letter, a spokesman for the Department of the Environment said the advice it contained was "part of a deliberative process" and it would not be published until after Mr Roche issued directions on Lismullen.
Frank McDonald
© 2007 The Irish Times
In a letter to Minister for the Environment Dick Roche, he said there should now be a pause for reflection on the preparatory works being carried out for the motorway to allow a committee of experts to recommend the best way of excavating Lismullen.
Although Dr Wallace declined to comment on his letter when contacted yesterday, it is known that he expressed serious concern about the methodology used by National Roads Authority (NRA) archaeologists in dealing with other sites on the route.
In particular, he took exception to the stripping of topsoil by mechanical diggers, with the effect that only archaeological features in the subsoil were left and the stratographic record of each site was being compromised as a result.
He congratulated the Minister on having designated Lismullen as a national monument and queried whether similar designations might not have been applied to at least some of the 30-plus sites on this section of the route.
Dr Wallace's letter also noted that he had warned the Minister in April 2005 that the discovery of sites such as Lismullen was entirely possible, given that the motorway is planned to run through what he and others regard as the Hill of Tara's archaeological landscape.
Conor Newman, lecturer in archaeology at NUI Galway and one of the leading experts on Tara, said the only way to preserve Lismullen was to cover it in topsoil and walk away.
"The NRA has done more than enough damage to this landscape already," he added.
"This site proves without a shadow of doubt that the Tara complex extends into the surrounding landscape exactly as we said. The suggestion made on Meath County Council's website that somehow it was a temple that served a lesser political unit is asinine."
Mr Newman said such attempts to distance Lismullen and other sites from Tara and its surrounding landscape were "absolutely disingenuous" while the speed with which excavations had been carried out on the motorway route was "unseemly".
Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, of the Campaign to Save Tara, has called for a full excavation of the area between Lismullen and Rath Lugh, a prehistoric promontory fort, part of which was "shaved" by preparatory works on the motorway.
"The fact that the huge henge of Lismullen remained undiscovered and unidentified by geophysical surveys and test-trenching means that the NRA's archaeological surveys and test-trenching results are highly suspect," she said yesterday.
In response to a request for a copy of Dr Wallace's letter, a spokesman for the Department of the Environment said the advice it contained was "part of a deliberative process" and it would not be published until after Mr Roche issued directions on Lismullen.
Frank McDonald
© 2007 The Irish Times
Final appeal against incinerator plant fails
Local campaigner claimed planning permission invalid
THE Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge to the granting of planning permission for an incinerator/waste management facility near Duleek in Co Meath.
The three-judge court unanimously rejected an appeal yesterday by local campaigner Eric Martin against the High Court's refusal to uphold his claim that the permission granted by An Bord Pleanala was invalid.
Mr Martin had claimed a European Directive relating to environment impact assessments had not been properly implemented into Irish law.
His claims were denied by the State, An Bord Pleanala and Indaver Ireland, developer of the proposed incinerator.
Impact
At the time, Mr Justice Thomas Smyth also asked the Supreme Court to decide on a point of law in the case on whether the State had implemented a European directive relating to environment impact statements into Irish law.
However, Indaver have warned there is still uncertainty over the Carranstown project, despite the outcome of the case, blaming the Government's failure to curb development of landfill.
The company said there was a need to increase landfill levies to ensure competition in the waste market. There would also have to be a ban on certain types of waste being disposed of in landfills.
Yesterday, Chief Justice John Murray, presiding at the Supreme Court, said Mr Martin was "clutching at straws" in his opposition to the decision made by An Bord Pleanala.
Dismissing the case, he said there was no need to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.
The Supreme Court accepted the submissions of An Bord Pleanala and the State that the combination of the assessments carried out by the board and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) together met the requirements of the EU Directive with regard to the Environment Impact Assessment prior to planning permission consent.
The 25-acre site of the proposed incinerator is about 3km from Duleek and 2km from Donore village.
Alliance
Mr Martin, of Newlanes, Duleek, is a retired production manager and a member of the No Incineration Alliance - a group of farmers, residents and business people who live near the proposed incinerator.
Meath County Council had, in 2002, granted permission for the development, subject to certain conditions, including that the facility would only accept waste which was generated and produced in the north-east region of counties Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.
Another condition was that annual tonnage for thermal treatment/recycling would not exceed 172,000 tonnes a year.
Indaver appealed that latter condition, while several people appealed the decision to grant permission. An Bord Pleanala held an oral hearing over four days after which its inspector recommended permission be refused.
But the board decided to grant permission.
Yesterday, Chief Justice Murray said on the basis of any reasonable view of the provision of the Directive alone, it seemed clear the contention of Mr Martin with regard to a global integrated assessment was unfounded.
The Chief Justice said the EU Directive was essentially procedural in nature.
Ann O'Loughlin
Irish Independent
THE Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge to the granting of planning permission for an incinerator/waste management facility near Duleek in Co Meath.
The three-judge court unanimously rejected an appeal yesterday by local campaigner Eric Martin against the High Court's refusal to uphold his claim that the permission granted by An Bord Pleanala was invalid.
Mr Martin had claimed a European Directive relating to environment impact assessments had not been properly implemented into Irish law.
His claims were denied by the State, An Bord Pleanala and Indaver Ireland, developer of the proposed incinerator.
Impact
At the time, Mr Justice Thomas Smyth also asked the Supreme Court to decide on a point of law in the case on whether the State had implemented a European directive relating to environment impact statements into Irish law.
However, Indaver have warned there is still uncertainty over the Carranstown project, despite the outcome of the case, blaming the Government's failure to curb development of landfill.
The company said there was a need to increase landfill levies to ensure competition in the waste market. There would also have to be a ban on certain types of waste being disposed of in landfills.
Yesterday, Chief Justice John Murray, presiding at the Supreme Court, said Mr Martin was "clutching at straws" in his opposition to the decision made by An Bord Pleanala.
Dismissing the case, he said there was no need to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.
The Supreme Court accepted the submissions of An Bord Pleanala and the State that the combination of the assessments carried out by the board and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) together met the requirements of the EU Directive with regard to the Environment Impact Assessment prior to planning permission consent.
The 25-acre site of the proposed incinerator is about 3km from Duleek and 2km from Donore village.
Alliance
Mr Martin, of Newlanes, Duleek, is a retired production manager and a member of the No Incineration Alliance - a group of farmers, residents and business people who live near the proposed incinerator.
Meath County Council had, in 2002, granted permission for the development, subject to certain conditions, including that the facility would only accept waste which was generated and produced in the north-east region of counties Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.
Another condition was that annual tonnage for thermal treatment/recycling would not exceed 172,000 tonnes a year.
Indaver appealed that latter condition, while several people appealed the decision to grant permission. An Bord Pleanala held an oral hearing over four days after which its inspector recommended permission be refused.
But the board decided to grant permission.
Yesterday, Chief Justice Murray said on the basis of any reasonable view of the provision of the Directive alone, it seemed clear the contention of Mr Martin with regard to a global integrated assessment was unfounded.
The Chief Justice said the EU Directive was essentially procedural in nature.
Ann O'Loughlin
Irish Independent
FF councillor breached ethics in family land rezoning bid
11 May 2007
FF councillor breached ethics in family land rezoning bid
By Donal Hickey
A LEADING hotelier and Fianna Fáil councillor tried to win the support of fellow councillors for the rezoning of his family property, according to the Standards in Public Office Commission, which described the incident as a “serious matter”.
The commission concluded that Patrick O’Donoghue, managing director of the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, and a member of Killarney Town Council, breached sections of the ethics legislation arising from a proposal to rezone the 20-acre Gleneagle property.
A report of an investigation by the commission into Mr O’Donoghue’s conduct, published yesterday, is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Click here to find out more!
Mr O’Donoghue, also a director of Fáilte Ireland, has strongly denied trying to influence other councillors to vote for the rezoning.
Also investigated in relation to the rezoning was Mayor Sheila Casey, a Fine Gael member of Killarney Town Council, and an employee of the Gleneagle group.
However, the commission is not taking any further action against her, saying it was “not satisfied on the evidence before it that she had actual knowledge that she had, as an employee of the O’Donoghue family, a beneficial interest in the motion to rezone the lands”. The probe arose from a motion which came before Killarney Town Council to rezone the O’Donoghue’s property, which includes the Gleneagle and Brehon Hotels, the National Events Centre (INEC) and a riverside pitch and putt course to town centre status.
The motion was passed at a council meeting, while Mr O’Donoghue and Ms Casey were both present, on March 6, 2006. Ms Casey voted for the motion, but Mr O’Donoghue abstained.
The commission found Mr O’Donoghue was in breach of the code of conduct for councilors, under the Local Government Act, by seeking the support of councilors for the motion and trying to influence their decision on it.
“The commission is satisfied these contraventions were committed intentionally and were, in all the circumstances, a serious matter,” the report stated.
It also found Mr O’Donoghue disregarded the code of conduct by not disclosing his interest in the Gleneagle property and by failing to withdraw from the meeting when the motion was being discussed.
The investigation arose from complaints by Killarney Town Council manager Tom Curran, who is acting county manager for Kerry.
Irish Examiner
FF councillor breached ethics in family land rezoning bid
By Donal Hickey
A LEADING hotelier and Fianna Fáil councillor tried to win the support of fellow councillors for the rezoning of his family property, according to the Standards in Public Office Commission, which described the incident as a “serious matter”.
The commission concluded that Patrick O’Donoghue, managing director of the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, and a member of Killarney Town Council, breached sections of the ethics legislation arising from a proposal to rezone the 20-acre Gleneagle property.
A report of an investigation by the commission into Mr O’Donoghue’s conduct, published yesterday, is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Click here to find out more!
Mr O’Donoghue, also a director of Fáilte Ireland, has strongly denied trying to influence other councillors to vote for the rezoning.
Also investigated in relation to the rezoning was Mayor Sheila Casey, a Fine Gael member of Killarney Town Council, and an employee of the Gleneagle group.
However, the commission is not taking any further action against her, saying it was “not satisfied on the evidence before it that she had actual knowledge that she had, as an employee of the O’Donoghue family, a beneficial interest in the motion to rezone the lands”. The probe arose from a motion which came before Killarney Town Council to rezone the O’Donoghue’s property, which includes the Gleneagle and Brehon Hotels, the National Events Centre (INEC) and a riverside pitch and putt course to town centre status.
The motion was passed at a council meeting, while Mr O’Donoghue and Ms Casey were both present, on March 6, 2006. Ms Casey voted for the motion, but Mr O’Donoghue abstained.
