The former environment minister Dick Roche and a local politician have called for an inquiry into recent planning decisions in Co Meath, after a Dublin developer threatened to take a multi-million euro High Court case against Meath County Council.
Dick Roche, Minister of State, confirmed he had written to environment minister John Gormley last week calling for a formal investigation.
Serious allegations regarding the way in which the planning authority has operated were made to Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Roche, who has expressed deep concern.
The allegations were made after the recent publication of the South Drogheda Environs Local Area Plan.
‘‘I am aware of the concerns that have been raised,” said Roche. ‘‘I was reluctant to get directly involved in this affair because of a family connection, but having been approached by local public representatives I feel the complaints are serious and warrant investigation.”
Shane McEntee, Fine Gael TD, has also written to the Taoiseach calling for a planning inspector to be appointed. He wants the planning decisions made in Meath over the past ten years to be examined. It is understood that this suggestion is under serious consideration.
McEntee believes there has been a pattern of worrying decisions and said the proposed Local Area Plan would scupper ‘‘the chances of Drogheda United building a new 10,000 seater state-of-the-art stadium in east Meath, as planned. What has been going on is a disgrace,’’ McEntee said.
The directors of Drogheda United had agreed a deal with Dublin developer Bill Doyle, in which Doyle would build a new stadium close to lands he purchased in Bryanstown, south Drogheda, in exchange for their existing stadium at United Park. Doyle spent an estimated €110 million on buying approximately140 acres of land in Bryanstown in recent years.
Under the proposed planning strategy for the greater Drogheda area - commissioned by Drogheda Borough Council, Louth County Council and Meath County Council - the Bryanstown area was earmarked for large-scale development including residential homes.
Developers and councillors often work together to deliver common objectives and sources close to Doyle claimed he had been given verbal assurances by planners that the land would be zoned residential, in line with the planning strategy. This was also reiterated by a number of senior officials at Drogheda United. Doyle is now believed to be considering legal action.
On that basis Doyle bought up land in Bryanstown, which is about three miles south of Drogheda town. In a previous interview with this newspaper he said he had plans to build 2,500 houses, a stadium for Drogheda United, as well as four kilometres of road linking theN1 with theM1.
His lands will now be zoned for open space and light industrial use, according to the proposed Local Area Plan that has just been published.
Other landowners in Bryanstown claimed the proposed Local Area Plan was ‘‘very materially different’’ to the planning strategy outlined for the area. The strategy is not a statutory document, however. Vincent Hoey, Drogheda United chairman, expressed huge frustration at what he described as a ‘‘major setback for the club.
‘‘We were leading the way for soccer in Ireland. We have been delayed by the planners for years and the situation has become intolerable. We had an agreement with a developer and we were assured by local planners that we would get planning. For us, it is checkmate,” said Hoey.
A spokeswoman for Meath County Council said it was ‘‘not aware of any investigation currently taking place or pending’’. She added that the council was satisfied that the plan has been developed in accordance with all the statutory requirements.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Gormley's flood plain plans may sink with no maps
Plans by environment minister John Gormley to restrict major developments on flood plains are under threat because there are no officially designated flood plains anywhere in the country.
Following recent floods throughout the country, Gormley said he would introduce new planning regulations which "essentially mean the end of any major construction on flood plains."
However, Tom Sherlock, an engineer with the Office of Public Works, said last week that while the OPW was working on predictive flood maps which would identify precise flood plains throughout the country, these would not be completed for another five or six years.
The first such official flood plain map covering the River Lee catchment area will be ready early next year. It will be followed later by similar flood predictive maps for the River Dodder in south Dublin and the River Suir in Waterford. The remainder should be ready by around 2013, Sherlock said.
These new maps will be colour coded which will indicate the flood risk running from one in 10 years (high) to one in 100 or 200 (low), he said.
The OPW does operate a publicly available flood map service on its website but this provides information on past flood events in a specific area. Though indicative of possible flooding in the future, it is not accurate, taking climate change into consideration.
In the meantime, Sherlock advised anybody who is thinking of buying a house or apartment to check with the OPW website to see if it is in an area that has been prone to flooding.
Guidelines for planning authorities with regard to proposed developments in areas at risk of flooding were produced last year but the Department said that Gormley's new regulations "are aimed at ensuring a more consistent rigorous and systematic approach to addressing flood risk management in the planning system through the comprehensive consideration of flood risk in preparing development plans."
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Following recent floods throughout the country, Gormley said he would introduce new planning regulations which "essentially mean the end of any major construction on flood plains."
However, Tom Sherlock, an engineer with the Office of Public Works, said last week that while the OPW was working on predictive flood maps which would identify precise flood plains throughout the country, these would not be completed for another five or six years.
The first such official flood plain map covering the River Lee catchment area will be ready early next year. It will be followed later by similar flood predictive maps for the River Dodder in south Dublin and the River Suir in Waterford. The remainder should be ready by around 2013, Sherlock said.
These new maps will be colour coded which will indicate the flood risk running from one in 10 years (high) to one in 100 or 200 (low), he said.
The OPW does operate a publicly available flood map service on its website but this provides information on past flood events in a specific area. Though indicative of possible flooding in the future, it is not accurate, taking climate change into consideration.
In the meantime, Sherlock advised anybody who is thinking of buying a house or apartment to check with the OPW website to see if it is in an area that has been prone to flooding.
Guidelines for planning authorities with regard to proposed developments in areas at risk of flooding were produced last year but the Department said that Gormley's new regulations "are aimed at ensuring a more consistent rigorous and systematic approach to addressing flood risk management in the planning system through the comprehensive consideration of flood risk in preparing development plans."
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Ireland faces EU fine over waste water plants
LESS than half the essential works required on five waste water sites have been completed in the two years since the European Court brought legal action against the state, environment officials have confirmed. The government is due before the European Court in less than two weeks to answer charges that the treatment plants are below acceptable quality levels.
The European Commission brought the action in July 2006, claiming that Ireland failed to "ensure that, before discharge, waste water entering collecting systems was made subject to secondary treatment or an equivalent treatment at the latest by 31 December, 2000."
It further claims that Ireland has failed to ensure such discharges satisfied European quality requirements.
The action has been taken in specific reference to five treatment plants in Bray, Co Wicklow, Howth, Co Dublin, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, Sligo and Tramore, Co Waterford.
However, despite being eight years overdue, the government has admitted that work on the plants remains unfinished.
While the Sligo and Tramore sites have since been completed, construction work continues in Howth, a contract has only been awarded for the Bray/Shanganagh project while the Letterkenny plant works have not yet gone to tender. A spokesman for the Department of the Environment told the Sunday Tribune that funding for the required infrastructure has been allocated in all cases. "Any delays that have occurred in completing individual works have generally been caused by legal or technical difficulties," he said.
"This case relates to the provision of waste water treatment facilities in five specific locations. It would be inappropriate for us to speculate on the outcome of the court proceedings but we have entered a detailed and robust defence."
The European Commission is determined that Ireland be found guilty of failing in its obligations and to pay the costs of the action. The commission noted in a legal document to the court: "Although Ireland has offered explanations as to the delays encountered in these agglomerations and has provided some indications of the state of progress in meeting the directive's requirements, it is the commission's view that these explanations and indications cannot be considered as excusing a failure to meet the deadline.
"Moreover, the commission submits that the information provided by the Irish authorities is insufficient to allow it to conclude that the installation of secondary waste water treatment plants in these agglomerations is imminent. In most cases, it appears that several further stages need to be completed before the treatment plants will be installed."
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
The European Commission brought the action in July 2006, claiming that Ireland failed to "ensure that, before discharge, waste water entering collecting systems was made subject to secondary treatment or an equivalent treatment at the latest by 31 December, 2000."
It further claims that Ireland has failed to ensure such discharges satisfied European quality requirements.
The action has been taken in specific reference to five treatment plants in Bray, Co Wicklow, Howth, Co Dublin, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, Sligo and Tramore, Co Waterford.
However, despite being eight years overdue, the government has admitted that work on the plants remains unfinished.
While the Sligo and Tramore sites have since been completed, construction work continues in Howth, a contract has only been awarded for the Bray/Shanganagh project while the Letterkenny plant works have not yet gone to tender. A spokesman for the Department of the Environment told the Sunday Tribune that funding for the required infrastructure has been allocated in all cases. "Any delays that have occurred in completing individual works have generally been caused by legal or technical difficulties," he said.
"This case relates to the provision of waste water treatment facilities in five specific locations. It would be inappropriate for us to speculate on the outcome of the court proceedings but we have entered a detailed and robust defence."
The European Commission is determined that Ireland be found guilty of failing in its obligations and to pay the costs of the action. The commission noted in a legal document to the court: "Although Ireland has offered explanations as to the delays encountered in these agglomerations and has provided some indications of the state of progress in meeting the directive's requirements, it is the commission's view that these explanations and indications cannot be considered as excusing a failure to meet the deadline.
"Moreover, the commission submits that the information provided by the Irish authorities is insufficient to allow it to conclude that the installation of secondary waste water treatment plants in these agglomerations is imminent. In most cases, it appears that several further stages need to be completed before the treatment plants will be installed."
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Bewley's may reopen as developers offer deal
BEWLEY'S Cafe at Westmoreland Street in Dublin is on the brink of reopening its doors after four years, thanks to an 11th-hour compromise from developers.
Those behind the controversial development have contacted An Bord Pleanála in a bid to meet halfway on plans for its future after a protracted planning dispute.
Originally, they had intended to turn the ground floor of the historic building into retail space with a small café section at the Price's Lane end.
But the planning appeals body had other ideas, insisting that there be public access to the iconic café from Westmoreland Street, in keeping with the building's heritage.
Now a move to compromise could finally end the high profile planning stand-off. Opponents of the original plans have signalled that the compromise could be enough to end their protests.
The Sunday Tribune can also reveal that the developers have negotiated a deal with craft and design retailers the Irish Design Guild, also known as the Glengarriff Woollen Mills, to lease the retail area on its completion.
Last year Dublin City Council granted planning permission to the owning consortium, including Col Campbell, the former managing director of Bewley's Oriental Cafes, to change part of the ground floor into retail space.
Despite that success, however, An Bord Pleanála recently wrote to the developers insisting they maintain the historic Westmoreland Street entrance to the café.
The correspondence suggested that the proposed café in the Fleet Room be extended into the Middle Room and Garden Room and that it be mixed with the retail space, allowing public access to the café from Westmoreland Street.
The heavy retail use was the principal impasse holding up a green light on the development.
There was fierce opposition from the Save Bewley's Café Campaign (SBCC), which collected 20,000 signatures protesting a closure of the café, An Taisce and the National Conservation and Heritage Group (NCHG), and a previous planning permission for retail use in 2005 was overturned.
But revisiting their earlier plans last week, Manahan Planners, on behalf of the owners, suggested a compromise that could finally see the building come back to life.
They had originally worried that an extended café/restaurant licensed to serve alcohol would have to be separate from the unlicensed retail space by a barrier, in line with regulations.
"This would result in a retail shop which is too small to attract a quality tenant as required in the Dublin City Council development plan," they observed. "In response our clients now propose the following. Firstly they will license the entire premises. Even though the retail floor area will not avail of this, this will permit the external doors of the licensed premises to be on Fleet Street and Westmoreland Street. There will not, therefore, be a need for an internal division other than for security reasons outside of the retail opening hours."
They go on to suggest that the Middle and Garden rooms be granted dual use as both retail and café use.
"This would allow the retail operator to fit out the entire premises facing Westmoreland Street in their corporate designs," says the letter. "The café tables could therefore be in the centre of the room with retail displays on the wall. The retail operator has indicated that they could operate with such an arrangement albeit at a reduced rent as they would have less sales space."
Damien Cassidy of the National Conservation and Heritage Group (NCHG) has welcomed the move.
"As far as the NCHG is concerned this is a pragmatic approach that I think is capable of a satisfactory conclusion that will see the much-loved Bewley's café reopen and bring back the heart of Westmoreland Street," he said. "I will do my best to ensure that a pragmatic compromise is reached with the developers. I think they will run with this."
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Those behind the controversial development have contacted An Bord Pleanála in a bid to meet halfway on plans for its future after a protracted planning dispute.
Originally, they had intended to turn the ground floor of the historic building into retail space with a small café section at the Price's Lane end.
But the planning appeals body had other ideas, insisting that there be public access to the iconic café from Westmoreland Street, in keeping with the building's heritage.
Now a move to compromise could finally end the high profile planning stand-off. Opponents of the original plans have signalled that the compromise could be enough to end their protests.
The Sunday Tribune can also reveal that the developers have negotiated a deal with craft and design retailers the Irish Design Guild, also known as the Glengarriff Woollen Mills, to lease the retail area on its completion.
Last year Dublin City Council granted planning permission to the owning consortium, including Col Campbell, the former managing director of Bewley's Oriental Cafes, to change part of the ground floor into retail space.
Despite that success, however, An Bord Pleanála recently wrote to the developers insisting they maintain the historic Westmoreland Street entrance to the café.
The correspondence suggested that the proposed café in the Fleet Room be extended into the Middle Room and Garden Room and that it be mixed with the retail space, allowing public access to the café from Westmoreland Street.
The heavy retail use was the principal impasse holding up a green light on the development.
There was fierce opposition from the Save Bewley's Café Campaign (SBCC), which collected 20,000 signatures protesting a closure of the café, An Taisce and the National Conservation and Heritage Group (NCHG), and a previous planning permission for retail use in 2005 was overturned.
But revisiting their earlier plans last week, Manahan Planners, on behalf of the owners, suggested a compromise that could finally see the building come back to life.
They had originally worried that an extended café/restaurant licensed to serve alcohol would have to be separate from the unlicensed retail space by a barrier, in line with regulations.
"This would result in a retail shop which is too small to attract a quality tenant as required in the Dublin City Council development plan," they observed. "In response our clients now propose the following. Firstly they will license the entire premises. Even though the retail floor area will not avail of this, this will permit the external doors of the licensed premises to be on Fleet Street and Westmoreland Street. There will not, therefore, be a need for an internal division other than for security reasons outside of the retail opening hours."
They go on to suggest that the Middle and Garden rooms be granted dual use as both retail and café use.
"This would allow the retail operator to fit out the entire premises facing Westmoreland Street in their corporate designs," says the letter. "The café tables could therefore be in the centre of the room with retail displays on the wall. The retail operator has indicated that they could operate with such an arrangement albeit at a reduced rent as they would have less sales space."
Damien Cassidy of the National Conservation and Heritage Group (NCHG) has welcomed the move.
"As far as the NCHG is concerned this is a pragmatic approach that I think is capable of a satisfactory conclusion that will see the much-loved Bewley's café reopen and bring back the heart of Westmoreland Street," he said. "I will do my best to ensure that a pragmatic compromise is reached with the developers. I think they will run with this."
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Commuter times rose 75% in last 5 years, survey finds
TRAFFIC CONGESTION has reached "crisis proportions" in the State with commuter times increasing by almost 75 per cent in the past five years, a new survey has found.