The commission found Mr O’Donoghue was in breach of the code of conduct for councilors, under the Local Government Act, by seeking the support of councilors for the motion and trying to influence their decision on it.
“The commission is satisfied these contraventions were committed intentionally and were, in all the circumstances, a serious matter,” the report stated.
It also found Mr O’Donoghue disregarded the code of conduct by not disclosing his interest in the Gleneagle property and by failing to withdraw from the meeting when the motion was being discussed.
The investigation arose from complaints by Killarney Town Council manager Tom Curran, who is acting county manager for Kerry.
Irish Examiner
Unforeseen issues blamed for failure of decentralisation plans
The Government has failed to decentralise 8,000 civil servants, writes Stephen Rogers in Ennis.
THE Government has admitted it failed to decentralise more than 8,000 civil service staff because it did not prepare properly before announcing decentralisation in 2003.
At yesterday’s IMPACT civil service conference in Ennis, the union pointed out that 10,300 civil servants were supposed to have been relocated from Dublin to 53 centres in 25 counties before the election. To date only 2,000 have been moved.
Labour Affairs Minister, Tony Killeen addressed the union delegates, and afterwards admitted the practical implementation of decentralisation ‘has thrown up issues and problems that I don’t think anyone really foresaw’.
“It has thrown up a whole range of issues that probably were not expected. The decentralisation position of 2003 came against a background of very successful decentralisations previously, when almost in every case it was oversubscribed.
“They tended to be smaller numbers in locations that were attractive because there was not an opportunity to work there previously anyway. One of the issues in this round has been the scale of what was proposed.”
He defended decentralisation as a process that was strategically worth pursuing for the benefit of the country.
“Historically, the way it happened has not been good for Dublin or for the areas from which people migrated,” he said. “I think decision making based in a very small geographical area is not in the interest of that area or the rest of the country.
“So, I do think the principle is very good but the practical implementation has thrown up issues and problems that I don’t think anyone really foresaw.”
IMPACT National Secretary Louise O’Donnell said it was now time for a rethink, that the union was not opposed to decentralisation and had workable solutions for a programme that had ‘backed itself into a corner’.
She said stakeholders need to review each of the departments and organisations earmarked to move and look at removing those for whom decentralisation is clearly not practical or cost-effective.
An option which Tony Killeen said was being considered by government was interchangeability of roles between the semi-state or state agency sector and the public and civil service.
“He said the option had arisen in the past when technical and professional staff who would not or could not move might have been filled from the other sector.
If that is introduced to solve the decentralisation impasse, it could lead to the introduction of common terms and conditions and promotional prospects for workers in each of the sectors.
Irish Examiner
THE Government has admitted it failed to decentralise more than 8,000 civil service staff because it did not prepare properly before announcing decentralisation in 2003.
At yesterday’s IMPACT civil service conference in Ennis, the union pointed out that 10,300 civil servants were supposed to have been relocated from Dublin to 53 centres in 25 counties before the election. To date only 2,000 have been moved.
Labour Affairs Minister, Tony Killeen addressed the union delegates, and afterwards admitted the practical implementation of decentralisation ‘has thrown up issues and problems that I don’t think anyone really foresaw’.
“It has thrown up a whole range of issues that probably were not expected. The decentralisation position of 2003 came against a background of very successful decentralisations previously, when almost in every case it was oversubscribed.
“They tended to be smaller numbers in locations that were attractive because there was not an opportunity to work there previously anyway. One of the issues in this round has been the scale of what was proposed.”
He defended decentralisation as a process that was strategically worth pursuing for the benefit of the country.
“Historically, the way it happened has not been good for Dublin or for the areas from which people migrated,” he said. “I think decision making based in a very small geographical area is not in the interest of that area or the rest of the country.
“So, I do think the principle is very good but the practical implementation has thrown up issues and problems that I don’t think anyone really foresaw.”
IMPACT National Secretary Louise O’Donnell said it was now time for a rethink, that the union was not opposed to decentralisation and had workable solutions for a programme that had ‘backed itself into a corner’.
She said stakeholders need to review each of the departments and organisations earmarked to move and look at removing those for whom decentralisation is clearly not practical or cost-effective.
An option which Tony Killeen said was being considered by government was interchangeability of roles between the semi-state or state agency sector and the public and civil service.
“He said the option had arisen in the past when technical and professional staff who would not or could not move might have been filled from the other sector.
If that is introduced to solve the decentralisation impasse, it could lead to the introduction of common terms and conditions and promotional prospects for workers in each of the sectors.
Irish Examiner
Thursday, 10 May 2007
Era of 'matchbox' apartments to end
New rules will see the average dwelling grow in size by up to 25pc
THE spread of 'matchbox' apartments without room to swing the proverbial cat is coming to an end in the capital.
New guidelines that will increase the size of apartments in Dublin by up to 25pc have been recommended by Dublin City Council and will be approved shortly.
The rules are expected to halve the number of new one-bedroom apartments in the city.
Apartments must in future be bigger and cater for families.
The plan, being put out for a four-week public consultation period, follows years of complaints about developers being permitted to build apartments that are too small, even for single people.
City council officials say the guidelines are needed to encourage more families to live in apartments.
An Bord Pleanala has recently refused planning permission for multi-million euro high-rise developments involving hundreds of apartments because they are too small.
Following a vote of approval by councillors, the guidelines are due to come back before the city council in July for final approval.
Higher ceilings, bigger floor space and more variety are just some of the conditions that Dublin City councillors have recommended.
The new standards are stricter than those currently imposed by the Department of the Environment.
It is estimated that 90pc of all new homes being built in the city are apartments and a special report commissioned by the city council has found "residents are highly dissatisfied with the availability of internal storage space, the lack of open space, the quality of noise insulation kitchen size and layout and the view from the dwelling".
But, unsurprisingly, analysis prepared by the Economic Social Research Institute has found that the average apartment size throughout the city depends greatly on the location.
Southside areas such as Dublin 2 and 4 have larger and more spacious apartments than Dublin 1 and 7.
A survey of Dublin residents has revealed that 55pc of city apartment dwellers were likely to move at least once in the next five years.
It also found that only 25pc of people living in city apartments see themselves living there in the future.
Bedrooms
Included in the recommendations are that the minimum floor area in each apartment bedroom will have to increase by at least 10 square metres.
In the case of three-bedroom apartments, each room will be required to have a floor area of at least 100 square metres.
The minimum floor to ceiling height of 2.7 metres shall be required, up from 2.4 metres.
Storage area will also have to be greatly increased while "additional storage area shall be provided outside the apartment".
Another obstacle to be placed in the way of developers will be a "Housing Quality Assessment" which will be carried out at the planning state.
The assessment will look at specified criteria such as "children's needs, provision for information and communication technology and noise levels in the area".
Fine Gael councillor Gerry Breen (FG) said: "For too long certain developers have dominated the market in matchbox apartments."
These new standards will move the market into line with European norms for apartments.
The Construction Industry Federation criticised the draft guidelines, saying they would drive development out of the city.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
THE spread of 'matchbox' apartments without room to swing the proverbial cat is coming to an end in the capital.
New guidelines that will increase the size of apartments in Dublin by up to 25pc have been recommended by Dublin City Council and will be approved shortly.
The rules are expected to halve the number of new one-bedroom apartments in the city.
Apartments must in future be bigger and cater for families.
The plan, being put out for a four-week public consultation period, follows years of complaints about developers being permitted to build apartments that are too small, even for single people.
City council officials say the guidelines are needed to encourage more families to live in apartments.
An Bord Pleanala has recently refused planning permission for multi-million euro high-rise developments involving hundreds of apartments because they are too small.
Following a vote of approval by councillors, the guidelines are due to come back before the city council in July for final approval.
Higher ceilings, bigger floor space and more variety are just some of the conditions that Dublin City councillors have recommended.
The new standards are stricter than those currently imposed by the Department of the Environment.
It is estimated that 90pc of all new homes being built in the city are apartments and a special report commissioned by the city council has found "residents are highly dissatisfied with the availability of internal storage space, the lack of open space, the quality of noise insulation kitchen size and layout and the view from the dwelling".
But, unsurprisingly, analysis prepared by the Economic Social Research Institute has found that the average apartment size throughout the city depends greatly on the location.
Southside areas such as Dublin 2 and 4 have larger and more spacious apartments than Dublin 1 and 7.
A survey of Dublin residents has revealed that 55pc of city apartment dwellers were likely to move at least once in the next five years.
It also found that only 25pc of people living in city apartments see themselves living there in the future.
Bedrooms
Included in the recommendations are that the minimum floor area in each apartment bedroom will have to increase by at least 10 square metres.
In the case of three-bedroom apartments, each room will be required to have a floor area of at least 100 square metres.
The minimum floor to ceiling height of 2.7 metres shall be required, up from 2.4 metres.
Storage area will also have to be greatly increased while "additional storage area shall be provided outside the apartment".
Another obstacle to be placed in the way of developers will be a "Housing Quality Assessment" which will be carried out at the planning state.
The assessment will look at specified criteria such as "children's needs, provision for information and communication technology and noise levels in the area".
Fine Gael councillor Gerry Breen (FG) said: "For too long certain developers have dominated the market in matchbox apartments."
These new standards will move the market into line with European norms for apartments.
The Construction Industry Federation criticised the draft guidelines, saying they would drive development out of the city.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
Objectors plan EU campaign to halt quarry
A GROUP awaiting a Bord Pleanála ruling on a controversial super-quarry is poised to launch an EU campaign to halt quarrying in their area.
The planning appeals board is expected to rule within days on whether or not Healy Brothers Ltd can open a new quarry in Rossmore, near Carrigtwohill in East Cork.
The company, which operates two quarries nearby, plans to extract sand and gravel at Rossmore for export as well as extract, crush and wash limestone for use in the manufacture of concrete nearby.
Several quarries are already operating in the area.
The county council granted permission for the Healy Brothers project last year and attached 40 conditions. But following an appeal from residents led by the Carrigtwohill Environment Alliance (CEA), Bord Pleanála held an oral hearing on the project last September. A decision is expected within days.
CEA confirmed yesterday that it sent two representatives to Brussels last week, following an invitation from independent MEP Kathy Synott, on a fact-finding mission.
Peter Thompson and John Joe Harte sat in on a session of the EU’s powerful Petitions Committee which examines complaints concerning application of EU law.