Workers are now spending an average of 80 minutes per day travelling to and from the office and commuters are losing the equivalent of almost nine working weeks to gridlock every year.
The Dublin workforce faces the longest commute each day, with the average journey to work in the capital taking 49 minutes, while commuters in the northwest face the shortest trips to work, at 24 minutes.
The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has warned the problems will more than likely worsen over the coming weeks as schools re-open and the summer holidays come to an end.
The association, which conducted the survey of 486 companies, believes traffic congestion in cities and towns across the country has reached crisis point and is increasing the costs incurred by small business.
"Traffic congestion is continuing to have a negative impact on business, confirmed by two thirds of small firms," ISME chief executive, Mark Fielding said.
Mr Fielding said despite extra investment in road infrastructure the delays are getting worse, which is having a negative impact on business, with the survey finding the delays are costing businesses some €2.5 billion each year, which is almost 1.5 per cent of GDP.
Last year, the Government pledged to shorten travel time for commuters and reduce traffic congestion on the roads under its Next Steps Forward: Developing Transport scheme.
However, Mr Fielding believes a significant reduction in the duration of commuter journeys cannot come about until a National Transport Management Agency is established.
Fine Gael transport spokesman Fergus O'Dowd said the figures were "not surprising" and show there are significant issues that need to be addressed in order to reverse the increases.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport said the Government is working to alleviate the problems by investing over €34 billion in improving transport infrastructure with a view to doubling public transport use by 2016.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Workers are now spending an average of 80 minutes per day travelling to and from the office and commuters are losing the equivalent of almost nine working weeks to gridlock every year.
The Dublin workforce faces the longest commute each day, with the average journey to work in the capital taking 49 minutes, while commuters in the northwest face the shortest trips to work, at 24 minutes.
The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has warned the problems will more than likely worsen over the coming weeks as schools re-open and the summer holidays come to an end.
The association, which conducted the survey of 486 companies, believes traffic congestion in cities and towns across the country has reached crisis point and is increasing the costs incurred by small business.
"Traffic congestion is continuing to have a negative impact on business, confirmed by two thirds of small firms," ISME chief executive, Mark Fielding said.
Mr Fielding said despite extra investment in road infrastructure the delays are getting worse, which is having a negative impact on business, with the survey finding the delays are costing businesses some €2.5 billion each year, which is almost 1.5 per cent of GDP.
Last year, the Government pledged to shorten travel time for commuters and reduce traffic congestion on the roads under its Next Steps Forward: Developing Transport scheme.
However, Mr Fielding believes a significant reduction in the duration of commuter journeys cannot come about until a National Transport Management Agency is established.
Fine Gael transport spokesman Fergus O'Dowd said the figures were "not surprising" and show there are significant issues that need to be addressed in order to reverse the increases.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport said the Government is working to alleviate the problems by investing over €34 billion in improving transport infrastructure with a view to doubling public transport use by 2016.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Port company again seeks infill permission
DUBLIN PORT Company is applying, for the third time, for planning permission to reclaim 21 hectares of Dublin Bay to expand its operations.
The Port Company which unsuccessfully sought permission in September 1999 and in March 2002, will this time apply directly to Bord Pleanála under the Strategic Infrastructure Act.
The application, which the Port Company claimed is in the national interest, comes in advance of the conclusion of three separate studies on the future use of the bay. It also comes in advance of the the final designation of most of the inner bay - including the 21 hectares - as a Special Protected Area (SPA), by Minister for Environment John Gormley.
News of the impending application, which is to be lodged by September 8th next, has provoked a strong reaction from politicians.
Dublin North Central TD Finian McGrath claimed he had a letter from the Taoiseach Mr Cowen, effectively promising that the infill would not go ahead.
Mr McGrath told The Irish Times he had been given a specific promise by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, in return for support for the Government, that the infill would not take place.
Mr McGrath added that this promise was confirmed in writing by Taoiseach Brian Cowen in recent weeks. "Mr Cowen wrote that anything in my agreement with Mr Ahern would be honoured as far as he was concerned", said Mr McGrath.
Clontarf area member of Dublin City Council Gerry Breen said he believed the application was a "final attempt" to infill the 21 hectares which front onto Clontarf Road. He said that the application would cost the State-owned Port Company €100,000 in Bord Pleanála fees alone, and he added that the timing of the application was "interesting", considering the the three studies on the future of the bay.
The end of this month marks the last date for submissions on Mr Gormley's proposed SPA designation which covers all of the inner bay area with the exception of the shipping channels in and out of the port.
The same week marks the start of public meetings on the future of the bay organised by the Dublin Regional Authority at the behest of Minister Gormley.
In addition, while September 8th marks the date by which the Dublin Port Company plans to lodge its application, it is also the final date for submissions on the Department of Transport report on the strategic future of Dublin Port.
Dublin City Council has said it too is pressing ahead with a strategic framework study following last year's public consultation which found 70 per cent of respondents wanted the port to be moved to another location.
However, a spokesman for the port company said it had completed an extensive planning application, including an environmental impact statement, which will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála.
The spokesman added that as the project had been designated "strategic infrastructure" by Bord Pleanála as far back as last year, the company was required by law to submit the application to Bord Pleanála and not to the planning authority. In relation to the timing of the application, the spokesman said the Dublin Port Company was charged with facilitating trade at the heart of Ireland's largest market.
"Ireland needs to be prepared to deal with the upturn when it comes by having sufficient port capacity . . . Therefore, the 21-hectare gateway expansion of the north port area will provide much needed additional capacity at Dublin port which is of strategic importance to the Irish economy and Ireland's capital city."
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Port Company which unsuccessfully sought permission in September 1999 and in March 2002, will this time apply directly to Bord Pleanála under the Strategic Infrastructure Act.
The application, which the Port Company claimed is in the national interest, comes in advance of the conclusion of three separate studies on the future use of the bay. It also comes in advance of the the final designation of most of the inner bay - including the 21 hectares - as a Special Protected Area (SPA), by Minister for Environment John Gormley.
News of the impending application, which is to be lodged by September 8th next, has provoked a strong reaction from politicians.
Dublin North Central TD Finian McGrath claimed he had a letter from the Taoiseach Mr Cowen, effectively promising that the infill would not go ahead.
Mr McGrath told The Irish Times he had been given a specific promise by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, in return for support for the Government, that the infill would not take place.
Mr McGrath added that this promise was confirmed in writing by Taoiseach Brian Cowen in recent weeks. "Mr Cowen wrote that anything in my agreement with Mr Ahern would be honoured as far as he was concerned", said Mr McGrath.
Clontarf area member of Dublin City Council Gerry Breen said he believed the application was a "final attempt" to infill the 21 hectares which front onto Clontarf Road. He said that the application would cost the State-owned Port Company €100,000 in Bord Pleanála fees alone, and he added that the timing of the application was "interesting", considering the the three studies on the future of the bay.
The end of this month marks the last date for submissions on Mr Gormley's proposed SPA designation which covers all of the inner bay area with the exception of the shipping channels in and out of the port.
The same week marks the start of public meetings on the future of the bay organised by the Dublin Regional Authority at the behest of Minister Gormley.
In addition, while September 8th marks the date by which the Dublin Port Company plans to lodge its application, it is also the final date for submissions on the Department of Transport report on the strategic future of Dublin Port.
Dublin City Council has said it too is pressing ahead with a strategic framework study following last year's public consultation which found 70 per cent of respondents wanted the port to be moved to another location.
However, a spokesman for the port company said it had completed an extensive planning application, including an environmental impact statement, which will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála.
The spokesman added that as the project had been designated "strategic infrastructure" by Bord Pleanála as far back as last year, the company was required by law to submit the application to Bord Pleanála and not to the planning authority. In relation to the timing of the application, the spokesman said the Dublin Port Company was charged with facilitating trade at the heart of Ireland's largest market.
"Ireland needs to be prepared to deal with the upturn when it comes by having sufficient port capacity . . . Therefore, the 21-hectare gateway expansion of the north port area will provide much needed additional capacity at Dublin port which is of strategic importance to the Irish economy and Ireland's capital city."
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 29 August 2008
Plaza plan for 'drugs market' Custom Quay area
Environment Minister John Gormley has urged the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to bring forward plans to regenerate the area around the Custom House, admitting yesterday it was home to a "virtual drugs market".
Speaking at a press conference, Mr Gormley said he could not disagree with the area being described as "tatty" or a "virtual drugs market", saying the river frontage of the Custom House building was frequented by drug addicts.
"It's a wonderful building and should be one of Ireland's iconic buildings," he said.
"I would like to see the Docklands plans happening as soon as possible. I can't disagree that the front of the building is a gathering point for people with drug problems.
"The part that's the problem is the front, it's a dead part of the street with no access coming in.
"It's time to see the Docklands plans brought forward," he added.
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority plans to develop a public plaza at the front of the building.
This is currently being designed, but anything happening with the Custom House would be a matter for Dublin City Council and the OPW.
The long-term aspiration is to ban all vehicular traffic from the front of the building, and the ground floor of the Custom House could be turned into cafes, bars and restaurants.
The Docklands masterplan aims to create the pedestrian-only area to "break down barriers to movement" between the quays and the city centre.
"There are proposals to eliminate vehicular traffic in front of the Custom House, and to create a citywide destination point on the Liffey and restore the Custom House to the setting it deserves," the draft masterplan says.
"This space would further be connected to the River Liffey boardwalk implemented along Ormond Quay and Bachelor's Walk and create a recreational horizontal plain running from the edge of the building to the River Liffey."
Addicts
Plans to develop a drop-in centre for drug addicts nearby could also result in fewer addicts loitering around the building.
The Custom House is regarded as a masterpiece of European neo-classicism, and was completed in 1791 after a ten-year building programme.
Designed by James Gandon -- who also designed the Four Courts and the King's Inn -- it was burnt to the ground in May 1921 during the War of Independence but restored by 1928.
Another restoration project was completed in 1991.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Speaking at a press conference, Mr Gormley said he could not disagree with the area being described as "tatty" or a "virtual drugs market", saying the river frontage of the Custom House building was frequented by drug addicts.
"It's a wonderful building and should be one of Ireland's iconic buildings," he said.
"I would like to see the Docklands plans happening as soon as possible. I can't disagree that the front of the building is a gathering point for people with drug problems.
"The part that's the problem is the front, it's a dead part of the street with no access coming in.
"It's time to see the Docklands plans brought forward," he added.
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority plans to develop a public plaza at the front of the building.
This is currently being designed, but anything happening with the Custom House would be a matter for Dublin City Council and the OPW.
The long-term aspiration is to ban all vehicular traffic from the front of the building, and the ground floor of the Custom House could be turned into cafes, bars and restaurants.
The Docklands masterplan aims to create the pedestrian-only area to "break down barriers to movement" between the quays and the city centre.
"There are proposals to eliminate vehicular traffic in front of the Custom House, and to create a citywide destination point on the Liffey and restore the Custom House to the setting it deserves," the draft masterplan says.
"This space would further be connected to the River Liffey boardwalk implemented along Ormond Quay and Bachelor's Walk and create a recreational horizontal plain running from the edge of the building to the River Liffey."
Addicts
Plans to develop a drop-in centre for drug addicts nearby could also result in fewer addicts loitering around the building.
The Custom House is regarded as a masterpiece of European neo-classicism, and was completed in 1791 after a ten-year building programme.
Designed by James Gandon -- who also designed the Four Courts and the King's Inn -- it was burnt to the ground in May 1921 during the War of Independence but restored by 1928.
Another restoration project was completed in 1991.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Massive expansion at Dublin Port planned
THE Dublin Port Company is to seek permission for a massive expansion of its operations which could see 52 acres of land reclaimed from the sea near Clontarf.
This morning, a formal application to infill the bay will be made to An Bord Pleanala under the Strategic Infrastructure Act despite two separate reports currently being compiled on the future of Dublin Bay and the port.
One from the Department of Transport will determine if the port should be moved to a new location, while a Dublin City Council document has already indicated that the port could be home to thousands of new homes, all close to public transport links.
Environment Minister John Gormley has also established a task force to outline the future of Dublin Bay, which will examine issues including the current location of the port, climate change and projected rises in sea levels.
Yesterday, the Port Company said the expansion was needed to provide additional capacity. Last year almost 31 million tonnes of freight and 1.3 milion passengers passed through the port, with profits at €29m, and the port company expects demand to increase over the coming years.
"This development will cater for greater demand as a result of the projected increases in population," a statement said. "Dublin Gateway will also provide deeper berths that will enable Dublin port to cater for the international trend towards larger, more efficient vessels that require deeper water to operate.
"The port is operating at near capacity and notwithstanding the current economic downturn Ireland needs to be prepared to deal with the upturn when it comes by having sufficient port capacity capable of handling the demands of an increasing population. The gateway project is also consistent with the National Ports Policy which states that ports are responsible for ensuring adequate in-time capacity to facilitate trade."
Permission for construction of a new quays along the southern and eastern edge of the 21-hectare site in the north bay near Clontarf will be sought, along with three new berths for ships.
A two-storey terminal, four 60-metre cranes and extension of the railway line to connect with the national network will also be built.
When the plans were first revealed they were heavily criticised by politicans, Dublin Bay Watch and environmentalists because of concerns about the impact the development would have on wildlife.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
This morning, a formal application to infill the bay will be made to An Bord Pleanala under the Strategic Infrastructure Act despite two separate reports currently being compiled on the future of Dublin Bay and the port.
One from the Department of Transport will determine if the port should be moved to a new location, while a Dublin City Council document has already indicated that the port could be home to thousands of new homes, all close to public transport links.
Environment Minister John Gormley has also established a task force to outline the future of Dublin Bay, which will examine issues including the current location of the port, climate change and projected rises in sea levels.
Yesterday, the Port Company said the expansion was needed to provide additional capacity. Last year almost 31 million tonnes of freight and 1.3 milion passengers passed through the port, with profits at €29m, and the port company expects demand to increase over the coming years.
"This development will cater for greater demand as a result of the projected increases in population," a statement said. "Dublin Gateway will also provide deeper berths that will enable Dublin port to cater for the international trend towards larger, more efficient vessels that require deeper water to operate.
"The port is operating at near capacity and notwithstanding the current economic downturn Ireland needs to be prepared to deal with the upturn when it comes by having sufficient port capacity capable of handling the demands of an increasing population. The gateway project is also consistent with the National Ports Policy which states that ports are responsible for ensuring adequate in-time capacity to facilitate trade."
Permission for construction of a new quays along the southern and eastern edge of the 21-hectare site in the north bay near Clontarf will be sought, along with three new berths for ships.
A two-storey terminal, four 60-metre cranes and extension of the railway line to connect with the national network will also be built.
When the plans were first revealed they were heavily criticised by politicans, Dublin Bay Watch and environmentalists because of concerns about the impact the development would have on wildlife.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Council defers viewing tower decision amid visual impact fears
A VIEWING tower proposed for tourist haven Killarney could detract from some protected buildings in the town, which date to the 19th century, it is feared.
Such buildings include the Pugin-designed St Mary’s Cathedral, which has a spire rising to about 90m.
Killarney Town Council yesterday confirmed a decision on a planning application for the 83m tower and an accompanying retail development, which had been due this week, had been deferred for six months.
The council is seeking from the developers, Sunday’s Well Properties, further information on the tower, a shopping complex and other facilities, all earmarked for a 14-acre site at the Malton Hotel.
Town clerk Michael O’Leary has asked the developers for a visual impact assessment and an urban design statement for the proposed tower.
He is also looking for architectural heritage assessment.
Mr O’Leary said: “It is considered that the proposed development of this viewing tower has the potential to significantly influence the landscape character of the town for the foreseeable future.”
The council is concerned about the impact of the tower on the Malton Hotel, the cathedral and the local railway station, all protected structures dating to the mid-1800s.
Plans for the tower have attracted much attention in Killarney, with most of the reaction being favourable.
It would have perforated copper cladding from top to bottom and would have commanding views of Killarney’s lakes and mountains.
Of the 11 submissions received by the council in relation to the tower, seven were positive — mainly from business and tourism groups.
Those against included An Taisce, nearby Countess Road residents and some local councillors.
The residents, for instance, felt the tower would be out of keeping with the character of the town, as well as being too high.
But, bodies such as the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, the Irish Hotels Federation and Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Tourism said it would be a boost to the town.
Some, however, called for more research into the sustainability of the tower.
In all, 25 submissions were made to the council in relation to the entire €200 million tower/shopping project, the biggest that has been proposed for Killarney.
The development includes a 1,200 space underground car park, but the town council reportedly has “serious concerns” about the impact of the overall plan on traffic flow in a town that is already congested.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Such buildings include the Pugin-designed St Mary’s Cathedral, which has a spire rising to about 90m.
Killarney Town Council yesterday confirmed a decision on a planning application for the 83m tower and an accompanying retail development, which had been due this week, had been deferred for six months.
The council is seeking from the developers, Sunday’s Well Properties, further information on the tower, a shopping complex and other facilities, all earmarked for a 14-acre site at the Malton Hotel.
Town clerk Michael O’Leary has asked the developers for a visual impact assessment and an urban design statement for the proposed tower.
He is also looking for architectural heritage assessment.
Mr O’Leary said: “It is considered that the proposed development of this viewing tower has the potential to significantly influence the landscape character of the town for the foreseeable future.”
The council is concerned about the impact of the tower on the Malton Hotel, the cathedral and the local railway station, all protected structures dating to the mid-1800s.
Plans for the tower have attracted much attention in Killarney, with most of the reaction being favourable.
It would have perforated copper cladding from top to bottom and would have commanding views of Killarney’s lakes and mountains.
Of the 11 submissions received by the council in relation to the tower, seven were positive — mainly from business and tourism groups.
Those against included An Taisce, nearby Countess Road residents and some local councillors.
The residents, for instance, felt the tower would be out of keeping with the character of the town, as well as being too high.
But, bodies such as the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, the Irish Hotels Federation and Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Tourism said it would be a boost to the town.
Some, however, called for more research into the sustainability of the tower.
In all, 25 submissions were made to the council in relation to the entire €200 million tower/shopping project, the biggest that has been proposed for Killarney.
The development includes a 1,200 space underground car park, but the town council reportedly has “serious concerns” about the impact of the overall plan on traffic flow in a town that is already congested.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Towering development teases prospective tenants
PRELIMINARY “teaser advertisements” start to run from today for the landmark €150 million Elysian development in the heart of Cork city, stressing its impact on the city’s skyline.
The development, which is the country’s tallest building with 17 storeys completed and with a number of show units being finished off, is to be officially launched on September 17.
Its launch is also set to feature on an Irish TV version of The Apprentice in October.
Likely to be one of the key Irish property development launches of the year, and seen as a harbinger of Cork’s future docklands development viability, the Elysian has 214 apartments, ranging from one-bed to three-storey “triplex” penthouses. It literally brings apartment-living in Ireland to new heights — some sleekly clad 72 metres in all.
The city centre scheme, which includes offices (likely to be a bank headquarters), shops and an elevated one acre of landscaped gardens in internal courtyards, has been built by PJ Hegartys for developers O’Flynn Construction.
Visible from much of the city, the Elysian is on a three-acre “gateway” site at the city end of the South City Link Road, next door to Cork City Hall and overlooking the River Lee.
Design is by Wilson Architects, with show units by British-based Taylor Howes Design and the large development — with two basement levels of parking — occupies the site of Cork’s former An Post sorting office, and before that it was part of CIÉ’s railway network and sidings.
Prices for the apartments are not expected to be revealed by agents Sherry FitzGerald until the formal launch. Selected invitees will get sneak previews from September 11 to 16.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The development, which is the country’s tallest building with 17 storeys completed and with a number of show units being finished off, is to be officially launched on September 17.
Its launch is also set to feature on an Irish TV version of The Apprentice in October.
Likely to be one of the key Irish property development launches of the year, and seen as a harbinger of Cork’s future docklands development viability, the Elysian has 214 apartments, ranging from one-bed to three-storey “triplex” penthouses. It literally brings apartment-living in Ireland to new heights — some sleekly clad 72 metres in all.
The city centre scheme, which includes offices (likely to be a bank headquarters), shops and an elevated one acre of landscaped gardens in internal courtyards, has been built by PJ Hegartys for developers O’Flynn Construction.
Visible from much of the city, the Elysian is on a three-acre “gateway” site at the city end of the South City Link Road, next door to Cork City Hall and overlooking the River Lee.
Design is by Wilson Architects, with show units by British-based Taylor Howes Design and the large development — with two basement levels of parking — occupies the site of Cork’s former An Post sorting office, and before that it was part of CIÉ’s railway network and sidings.
Prices for the apartments are not expected to be revealed by agents Sherry FitzGerald until the formal launch. Selected invitees will get sneak previews from September 11 to 16.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Corrib gas partners must change licence
THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that the Corrib gas partners will have to reapply to change their emissions licence for the Corrib gas refinery, following an agreement brokered by Shell EP Ireland with north Mayo fishermen.
In a related development, a fisherman who refused to sign up to the Shell agreement, due to fears about the project's environmental impact, has been issued a warning by the Department of Transport's deputy chief surveyor. Pat O'Donnell has been told to keep vessels in his ownership a safe distance from the Highland Navigator, which has been carrying out surveying work for Shell EP Ireland ahead of the arrival of the pipelaying ship Solitaire in Broadhaven Bay.
The EPA's issuing late last year of an integrated pollution prevention control (IPPC) licence to the Corrib gas refinery was described as a "significant milestone" by Shell EP Ireland. The licence application had been the subject of an oral hearing in north Mayo.
However, the EPA said the company would have to reapply to it for any changes to its licence in relation to a recent agreement secured with Erris fishermen.
The fishermen had opposed the licence application at the EPA oral hearing on the grounds that marine emissions from an outfall pipe would have a negative impact on Broadhaven Bay.
The fishermen's association subsequently negotiated with Shell, and signed a compensation deal earlier this month in return for co-operation during offshore pipelaying.
As part of that agreement, the company promised the association it would use an "alternative method" of discharge for produced treated water, which is "subject to statutory approval".
Shell EP Ireland said yesterday that it was "currently examining a number of options with regard to the disposal of produced treated water . . . As part of the final decision on the optimum process we will consult with the relevant statutory authorities".
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
In a related development, a fisherman who refused to sign up to the Shell agreement, due to fears about the project's environmental impact, has been issued a warning by the Department of Transport's deputy chief surveyor. Pat O'Donnell has been told to keep vessels in his ownership a safe distance from the Highland Navigator, which has been carrying out surveying work for Shell EP Ireland ahead of the arrival of the pipelaying ship Solitaire in Broadhaven Bay.
The EPA's issuing late last year of an integrated pollution prevention control (IPPC) licence to the Corrib gas refinery was described as a "significant milestone" by Shell EP Ireland. The licence application had been the subject of an oral hearing in north Mayo.
However, the EPA said the company would have to reapply to it for any changes to its licence in relation to a recent agreement secured with Erris fishermen.
The fishermen had opposed the licence application at the EPA oral hearing on the grounds that marine emissions from an outfall pipe would have a negative impact on Broadhaven Bay.
The fishermen's association subsequently negotiated with Shell, and signed a compensation deal earlier this month in return for co-operation during offshore pipelaying.
As part of that agreement, the company promised the association it would use an "alternative method" of discharge for produced treated water, which is "subject to statutory approval".
Shell EP Ireland said yesterday that it was "currently examining a number of options with regard to the disposal of produced treated water . . . As part of the final decision on the optimum process we will consult with the relevant statutory authorities".
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Planning & Development
An Bord Pleanála
APPEALS
Location: 18 Exchange Street Upper, Dublin 8. Proposed development: demolish structures for a 12-storey 44-room hotel. Applicant: Accol Investments Ltd. Appellant(s): Colm MacEochaidh, An Taisce.
Location: 30-33 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (protected structure). Proposed development: demolish office space to rear for a five-storey office; change of use to retail of part of ground floor and site works. Applicant: The O'Shea Partnership. Appellant(s): Miley and Miley Hurstview Ltd and the Molesworth Partnership, The O'Shea Partnership, Spinoff Ltd.
Location: Muldowneys Lounge/Bar, Main Street, Rathcoole, Co Dublin. Proposed development: demolish pub, business centre, cottages and outbuildings for seven houses, 68 apartments, a pub and two retail/food stores. Applicant: Frank and Mark Smith. Appellant(s): Department of Defence.
Location: The Glen, Glenamuck Road, Carrickmines, Dublin 18. Proposed development: demolish house and outbuildings for 49 apartments with site works. Applicant: James Rossiter. Appellant(s): Ian Murphy.
Location: land at Aiken Village, the house formally known as Greenacres, Hillcrest Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18. Proposed development: demolish house for 146 apartments with car-parking, site works and landscaping. Applicant: Highland Estates Ltd. Appellant(s): Phillip and Louise Volschenk and Georgina Kickham.
Location: Assumption Convent, Assumption Court, Mount Argus Road, Dublin 6W. Proposed development: demolish convent building and garage for 15 apartments with site works. Applicant: Little Sisters of the Assumption. Appellant(s): Residents of Church Park Avenue.
Location: former Shell station, Parnell Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12. Proposed development: demolish buildings for 19 apartments and a medical consultants office. Applicant: Mark Carroll and Vincent Byrne. Appellant(s): Josephine Kelly.
Location: University Hall, Hatch Street Lower, Dublin 2. Proposed development: refurbish and change of use from residential/educational to residential use, comprising the demolition of existing section and erection of a six-storey building and 36 apartments. Applicant: Edward Residential Assets Ltd. Appellant(s): Fr M Curry, S.J. Superior, John O'Keeffe S.J. Superior.
Location: Alexandra College, Milltown Road, Dublin 6. Proposed development: two-storey over semi-basement building comprising sports hall, associated facilities and site works. Applicant: The Council of Alexandra College. Appellant(s): Sandra Coughlan, Marion Masterson, The Council of Alexandra College.
Location: north-eastern portion of former Bray Golf Club lands and part of Industrial Yarns site, Bray, Co Dublin. Proposed development: 348 residential units, retail, car-parking, demolition of outbuildings, new access off the Dublin Road and site works. Applicant: Pizarro Developments Ltd. Appellant(s): Joanne Connolly, Pizarro Developments, Zapi Properties Ltd.
Location: former Bray Golf Club lands, Bray, Co Wicklow. Proposed development: 603 residential units with community and commercial elements. Applicant: Pizarro Developments Ltd. Appellant(s): Joanne Connolly, S.W.A.P, Pizarro Developments Ltd, Bray Retail Group, Maeve and Colm McCormack, Bryan Glynn and Emer Woodfull, Declan and Celia Lavelle, Zapi Properties Ltd, Ciaran O'Brian.
DECISION TO GRANT
Location: National Autoparts and O'Brien Ltd, Camac Close, Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8. Proposed development: demolish buildings for 126 apartments, four live/work units, retail and site works. Applicant: The Camac Close Partnership (with revised conditions).
Location: phase two, Cornerpark, Newcastle, Co Dublin. Proposed development: 98 houses, 23 apartments, five duplex units, crèche and Montessori buildings with 195 car-parking spaces and site works. Applicant: Opus Developments Ltd (with revised conditions).
Location: Coolamber, Lock Road, Finnstown, Lucan, Co Dublin. Proposed development: demolish house for 59 houses, 17 apartments and site works. Applicant: Niall Molloy T/A Finnstown Co Ownership (with revised conditions).
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown
DECISION TO REFUSE
Location: Ards, Cartref and Foxley, Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. Proposed development: demolish Cartref and Ards and associated outhouses for 127 apartments, penthouses and duplex units in four buildings with underground car-parking for 139 cars and 35 surface parking spaces. Block 1: two storeys with 34 residential units. Block 2: three and part four storeys with 27 units. Block 3: five storeys with 42 residential units. Block 4: four storeys with 24 residential units. The development will also include a wellness centre. The existing house at "Foxley" is to be retained and the rear garden to be shortened. Applicant: The CARDS Partnership.
Location: Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. Proposed development: 82 residential units in a building from five to eight storeys. The residential units will comprise 14 one-beds, 56 two-beds and 12 three-beds). Provision of a 156sq m (1,679sq ft) crèche building and 134 car-parking spaces, landscaping and site works. Applicant: Cornick Developments Ltd.
Location: Castle Court, Whitehall Road, Churchtown, Dublin 14. Proposed development: detached three-storey apartment building comprising 20 units (six one-beds, nine two-beds and five three-beds); 27 car-parking spaces at basement level and site works. Applicant: Kellyville Ltd.
Location: Texaco Service Station, Churchtown Road Upper, Dublin 14. Proposed development: medical centre and pharmacy with 11 car-parking spaces at surface level and 38 car-parking spaces at basement level. The 327sq m (3,520sq ft) medical centre will comprising eight treatment rooms and 157sq m (1,690sq ft) of pharmacy use at ground floor level, 180sq m (1,938sq ft) of dental/medical treatment use comprising four treatment rooms, 120sq m (1,292sq ft) physiotherapy studio with four physiotherapy rooms and a 60sq m (646sq ft) work-out studio at first floor level and two open-plan offices. Associated site works. Applicant: M Cox, R Power, A Mehtar and M Mehigan.
Location: Leigh House and Arcot on the corner of Newtownpark Avenue and Holly Park Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Proposed development: demolish two houses for a three-storey apartment block with 18 units (three one-beds, 10 two-beds and five three-beds). Provision of 23 car-parking spaces. Applicant: William Montgomery and Vincent Marsland.