Mr Thompson said the group is considering lodging a petition with the committee calling for a complete halt to further expansion of the quarrying industry in their area. Their next course of action will depend on how Bord Pleanála rules on the Healy Brothers’ project, he said.
However, any possible appeal to the Petitions Committee will not focus on that project alone.
Mr Thompson said any case the CEA may pursue at EU level will focus on the entire quarrying industry in the Carrigtwohill area.
“We will be seeking a total moratorium on quarrying in this area. Quarrying has reached total saturation point. Any more will be unsustainable,” he said.
Engineers for Healy Brothers told the Bord Pleanála hearing last September that granting the Rossmore project is crucial to secure the future of the company.
Limestone and sand and gravel reserves at its Milebush and Coppingerstown quarries will last for just another three years.
The 56-year-old family-run company employs 270 people and is dependent on this application for its very existence, the hearing was told.
Irish Examiner
The planning appeals board is expected to rule within days on whether or not Healy Brothers Ltd can open a new quarry in Rossmore, near Carrigtwohill in East Cork.
The company, which operates two quarries nearby, plans to extract sand and gravel at Rossmore for export as well as extract, crush and wash limestone for use in the manufacture of concrete nearby.
Several quarries are already operating in the area.
The county council granted permission for the Healy Brothers project last year and attached 40 conditions. But following an appeal from residents led by the Carrigtwohill Environment Alliance (CEA), Bord Pleanála held an oral hearing on the project last September. A decision is expected within days.
CEA confirmed yesterday that it sent two representatives to Brussels last week, following an invitation from independent MEP Kathy Synott, on a fact-finding mission.
Peter Thompson and John Joe Harte sat in on a session of the EU’s powerful Petitions Committee which examines complaints concerning application of EU law.
Mr Thompson said the group is considering lodging a petition with the committee calling for a complete halt to further expansion of the quarrying industry in their area. Their next course of action will depend on how Bord Pleanála rules on the Healy Brothers’ project, he said.
However, any possible appeal to the Petitions Committee will not focus on that project alone.
Mr Thompson said any case the CEA may pursue at EU level will focus on the entire quarrying industry in the Carrigtwohill area.
“We will be seeking a total moratorium on quarrying in this area. Quarrying has reached total saturation point. Any more will be unsustainable,” he said.
Engineers for Healy Brothers told the Bord Pleanála hearing last September that granting the Rossmore project is crucial to secure the future of the company.
Limestone and sand and gravel reserves at its Milebush and Coppingerstown quarries will last for just another three years.
The 56-year-old family-run company employs 270 people and is dependent on this application for its very existence, the hearing was told.
Irish Examiner
Bus Éireann launches €18m investment plan for Cork
BUS ÉIREANN willannounce an €18 million package today to transform public transport in Cork over the next three years.
The company is also planning to test European-style bus trams in the city in the coming months.
The investment package, which is targeting areas of rapid population growth, will see the delivery of dozens of new buses, new services to the suburbs and towns, and increased frequency across services.
The investment is expected to attract up to four million extra customersbetween 2007 and 2009 — displacing one million car journeys a year to 2016.
The plan provides for the delivery of 56 new buses for the fleet — 36 replacement vehicles and 20 extra buses.
Some 32 of these havealready been approved by the Department of Transport under Transport 21 and will be in service within the year. All buses will be wheelchair accessible and bio-fuel compatible.
The fleet will facilitate 138 extra departures and three new routes on city services and 38 extra departures and two new routes on commuter services.
New routes include:
A new 10A service between the city and Mahon Point, via Boreenmanna Road.
A new number 16 service between the city, Rochestown, Mount Oval and Maryborough Hill.
Frequencies will be boosted on:
The number 5 service from CIT to Kent Station via the city centre.
The number 7 service from Ballyvolane to the city and Donnybrook.
The number 8 service from Bishopstown to the city and Mayfield.
The number 14 service from CUH, Togher and the city.
Existing routes will be expanded, including the number 3 service from Ballyphehane to Lehenaghmore.
Frequency will be boosted on the Cork to Glanmire, Carrigaline and Crosshaven, Passage and Monkstown, and Blarney and Towerareas. A new town service (Route 229) is planned for Ballincollig, earmarked for introduction in 2009.
A new Mallow Rail Feeder service via Mitchelstown and Fermoy, and a new Cork to Whitechurch service, are also planned.
The Cork to Macroom and Ballyvourney service will be extended to Kenmare, both morning and evening, and improvements are promised on the Cork to Watergrasshill, Rathcormac and Fermoy service, the Cork to the airport and Kinsale service, and the Cork to Midleton and Ballinacurra service.
Irish Examiner
The company is also planning to test European-style bus trams in the city in the coming months.
The investment package, which is targeting areas of rapid population growth, will see the delivery of dozens of new buses, new services to the suburbs and towns, and increased frequency across services.
The investment is expected to attract up to four million extra customersbetween 2007 and 2009 — displacing one million car journeys a year to 2016.
The plan provides for the delivery of 56 new buses for the fleet — 36 replacement vehicles and 20 extra buses.
Some 32 of these havealready been approved by the Department of Transport under Transport 21 and will be in service within the year. All buses will be wheelchair accessible and bio-fuel compatible.
The fleet will facilitate 138 extra departures and three new routes on city services and 38 extra departures and two new routes on commuter services.
New routes include:
A new 10A service between the city and Mahon Point, via Boreenmanna Road.
A new number 16 service between the city, Rochestown, Mount Oval and Maryborough Hill.
Frequencies will be boosted on:
The number 5 service from CIT to Kent Station via the city centre.
The number 7 service from Ballyvolane to the city and Donnybrook.
The number 8 service from Bishopstown to the city and Mayfield.
The number 14 service from CUH, Togher and the city.
Existing routes will be expanded, including the number 3 service from Ballyphehane to Lehenaghmore.
Frequency will be boosted on the Cork to Glanmire, Carrigaline and Crosshaven, Passage and Monkstown, and Blarney and Towerareas. A new town service (Route 229) is planned for Ballincollig, earmarked for introduction in 2009.
A new Mallow Rail Feeder service via Mitchelstown and Fermoy, and a new Cork to Whitechurch service, are also planned.
The Cork to Macroom and Ballyvourney service will be extended to Kenmare, both morning and evening, and improvements are promised on the Cork to Watergrasshill, Rathcormac and Fermoy service, the Cork to the airport and Kinsale service, and the Cork to Midleton and Ballinacurra service.
Irish Examiner
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
Mr John Fitzgerald to act as Interim Chairperson of two forthcoming Limerick Regeneration Agencies
Mr. Dick Roche, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has announced that Mr John Fitzgerald (former Dublin City Manager) has agreed to act as Interim Chairperson of two Limerick Regeneration Agencies.
The two bodies will lead the development of comprehensive measures to tackle issues of social exclusion in Moyross and other targeted disadvantaged areas of Limerick City. "I very much welcome that John Fitzgerald has agreed to accept this role to drive forward the regeneration of certain areas of Limerick" - said Minister Roche.
Last October, Mr Fitzgerald was appointed by Government to lead an initiative to address social exclusion, crime and disorder in Moyross and other parts of Limerick City. Mr Fitzgerald presented his recommendations to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion recently and the Government subsequently agreed to the implementation of his recommendations.
One specific recommendation from Mr Fitzgerald's analysis was for the establishment of two area-based special purpose regeneration agencies - namely Limerick Northside Regeneration and Limerick Southside Regeneration. These Agencies will be established to drive economic and infrastructural development in defined areas and to direct and co-ordinate intensive action to deal with social and economic disadvantage.
"My Department is currently preparing the necessary Establishment Orders to provide the statutory basis for the two Limerick Regeneration Agencies" - commented Minister Roche. "This important work is being given high priority by the Government and I am confident that John Fitzgerald's leadership will make an extremely valuable contribution to the future work of these Agencies."
The two bodies will lead the development of comprehensive measures to tackle issues of social exclusion in Moyross and other targeted disadvantaged areas of Limerick City. "I very much welcome that John Fitzgerald has agreed to accept this role to drive forward the regeneration of certain areas of Limerick" - said Minister Roche.
Last October, Mr Fitzgerald was appointed by Government to lead an initiative to address social exclusion, crime and disorder in Moyross and other parts of Limerick City. Mr Fitzgerald presented his recommendations to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion recently and the Government subsequently agreed to the implementation of his recommendations.
One specific recommendation from Mr Fitzgerald's analysis was for the establishment of two area-based special purpose regeneration agencies - namely Limerick Northside Regeneration and Limerick Southside Regeneration. These Agencies will be established to drive economic and infrastructural development in defined areas and to direct and co-ordinate intensive action to deal with social and economic disadvantage.
"My Department is currently preparing the necessary Establishment Orders to provide the statutory basis for the two Limerick Regeneration Agencies" - commented Minister Roche. "This important work is being given high priority by the Government and I am confident that John Fitzgerald's leadership will make an extremely valuable contribution to the future work of these Agencies."
DDDA Chairperson and Board appointed
Mr. Dick Roche, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has announced the appointment of Mr. Donal O'Connor as Chairperson of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.
Mr. O'Connor is Senior Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Ireland and is a member of the Global Board of PwC and Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers Eurofirms Board. He is also a member of the Board of the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) and is Administrator of Icarom Plc - formerly the Insurance Corporation of Ireland.
The Minister also announced the appointment of four directors to the Executive Board of the Authority. They are -
* Mr. Donal Curtin, Partner, Byrne, Curtin, Kelly Ltd, Chartered Accountants;
* Mr. Brendan Malone, Partner, Malone Power & Company, Chartered Accountants;
* Ms. Mary Moylan, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government - and
* Ms. Niamh O'Sullivan, Partner, Arup Consulting Engineers.
Mr. Malone is a new appointment. The other three appointees were members of the outgoing Executive Board.
"Without a doubt, the rejuvenation of the Dublin Docklands is one of the most challenging development projects of recent times" - said the Minister. "On its establishment in 1997, the Authority was charged with the regeneration and development of some 1,300 acres of docklands that historically had been neglected, run down and, in many ways, isolated from the city proper.
"The vision was one of integrated physical, economic and social regeneration - the creation of a world-class city quarter - commercially vibrant and socially cohesive - that would be an asset to Ireland as a whole, and Dublin in particular. This was to be achieved within a 15-year period.
"The Authority has now entered the final third of its 15-year programme of regeneration of the Docklands area and, while its recently published 2006 Annual Report notes that much has already been achieved, the Authority is still pursuing complex and problematic objectives. An exciting challenge remains. That is why I am delighted that Donal O'Connor has accepted my invitation to become Chairperson of the Authority. I believe he has the skills and commitment to complete the excellent work undertaken by his predecessor."
Mr. O'Connor is Senior Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Ireland and is a member of the Global Board of PwC and Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers Eurofirms Board. He is also a member of the Board of the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) and is Administrator of Icarom Plc - formerly the Insurance Corporation of Ireland.
The Minister also announced the appointment of four directors to the Executive Board of the Authority. They are -
* Mr. Donal Curtin, Partner, Byrne, Curtin, Kelly Ltd, Chartered Accountants;
* Mr. Brendan Malone, Partner, Malone Power & Company, Chartered Accountants;
* Ms. Mary Moylan, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government - and
* Ms. Niamh O'Sullivan, Partner, Arup Consulting Engineers.
Mr. Malone is a new appointment. The other three appointees were members of the outgoing Executive Board.
"Without a doubt, the rejuvenation of the Dublin Docklands is one of the most challenging development projects of recent times" - said the Minister. "On its establishment in 1997, the Authority was charged with the regeneration and development of some 1,300 acres of docklands that historically had been neglected, run down and, in many ways, isolated from the city proper.
"The vision was one of integrated physical, economic and social regeneration - the creation of a world-class city quarter - commercially vibrant and socially cohesive - that would be an asset to Ireland as a whole, and Dublin in particular. This was to be achieved within a 15-year period.
"The Authority has now entered the final third of its 15-year programme of regeneration of the Docklands area and, while its recently published 2006 Annual Report notes that much has already been achieved, the Authority is still pursuing complex and problematic objectives. An exciting challenge remains. That is why I am delighted that Donal O'Connor has accepted my invitation to become Chairperson of the Authority. I believe he has the skills and commitment to complete the excellent work undertaken by his predecessor."
€50m Regeneration Plan for Limerick
Limerick City Council has unveiled a major €50m Regeneration Plan that will transform Limerick into one of Europe's most vibrant and living centres.
The proposed plan includes the remodelling and pedestrianisation of Limerick's centre and the development of a new Orbital Route that will still give traffic access to the heart of the city.
The aim of the €50m plan is to give pedestrians priority in the heart of Limerick city and improve the streetscapes and traffic management, according to Limerick City Manager, Tom Mackey. "This plan will give Limerick a vibrant and living city-centre to match the best cities in Europe of comparable size" - he said.
It will create a first-class friendly public space where people can shop, live, work, sit in cafes and enjoy street entertainment, Mr Mackey added. "The remodelling of Limerick will complement the major regeneration of the city-centre, that is currently underway - with the private sector investing over €1bn in developments such as the Opera Centre, new hotels, commercial and residential projects" - Mr Mackey added.
In addition, the new proposed Orbital Route will still give traffic access to the city centre, while giving pedestrians and cyclists better access to quality public space.
Limerick city is one of the nine National Spatial Strategy Gateway Centres targeted in the National Development Plan for regional investment. The Exchequer is to provide €300m in a Gateways Innovation Fund to the local authorities for local economic infrastructure.
The proposed plan includes the remodelling and pedestrianisation of Limerick's centre and the development of a new Orbital Route that will still give traffic access to the heart of the city.
The aim of the €50m plan is to give pedestrians priority in the heart of Limerick city and improve the streetscapes and traffic management, according to Limerick City Manager, Tom Mackey. "This plan will give Limerick a vibrant and living city-centre to match the best cities in Europe of comparable size" - he said.
It will create a first-class friendly public space where people can shop, live, work, sit in cafes and enjoy street entertainment, Mr Mackey added. "The remodelling of Limerick will complement the major regeneration of the city-centre, that is currently underway - with the private sector investing over €1bn in developments such as the Opera Centre, new hotels, commercial and residential projects" - Mr Mackey added.
In addition, the new proposed Orbital Route will still give traffic access to the city centre, while giving pedestrians and cyclists better access to quality public space.
Limerick city is one of the nine National Spatial Strategy Gateway Centres targeted in the National Development Plan for regional investment. The Exchequer is to provide €300m in a Gateways Innovation Fund to the local authorities for local economic infrastructure.
Indaver to extend hazardous waste facility
Indaver have announced plans to extend the company's range of services at its Hazardous Waste Facility in Dublin Port.
Currently, there are limited facilities in Ireland for the management of waste solvents. While solvents, with a high purity level, can be re-used in industry - and those with a medium purity level can be blended into a secondary fuel at solvent recovery facilities, such as Indaver's - large quantities of solvent waste continue to be exported for recovery and disposal. Over 100,000 tonnes of this waste was exported in 2004 - the majority of which is transported abroad by road tanker.
Indaver is set to expand its solvent waste handling capacity from 20,000 to 50,000 tonnes per annum at its existing Hazardous Waste Facility in Dublin Port. Plans are underway to develop a Marine Terminal for the bulk storage of solvent waste unsuitable for reuse, recycling or recovery, prior to monthly shipment abroad for incineration.
Bulk transport by sea and the diversion of over 100 road tankers per month from the European road networks, will bring transport efficiencies and environmental benefits.
Therefore, the Marine Terminal will allow Indaver the ability to offer customers a more environmentally-sustainable and cost-effective treatment solution for waste solvents.
The company has sought planning permission from Dublin City Council to upgrade an existing solvent storage tank, located opposite its existing waste facility. Both the Non-Technical Summary and full Environmental Impact Statement are available to view.
Currently, there are limited facilities in Ireland for the management of waste solvents. While solvents, with a high purity level, can be re-used in industry - and those with a medium purity level can be blended into a secondary fuel at solvent recovery facilities, such as Indaver's - large quantities of solvent waste continue to be exported for recovery and disposal. Over 100,000 tonnes of this waste was exported in 2004 - the majority of which is transported abroad by road tanker.
Indaver is set to expand its solvent waste handling capacity from 20,000 to 50,000 tonnes per annum at its existing Hazardous Waste Facility in Dublin Port. Plans are underway to develop a Marine Terminal for the bulk storage of solvent waste unsuitable for reuse, recycling or recovery, prior to monthly shipment abroad for incineration.
Bulk transport by sea and the diversion of over 100 road tankers per month from the European road networks, will bring transport efficiencies and environmental benefits.
Therefore, the Marine Terminal will allow Indaver the ability to offer customers a more environmentally-sustainable and cost-effective treatment solution for waste solvents.
The company has sought planning permission from Dublin City Council to upgrade an existing solvent storage tank, located opposite its existing waste facility. Both the Non-Technical Summary and full Environmental Impact Statement are available to view.
Automatic ticket checks send train fare evaders off the rails
FARE dodgers have been stopped in their tracks as a result of the new automatic ticket checking turnstiles at Dublin's rail stations.
Revenue from ticket sales have increased by more than seven percent since the turnstiles were fitted.
The company believes that this is the amount that fare dodgers previously avoided paying.
Piloted at Grand Canal Dock last year, the automatic ticket validation is now also in place at Blackrock, Lansdowne Road, Clontarf Road, Docklands and Adamstown Station.
The system was introduced to the busy city stations of Tara Street and Connolly at the beginning of the year.
It requires customers to put their tickets through an automatic turnstile on entering and exiting stations, as opposed to the barrier gate check or open turnstile.
An analysis of revenue just completed by Iarnrod Eireann revealed the benefit of the new turnstiles in combating fare evasion.
The company is planning to extend automatic ticket checking to other stations along its network.
The new turnstiles installed as part of the system have a quicker throughput of customers than older turnstiles.
They are also equipped with smartcard readers, to be fully compatible with the future public transport smartcard system under development by the Rail Procurement Agency, which will include Dart and commuter rail.
The smartcard, allowing commuters hop between bus, tram and rail on a single ticket, has been dogged by controversy and delays. More than €14m has been spent on developing the system, with nothing to show for the money.
Dr John Lynch, CIE and Iarnrod Eireann chairman said yesterday they had committed significant additional resources to clamping down on fare evasion.
Revenue from fines and prosecutions until April this year is already at 86pc of the total collected for the whole of 2006.
Iarnrod Eireann's Revenue Protection Unit has adopted a zero tolerance approach to fare evaders with offenders being issued with on-the-spot €50 fines. Tens of thousands of people are having their tickets checked every month by the company's team of travelling checkers both on board the trains and at station exits.
Dr Lynch said they took these steps to secure revenue and because customer research showed that of the things the vast majority of Dart and commuter customers hated most was to see people dodging their fares.
"With technology and with the work of our Revenue Protection Unit, we are tackling head-on an issue which every rail operator internationally has to face and overcome," added Dr Lynch.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
Revenue from ticket sales have increased by more than seven percent since the turnstiles were fitted.
The company believes that this is the amount that fare dodgers previously avoided paying.
Piloted at Grand Canal Dock last year, the automatic ticket validation is now also in place at Blackrock, Lansdowne Road, Clontarf Road, Docklands and Adamstown Station.
The system was introduced to the busy city stations of Tara Street and Connolly at the beginning of the year.
It requires customers to put their tickets through an automatic turnstile on entering and exiting stations, as opposed to the barrier gate check or open turnstile.
An analysis of revenue just completed by Iarnrod Eireann revealed the benefit of the new turnstiles in combating fare evasion.
The company is planning to extend automatic ticket checking to other stations along its network.
The new turnstiles installed as part of the system have a quicker throughput of customers than older turnstiles.
They are also equipped with smartcard readers, to be fully compatible with the future public transport smartcard system under development by the Rail Procurement Agency, which will include Dart and commuter rail.
The smartcard, allowing commuters hop between bus, tram and rail on a single ticket, has been dogged by controversy and delays. More than €14m has been spent on developing the system, with nothing to show for the money.
Dr John Lynch, CIE and Iarnrod Eireann chairman said yesterday they had committed significant additional resources to clamping down on fare evasion.
Revenue from fines and prosecutions until April this year is already at 86pc of the total collected for the whole of 2006.
Iarnrod Eireann's Revenue Protection Unit has adopted a zero tolerance approach to fare evaders with offenders being issued with on-the-spot €50 fines. Tens of thousands of people are having their tickets checked every month by the company's team of travelling checkers both on board the trains and at station exits.
Dr Lynch said they took these steps to secure revenue and because customer research showed that of the things the vast majority of Dart and commuter customers hated most was to see people dodging their fares.