Dublin City Council
APPLICATIONS
Location: 10-12 Lansdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Proposed development: demolish three-storey office building for an office block from one to six storeys all over one lower ground and one basement level. Office space from lower ground floor to fifth floor level. Provision of 15 car-parking spaces at basement level; courtyard at ground floor level and sunken courtyard at lower ground; landscaping and site works. Applicant: Irish Property Unit Management Services.
Location: site at junction of Balfe Road, Drimnagh Road and Walkinstown Road, Dublin 12. Proposed development: demolish two bank buildings and two factory buildings for a two-storey bank fronting onto Walkinstown Road, a two-storey supermarket fronting onto Walkinstown Road and Balfe Road with parking, 45 apartments (eight one-beds, 31 two-beds and six three-beds) and 150 car-parking spaces. The scheme is from three to five storeys. Applicant: Dundalk SRH Ltd.
Location: 12/13 Dorset Street Upper, Dublin 1. Proposed development: demolish 12 Upper Dorset Street (protected structure) - gable and front façade to be retained - and complete demolition of 13 Upper Dorset Street for a residential/medical consultant use in a five-storey block with eight two-bed apartments. Applicant: Shane Murphy.
Location: 1-3 East Road, Dublin 3. Proposed development: total of 69,777sq m (751,073sq ft) comprising a hotel, offices, retail and café/restaurant in four blocks from four to 15 storeys. Block A: six-storey building with 165-bedroom hotel with restaurant, bar, meeting room and conference room. Block B: 15-storey building with retail floor space, café/restaurant facilities, office reception area, ancillary areas and offices. Block C: eight storeys with a restaurant, offices, reception area, auditorium, staff canteen, ancillary areas and office accommodation. Block D: four/six storeys with a central atrium incorporating office reception area, ancillary areas and offices. The four blocks will be above a shared two-storey basement car-park with 770 spaces. Applicant: Villeer Developments.
Location: site designated as 5B Shangan Avenue, bounded by Shangan Green to the north, Shangan Gardens to the east, Whitcare Park and residential estate to the south, 1-56 Shangan Avenue, Ballymun, Dublin 9. Proposed development: 57 residential units from one to three storeys and consisting of 25 apartments, one duplex and 31 terraced houses. Provision of 85 car-parking spaces at surface level, site and landscaping works. Applicant: Ballymun Regeneration Ltd.
South Dublin
APPLICATIONS
Location: Woodstown Manor, Stocking Lane, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14. Proposed development: 100 retirement units within four three-storey blocks; three two-storey blocks and 25 single storey units. The accommodation comprises 59 two-bed retirement units, four one-bed units, 12 two-bed duplex units and 25 two-bed single storey detached and semi-detached units. Refurbish Woodstown Manor and new build single storey extension to provide ancillary facilities, restaurant, health and well being centre. Provision of 155 surface car-parking spaces. The demolition of single storey derelict house and outbuildings. Applicant: Mountbrook Group.
Fingal
APPLICATIONS
Location: Rowlestown, Swords, Co Dublin. Proposed development: 40 dwellings comprising 23 three-bed semis, two three-bed detached bungalows, seven four-bed semis, five four-bed detached houses, three five-bed detached houses, site works and landscaping. Applicant: Eastern Homes Ltd.
DECISION TO GRANT
Location: Deerpark House and Fawn Lodge, Castleknock Road, Dublin 15. Proposed development: demolish house and outhouses/stables for a three-storey block with 18 apartments (five two-beds and one three-bed at ground floor, first floor and second floor level). Car-parking, landscaping and site works. Applicant: Fiancon Builders Ltd.
DECISION TO REFUSE
Location: townland of Lanestown, Donabate, Co Dublin. Proposed development: warehousing distribution centre with 66,629sq m (717,188sq ft) to include administration offices, training centre, meeting rooms, communication rooms, rest rooms, kitchen and restaurant. Provision of 595 car-parking spaces; 252 truck/trailer parking spaces; 61 loading docks; 27,000-litre diesel oil tank and 36,000-litre gas oil tanks; vehicle maintenance building; workshop/battery charging area; site security building; landscaping and boundary treatment. Applicant: Dunnes Stores.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
APPEALS
Location: 18 Exchange Street Upper, Dublin 8. Proposed development: demolish structures for a 12-storey 44-room hotel. Applicant: Accol Investments Ltd. Appellant(s): Colm MacEochaidh, An Taisce.
Location: 30-33 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (protected structure). Proposed development: demolish office space to rear for a five-storey office; change of use to retail of part of ground floor and site works. Applicant: The O'Shea Partnership. Appellant(s): Miley and Miley Hurstview Ltd and the Molesworth Partnership, The O'Shea Partnership, Spinoff Ltd.
Location: Muldowneys Lounge/Bar, Main Street, Rathcoole, Co Dublin. Proposed development: demolish pub, business centre, cottages and outbuildings for seven houses, 68 apartments, a pub and two retail/food stores. Applicant: Frank and Mark Smith. Appellant(s): Department of Defence.
Location: The Glen, Glenamuck Road, Carrickmines, Dublin 18. Proposed development: demolish house and outbuildings for 49 apartments with site works. Applicant: James Rossiter. Appellant(s): Ian Murphy.
Location: land at Aiken Village, the house formally known as Greenacres, Hillcrest Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18. Proposed development: demolish house for 146 apartments with car-parking, site works and landscaping. Applicant: Highland Estates Ltd. Appellant(s): Phillip and Louise Volschenk and Georgina Kickham.
Location: Assumption Convent, Assumption Court, Mount Argus Road, Dublin 6W. Proposed development: demolish convent building and garage for 15 apartments with site works. Applicant: Little Sisters of the Assumption. Appellant(s): Residents of Church Park Avenue.
Location: former Shell station, Parnell Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12. Proposed development: demolish buildings for 19 apartments and a medical consultants office. Applicant: Mark Carroll and Vincent Byrne. Appellant(s): Josephine Kelly.
Location: University Hall, Hatch Street Lower, Dublin 2. Proposed development: refurbish and change of use from residential/educational to residential use, comprising the demolition of existing section and erection of a six-storey building and 36 apartments. Applicant: Edward Residential Assets Ltd. Appellant(s): Fr M Curry, S.J. Superior, John O'Keeffe S.J. Superior.
Location: Alexandra College, Milltown Road, Dublin 6. Proposed development: two-storey over semi-basement building comprising sports hall, associated facilities and site works. Applicant: The Council of Alexandra College. Appellant(s): Sandra Coughlan, Marion Masterson, The Council of Alexandra College.
Location: north-eastern portion of former Bray Golf Club lands and part of Industrial Yarns site, Bray, Co Dublin. Proposed development: 348 residential units, retail, car-parking, demolition of outbuildings, new access off the Dublin Road and site works. Applicant: Pizarro Developments Ltd. Appellant(s): Joanne Connolly, Pizarro Developments, Zapi Properties Ltd.
Location: former Bray Golf Club lands, Bray, Co Wicklow. Proposed development: 603 residential units with community and commercial elements. Applicant: Pizarro Developments Ltd. Appellant(s): Joanne Connolly, S.W.A.P, Pizarro Developments Ltd, Bray Retail Group, Maeve and Colm McCormack, Bryan Glynn and Emer Woodfull, Declan and Celia Lavelle, Zapi Properties Ltd, Ciaran O'Brian.
DECISION TO GRANT
Location: National Autoparts and O'Brien Ltd, Camac Close, Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8. Proposed development: demolish buildings for 126 apartments, four live/work units, retail and site works. Applicant: The Camac Close Partnership (with revised conditions).
Location: phase two, Cornerpark, Newcastle, Co Dublin. Proposed development: 98 houses, 23 apartments, five duplex units, crèche and Montessori buildings with 195 car-parking spaces and site works. Applicant: Opus Developments Ltd (with revised conditions).
Location: Coolamber, Lock Road, Finnstown, Lucan, Co Dublin. Proposed development: demolish house for 59 houses, 17 apartments and site works. Applicant: Niall Molloy T/A Finnstown Co Ownership (with revised conditions).
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown
DECISION TO REFUSE
Location: Ards, Cartref and Foxley, Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. Proposed development: demolish Cartref and Ards and associated outhouses for 127 apartments, penthouses and duplex units in four buildings with underground car-parking for 139 cars and 35 surface parking spaces. Block 1: two storeys with 34 residential units. Block 2: three and part four storeys with 27 units. Block 3: five storeys with 42 residential units. Block 4: four storeys with 24 residential units. The development will also include a wellness centre. The existing house at "Foxley" is to be retained and the rear garden to be shortened. Applicant: The CARDS Partnership.
Location: Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. Proposed development: 82 residential units in a building from five to eight storeys. The residential units will comprise 14 one-beds, 56 two-beds and 12 three-beds). Provision of a 156sq m (1,679sq ft) crèche building and 134 car-parking spaces, landscaping and site works. Applicant: Cornick Developments Ltd.
Location: Castle Court, Whitehall Road, Churchtown, Dublin 14. Proposed development: detached three-storey apartment building comprising 20 units (six one-beds, nine two-beds and five three-beds); 27 car-parking spaces at basement level and site works. Applicant: Kellyville Ltd.
Location: Texaco Service Station, Churchtown Road Upper, Dublin 14. Proposed development: medical centre and pharmacy with 11 car-parking spaces at surface level and 38 car-parking spaces at basement level. The 327sq m (3,520sq ft) medical centre will comprising eight treatment rooms and 157sq m (1,690sq ft) of pharmacy use at ground floor level, 180sq m (1,938sq ft) of dental/medical treatment use comprising four treatment rooms, 120sq m (1,292sq ft) physiotherapy studio with four physiotherapy rooms and a 60sq m (646sq ft) work-out studio at first floor level and two open-plan offices. Associated site works. Applicant: M Cox, R Power, A Mehtar and M Mehigan.
Location: Leigh House and Arcot on the corner of Newtownpark Avenue and Holly Park Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Proposed development: demolish two houses for a three-storey apartment block with 18 units (three one-beds, 10 two-beds and five three-beds). Provision of 23 car-parking spaces. Applicant: William Montgomery and Vincent Marsland.
Dublin City Council
APPLICATIONS
Location: 10-12 Lansdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Proposed development: demolish three-storey office building for an office block from one to six storeys all over one lower ground and one basement level. Office space from lower ground floor to fifth floor level. Provision of 15 car-parking spaces at basement level; courtyard at ground floor level and sunken courtyard at lower ground; landscaping and site works. Applicant: Irish Property Unit Management Services.
Location: site at junction of Balfe Road, Drimnagh Road and Walkinstown Road, Dublin 12. Proposed development: demolish two bank buildings and two factory buildings for a two-storey bank fronting onto Walkinstown Road, a two-storey supermarket fronting onto Walkinstown Road and Balfe Road with parking, 45 apartments (eight one-beds, 31 two-beds and six three-beds) and 150 car-parking spaces. The scheme is from three to five storeys. Applicant: Dundalk SRH Ltd.
Location: 12/13 Dorset Street Upper, Dublin 1. Proposed development: demolish 12 Upper Dorset Street (protected structure) - gable and front façade to be retained - and complete demolition of 13 Upper Dorset Street for a residential/medical consultant use in a five-storey block with eight two-bed apartments. Applicant: Shane Murphy.
Location: 1-3 East Road, Dublin 3. Proposed development: total of 69,777sq m (751,073sq ft) comprising a hotel, offices, retail and café/restaurant in four blocks from four to 15 storeys. Block A: six-storey building with 165-bedroom hotel with restaurant, bar, meeting room and conference room. Block B: 15-storey building with retail floor space, café/restaurant facilities, office reception area, ancillary areas and offices. Block C: eight storeys with a restaurant, offices, reception area, auditorium, staff canteen, ancillary areas and office accommodation. Block D: four/six storeys with a central atrium incorporating office reception area, ancillary areas and offices. The four blocks will be above a shared two-storey basement car-park with 770 spaces. Applicant: Villeer Developments.
Location: site designated as 5B Shangan Avenue, bounded by Shangan Green to the north, Shangan Gardens to the east, Whitcare Park and residential estate to the south, 1-56 Shangan Avenue, Ballymun, Dublin 9. Proposed development: 57 residential units from one to three storeys and consisting of 25 apartments, one duplex and 31 terraced houses. Provision of 85 car-parking spaces at surface level, site and landscaping works. Applicant: Ballymun Regeneration Ltd.
South Dublin
APPLICATIONS
Location: Woodstown Manor, Stocking Lane, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14. Proposed development: 100 retirement units within four three-storey blocks; three two-storey blocks and 25 single storey units. The accommodation comprises 59 two-bed retirement units, four one-bed units, 12 two-bed duplex units and 25 two-bed single storey detached and semi-detached units. Refurbish Woodstown Manor and new build single storey extension to provide ancillary facilities, restaurant, health and well being centre. Provision of 155 surface car-parking spaces. The demolition of single storey derelict house and outbuildings. Applicant: Mountbrook Group.
Fingal
APPLICATIONS
Location: Rowlestown, Swords, Co Dublin. Proposed development: 40 dwellings comprising 23 three-bed semis, two three-bed detached bungalows, seven four-bed semis, five four-bed detached houses, three five-bed detached houses, site works and landscaping. Applicant: Eastern Homes Ltd.
DECISION TO GRANT
Location: Deerpark House and Fawn Lodge, Castleknock Road, Dublin 15. Proposed development: demolish house and outhouses/stables for a three-storey block with 18 apartments (five two-beds and one three-bed at ground floor, first floor and second floor level). Car-parking, landscaping and site works. Applicant: Fiancon Builders Ltd.
DECISION TO REFUSE
Location: townland of Lanestown, Donabate, Co Dublin. Proposed development: warehousing distribution centre with 66,629sq m (717,188sq ft) to include administration offices, training centre, meeting rooms, communication rooms, rest rooms, kitchen and restaurant. Provision of 595 car-parking spaces; 252 truck/trailer parking spaces; 61 loading docks; 27,000-litre diesel oil tank and 36,000-litre gas oil tanks; vehicle maintenance building; workshop/battery charging area; site security building; landscaping and boundary treatment. Applicant: Dunnes Stores.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Planning & Development
An Bord Pleanála
APPEALS
Location: 18 Exchange Street Upper, Dublin 8. Proposed development: demolish structures for a 12-storey 44-room hotel. Applicant: Accol Investments Ltd. Appellant(s): Colm MacEochaidh, An Taisce.
Location: 30-33 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (protected structure). Proposed development: demolish office space to rear for a five-storey office; change of use to retail of part of ground floor and site works. Applicant: The O'Shea Partnership. Appellant(s): Miley and Miley Hurstview Ltd and the Molesworth Partnership, The O'Shea Partnership, Spinoff Ltd.
Location: Muldowneys Lounge/Bar, Main Street, Rathcoole, Co Dublin. Proposed development: demolish pub, business centre, cottages and outbuildings for seven houses, 68 apartments, a pub and two retail/food stores. Applicant: Frank and Mark Smith. Appellant(s): Department of Defence.
Location: The Glen, Glenamuck Road, Carrickmines, Dublin 18. Proposed development: demolish house and outbuildings for 49 apartments with site works. Applicant: James Rossiter. Appellant(s): Ian Murphy.