"With technology and with the work of our Revenue Protection Unit, we are tackling head-on an issue which every rail operator internationally has to face and overcome," added Dr Lynch.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
Group vows legal action over M3 monument
CAMPAIGNERS yesterday pledged to take legal action if the Government decides to destroy a national monument discovered last month on the controversial M3 route, writes Paul Melia. A spokesman for Environment Minister Dick Roche said no decision has been made yet on whether the 3,000-year-old pagan site at Lismullen, Co Meath, would be left in place or preserved 'by record'.
But Vincent Salafia, of Tarawatch, said a "full blown" High Court challenge could arise unless the monument was saved.
Irish Independent
But Vincent Salafia, of Tarawatch, said a "full blown" High Court challenge could arise unless the monument was saved.
Irish Independent
Lansdowne residents see €2.44m light
A GROUP of Dublin 4 residents are to each receive up to €120,000 in compensation for the loss of light to their homes from the new Lansdowne Road stadium.
An offer of €75,000 per family was last week rejected by Dublin city councillors, who wanted a bigger package under a deal to allow developers to use a half-acre strip of land. Last night, a meeting of Dublin City Council heard that a new €2.44m deal would involve 14 householders receiving €120,000 each, while eight families will get €32,500.
A further €500,000 is being made available for other householders not as badly affected. This compensation will be decided by an independent administrator.
In addition, a sum of €100,000 will be paid every year for upkeep of the affected area along the River Dodder walkway. Chris Andrews, Fianna Fail councillor, said last night that the residents affected had voiced very serious concerns and that these had been addressed.
"I now hope the stadium is successful," he said.
The compensation is being made available by the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company. The affected householders live in O'Connell Gardens, near the Dodder walkway.
It is planned to transform Lansdowne Road into a 50,000-seater, state-of-the-art soccer and rugby stadium, which should be open for competitive matches in 2010.
City management recommended that councillors hand over the land along the Dodder walkway in exchange for river improvement works, which are expected to cost €1.5m. Under the deal the stadium company will also pay for improved Dodder flood defences.
Treacy Hogan and Anita Mullan
Irish Independent
An offer of €75,000 per family was last week rejected by Dublin city councillors, who wanted a bigger package under a deal to allow developers to use a half-acre strip of land. Last night, a meeting of Dublin City Council heard that a new €2.44m deal would involve 14 householders receiving €120,000 each, while eight families will get €32,500.
A further €500,000 is being made available for other householders not as badly affected. This compensation will be decided by an independent administrator.
In addition, a sum of €100,000 will be paid every year for upkeep of the affected area along the River Dodder walkway. Chris Andrews, Fianna Fail councillor, said last night that the residents affected had voiced very serious concerns and that these had been addressed.
"I now hope the stadium is successful," he said.
The compensation is being made available by the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company. The affected householders live in O'Connell Gardens, near the Dodder walkway.
It is planned to transform Lansdowne Road into a 50,000-seater, state-of-the-art soccer and rugby stadium, which should be open for competitive matches in 2010.
City management recommended that councillors hand over the land along the Dodder walkway in exchange for river improvement works, which are expected to cost €1.5m. Under the deal the stadium company will also pay for improved Dodder flood defences.
Treacy Hogan and Anita Mullan
Irish Independent
Developers pull out of affordable housing scheme
HOUSEBUILDERS yesterday withdrew from a scheme to sell affordable homes direct to the public following an escalating row with councils.
Developers are unhappy that councils are asking for too many homes on new developments to be handed over for social or affordable housing.
They also claim that trying to work with councils on affordable homes can take up to two years for a process that should take a maximum of eight weeks.
Now the housebuilders’ action means applicants for affordable or social housing will have to apply for homes through local authorities instead, worsening delays in getting them housed.
The row between the Irish Home Builders’ Association (IHBA) and councils centres on an agreement struck last year on so-called Part V affordable homes.
Under Part V of the Planning and Development Act of 2000, housebuilders have to set aside 20% of any new development for social or affordable homes.
Last November, the two sides came to a deal to speed up the process of handing over “part five” homes to people who qualified for such residences.
The housebuilders agreed to deal with the public directly to save council bureaucracy while local authorities agreed to fixed guidelines on how many homes from each development would be used for social or affordable housing.
But yesterday the IHBA withdrew from the agreement, saying local authorities had not been keeping their side of the bargain and had been asking for too many homes while taking too long to deal with reasonable requests.
IHBA chairman Jim Wood said: “Councils are simply ignoring this agreement and we spent the bones of a year coming to a deal with them and then they don’t stick to it.
“We’ve got no problem meeting our obligations but councils aren’t meeting theirs and the Department [of the Environment] isn’t getting tough about it.”
He singled out Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Waterford and Wicklow county councils as the most problematic local authorities.
But he said the three represented only the “tip of the iceberg”.
The agreement on how both sides can fulfil their legal obligations is not strictly binding on councils as it is only classed as guidance, although the IHBA wants the deal upgraded to a legal directive.
Yesterday, a spokesman for Environment Minister Dick Roche said the IHBA’s withdrawal from the scheme was regrettable.
But the department said: “Any move in this regard by the IHBA will not affect the fundamental obligations of individual builders and developers under part five, which are enshrined in law.
“The success of the part five process is resulting in the delivery of almost 2,200 social and affordable homes in 2006, an increase of some 60% on 2005.
“Further significant increases in delivery are expected in 2007.”
Irish Examiner
Developers are unhappy that councils are asking for too many homes on new developments to be handed over for social or affordable housing.
They also claim that trying to work with councils on affordable homes can take up to two years for a process that should take a maximum of eight weeks.
Now the housebuilders’ action means applicants for affordable or social housing will have to apply for homes through local authorities instead, worsening delays in getting them housed.
The row between the Irish Home Builders’ Association (IHBA) and councils centres on an agreement struck last year on so-called Part V affordable homes.
Under Part V of the Planning and Development Act of 2000, housebuilders have to set aside 20% of any new development for social or affordable homes.
Last November, the two sides came to a deal to speed up the process of handing over “part five” homes to people who qualified for such residences.
The housebuilders agreed to deal with the public directly to save council bureaucracy while local authorities agreed to fixed guidelines on how many homes from each development would be used for social or affordable housing.
But yesterday the IHBA withdrew from the agreement, saying local authorities had not been keeping their side of the bargain and had been asking for too many homes while taking too long to deal with reasonable requests.
IHBA chairman Jim Wood said: “Councils are simply ignoring this agreement and we spent the bones of a year coming to a deal with them and then they don’t stick to it.
“We’ve got no problem meeting our obligations but councils aren’t meeting theirs and the Department [of the Environment] isn’t getting tough about it.”
He singled out Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Waterford and Wicklow county councils as the most problematic local authorities.
But he said the three represented only the “tip of the iceberg”.
The agreement on how both sides can fulfil their legal obligations is not strictly binding on councils as it is only classed as guidance, although the IHBA wants the deal upgraded to a legal directive.
Yesterday, a spokesman for Environment Minister Dick Roche said the IHBA’s withdrawal from the scheme was regrettable.
But the department said: “Any move in this regard by the IHBA will not affect the fundamental obligations of individual builders and developers under part five, which are enshrined in law.
“The success of the part five process is resulting in the delivery of almost 2,200 social and affordable homes in 2006, an increase of some 60% on 2005.
“Further significant increases in delivery are expected in 2007.”
Irish Examiner
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
Sand a threat to ancient Sligo church
Campaigners have vowed to save a crumbling 12th century church on the edge of the Atlantic at Strandhill, Co Sligo, which has links to St Patrick.
The battle to save the church at Killaspugbrone (church of Bishop Bronus), which is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, moved up a gear at the weekend when a 10ft (3.05m) interpretive sign detailing the importance of the building was unveiled at Strandhill beach.
Hugh McConville, chairman of the Killaspugbrone preservation society said there was a danger that the walls of the historic building would be pushed in by the pressure of sand which has built up outside.
"Because of blowing sand the ground outside the building is now up to 6ft (1.83m) higher than inside," he explained. The preservation society hopes to draw attention to the importance of the church and to ensure that its preservation for future generations, he explained.
Legend has it that St Patrick lost a tooth in this area when he tripped on a flagstone. He presented the tooth to Bishop Bronus who built the original church on the spot in the fifth century. The existing church dates back to 1150.
Because the ruin is off the tourist trail on a peninsula at the back of Sligo Airport many people are unaware of its existence but the new sign details its position on existing walking routes.
The preservation society has spent 10 years campaigning and fundraising to have the building preserved.
Locals were horrified some years ago when part of the boundary wall protecting the adjacent cemetery from the sea collapsed and some human remains were washed away.
Sligo County Council repaired the wall and the graveyard, which operated up until the 1960s, was given a major revamp by young people from the locality who were subsequently presented with Gaisce (President's awards) medals.
Following the establishment of the preservation society, a feasibility study was carried out which established what works were required to prevent further deterioration of the church and cemetery. Recently the society secured
funding under the Heritage Grant Scheme to send a craftsman to study the conservation and repair of masonry ruins at West Dean, in England.
"Killaspugbrone is of hugely historic and cultural importance," said Mr McConville. "Sligo is blessed to have such a noted and valuable historical structure and it should be preserved for future generations".
Marese McDonagh
© 2007 The Irish Times
The battle to save the church at Killaspugbrone (church of Bishop Bronus), which is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, moved up a gear at the weekend when a 10ft (3.05m) interpretive sign detailing the importance of the building was unveiled at Strandhill beach.
Hugh McConville, chairman of the Killaspugbrone preservation society said there was a danger that the walls of the historic building would be pushed in by the pressure of sand which has built up outside.
"Because of blowing sand the ground outside the building is now up to 6ft (1.83m) higher than inside," he explained. The preservation society hopes to draw attention to the importance of the church and to ensure that its preservation for future generations, he explained.
Legend has it that St Patrick lost a tooth in this area when he tripped on a flagstone. He presented the tooth to Bishop Bronus who built the original church on the spot in the fifth century. The existing church dates back to 1150.
Because the ruin is off the tourist trail on a peninsula at the back of Sligo Airport many people are unaware of its existence but the new sign details its position on existing walking routes.
The preservation society has spent 10 years campaigning and fundraising to have the building preserved.
Locals were horrified some years ago when part of the boundary wall protecting the adjacent cemetery from the sea collapsed and some human remains were washed away.
Sligo County Council repaired the wall and the graveyard, which operated up until the 1960s, was given a major revamp by young people from the locality who were subsequently presented with Gaisce (President's awards) medals.
Following the establishment of the preservation society, a feasibility study was carried out which established what works were required to prevent further deterioration of the church and cemetery. Recently the society secured
funding under the Heritage Grant Scheme to send a craftsman to study the conservation and repair of masonry ruins at West Dean, in England.
"Killaspugbrone is of hugely historic and cultural importance," said Mr McConville. "Sligo is blessed to have such a noted and valuable historical structure and it should be preserved for future generations".
Marese McDonagh
© 2007 The Irish Times
Call for the restoration of tourism's 'sleeping giant'
JOHNSTOWN Castle, the once proud and beautiful Gothic-revival style castle in Co Wexford, will form the backdrop to one of the world's leading opera festivals this summer - but the Government has allowed one of the finest example of Norman heritage in Ireland to fall into disrepair.
As dry rot, woodworm, damp, and leaks from the flat roof persist, Minister of State Tom Parlon and the Office of Public Works have withdrawn from an ambitious tourism project which was to save the castle.
The former Noble Mansion, which was occupied for one night by Oliver Cromwell, was once a centre of land-owning power and wealth in Wexford. But now the new venue for the world-famous Wexford Festival Opera is quickly becoming a General Election issue in the south east, with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern visiting the famous castle last Friday.
Fortunately for Co Wexford, the only female politician on the General Election ticket in the Model County is making a stand for the celebrated landmark.
Fianna Fail favourite Lisa McDonald, whose grandparents once lived on the sprawling estate, has lashed out at Minister Parlon for not restoring the castle to its former glory, or even maintaining it.
"If Johnstown was in Minister Parlon's constituency, it would be restored and opened up to the public," McDonald said. "The castle and grounds is a sleeping giant in tourism terms, one that needs to be awakened."
The castle, which was refurbished and extended for the Grogan family in 1810, recently suffered a leaking roof and associated problems. And though the leak was fixed, the state of the historic building is a serious cause for concern.
Johnstown, run as an agricultural research centre since it was handed over to the State in 1944, has been empty for the past two years after its remaining employees were moved to a research laboratory on the Piercestown estate. Under the Johnstown Castle Agricultural College Act (1945), the Department of Agriculture and Teagasc were given responsibility for the castle and the 400-acre estate.
Dr Noel Culleton, head of the Johnstown Castle environment research centre, said that the Office of Public Work's decision not to proceed with the project was made because the 1945 Act was too restrictive and Minister Parlon couldn't take it over to develop it for tourism.
"We fix problems as they arise," Dr Culleton said. "We feel very strongly that we have a duty of care to the castle.
The Wexford Opera Festival is moving to the Johnstown estate while the Festival's usual home, the Theatre Royal in Wexford town, is being refurbished.
Niamh Doohan
© Sunday Independent
As dry rot, woodworm, damp, and leaks from the flat roof persist, Minister of State Tom Parlon and the Office of Public Works have withdrawn from an ambitious tourism project which was to save the castle.
The former Noble Mansion, which was occupied for one night by Oliver Cromwell, was once a centre of land-owning power and wealth in Wexford. But now the new venue for the world-famous Wexford Festival Opera is quickly becoming a General Election issue in the south east, with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern visiting the famous castle last Friday.
Fortunately for Co Wexford, the only female politician on the General Election ticket in the Model County is making a stand for the celebrated landmark.
Fianna Fail favourite Lisa McDonald, whose grandparents once lived on the sprawling estate, has lashed out at Minister Parlon for not restoring the castle to its former glory, or even maintaining it.
"If Johnstown was in Minister Parlon's constituency, it would be restored and opened up to the public," McDonald said. "The castle and grounds is a sleeping giant in tourism terms, one that needs to be awakened."
The castle, which was refurbished and extended for the Grogan family in 1810, recently suffered a leaking roof and associated problems. And though the leak was fixed, the state of the historic building is a serious cause for concern.
Johnstown, run as an agricultural research centre since it was handed over to the State in 1944, has been empty for the past two years after its remaining employees were moved to a research laboratory on the Piercestown estate. Under the Johnstown Castle Agricultural College Act (1945), the Department of Agriculture and Teagasc were given responsibility for the castle and the 400-acre estate.
Dr Noel Culleton, head of the Johnstown Castle environment research centre, said that the Office of Public Work's decision not to proceed with the project was made because the 1945 Act was too restrictive and Minister Parlon couldn't take it over to develop it for tourism.
"We fix problems as they arise," Dr Culleton said. "We feel very strongly that we have a duty of care to the castle.
The Wexford Opera Festival is moving to the Johnstown estate while the Festival's usual home, the Theatre Royal in Wexford town, is being refurbished.
Niamh Doohan
© Sunday Independent
More millions at Doonbeg
THE BUNCH of wealthy Yanks who have poured tens of millions into the Doonbeg Golf Club must be relieved that its losses are finally slowing down. A nasty and long-running planning row — which has ended up with Emily O’Reilly in the Ombudsman’s office — will keep them sweating for a while longer, however.
It will be recalled (see The Phoenix 14/7/06) that Clare County Council gave the wrong information about the deadline for planning objections to David McNamara, a local opponent of the lavish resort. The Council therefore rejected McNamara’s objection — which prevented him from going to An Bord Pleanala - and the bolshy local took his complaint to Emily O’Reilly who concluded that the Council made “a number of errors”.
O’Reilly will in the coming weeks decide how much compensation the Council will have to pay McNamara. The amounts here are small but the bigger picture is the legal challenge that McNamara will take on foot of the Ombudsman’s report — either a judicial review of the decision to grant planning permission to Doonbeg or an action against the Council itself.
The cash for the Greg Norman-designed course and the luxury suites surrounding it is in Doonbeg Investment Holding Company Ltd (DIH), where Charles ‘Buddy’ Darby, Leonard Long Jr, Patrick McKinney and Townsend P Clarkson are directors, each with South Carolina addresses. The four are well-known in US golfing circles for their development of the plush Kiawah Island course in their home state, which will play host to the US PGA Tour in 2012.
KEA Doonbeg LLC - DIH’s US-based parent company — has been piling more and more cash into the golf club, contributing €5m in 2003 and over €lOm in 2004, before lashing in a whopping €13m in 2005, making a total investment of no less than €48m by the end of 2005.
DIH became the Irish holding company in 2005 and the various Doonbeg businesses no longer file their own accounts, although Doonbeg Golf Club Ltd lost €3.2m during the year to the end of March 2004 and was carrying a deficit of €16m before it became consolidated.
© The Phoenix
It will be recalled (see The Phoenix 14/7/06) that Clare County Council gave the wrong information about the deadline for planning objections to David McNamara, a local opponent of the lavish resort. The Council therefore rejected McNamara’s objection — which prevented him from going to An Bord Pleanala - and the bolshy local took his complaint to Emily O’Reilly who concluded that the Council made “a number of errors”.
O’Reilly will in the coming weeks decide how much compensation the Council will have to pay McNamara. The amounts here are small but the bigger picture is the legal challenge that McNamara will take on foot of the Ombudsman’s report — either a judicial review of the decision to grant planning permission to Doonbeg or an action against the Council itself.
The cash for the Greg Norman-designed course and the luxury suites surrounding it is in Doonbeg Investment Holding Company Ltd (DIH), where Charles ‘Buddy’ Darby, Leonard Long Jr, Patrick McKinney and Townsend P Clarkson are directors, each with South Carolina addresses. The four are well-known in US golfing circles for their development of the plush Kiawah Island course in their home state, which will play host to the US PGA Tour in 2012.
KEA Doonbeg LLC - DIH’s US-based parent company — has been piling more and more cash into the golf club, contributing €5m in 2003 and over €lOm in 2004, before lashing in a whopping €13m in 2005, making a total investment of no less than €48m by the end of 2005.
DIH became the Irish holding company in 2005 and the various Doonbeg businesses no longer file their own accounts, although Doonbeg Golf Club Ltd lost €3.2m during the year to the end of March 2004 and was carrying a deficit of €16m before it became consolidated.
© The Phoenix
Boyle reels over planning refusal for Doon hotel
The community of Boyle was left reeling this week in the wake of another planning setback. On Friday An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission for a 120 bed hotel in the Doon area.
The plans by AOL Development Ltd. to develop a 120 luxury spa hotel were given the go ahead by Roscommon County Council in July last year. The developers secured permission to construct a 120-bed spa hotel on a 29-acre site close to Lough Key to include a leisure and spa suite and treatment rooms.
Albert Looby, Joe Bruen and Colman Lynch, who are behind the local development company, AOL Development Ltd, anticipated a spend of between €20 and €30 million on the luxury hotel development.
The plans, however, were met with objections from a local residents group, Residents of Rock of Doon, and from other outside interests, including An Taisce, who appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala last August. Following a protracted period of deferrals by the Bord, it issued a decision to refuse permission for the development on Friday last, April 27th.
The Bord refused planning permission on the grounds that it would “seriously injure the visual amenities of the area” and would pose a threat to a number of protected species and habitats.
The Bord outlined in its reasons and considerations for refusal that the proposed development was located in a “visually sensitive unspoiled wooded shoreline setting within the Lough Key Study Area”.
It pointed out that the site was designated as an “area of high amenity value” in the current Roscommon County Development Plan and Lough Key Study Area, both of which “seek to ensure that such areas are carefully managed so as not to have a significant impact on the landscape”.
The Bord went on to explain that it felt that the design of the hotel was “inappropriate”, would be visually obtrusive and impact on the architectural heritage of national monuments in the area.
“It is considered that the proposed four/five-storey hotel and ancillary facilities proximate to the lakeshore, by reason of its inappropriate design, overall
height, scale and mass, would be a prominent obtrusive feature in the landscape which would be highly visible in views both from the lake and from the adjoining road and would impact on the architectural heritage of national monuments in the vicinity of the site including the Abbey on Trinity Island and Inchmacherin Church on Church Island,” the Bord stated.
“The proposed development would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and would conflict with the policies of the development plan, which relate to this site,” the Bord outlined.
The decision this week has dealt another blow to confidence in the Boyle area, which has suffered a number of planning setbacks in the past year. Plans for a €150 million tourism development beside Lough Key Forest Park were turned down by the Bord last year and plans to develop a small hotel in the town of Boyle have also recently been appealed.
Maresa Fagan
© Roscommon Herald
The plans by AOL Development Ltd. to develop a 120 luxury spa hotel were given the go ahead by Roscommon County Council in July last year. The developers secured permission to construct a 120-bed spa hotel on a 29-acre site close to Lough Key to include a leisure and spa suite and treatment rooms.
Albert Looby, Joe Bruen and Colman Lynch, who are behind the local development company, AOL Development Ltd, anticipated a spend of between €20 and €30 million on the luxury hotel development.