Location: land at Aiken Village, the house formally known as Greenacres, Hillcrest Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18. Proposed development: demolish house for 146 apartments with car-parking, site works and landscaping. Applicant: Highland Estates Ltd. Appellant(s): Phillip and Louise Volschenk and Georgina Kickham.
Location: Assumption Convent, Assumption Court, Mount Argus Road, Dublin 6W. Proposed development: demolish convent building and garage for 15 apartments with site works. Applicant: Little Sisters of the Assumption. Appellant(s): Residents of Church Park Avenue.
Location: former Shell station, Parnell Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12. Proposed development: demolish buildings for 19 apartments and a medical consultants office. Applicant: Mark Carroll and Vincent Byrne. Appellant(s): Josephine Kelly.
Location: University Hall, Hatch Street Lower, Dublin 2. Proposed development: refurbish and change of use from residential/educational to residential use, comprising the demolition of existing section and erection of a six-storey building and 36 apartments. Applicant: Edward Residential Assets Ltd. Appellant(s): Fr M Curry, S.J. Superior, John O'Keeffe S.J. Superior.
Location: Alexandra College, Milltown Road, Dublin 6. Proposed development: two-storey over semi-basement building comprising sports hall, associated facilities and site works. Applicant: The Council of Alexandra College. Appellant(s): Sandra Coughlan, Marion Masterson, The Council of Alexandra College.
Location: north-eastern portion of former Bray Golf Club lands and part of Industrial Yarns site, Bray, Co Dublin. Proposed development: 348 residential units, retail, car-parking, demolition of outbuildings, new access off the Dublin Road and site works. Applicant: Pizarro Developments Ltd. Appellant(s): Joanne Connolly, Pizarro Developments, Zapi Properties Ltd.
Location: former Bray Golf Club lands, Bray, Co Wicklow. Proposed development: 603 residential units with community and commercial elements. Applicant: Pizarro Developments Ltd. Appellant(s): Joanne Connolly, S.W.A.P, Pizarro Developments Ltd, Bray Retail Group, Maeve and Colm McCormack, Bryan Glynn and Emer Woodfull, Declan and Celia Lavelle, Zapi Properties Ltd, Ciaran O'Brian.
DECISION TO GRANT
Location: National Autoparts and O'Brien Ltd, Camac Close, Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8. Proposed development: demolish buildings for 126 apartments, four live/work units, retail and site works. Applicant: The Camac Close Partnership (with revised conditions).
Location: phase two, Cornerpark, Newcastle, Co Dublin. Proposed development: 98 houses, 23 apartments, five duplex units, crèche and Montessori buildings with 195 car-parking spaces and site works. Applicant: Opus Developments Ltd (with revised conditions).
Location: Coolamber, Lock Road, Finnstown, Lucan, Co Dublin. Proposed development: demolish house for 59 houses, 17 apartments and site works. Applicant: Niall Molloy T/A Finnstown Co Ownership (with revised conditions).
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown
DECISION TO REFUSE
Location: Ards, Cartref and Foxley, Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. Proposed development: demolish Cartref and Ards and associated outhouses for 127 apartments, penthouses and duplex units in four buildings with underground car-parking for 139 cars and 35 surface parking spaces. Block 1: two storeys with 34 residential units. Block 2: three and part four storeys with 27 units. Block 3: five storeys with 42 residential units. Block 4: four storeys with 24 residential units. The development will also include a wellness centre. The existing house at "Foxley" is to be retained and the rear garden to be shortened. Applicant: The CARDS Partnership.
Location: Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. Proposed development: 82 residential units in a building from five to eight storeys. The residential units will comprise 14 one-beds, 56 two-beds and 12 three-beds). Provision of a 156sq m (1,679sq ft) crèche building and 134 car-parking spaces, landscaping and site works. Applicant: Cornick Developments Ltd.
Location: Castle Court, Whitehall Road, Churchtown, Dublin 14. Proposed development: detached three-storey apartment building comprising 20 units (six one-beds, nine two-beds and five three-beds); 27 car-parking spaces at basement level and site works. Applicant: Kellyville Ltd.
Location: Texaco Service Station, Churchtown Road Upper, Dublin 14. Proposed development: medical centre and pharmacy with 11 car-parking spaces at surface level and 38 car-parking spaces at basement level. The 327sq m (3,520sq ft) medical centre will comprising eight treatment rooms and 157sq m (1,690sq ft) of pharmacy use at ground floor level, 180sq m (1,938sq ft) of dental/medical treatment use comprising four treatment rooms, 120sq m (1,292sq ft) physiotherapy studio with four physiotherapy rooms and a 60sq m (646sq ft) work-out studio at first floor level and two open-plan offices. Associated site works. Applicant: M Cox, R Power, A Mehtar and M Mehigan.
Location: Leigh House and Arcot on the corner of Newtownpark Avenue and Holly Park Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Proposed development: demolish two houses for a three-storey apartment block with 18 units (three one-beds, 10 two-beds and five three-beds). Provision of 23 car-parking spaces. Applicant: William Montgomery and Vincent Marsland.
Dublin City Council
APPLICATIONS
Location: 10-12 Lansdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Proposed development: demolish three-storey office building for an office block from one to six storeys all over one lower ground and one basement level. Office space from lower ground floor to fifth floor level. Provision of 15 car-parking spaces at basement level; courtyard at ground floor level and sunken courtyard at lower ground; landscaping and site works. Applicant: Irish Property Unit Management Services.
Location: site at junction of Balfe Road, Drimnagh Road and Walkinstown Road, Dublin 12. Proposed development: demolish two bank buildings and two factory buildings for a two-storey bank fronting onto Walkinstown Road, a two-storey supermarket fronting onto Walkinstown Road and Balfe Road with parking, 45 apartments (eight one-beds, 31 two-beds and six three-beds) and 150 car-parking spaces. The scheme is from three to five storeys. Applicant: Dundalk SRH Ltd.
Location: 12/13 Dorset Street Upper, Dublin 1. Proposed development: demolish 12 Upper Dorset Street (protected structure) - gable and front façade to be retained - and complete demolition of 13 Upper Dorset Street for a residential/medical consultant use in a five-storey block with eight two-bed apartments. Applicant: Shane Murphy.
Location: 1-3 East Road, Dublin 3. Proposed development: total of 69,777sq m (751,073sq ft) comprising a hotel, offices, retail and café/restaurant in four blocks from four to 15 storeys. Block A: six-storey building with 165-bedroom hotel with restaurant, bar, meeting room and conference room. Block B: 15-storey building with retail floor space, café/restaurant facilities, office reception area, ancillary areas and offices. Block C: eight storeys with a restaurant, offices, reception area, auditorium, staff canteen, ancillary areas and office accommodation. Block D: four/six storeys with a central atrium incorporating office reception area, ancillary areas and offices. The four blocks will be above a shared two-storey basement car-park with 770 spaces. Applicant: Villeer Developments.
Location: site designated as 5B Shangan Avenue, bounded by Shangan Green to the north, Shangan Gardens to the east, Whitcare Park and residential estate to the south, 1-56 Shangan Avenue, Ballymun, Dublin 9. Proposed development: 57 residential units from one to three storeys and consisting of 25 apartments, one duplex and 31 terraced houses. Provision of 85 car-parking spaces at surface level, site and landscaping works. Applicant: Ballymun Regeneration Ltd.
South Dublin
APPLICATIONS
Location: Woodstown Manor, Stocking Lane, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14. Proposed development: 100 retirement units within four three-storey blocks; three two-storey blocks and 25 single storey units. The accommodation comprises 59 two-bed retirement units, four one-bed units, 12 two-bed duplex units and 25 two-bed single storey detached and semi-detached units. Refurbish Woodstown Manor and new build single storey extension to provide ancillary facilities, restaurant, health and well being centre. Provision of 155 surface car-parking spaces. The demolition of single storey derelict house and outbuildings. Applicant: Mountbrook Group.
Fingal
APPLICATIONS
Location: Rowlestown, Swords, Co Dublin. Proposed development: 40 dwellings comprising 23 three-bed semis, two three-bed detached bungalows, seven four-bed semis, five four-bed detached houses, three five-bed detached houses, site works and landscaping. Applicant: Eastern Homes Ltd.
DECISION TO GRANT
Location: Deerpark House and Fawn Lodge, Castleknock Road, Dublin 15. Proposed development: demolish house and outhouses/stables for a three-storey block with 18 apartments (five two-beds and one three-bed at ground floor, first floor and second floor level). Car-parking, landscaping and site works. Applicant: Fiancon Builders Ltd.
DECISION TO REFUSE
Location: townland of Lanestown, Donabate, Co Dublin. Proposed development: warehousing distribution centre with 66,629sq m (717,188sq ft) to include administration offices, training centre, meeting rooms, communication rooms, rest rooms, kitchen and restaurant. Provision of 595 car-parking spaces; 252 truck/trailer parking spaces; 61 loading docks; 27,000-litre diesel oil tank and 36,000-litre gas oil tanks; vehicle maintenance building; workshop/battery charging area; site security building; landscaping and boundary treatment. Applicant: Dunnes Stores.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
APPEALS
Location: 18 Exchange Street Upper, Dublin 8. Proposed development: demolish structures for a 12-storey 44-room hotel. Applicant: Accol Investments Ltd. Appellant(s): Colm MacEochaidh, An Taisce.
Location: 30-33 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (protected structure). Proposed development: demolish office space to rear for a five-storey office; change of use to retail of part of ground floor and site works. Applicant: The O'Shea Partnership. Appellant(s): Miley and Miley Hurstview Ltd and the Molesworth Partnership, The O'Shea Partnership, Spinoff Ltd.
Location: Muldowneys Lounge/Bar, Main Street, Rathcoole, Co Dublin. Proposed development: demolish pub, business centre, cottages and outbuildings for seven houses, 68 apartments, a pub and two retail/food stores. Applicant: Frank and Mark Smith. Appellant(s): Department of Defence.
Location: The Glen, Glenamuck Road, Carrickmines, Dublin 18. Proposed development: demolish house and outbuildings for 49 apartments with site works. Applicant: James Rossiter. Appellant(s): Ian Murphy.
Location: land at Aiken Village, the house formally known as Greenacres, Hillcrest Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18. Proposed development: demolish house for 146 apartments with car-parking, site works and landscaping. Applicant: Highland Estates Ltd. Appellant(s): Phillip and Louise Volschenk and Georgina Kickham.
Location: Assumption Convent, Assumption Court, Mount Argus Road, Dublin 6W. Proposed development: demolish convent building and garage for 15 apartments with site works. Applicant: Little Sisters of the Assumption. Appellant(s): Residents of Church Park Avenue.
Location: former Shell station, Parnell Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12. Proposed development: demolish buildings for 19 apartments and a medical consultants office. Applicant: Mark Carroll and Vincent Byrne. Appellant(s): Josephine Kelly.
Location: University Hall, Hatch Street Lower, Dublin 2. Proposed development: refurbish and change of use from residential/educational to residential use, comprising the demolition of existing section and erection of a six-storey building and 36 apartments. Applicant: Edward Residential Assets Ltd. Appellant(s): Fr M Curry, S.J. Superior, John O'Keeffe S.J. Superior.
Location: Alexandra College, Milltown Road, Dublin 6. Proposed development: two-storey over semi-basement building comprising sports hall, associated facilities and site works. Applicant: The Council of Alexandra College. Appellant(s): Sandra Coughlan, Marion Masterson, The Council of Alexandra College.
Location: north-eastern portion of former Bray Golf Club lands and part of Industrial Yarns site, Bray, Co Dublin. Proposed development: 348 residential units, retail, car-parking, demolition of outbuildings, new access off the Dublin Road and site works. Applicant: Pizarro Developments Ltd. Appellant(s): Joanne Connolly, Pizarro Developments, Zapi Properties Ltd.
Location: former Bray Golf Club lands, Bray, Co Wicklow. Proposed development: 603 residential units with community and commercial elements. Applicant: Pizarro Developments Ltd. Appellant(s): Joanne Connolly, S.W.A.P, Pizarro Developments Ltd, Bray Retail Group, Maeve and Colm McCormack, Bryan Glynn and Emer Woodfull, Declan and Celia Lavelle, Zapi Properties Ltd, Ciaran O'Brian.
DECISION TO GRANT
Location: National Autoparts and O'Brien Ltd, Camac Close, Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8. Proposed development: demolish buildings for 126 apartments, four live/work units, retail and site works. Applicant: The Camac Close Partnership (with revised conditions).
Location: phase two, Cornerpark, Newcastle, Co Dublin. Proposed development: 98 houses, 23 apartments, five duplex units, crèche and Montessori buildings with 195 car-parking spaces and site works. Applicant: Opus Developments Ltd (with revised conditions).
Location: Coolamber, Lock Road, Finnstown, Lucan, Co Dublin. Proposed development: demolish house for 59 houses, 17 apartments and site works. Applicant: Niall Molloy T/A Finnstown Co Ownership (with revised conditions).
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown
DECISION TO REFUSE
Location: Ards, Cartref and Foxley, Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. Proposed development: demolish Cartref and Ards and associated outhouses for 127 apartments, penthouses and duplex units in four buildings with underground car-parking for 139 cars and 35 surface parking spaces. Block 1: two storeys with 34 residential units. Block 2: three and part four storeys with 27 units. Block 3: five storeys with 42 residential units. Block 4: four storeys with 24 residential units. The development will also include a wellness centre. The existing house at "Foxley" is to be retained and the rear garden to be shortened. Applicant: The CARDS Partnership.
Location: Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. Proposed development: 82 residential units in a building from five to eight storeys. The residential units will comprise 14 one-beds, 56 two-beds and 12 three-beds). Provision of a 156sq m (1,679sq ft) crèche building and 134 car-parking spaces, landscaping and site works. Applicant: Cornick Developments Ltd.
Location: Castle Court, Whitehall Road, Churchtown, Dublin 14. Proposed development: detached three-storey apartment building comprising 20 units (six one-beds, nine two-beds and five three-beds); 27 car-parking spaces at basement level and site works. Applicant: Kellyville Ltd.
Location: Texaco Service Station, Churchtown Road Upper, Dublin 14. Proposed development: medical centre and pharmacy with 11 car-parking spaces at surface level and 38 car-parking spaces at basement level. The 327sq m (3,520sq ft) medical centre will comprising eight treatment rooms and 157sq m (1,690sq ft) of pharmacy use at ground floor level, 180sq m (1,938sq ft) of dental/medical treatment use comprising four treatment rooms, 120sq m (1,292sq ft) physiotherapy studio with four physiotherapy rooms and a 60sq m (646sq ft) work-out studio at first floor level and two open-plan offices. Associated site works. Applicant: M Cox, R Power, A Mehtar and M Mehigan.
Location: Leigh House and Arcot on the corner of Newtownpark Avenue and Holly Park Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Proposed development: demolish two houses for a three-storey apartment block with 18 units (three one-beds, 10 two-beds and five three-beds). Provision of 23 car-parking spaces. Applicant: William Montgomery and Vincent Marsland.