The plans, however, were met with objections from a local residents group, Residents of Rock of Doon, and from other outside interests, including An Taisce, who appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala last August. Following a protracted period of deferrals by the Bord, it issued a decision to refuse permission for the development on Friday last, April 27th.
The Bord refused planning permission on the grounds that it would “seriously injure the visual amenities of the area” and would pose a threat to a number of protected species and habitats.
The Bord outlined in its reasons and considerations for refusal that the proposed development was located in a “visually sensitive unspoiled wooded shoreline setting within the Lough Key Study Area”.
It pointed out that the site was designated as an “area of high amenity value” in the current Roscommon County Development Plan and Lough Key Study Area, both of which “seek to ensure that such areas are carefully managed so as not to have a significant impact on the landscape”.
The Bord went on to explain that it felt that the design of the hotel was “inappropriate”, would be visually obtrusive and impact on the architectural heritage of national monuments in the area.
“It is considered that the proposed four/five-storey hotel and ancillary facilities proximate to the lakeshore, by reason of its inappropriate design, overall
height, scale and mass, would be a prominent obtrusive feature in the landscape which would be highly visible in views both from the lake and from the adjoining road and would impact on the architectural heritage of national monuments in the vicinity of the site including the Abbey on Trinity Island and Inchmacherin Church on Church Island,” the Bord stated.
“The proposed development would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and would conflict with the policies of the development plan, which relate to this site,” the Bord outlined.
The decision this week has dealt another blow to confidence in the Boyle area, which has suffered a number of planning setbacks in the past year. Plans for a €150 million tourism development beside Lough Key Forest Park were turned down by the Bord last year and plans to develop a small hotel in the town of Boyle have also recently been appealed.
Maresa Fagan
© Roscommon Herald
Contentious plan gets the go-ahead in Mt’mellick
OWENASS Developments has been given the green light to proceed with their plans to develop 43 acres of lands at Derrycloney after councillors adopted the Mountmellick Local Area Plan on Monday.
Amid reference to “inducements” and “deals done in smoke-filled rooms” all councillors present at the meeting, with the exception of independent Cllr Michael Moloney, voted to accept the draft plan with amendments.
Owenass Developments had first proposed to develop 70 acres of lands, and had sought rezoning for this.
However this proposal was turned down by the controlling group of the council comprised of Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and Independent councillors, because of concerns they had around adverse impacts such a development would have on the town.
Since that decision was made a number of meetings took place between a delegation from the controlling group (Cllrs David Goodwin and Brian Stanley) and the company to resolve the impasse.
Agreement was reached and the company’s new plan which will now go ahead, sees 43 acres of lands zoned for industrial/enterprise use.
The delegation told councillors at Monday’s meeting the company had given them commitments to include five acres in their plan for the development of an amenity park, upgrading of junctions to allay fears on traffic flows and a non-refundable €40,000 to provide traffic calming measures in the town.
Reacting to last Monday’s meeting a company spokesperson said: “We very much welcome the decision by Laois County Council to grant industrial rezoning status to our site at Derrycloney.
“This now clears the way for us to apply for planning permission for the proposed Laois Centrum Business Park development which we believe will be an extremely important addition to Mountmellick and Co. Laois in general.”
The company said their proposals will create in excess of 1,000 jobs and will be worth in the region of €100 million to the local economy.
The spokesperson said: “Owenass Developments has a proven track record and a reputation for complying with planning conditions and for keeping their promises.”
The company refused to be drawn on the accusations made at the council meeting only to state: “Owenass Developments has a very strong track record of abiding by the planning process and complying with any planning conditions laid down.
“In this case, as always, we will implement any conditions which Laois County Council may lay down in the course of this planning process.”
Joe Barrett
© Laois Nationalist
Amid reference to “inducements” and “deals done in smoke-filled rooms” all councillors present at the meeting, with the exception of independent Cllr Michael Moloney, voted to accept the draft plan with amendments.
Owenass Developments had first proposed to develop 70 acres of lands, and had sought rezoning for this.
However this proposal was turned down by the controlling group of the council comprised of Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and Independent councillors, because of concerns they had around adverse impacts such a development would have on the town.
Since that decision was made a number of meetings took place between a delegation from the controlling group (Cllrs David Goodwin and Brian Stanley) and the company to resolve the impasse.
Agreement was reached and the company’s new plan which will now go ahead, sees 43 acres of lands zoned for industrial/enterprise use.
The delegation told councillors at Monday’s meeting the company had given them commitments to include five acres in their plan for the development of an amenity park, upgrading of junctions to allay fears on traffic flows and a non-refundable €40,000 to provide traffic calming measures in the town.
Reacting to last Monday’s meeting a company spokesperson said: “We very much welcome the decision by Laois County Council to grant industrial rezoning status to our site at Derrycloney.
“This now clears the way for us to apply for planning permission for the proposed Laois Centrum Business Park development which we believe will be an extremely important addition to Mountmellick and Co. Laois in general.”
The company said their proposals will create in excess of 1,000 jobs and will be worth in the region of €100 million to the local economy.
The spokesperson said: “Owenass Developments has a proven track record and a reputation for complying with planning conditions and for keeping their promises.”
The company refused to be drawn on the accusations made at the council meeting only to state: “Owenass Developments has a very strong track record of abiding by the planning process and complying with any planning conditions laid down.
“In this case, as always, we will implement any conditions which Laois County Council may lay down in the course of this planning process.”
Joe Barrett
© Laois Nationalist
Two major surveys failed to discover ancient site
TWO major archaeological assessments were carried out three years ago in the same townland where the prehistoric site has just been discovered, halting work on the new M3 motorway.
The two assessments were funded out of the €30m spent on archaeology along the entire M3 route - and both surveys concluded that no features of archaeological significance were discovered in the townland of Lismullin.
Crucially, one of the surveys added a caveat that a significant portion of woodland was contained within the testing area and "this portion of road take was not archaeologically assessed".
But last month archaeologists discovered what they are describing as a wooden version of Stonehenge - despite the earlier assessments which involved digging dozens of test trenches in the small townland.
The Department of the Environment was notified of the discovery by the National Roads Authority (NRA) last month, but failed to tell Transport Minister Martin Cullen before he took part in a sod-turning ceremony for the M3 motorway last Monday. Just 24 hours later, it was confirmed that a site of archaeological importance had been discovered.
Archaeologists say the site was most likely used for ritual ceremonies. It is also understood that a burial mound has been discovered, which was the final resting place of a woman of high status.
However, the importance of the site has yet to be fully assessed and some archaeologists contacted by the Sunday Independent have expressed caution about claims that the find is of truly international importance.
"There have been examples where the importance of discoveries made at other sites, particularly Carrickmines, have been blown out of proportion. We should be cautious," one senior archaeologist warned.
However, experts who have visited the Lismullin site are convinced that the site could be of major significance.
"It's very ancient and is a wooden equivalent of Stonehenge," said archaeologist Joe Fenwick from NUI Galway.
"It consists of a large enclosure, and a high-status burial chamber seems to have come to light. It's several hectares in size, you're talking about a massive complex. Because of their nature, these timber henges are very rare. You could count them on the fingers of one hand. The timber rotted away a long time ago, but the features would be dug into the subsoil. It would take a large team digging for several months to excavate the site," he said.
Fine Gael Transport spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell TD has said she was stunned to learn that more than 500 archaeologists, hired at a cost of €30m, managed to miss the four-acre historical site while excavating for the motorway.
"This situation would be hilarious if it weren't so serious. In spite of hiring 500 archaeologists for the M3 project, and having spent €30m on archaeological work, the entire M3 project has been brought to a crashing halt by the discovery of a four-acre archaeological site in its path.
"This was in spite of the fact that archaeologists were employed to dig a trench along the entire 59km of the route with cross trenches dug every 20 metres. This site isn't a small rath or a single standing stone, it's the size of three football fields.
"There has clearly been a shocking waste of time and resources. But this find also puts the very future of the M3 motorway in jeopardy. We may now be looking at the possibility that the M3 will have to be rerouted at massive expense. This route was selected after many years of examination and excavation and after the NRA assured us this was a safe route in terms of archaeological significance.
"The M3 is a crucial project which could save commuters from outside Dublin more than a week every year in travelling time. The existing N3 has already exceeded capacity and urgently needs to be replaced," she said.
Jerome Reilly
© Sunday Independent
The two assessments were funded out of the €30m spent on archaeology along the entire M3 route - and both surveys concluded that no features of archaeological significance were discovered in the townland of Lismullin.
Crucially, one of the surveys added a caveat that a significant portion of woodland was contained within the testing area and "this portion of road take was not archaeologically assessed".
But last month archaeologists discovered what they are describing as a wooden version of Stonehenge - despite the earlier assessments which involved digging dozens of test trenches in the small townland.
The Department of the Environment was notified of the discovery by the National Roads Authority (NRA) last month, but failed to tell Transport Minister Martin Cullen before he took part in a sod-turning ceremony for the M3 motorway last Monday. Just 24 hours later, it was confirmed that a site of archaeological importance had been discovered.
Archaeologists say the site was most likely used for ritual ceremonies. It is also understood that a burial mound has been discovered, which was the final resting place of a woman of high status.
However, the importance of the site has yet to be fully assessed and some archaeologists contacted by the Sunday Independent have expressed caution about claims that the find is of truly international importance.
"There have been examples where the importance of discoveries made at other sites, particularly Carrickmines, have been blown out of proportion. We should be cautious," one senior archaeologist warned.
However, experts who have visited the Lismullin site are convinced that the site could be of major significance.
"It's very ancient and is a wooden equivalent of Stonehenge," said archaeologist Joe Fenwick from NUI Galway.
"It consists of a large enclosure, and a high-status burial chamber seems to have come to light. It's several hectares in size, you're talking about a massive complex. Because of their nature, these timber henges are very rare. You could count them on the fingers of one hand. The timber rotted away a long time ago, but the features would be dug into the subsoil. It would take a large team digging for several months to excavate the site," he said.
Fine Gael Transport spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell TD has said she was stunned to learn that more than 500 archaeologists, hired at a cost of €30m, managed to miss the four-acre historical site while excavating for the motorway.
"This situation would be hilarious if it weren't so serious. In spite of hiring 500 archaeologists for the M3 project, and having spent €30m on archaeological work, the entire M3 project has been brought to a crashing halt by the discovery of a four-acre archaeological site in its path.
"This was in spite of the fact that archaeologists were employed to dig a trench along the entire 59km of the route with cross trenches dug every 20 metres. This site isn't a small rath or a single standing stone, it's the size of three football fields.
"There has clearly been a shocking waste of time and resources. But this find also puts the very future of the M3 motorway in jeopardy. We may now be looking at the possibility that the M3 will have to be rerouted at massive expense. This route was selected after many years of examination and excavation and after the NRA assured us this was a safe route in terms of archaeological significance.
"The M3 is a crucial project which could save commuters from outside Dublin more than a week every year in travelling time. The existing N3 has already exceeded capacity and urgently needs to be replaced," she said.
Jerome Reilly
© Sunday Independent
Snails to delay road building
KERRY slugs and Cork landowners could together slow the progress of a major new road project in the north of the county to a snail’s pace.
Yesterday, revised plans for the N22 between Ballincollig and Ballyvorney were unveiled in Macroom Town Hall.
However, its progress depends on the results of an environmental assessment of the threat the projects poses to the protected species of snail in Ballyvourney.
Senior executive engineer with the National Roads Authority Bob O’Shea said he expects a final habitat study on the Kerry Slug species within a fortnight.
“It would be wrong of me to comment at this stage. We will wait and see what the report says,” he said.
If the snail is considered safe Cork County Council will then have to begin negotiating land values with a string of property owners along the new 22km route.
The revised drawings include two new flyovers to allow more accessible feeder routes for rural communities. And, due to a change in NRA policy, the road will now be built with two lanes in either direction.
This is designed to cater for 17,000 cars a day at the city side of the route with the ability to absorb expected population increases beyond Macroom.
Local TD Donal Moynihan said getting the road built quickly to free up towns like Mallow had to be prioritised ahead of concerns for the snail.
“You can go so far to protect the environment and I fully support that but there are limits and that includes people’s right to safety,” he said.
Conor Ryan
© Irish Examiner
Yesterday, revised plans for the N22 between Ballincollig and Ballyvorney were unveiled in Macroom Town Hall.
However, its progress depends on the results of an environmental assessment of the threat the projects poses to the protected species of snail in Ballyvourney.
Senior executive engineer with the National Roads Authority Bob O’Shea said he expects a final habitat study on the Kerry Slug species within a fortnight.
“It would be wrong of me to comment at this stage. We will wait and see what the report says,” he said.
If the snail is considered safe Cork County Council will then have to begin negotiating land values with a string of property owners along the new 22km route.
The revised drawings include two new flyovers to allow more accessible feeder routes for rural communities. And, due to a change in NRA policy, the road will now be built with two lanes in either direction.
This is designed to cater for 17,000 cars a day at the city side of the route with the ability to absorb expected population increases beyond Macroom.
Local TD Donal Moynihan said getting the road built quickly to free up towns like Mallow had to be prioritised ahead of concerns for the snail.
“You can go so far to protect the environment and I fully support that but there are limits and that includes people’s right to safety,” he said.
Conor Ryan
© Irish Examiner
Monday, 7 May 2007
Property tycoon refused permission for town development
ONE of Ireland’s wealthiest property developers has been refused planning permission to revamp one of Kinsale’s most noted hostelries.
Dublin-based property tycoon Gerry Gannon, quoted in the Sunday Times rich list as being worth €231 million, planned to redevelop the famed Folkhouse.
He had sought to expand a nightclub and build 15 short-stay apartments on the site which borders Castledesmond Street, Upper O’Connell Street and Guardwell Street.
An Bord Pleanála decided to accept its inspector’s recommendation not to grant planning permission.
Planning had also been refused by Kinsale Town Council, a decision which Mr Gannon challenged.
Bord Pleanála said the proposed development would be out of scale with other buildings in Castledesmond Street and would seriously injure the visual aspect of the area.
It ruled the project would be contrary to proper planning and sustainable development in the area.
Meanwhile, a number of objections have been lodged with the planning appeals board against some large developments in the county.
Objections have been made against a 294-home development planned by Castlelands Construction for a site at Annabella, Mallow and others have been lodged against a 82-berth marina planned by Monkstown Bat Marina Company Ltd in Monkstown.
Meanwhile, Watergrasshill Community Association and Ard Cashel Residents’ Group have made an objection to Mulryan Builders Ltd’s proposals to build 42 houses in the village.
Two proposed projects for Union Hall, totalling 81 homes, have been lodged with Cork County Council’s planning department in recent days.
The largest, which consists of a mixed development of 51 homes at Listarkin, was lodged by developer Finbarr Gleeson.
In addition, Castle Combe Management wants to construct 30 two-storey terraced and detached houses in the same townland.
Developer Paul Hanlon has lodged an application with the county council for 27 two-bedroom apartments and 10 two-storey terraced houses at Pembroke, Passage West, while planning officials have refused Colm McGrath permission for 20 dormer houses at Dungourney.
Irish Examiner
Dublin-based property tycoon Gerry Gannon, quoted in the Sunday Times rich list as being worth €231 million, planned to redevelop the famed Folkhouse.
He had sought to expand a nightclub and build 15 short-stay apartments on the site which borders Castledesmond Street, Upper O’Connell Street and Guardwell Street.
An Bord Pleanála decided to accept its inspector’s recommendation not to grant planning permission.
Planning had also been refused by Kinsale Town Council, a decision which Mr Gannon challenged.
Bord Pleanála said the proposed development would be out of scale with other buildings in Castledesmond Street and would seriously injure the visual aspect of the area.
It ruled the project would be contrary to proper planning and sustainable development in the area.
Meanwhile, a number of objections have been lodged with the planning appeals board against some large developments in the county.
Objections have been made against a 294-home development planned by Castlelands Construction for a site at Annabella, Mallow and others have been lodged against a 82-berth marina planned by Monkstown Bat Marina Company Ltd in Monkstown.
Meanwhile, Watergrasshill Community Association and Ard Cashel Residents’ Group have made an objection to Mulryan Builders Ltd’s proposals to build 42 houses in the village.
Two proposed projects for Union Hall, totalling 81 homes, have been lodged with Cork County Council’s planning department in recent days.
The largest, which consists of a mixed development of 51 homes at Listarkin, was lodged by developer Finbarr Gleeson.
In addition, Castle Combe Management wants to construct 30 two-storey terraced and detached houses in the same townland.
Developer Paul Hanlon has lodged an application with the county council for 27 two-bedroom apartments and 10 two-storey terraced houses at Pembroke, Passage West, while planning officials have refused Colm McGrath permission for 20 dormer houses at Dungourney.
Irish Examiner
More monuments found on M3 motorway
MORE national monuments have been uncovered along the contentious route of the M3 motorway.
Referring to the site recently uncovered near the Hill of Tara, the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society said: "This is not the only national monument that has been discovered in this section of the motorway, it is simply the only one that the roads authorities have so far recognised as such."
An enclosure uncovered at Lismullen, 2km from Tara, may be a sister site.
Irish Independent
Other monuments found on M3, society claims
While Minister for the Environment Dick Roche considers the future of the new national monument found on the route of the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara, it has been claimed that other national monuments have been uncovered on other sections of the same road.
An enclosure uncovered at Lismullen, 2km from Tara, may be a royal site and sister site to Tara, archaeologists with the National Roads Authority believe.
Yesterday the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society (MAHS) said: "This is not the only national monument that has been discovered in this section of the motorway - it is simply the only one that the roads authorities have so far recognised as such."
MAHS archaeological officer Julitta Clancy said the discovery has raised questions about the National Monuments Act 2004, "which leaves the decision on whether to report the discovery of a national monument entirely up to the developers on road schemes".
"The Act does not set out any objective criteria for the determination of what is or is not a national monument and one must ask how many national monuments are being destroyed along road schemes simply because they are not recognised as such."
She also claims that a complex of sites has emerged in the core Tara area, including evidence of human settlement and activity from the Mesolithic (middle Stone Age) at Blundelstown just north of Tara where a major intersection is planned.
Here there is "some of the earliest evidence for human habitation in Co Meath", while other sites, she believes, provide evidence of "very impressive settlement during the early historic period, including some outstanding ring forts; the complex could be best described as 'an archaeological mosaic'." Along with the Campaign to Save Tara, the group has asked the Minister to leave his decision on the future of the site until after the election.
Meanwhile, the company building the motorway said work is progressing on schedule. Enda Tyrrell, a member of the Eurolink M3 Ltd consortium, said that contrary to "recent misinformation in the media", the archaeological find "does not affect our day-to-day work on the project and the works are proceeding as scheduled".
Elaine Keogh
© 2007 The Irish Times
Referring to the site recently uncovered near the Hill of Tara, the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society said: "This is not the only national monument that has been discovered in this section of the motorway, it is simply the only one that the roads authorities have so far recognised as such."
An enclosure uncovered at Lismullen, 2km from Tara, may be a sister site.
Irish Independent
Other monuments found on M3, society claims
While Minister for the Environment Dick Roche considers the future of the new national monument found on the route of the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara, it has been claimed that other national monuments have been uncovered on other sections of the same road.
An enclosure uncovered at Lismullen, 2km from Tara, may be a royal site and sister site to Tara, archaeologists with the National Roads Authority believe.
Yesterday the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society (MAHS) said: "This is not the only national monument that has been discovered in this section of the motorway - it is simply the only one that the roads authorities have so far recognised as such."
MAHS archaeological officer Julitta Clancy said the discovery has raised questions about the National Monuments Act 2004, "which leaves the decision on whether to report the discovery of a national monument entirely up to the developers on road schemes".
"The Act does not set out any objective criteria for the determination of what is or is not a national monument and one must ask how many national monuments are being destroyed along road schemes simply because they are not recognised as such."
She also claims that a complex of sites has emerged in the core Tara area, including evidence of human settlement and activity from the Mesolithic (middle Stone Age) at Blundelstown just north of Tara where a major intersection is planned.
Here there is "some of the earliest evidence for human habitation in Co Meath", while other sites, she believes, provide evidence of "very impressive settlement during the early historic period, including some outstanding ring forts; the complex could be best described as 'an archaeological mosaic'." Along with the Campaign to Save Tara, the group has asked the Minister to leave his decision on the future of the site until after the election.
Meanwhile, the company building the motorway said work is progressing on schedule. Enda Tyrrell, a member of the Eurolink M3 Ltd consortium, said that contrary to "recent misinformation in the media", the archaeological find "does not affect our day-to-day work on the project and the works are proceeding as scheduled".
Elaine Keogh
© 2007 The Irish Times