Dublin City Council
APPLICATIONS
Location: 10-12 Lansdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Proposed development: demolish three-storey office building for an office block from one to six storeys all over one lower ground and one basement level. Office space from lower ground floor to fifth floor level. Provision of 15 car-parking spaces at basement level; courtyard at ground floor level and sunken courtyard at lower ground; landscaping and site works. Applicant: Irish Property Unit Management Services.
Location: site at junction of Balfe Road, Drimnagh Road and Walkinstown Road, Dublin 12. Proposed development: demolish two bank buildings and two factory buildings for a two-storey bank fronting onto Walkinstown Road, a two-storey supermarket fronting onto Walkinstown Road and Balfe Road with parking, 45 apartments (eight one-beds, 31 two-beds and six three-beds) and 150 car-parking spaces. The scheme is from three to five storeys. Applicant: Dundalk SRH Ltd.
Location: 12/13 Dorset Street Upper, Dublin 1. Proposed development: demolish 12 Upper Dorset Street (protected structure) - gable and front façade to be retained - and complete demolition of 13 Upper Dorset Street for a residential/medical consultant use in a five-storey block with eight two-bed apartments. Applicant: Shane Murphy.
Location: 1-3 East Road, Dublin 3. Proposed development: total of 69,777sq m (751,073sq ft) comprising a hotel, offices, retail and café/restaurant in four blocks from four to 15 storeys. Block A: six-storey building with 165-bedroom hotel with restaurant, bar, meeting room and conference room. Block B: 15-storey building with retail floor space, café/restaurant facilities, office reception area, ancillary areas and offices. Block C: eight storeys with a restaurant, offices, reception area, auditorium, staff canteen, ancillary areas and office accommodation. Block D: four/six storeys with a central atrium incorporating office reception area, ancillary areas and offices. The four blocks will be above a shared two-storey basement car-park with 770 spaces. Applicant: Villeer Developments.
Location: site designated as 5B Shangan Avenue, bounded by Shangan Green to the north, Shangan Gardens to the east, Whitcare Park and residential estate to the south, 1-56 Shangan Avenue, Ballymun, Dublin 9. Proposed development: 57 residential units from one to three storeys and consisting of 25 apartments, one duplex and 31 terraced houses. Provision of 85 car-parking spaces at surface level, site and landscaping works. Applicant: Ballymun Regeneration Ltd.
South Dublin
APPLICATIONS
Location: Woodstown Manor, Stocking Lane, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14. Proposed development: 100 retirement units within four three-storey blocks; three two-storey blocks and 25 single storey units. The accommodation comprises 59 two-bed retirement units, four one-bed units, 12 two-bed duplex units and 25 two-bed single storey detached and semi-detached units. Refurbish Woodstown Manor and new build single storey extension to provide ancillary facilities, restaurant, health and well being centre. Provision of 155 surface car-parking spaces. The demolition of single storey derelict house and outbuildings. Applicant: Mountbrook Group.
Fingal
APPLICATIONS
Location: Rowlestown, Swords, Co Dublin. Proposed development: 40 dwellings comprising 23 three-bed semis, two three-bed detached bungalows, seven four-bed semis, five four-bed detached houses, three five-bed detached houses, site works and landscaping. Applicant: Eastern Homes Ltd.
DECISION TO GRANT
Location: Deerpark House and Fawn Lodge, Castleknock Road, Dublin 15. Proposed development: demolish house and outhouses/stables for a three-storey block with 18 apartments (five two-beds and one three-bed at ground floor, first floor and second floor level). Car-parking, landscaping and site works. Applicant: Fiancon Builders Ltd.
DECISION TO REFUSE
Location: townland of Lanestown, Donabate, Co Dublin. Proposed development: warehousing distribution centre with 66,629sq m (717,188sq ft) to include administration offices, training centre, meeting rooms, communication rooms, rest rooms, kitchen and restaurant. Provision of 595 car-parking spaces; 252 truck/trailer parking spaces; 61 loading docks; 27,000-litre diesel oil tank and 36,000-litre gas oil tanks; vehicle maintenance building; workshop/battery charging area; site security building; landscaping and boundary treatment. Applicant: Dunnes Stores.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Grehan to lodge plans for landmark Howth site
PLANS FOR a luxury waterfront apartment scheme at the old Techrete site in Howth will shortly be lodged with Fingal County Council.
Ray Grehan's Glenkerrin Homes is finalising proposals for the 10-acre site which encompasses the Techrete site and the adjoining Teeling Motors site adjacent to Claremont Strand.
Glenkerrin paid €50 million for the 5.8-acre Techrete site last year when the building supplies firm Techrete decided to relocate to Balbriggan. Grehan later purchased the adjoining Teeling site.
At the time the waterfront site was billed as one of the most valuable pieces of undeveloped land in north Co Dublin.
Glenkerrin plans to build apartments, a boutique hotel, shops, offices and a leisure centre on the site.
The site has mixed-use zoning and, given its proximity to the Dart, Glenkerrin is likely to seek permission for over 500 residential units on the site.
The scheme is being designed by world-renowned architects Foster + Partner. The architecture firm has also designed Glenkerrin's 63-storey tower planned for London's docklands as well as the developer's large mixed-use Ealing Leaf scheme in Ealing, west London. In a statement issued yesterday, the developer said it is working with the local authority to develop two acres of public park and tennis courts close to the site. A new bridge allowing access to Claremount Strand and an upgraded promenade are also under negotiation.
The scheme will rejuvenate the village of Howth, according to the developer, who says that population in Howth fell by 6 per cent between 2002 and 2006.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Ray Grehan's Glenkerrin Homes is finalising proposals for the 10-acre site which encompasses the Techrete site and the adjoining Teeling Motors site adjacent to Claremont Strand.
Glenkerrin paid €50 million for the 5.8-acre Techrete site last year when the building supplies firm Techrete decided to relocate to Balbriggan. Grehan later purchased the adjoining Teeling site.
At the time the waterfront site was billed as one of the most valuable pieces of undeveloped land in north Co Dublin.
Glenkerrin plans to build apartments, a boutique hotel, shops, offices and a leisure centre on the site.
The site has mixed-use zoning and, given its proximity to the Dart, Glenkerrin is likely to seek permission for over 500 residential units on the site.
The scheme is being designed by world-renowned architects Foster + Partner. The architecture firm has also designed Glenkerrin's 63-storey tower planned for London's docklands as well as the developer's large mixed-use Ealing Leaf scheme in Ealing, west London. In a statement issued yesterday, the developer said it is working with the local authority to develop two acres of public park and tennis courts close to the site. A new bridge allowing access to Claremount Strand and an upgraded promenade are also under negotiation.
The scheme will rejuvenate the village of Howth, according to the developer, who says that population in Howth fell by 6 per cent between 2002 and 2006.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Grehan to lodge plans for landmark Howth site
PLANS FOR a luxury waterfront apartment scheme at the old Techrete site in Howth will shortly be lodged with Fingal County Council.
Ray Grehan's Glenkerrin Homes is finalising proposals for the 10-acre site which encompasses the Techrete site and the adjoining Teeling Motors site adjacent to Claremont Strand.
Glenkerrin paid €50 million for the 5.8-acre Techrete site last year when the building supplies firm Techrete decided to relocate to Balbriggan. Grehan later purchased the adjoining Teeling site.
At the time the waterfront site was billed as one of the most valuable pieces of undeveloped land in north Co Dublin.
Glenkerrin plans to build apartments, a boutique hotel, shops, offices and a leisure centre on the site.
The site has mixed-use zoning and, given its proximity to the Dart, Glenkerrin is likely to seek permission for over 500 residential units on the site.
The scheme is being designed by world-renowned architects Foster + Partner. The architecture firm has also designed Glenkerrin's 63-storey tower planned for London's docklands as well as the developer's large mixed-use Ealing Leaf scheme in Ealing, west London. In a statement issued yesterday, the developer said it is working with the local authority to develop two acres of public park and tennis courts close to the site. A new bridge allowing access to Claremount Strand and an upgraded promenade are also under negotiation.
The scheme will rejuvenate the village of Howth, according to the developer, who says that population in Howth fell by 6 per cent between 2002 and 2006.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Ray Grehan's Glenkerrin Homes is finalising proposals for the 10-acre site which encompasses the Techrete site and the adjoining Teeling Motors site adjacent to Claremont Strand.
Glenkerrin paid €50 million for the 5.8-acre Techrete site last year when the building supplies firm Techrete decided to relocate to Balbriggan. Grehan later purchased the adjoining Teeling site.
At the time the waterfront site was billed as one of the most valuable pieces of undeveloped land in north Co Dublin.
Glenkerrin plans to build apartments, a boutique hotel, shops, offices and a leisure centre on the site.
The site has mixed-use zoning and, given its proximity to the Dart, Glenkerrin is likely to seek permission for over 500 residential units on the site.
The scheme is being designed by world-renowned architects Foster + Partner. The architecture firm has also designed Glenkerrin's 63-storey tower planned for London's docklands as well as the developer's large mixed-use Ealing Leaf scheme in Ealing, west London. In a statement issued yesterday, the developer said it is working with the local authority to develop two acres of public park and tennis courts close to the site. A new bridge allowing access to Claremount Strand and an upgraded promenade are also under negotiation.
The scheme will rejuvenate the village of Howth, according to the developer, who says that population in Howth fell by 6 per cent between 2002 and 2006.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Council rejects residential schemes in Cabinteely
DÚN LAOGHAIRE-Rathdown County Council has refused planning permission for two residential schemes on the Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, Co Dublin.
The Cards Partnership was proposing a scheme of 127 apartments and duplexes on the grounds of Ards and Cartref, two houses that they were looking to demolish. The development would have been in four blocks rising to five storeys.
The council said that the existing road network doesn't have the capacity to cater for the scale and density of development and that the applicant had not demonstrated that the proposed development can be accommodated at this location.
It added that the scale and density would result in "unacceptable traffic congestion" in Cabinteely village.
In July 2005 the partnership paid a total of €8.9 million for the 2.85-acre site when it bought two adjoining houses on the Old Bray Road.
Cornick Developments was also refused permission by the council for an 82-unit residential scheme on a site on the Old Bray Road.
According to the council, because the site occupies a very prominent position overlooking the N11, "a high quality, imaginative and site specific design" would be required in order "to successfully accommodate a new development into the existing streetscape. In this instance the planning authority is not satisfied that these criteria have been met."
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Cards Partnership was proposing a scheme of 127 apartments and duplexes on the grounds of Ards and Cartref, two houses that they were looking to demolish. The development would have been in four blocks rising to five storeys.
The council said that the existing road network doesn't have the capacity to cater for the scale and density of development and that the applicant had not demonstrated that the proposed development can be accommodated at this location.
It added that the scale and density would result in "unacceptable traffic congestion" in Cabinteely village.
In July 2005 the partnership paid a total of €8.9 million for the 2.85-acre site when it bought two adjoining houses on the Old Bray Road.
Cornick Developments was also refused permission by the council for an 82-unit residential scheme on a site on the Old Bray Road.
According to the council, because the site occupies a very prominent position overlooking the N11, "a high quality, imaginative and site specific design" would be required in order "to successfully accommodate a new development into the existing streetscape. In this instance the planning authority is not satisfied that these criteria have been met."
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Redevelopment of Rathcoole pub poses risk to aircraft at Baldonnel says Department of Defence
THE DEPARTMENT of Defence has appealed a proposal to redevelop Muldowneys bar in Rathcoole, Co Dublin, into a four-storey residential and retail development to An Bord Pleanála because it could pose a risk “to aircraft approaching and departing Casement Aerodrome at Baldonnel”.
Frank and Mark Smith are looking to demolish the pub and business centre, as well as cottages and outbuildings, and build 68 apartments,seven houses, a new pub and two shops in three blocks ranging from three to four storey developments..
The department says the proposed development is located within the safety cone for runway 05 at Casement Aerodrome “which conflicts with the Department of Defence’s safeguarding policy for Casement”. The appeal says that pilot training regularly occurs “with both novice and experienced pilots. It is the opinion of the Department that this development could pose a risk to aircraft approaching and departing Casement.
“This risk would also pose a threat to members of the public should an incident occur at the site in question,” says the appeal.
Right: Aer Corp officers at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel. Photograph: Alan Betson
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Frank and Mark Smith are looking to demolish the pub and business centre, as well as cottages and outbuildings, and build 68 apartments,seven houses, a new pub and two shops in three blocks ranging from three to four storey developments..
The department says the proposed development is located within the safety cone for runway 05 at Casement Aerodrome “which conflicts with the Department of Defence’s safeguarding policy for Casement”. The appeal says that pilot training regularly occurs “with both novice and experienced pilots. It is the opinion of the Department that this development could pose a risk to aircraft approaching and departing Casement.
“This risk would also pose a threat to members of the public should an incident occur at the site in question,” says the appeal.
Right: Aer Corp officers at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel. Photograph: Alan Betson
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Dermo delivers for D4 and D6
Given that much building work is now concentrated on home extensions, its hardly surprising that one-time architect Ruairí Quinn TD has joined with Labour councillor Dermot Lacey to deliver - to every home in their constituencies - what is grandly called Dermot Laceys Planning Guide.
Wondering how to make a planning application for an extension, asks Lacey? Or for a drive or a porch? Ditto. Got some vague idea of conversions of garages into livingrooms? Dermo of Dublin 4 and 6 has the answers. Actually, its a well produced colour brochure which instructs on above and offers advice on how to complete your planning applications and how to appeal if refused. In what is sure to be a well-read section, it also instructs on how to comment on other peoples' published plans and how to appeal against them.
We imagine that latter section will be much in demand by the plain people of Ballsbridge, given the proliferation of multi-millionaire developers who have swooped upon their back gardens in recent years.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Wondering how to make a planning application for an extension, asks Lacey? Or for a drive or a porch? Ditto. Got some vague idea of conversions of garages into livingrooms? Dermo of Dublin 4 and 6 has the answers. Actually, its a well produced colour brochure which instructs on above and offers advice on how to complete your planning applications and how to appeal if refused. In what is sure to be a well-read section, it also instructs on how to comment on other peoples' published plans and how to appeal against them.
We imagine that latter section will be much in demand by the plain people of Ballsbridge, given the proliferation of multi-millionaire developers who have swooped upon their back gardens in recent years.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
High hopes for Cork high rise
What have Big Ben, the Empire State building and the Eiffel Tower got in common? They’re all pretty tall and they all feature on the hoarding of Ireland’s latest high rise building, The Elysian, in Cork city centre.
Developers O’Flynn Construction have been keeping a tight wrap on the 17-storey project, which is now complete with 211 apartments ready to go along with shops and offices. A team of London interior decorators has been busy creating show units that are set to annihilate Cork at a lavish launch planned for the middle of September. Meanwhile teaser advertisements have begun to trickle out to whet the appetite but so far no prices have been set for the apartments which range from roomy one-beds to vast master-of-the-universe penthouses.
The timing may not be the best, but no doubt AIB, which is backing Elysian, will be encouraging its high net worth clients to invest in the high life.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Developers O’Flynn Construction have been keeping a tight wrap on the 17-storey project, which is now complete with 211 apartments ready to go along with shops and offices. A team of London interior decorators has been busy creating show units that are set to annihilate Cork at a lavish launch planned for the middle of September. Meanwhile teaser advertisements have begun to trickle out to whet the appetite but so far no prices have been set for the apartments which range from roomy one-beds to vast master-of-the-universe penthouses.
The timing may not be the best, but no doubt AIB, which is backing Elysian, will be encouraging its high net worth clients to invest in the high life.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
McManus gets permission to build lake on grounds of Limerick mansion
JP MCMANUS has been given permission to build a lake on the grounds of his new mansion in Martinstown, Co Limerick.
Limerick County Council was initially unhappy with the scale of the project. However, the local authority has since approved the development of a scaled-down lake.
The size of the lake for which planning permission has been approved is 5,500sq m, which is just under 1.25 acres.
Originally, the lake was to cover an area of 31,000sq m – almost 2½ times the size of Croke Park – and its border was to resemble that of the Limerick county boundary.
However, when plans for the lake were lodged with the county council earlier this year, planners said the size and shape of the lake would not blend into the local countryside.
The local authority requested that the applicant, Noreen McManus – Mr McManus’s wife – supply a revised version of the plan minimising the use of artificial embankments and using gently sloping grades. This week the council granted permission for the elaborate project subject to 11 conditions.
One of the conditions is that no motorised vehicles be used on the lake and that the proposed boathouse, which is to be constructed nearby, must not be used for any other activity apart from those relating to the lake.
Another condition is that no fish can be stocked in the lake without prior written approval of the planning authority.
The council also specifies that the proposed lake must not reduce the outflow to the nearby Knockannacarta stream.
The house is still under construction but is expected to be completed before the end of the year. The 40,000sq ft property has nine bedrooms and features a 200-seat cinema, gym with 18-metre pool, sauna, steam room and hot tubs, a vast wine cellar and a “panic room”.
The house, which resembles the stately homes built in the 17th and 18th centuries, is about 27 times the size of an average modern home.
Two years ago, Mr McManus gave the local Staker Wallace GAA grounds a substantial sum for its grounds and built a replacement venue for it nearby with a pavilion and playing pitches.
The original GAA ground had a very strategic view of the McManus estate.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Limerick County Council was initially unhappy with the scale of the project. However, the local authority has since approved the development of a scaled-down lake.
The size of the lake for which planning permission has been approved is 5,500sq m, which is just under 1.25 acres.
Originally, the lake was to cover an area of 31,000sq m – almost 2½ times the size of Croke Park – and its border was to resemble that of the Limerick county boundary.
However, when plans for the lake were lodged with the county council earlier this year, planners said the size and shape of the lake would not blend into the local countryside.
The local authority requested that the applicant, Noreen McManus – Mr McManus’s wife – supply a revised version of the plan minimising the use of artificial embankments and using gently sloping grades. This week the council granted permission for the elaborate project subject to 11 conditions.
One of the conditions is that no motorised vehicles be used on the lake and that the proposed boathouse, which is to be constructed nearby, must not be used for any other activity apart from those relating to the lake.
Another condition is that no fish can be stocked in the lake without prior written approval of the planning authority.
The council also specifies that the proposed lake must not reduce the outflow to the nearby Knockannacarta stream.
The house is still under construction but is expected to be completed before the end of the year. The 40,000sq ft property has nine bedrooms and features a 200-seat cinema, gym with 18-metre pool, sauna, steam room and hot tubs, a vast wine cellar and a “panic room”.
The house, which resembles the stately homes built in the 17th and 18th centuries, is about 27 times the size of an average modern home.
Two years ago, Mr McManus gave the local Staker Wallace GAA grounds a substantial sum for its grounds and built a replacement venue for it nearby with a pavilion and playing pitches.
The original GAA ground had a very strategic view of the McManus estate.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Conversations about architecture
One thing is certain, people in Ireland care deeply and passionately about their built environment. The demise in local character of our cities, towns and villages; concerns over energy security and the need to change the way we live and build; the desire to access more information on architecture; and a sense of exclusion from decision making - these were just some of the issues vigorously debated in a series of nationwide public consultations that took place in May and June. Conversations about Architecture were commissioned by the Department of the Environment and organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation to coincide with the current development of a new Policy on Architecture.
The Policy is being developed by the Department, overseen by a Steering Committee appointed by Minister Gormley and chaired by Professor Loughlin Kealy. Uniquely, the public consultation process took place prior to the release of a Draft Policy, which means that public opinion can significantly influence the content.
Over 200 consultations took place in eight locations throughout the country including Galway, Waterford,Cork, Limerick, Carrick-on-Shannon,Athlone, Swords (Fingal) and Dublin.The meetings were facilited by company Interactions.
I joined the Conversations in three of these venues: Limerick city, currently the focus of a major regeneration programme of its ailing social housing estates; Carrick-on Shannon, where holiday homes and one-off housing in the country side were hot topics; and Dublin which has seen dramatic changes in its urban infrastructure over the past decade and battles with issues such as building height and densification. Audiences were diverse and included members of the general public, local authority staff, members of regeneration committees, architects, students of architecture, as well as interest groups such as An Talsce and the Limerick Georgian Society.
The Dublin Conversation was opened by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley, TD who stayed for some time to listen on an exceptionally busy day in Irish politics - the day of the Lisbon Treaty Vote. The Minister stressed the importance of the two tier public consultation process, which includes public engagement both prior and after the drafting of the policy, saying that "it will provide the maximum level of public input into the key themes and issues which are emerging as the policy is being developed - this is not a fait compile". When asked by Architecture Ireland, which top issues he expects to emerge from the conversations, Minister Gormley said: "Energy awareness is the defining issue of our age and has to be worked into all of our buildings "He also emphasised that the "anything goes in rural architecture in Ireland needs urgent attention, as we compare very badly indeed with our European neighbours'.' Architecture and Sustainability
As predicted by Minister John Gormley, concerns over energy security were high on the agenda in Conversations about Architecture. "Ireland has been on an energy binge and as a result our carbon foot print is currently twice that of Sweden," said an attendee of the Dublin meeting, who specialises in eco architecture. The use of carbon taxes and tax incentives to promote the use of alternative energy sources was heavily discussed as was the need to educate clients to demand more sustainable buildings. "A building in Ireland does not have to be air-conditioned, yet many clients demand it," argued one contributor. The Conversations agreed that rising fuel prices are dramatically changing the patterns of our lives and pose a significant challenge to people wishing to live in one-off houses in the countryside.
However, the debate on whether one-off houses in the country were sustainable was a divided one in all three locations, Limerick, Carrick-on-Shannon and Dublin, with much criticism hailed at our urban environments, which fail to attract people into the cities. A young woman in Limerick lamented the fact that she was being prevented by current planning from building a house on her parents' farm. City living was simply not an option for her, as she argued: "We don't do cities well in Ireland, which is why there is a flight from the city to the land in Limerick"
The'rural idyll' was challenged by another contributor who said that rural dwellers were often cut off from essential services, which posed a particular problem for elderly people. Several attendees of the Dublin meeting agreed that cities were important places in modern life and that the European trend was for living in cities. "We have to make our cities better places" was the consensus in both Dublin and Limerick. However, the consultations also identified that we "can learn from our new immigrants how to use our cities and urban spaces "Several contributors in Limerick noted that it was encouraging to see how the Shannon quays, parks and urban squares were heavily used by young immigrant families, bringing much-needed life into the otherwise depopulated city centre. "Our cities are being energised by these new residents," was how one attendee described it.
In Carrick-on-Shannon a lively conversation focused on "poorly designed housing estates "that had "sprung up" in many locations in County Leitrim and a debate ensued whether it was more sustainable to retrofit these houses or simply replace them with new eco-homes. A popular holiday destination, Carrick-on-Shannon also faces a particular problem with the sprawl of holiday homes, many of which lay dormant for most of the year. "All around me are pockets of emptiness," was how one contributor hauntingly described his local environment.
Local Character
Concern over a growing lack of local identity and character in the built environment was one of the most heavily debated issues of these consultations. "We are using the same recipes for all our towns and villages" said one woman in Carrick-on-Shannon and criticised the fact that most housing estates ignored issues such as orientation, setting, local style and materials. "We would like to see something in the new Architecture Policy about the need for architecture to respect a locality "agreed people in Carrick-on-Shannon. A contributor to the Dublin meeting complained about the growing densification of certain areas in the city. He said he was "saddened" when a two-storey street was suddenly turned into a five-storey apartment building. "We may not have architectural knowledge but we all understand the loss of what makes a place special; the everyday is disappearing fast;said this attendee.
Contributors to the Conversations also had strong feelings about individual buildings in their locality. For example, the restored courthouse The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon - now a heavily programmed arts centre - was cited as a good example of how historic buildings can be adapted to new use, while the "anywhere character" of the local retail park and surrounding housing estates was condemned. The Dublin meeting also discussed how older buildings can be successfully re-used, even if they are not as energy efficient as new buildings, as they are essential to the character of an area, with Temple Bar being cited as a positive example. "We need to preserve buildings but also be creative with their new use" said one participant.
Education
Overall, the Conversations expressed a strong desire for more education in architecture people were willing to engage but felt they lacked the knowledge and tools to do so. "For most people the word architecture does not enter their vocabulary" was one statement in Carrick-on-Shannon, while another attendee describes architecture as an "opaque profession" All three meetings agreed that architectural education must start primary school level and a teacher based in a national school in one of Limerick's regeneration areas illustrated how she recently taught young children by inviting them to draw up plans for their immediate environment. The teacher criticised that the primary school children, who had developed "a lot of good ideas" were not consulted in the regeneration process. Contributors also condemned the lack of inspirational school buildings, with many schools being accommodated in porter cabins. "Do we need architecture in our schools, or do we need good school architecture?" was one poignant comment.
The conversations agreed that architectural education could not be left to the school curriculum alone but that it was necessary to educate the wider population. Initiatives such as the DoE's Heritage Week, the RIAI's Simon Open Day and the Irish Architecture Foundation's Open House weekend were all cited as good examples An architecture student at UL, who attended the Limerick meeting, said:"architecture was not taught in my school and I have a total different concept of it now. I realise that it is not just about designing a big iconic building."
Architecture and Planning
Many of the architects attending the meetings in Limerick, Carrickon-Shannon and Dublin criticised that the lack of architectural knowledge within local authorities was a big issue. Planners are not trained in architecture and are often ill-equipped to understand drawings, yet they make important decisions on the environment" said one architect, while another called for "architects, planners and engineers to work together to achieve better quality in our infrastructure "Several attendees blamed the fact that many local authorities in Ireland have not yet employed a city or county architect,although this had been an 'Action' in the last policy, Action on Architecture (2002-2005).The meetings were in agreement that local authority departments should work more closely together so that decisions that effect the built environment were taken by a multi-disciplinary team. "The structures in local authorities have to change to allow more collaboration," concluded the Dublin meeting.
For Nathalie Weadick, Director of the Irish Architecture Foundation, which organised Conversations about Architecture, the consultations were "an essential and vital opportunity to listen to the public, who are the users and developers of the built environment" Marc Ritchie Architecture Policy Coordinator with the DoEHLG, agrees that the Conversations have demonstrated that there is a considerable hunger for engagement with architecture/The feedback that we are getting is that people really appreciated that we were talking to them, particularly at a stage when the consultations can influence the writing of the new policy" says Ritchie. He also emphasises the importance of an architectural policy. "The Irish Architecture Foundation was established as a direct result of the last architectural policy, as Action on Architecture (2002-2005) had recommended the setting up of a virtual architecture centre" explains Ritchie.
Although the nationwide meetings have concluded, there is still an invaluable opportunity for architects and members of the public to contribute to the new Policy on Architecture by making submissions through the website www.conversationsaboutarchitecture.ie
"Architecture is everyday life, it affects us all and we all need to be able to share in it" was a comment that could be heard over and over again in these consultations. It will be a particular challenge for the new Policy on Architecture to find creative ways to ensure a wider participation in matters relating to architecture and our built in environment. '
Sandra Andrea O'Connell
Architecture Ireland
www.buckplanning.ie
The Policy is being developed by the Department, overseen by a Steering Committee appointed by Minister Gormley and chaired by Professor Loughlin Kealy. Uniquely, the public consultation process took place prior to the release of a Draft Policy, which means that public opinion can significantly influence the content.
Over 200 consultations took place in eight locations throughout the country including Galway, Waterford,Cork, Limerick, Carrick-on-Shannon,Athlone, Swords (Fingal) and Dublin.The meetings were facilited by company Interactions.
I joined the Conversations in three of these venues: Limerick city, currently the focus of a major regeneration programme of its ailing social housing estates; Carrick-on Shannon, where holiday homes and one-off housing in the country side were hot topics; and Dublin which has seen dramatic changes in its urban infrastructure over the past decade and battles with issues such as building height and densification. Audiences were diverse and included members of the general public, local authority staff, members of regeneration committees, architects, students of architecture, as well as interest groups such as An Talsce and the Limerick Georgian Society.
The Dublin Conversation was opened by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley, TD who stayed for some time to listen on an exceptionally busy day in Irish politics - the day of the Lisbon Treaty Vote. The Minister stressed the importance of the two tier public consultation process, which includes public engagement both prior and after the drafting of the policy, saying that "it will provide the maximum level of public input into the key themes and issues which are emerging as the policy is being developed - this is not a fait compile". When asked by Architecture Ireland, which top issues he expects to emerge from the conversations, Minister Gormley said: "Energy awareness is the defining issue of our age and has to be worked into all of our buildings "He also emphasised that the "anything goes in rural architecture in Ireland needs urgent attention, as we compare very badly indeed with our European neighbours'.' Architecture and Sustainability
As predicted by Minister John Gormley, concerns over energy security were high on the agenda in Conversations about Architecture. "Ireland has been on an energy binge and as a result our carbon foot print is currently twice that of Sweden," said an attendee of the Dublin meeting, who specialises in eco architecture. The use of carbon taxes and tax incentives to promote the use of alternative energy sources was heavily discussed as was the need to educate clients to demand more sustainable buildings. "A building in Ireland does not have to be air-conditioned, yet many clients demand it," argued one contributor. The Conversations agreed that rising fuel prices are dramatically changing the patterns of our lives and pose a significant challenge to people wishing to live in one-off houses in the countryside.
However, the debate on whether one-off houses in the country were sustainable was a divided one in all three locations, Limerick, Carrick-on-Shannon and Dublin, with much criticism hailed at our urban environments, which fail to attract people into the cities. A young woman in Limerick lamented the fact that she was being prevented by current planning from building a house on her parents' farm. City living was simply not an option for her, as she argued: "We don't do cities well in Ireland, which is why there is a flight from the city to the land in Limerick"
The'rural idyll' was challenged by another contributor who said that rural dwellers were often cut off from essential services, which posed a particular problem for elderly people. Several attendees of the Dublin meeting agreed that cities were important places in modern life and that the European trend was for living in cities. "We have to make our cities better places" was the consensus in both Dublin and Limerick. However, the consultations also identified that we "can learn from our new immigrants how to use our cities and urban spaces "Several contributors in Limerick noted that it was encouraging to see how the Shannon quays, parks and urban squares were heavily used by young immigrant families, bringing much-needed life into the otherwise depopulated city centre. "Our cities are being energised by these new residents," was how one attendee described it.
In Carrick-on-Shannon a lively conversation focused on "poorly designed housing estates "that had "sprung up" in many locations in County Leitrim and a debate ensued whether it was more sustainable to retrofit these houses or simply replace them with new eco-homes. A popular holiday destination, Carrick-on-Shannon also faces a particular problem with the sprawl of holiday homes, many of which lay dormant for most of the year. "All around me are pockets of emptiness," was how one contributor hauntingly described his local environment.
Local Character
Concern over a growing lack of local identity and character in the built environment was one of the most heavily debated issues of these consultations. "We are using the same recipes for all our towns and villages" said one woman in Carrick-on-Shannon and criticised the fact that most housing estates ignored issues such as orientation, setting, local style and materials. "We would like to see something in the new Architecture Policy about the need for architecture to respect a locality "agreed people in Carrick-on-Shannon. A contributor to the Dublin meeting complained about the growing densification of certain areas in the city. He said he was "saddened" when a two-storey street was suddenly turned into a five-storey apartment building. "We may not have architectural knowledge but we all understand the loss of what makes a place special; the everyday is disappearing fast;said this attendee.
Contributors to the Conversations also had strong feelings about individual buildings in their locality. For example, the restored courthouse The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon - now a heavily programmed arts centre - was cited as a good example of how historic buildings can be adapted to new use, while the "anywhere character" of the local retail park and surrounding housing estates was condemned. The Dublin meeting also discussed how older buildings can be successfully re-used, even if they are not as energy efficient as new buildings, as they are essential to the character of an area, with Temple Bar being cited as a positive example. "We need to preserve buildings but also be creative with their new use" said one participant.
Education
Overall, the Conversations expressed a strong desire for more education in architecture people were willing to engage but felt they lacked the knowledge and tools to do so. "For most people the word architecture does not enter their vocabulary" was one statement in Carrick-on-Shannon, while another attendee describes architecture as an "opaque profession" All three meetings agreed that architectural education must start primary school level and a teacher based in a national school in one of Limerick's regeneration areas illustrated how she recently taught young children by inviting them to draw up plans for their immediate environment. The teacher criticised that the primary school children, who had developed "a lot of good ideas" were not consulted in the regeneration process. Contributors also condemned the lack of inspirational school buildings, with many schools being accommodated in porter cabins. "Do we need architecture in our schools, or do we need good school architecture?" was one poignant comment.
The conversations agreed that architectural education could not be left to the school curriculum alone but that it was necessary to educate the wider population. Initiatives such as the DoE's Heritage Week, the RIAI's Simon Open Day and the Irish Architecture Foundation's Open House weekend were all cited as good examples An architecture student at UL, who attended the Limerick meeting, said:"architecture was not taught in my school and I have a total different concept of it now. I realise that it is not just about designing a big iconic building."
Architecture and Planning
Many of the architects attending the meetings in Limerick, Carrickon-Shannon and Dublin criticised that the lack of architectural knowledge within local authorities was a big issue. Planners are not trained in architecture and are often ill-equipped to understand drawings, yet they make important decisions on the environment" said one architect, while another called for "architects, planners and engineers to work together to achieve better quality in our infrastructure "Several attendees blamed the fact that many local authorities in Ireland have not yet employed a city or county architect,although this had been an 'Action' in the last policy, Action on Architecture (2002-2005).The meetings were in agreement that local authority departments should work more closely together so that decisions that effect the built environment were taken by a multi-disciplinary team. "The structures in local authorities have to change to allow more collaboration," concluded the Dublin meeting.
For Nathalie Weadick, Director of the Irish Architecture Foundation, which organised Conversations about Architecture, the consultations were "an essential and vital opportunity to listen to the public, who are the users and developers of the built environment" Marc Ritchie Architecture Policy Coordinator with the DoEHLG, agrees that the Conversations have demonstrated that there is a considerable hunger for engagement with architecture/The feedback that we are getting is that people really appreciated that we were talking to them, particularly at a stage when the consultations can influence the writing of the new policy" says Ritchie. He also emphasises the importance of an architectural policy. "The Irish Architecture Foundation was established as a direct result of the last architectural policy, as Action on Architecture (2002-2005) had recommended the setting up of a virtual architecture centre" explains Ritchie.
Although the nationwide meetings have concluded, there is still an invaluable opportunity for architects and members of the public to contribute to the new Policy on Architecture by making submissions through the website www.conversationsaboutarchitecture.ie
"Architecture is everyday life, it affects us all and we all need to be able to share in it" was a comment that could be heard over and over again in these consultations. It will be a particular challenge for the new Policy on Architecture to find creative ways to ensure a wider participation in matters relating to architecture and our built in environment. '
Sandra Andrea O'Connell
Architecture Ireland
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Locals call for review of housing development after flooding
PEOPLE living in one of the worst affected areas of the Newcastle West floods are calling on Limerick County Council to review a decision to grant planning permission for a leading housing development for lands that were flooded.
A private developer was given permission to develop on the lands at Dromindeel.
A number of objectors unsuccessfully appealed the council’s decision to An Bord Pleanála.
Despite a recommendation from their own senior planning inspector that the development should be refused permission, An Bord Pleanála gave it the go-ahead.
The inspector, Brendan Wyse, in his report to An Bord Pleanála in June 2007 set out four reasons why it should be refused planning.
He stated: “Having regard to the submissions made in connection with the application and the appeal, the board is not satisfied that the issue of flood risk has been adequately addressed.”
In rejecting their own inspector’s recommendation, An Bord Pleanála said the development would not give rise to an increased risk of flooding.
As part of the planning permission, a condition is that the level of the land be raised. The land was badly affected in the August 1 floods when the River Arra burst its banks.
Local people say that it is now imperative for the council to review the planning in view of what happened.
Tom McCarthy, who was one of those who appealed the council’s decision to An Bord Pleanála, said they have drawn up a petition which has been signed by about 80 people.
He said: “We are sending this petition to the county council and the OPW for inclusion in their reports on the floods.”
He said the council should acquire the land by compulsory purchase order and turn it into a local park.
He said: “A report on flooding carried out by the OPW some years ago said a public park should be provided in this part of the town and this park could be used to act as a flood plain also in the event of flooding.”
Mr McCarthy said that if houses are developed on the lands, it will make the Dromindeel area of Newcastle West more vulnerable in the event of flooding of the River Arra.
He said it was a matter of urgency, given what happened on August 1, that the use of the lands be reviewed and a plan drawn up to secure it’s future use as an open space.
Meanwhile, the clean up is still continuing in Newcastle West and the local Lions Club have set up an account in the local branch of AIB to provide financial relief for those worst affected by the floods.
Limerick County Council have commenced work on a report on the flooding and are consulting with all those affected.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
A private developer was given permission to develop on the lands at Dromindeel.
A number of objectors unsuccessfully appealed the council’s decision to An Bord Pleanála.
Despite a recommendation from their own senior planning inspector that the development should be refused permission, An Bord Pleanála gave it the go-ahead.
The inspector, Brendan Wyse, in his report to An Bord Pleanála in June 2007 set out four reasons why it should be refused planning.
He stated: “Having regard to the submissions made in connection with the application and the appeal, the board is not satisfied that the issue of flood risk has been adequately addressed.”
In rejecting their own inspector’s recommendation, An Bord Pleanála said the development would not give rise to an increased risk of flooding.
As part of the planning permission, a condition is that the level of the land be raised. The land was badly affected in the August 1 floods when the River Arra burst its banks.
Local people say that it is now imperative for the council to review the planning in view of what happened.
Tom McCarthy, who was one of those who appealed the council’s decision to An Bord Pleanála, said they have drawn up a petition which has been signed by about 80 people.
He said: “We are sending this petition to the county council and the OPW for inclusion in their reports on the floods.”
He said the council should acquire the land by compulsory purchase order and turn it into a local park.
He said: “A report on flooding carried out by the OPW some years ago said a public park should be provided in this part of the town and this park could be used to act as a flood plain also in the event of flooding.”
Mr McCarthy said that if houses are developed on the lands, it will make the Dromindeel area of Newcastle West more vulnerable in the event of flooding of the River Arra.
He said it was a matter of urgency, given what happened on August 1, that the use of the lands be reviewed and a plan drawn up to secure it’s future use as an open space.
Meanwhile, the clean up is still continuing in Newcastle West and the local Lions Club have set up an account in the local branch of AIB to provide financial relief for those worst affected by the floods.
Limerick County Council have commenced work on a report on the flooding and are consulting with all those affected.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Higgins says one-off houses can solve flooding
A RETURN to one-off housing in rural areas could solve urban flooding, according to Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins.
Record torrential rain this month, which caused flooding problems in many parts of the country, should provide for a re-examination of planning policies that limit one-off housing, Mr Higgins said.
The Department of the Environment's Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines made it more difficult for potential homeowners to get planning permission to build one-off housing in rural areas, according to Mr Higgins.
He said that earlier this year, Minister for the Environment John Gormley published draft planning guidelines which would force developers and local authorities to build homes close to shops and schools.
Mr Higgins said it is often impossible for people in rural areas to obtain planning permission for housing.
As a result, many rural applicants are left with no other option but to move to urban locations to find somewhere to live.
"It stands to reason that if you have a huge volume of concrete structures in a confined area with tarmacadam roadways in the current era of climate change, then flooding will occur," Mr Higgins said.
He said a relaxation of planning regulations in rural areas would not alone lead to a greater and manageable population dispersal but would also restrict flooding because of soil permeability.
"Modern technology has the capability to cater for the problems previously caused by pollution from septic tank sewage disposal."
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said the Minister would shortly publish guidelines that will ensure flood risk assessment becomes an integral part of the planning process. "Effective flood risk assessment within the planning process, good site selection and detailed design can ensure urban development proceeds without creating or exacerbating flood risk," he said.
In 2007, 30 per cent of residential plans granted permission were for single houses, usually located in rural areas, the spokesman said. "Ireland's planning authorities already operate a fairly flexible approach to rural settlement and urban and rural development trends are in proportion to the levels of population in urban and rural areas," he added.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Record torrential rain this month, which caused flooding problems in many parts of the country, should provide for a re-examination of planning policies that limit one-off housing, Mr Higgins said.
The Department of the Environment's Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines made it more difficult for potential homeowners to get planning permission to build one-off housing in rural areas, according to Mr Higgins.
He said that earlier this year, Minister for the Environment John Gormley published draft planning guidelines which would force developers and local authorities to build homes close to shops and schools.
Mr Higgins said it is often impossible for people in rural areas to obtain planning permission for housing.
As a result, many rural applicants are left with no other option but to move to urban locations to find somewhere to live.
"It stands to reason that if you have a huge volume of concrete structures in a confined area with tarmacadam roadways in the current era of climate change, then flooding will occur," Mr Higgins said.
He said a relaxation of planning regulations in rural areas would not alone lead to a greater and manageable population dispersal but would also restrict flooding because of soil permeability.
"Modern technology has the capability to cater for the problems previously caused by pollution from septic tank sewage disposal."
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said the Minister would shortly publish guidelines that will ensure flood risk assessment becomes an integral part of the planning process. "Effective flood risk assessment within the planning process, good site selection and detailed design can ensure urban development proceeds without creating or exacerbating flood risk," he said.
In 2007, 30 per cent of residential plans granted permission were for single houses, usually located in rural areas, the spokesman said. "Ireland's planning authorities already operate a fairly flexible approach to rural settlement and urban and rural development trends are in proportion to the levels of population in urban and rural areas," he added.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Ireland's population to reach 6.7m by 2060
The Republic of Ireland's population is expected to increase by 53 per cent to 6.7 million by the year 2060, according to figures released today by the European Commission.
The projections, compiled by Eurostat, the EU's statistics office, show that the strongest population growth in the EU will occur in Ireland, along with the UK, Cyprus and Luxembourg.
The figures estimate that a quarter of Ireland's population will be aged 65 or over by 2060, with one in ten aged 80 or older.
The UK will have the largest population in the EU with 77 million, followed by France at 72 million and Germany with 71 million. The overall population in the EU will increase until 2035 when it is estimated it will reach a peak of 521 million.
Bulgaria, Romania and Poland are projected to show a net drop in population by 2060.
The statistics indicate that all European countries will all witness ageing populations with economies becoming increasingly dependent on migrants in order to maintain the size of its working age population.
Across the EU, the proportion of working age people to the dependent elderly will go from 25 per cent now to 53 per cent in 2060.
Ireland bucks the trend, but only slightly, with the ratio of working age Irish people to OAPs going from 16per cent now to 43 per cent in 2060.
From 2015, projects indicate that annual deaths in the EU will outnumber the annual births and 'natural' population growth will cease.
It is anticipated from that point that Europe's population will only grow as a result of migration.
Age Action said the projections provide clear evidence of the need for the Government to begin planning for an ageing society.
"The figures show why it is so important that the Government starts planning and preparing now for an ageing population," Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said.
"We need to address issues such as pensions, services to enable older people remain living in their own
homes, transport and employment policies," he added.
Irishtimes.com
www.buckplanning.ie
The projections, compiled by Eurostat, the EU's statistics office, show that the strongest population growth in the EU will occur in Ireland, along with the UK, Cyprus and Luxembourg.
The figures estimate that a quarter of Ireland's population will be aged 65 or over by 2060, with one in ten aged 80 or older.
The UK will have the largest population in the EU with 77 million, followed by France at 72 million and Germany with 71 million. The overall population in the EU will increase until 2035 when it is estimated it will reach a peak of 521 million.
Bulgaria, Romania and Poland are projected to show a net drop in population by 2060.
The statistics indicate that all European countries will all witness ageing populations with economies becoming increasingly dependent on migrants in order to maintain the size of its working age population.
Across the EU, the proportion of working age people to the dependent elderly will go from 25 per cent now to 53 per cent in 2060.
Ireland bucks the trend, but only slightly, with the ratio of working age Irish people to OAPs going from 16per cent now to 43 per cent in 2060.
From 2015, projects indicate that annual deaths in the EU will outnumber the annual births and 'natural' population growth will cease.
It is anticipated from that point that Europe's population will only grow as a result of migration.
Age Action said the projections provide clear evidence of the need for the Government to begin planning for an ageing society.
"The figures show why it is so important that the Government starts planning and preparing now for an ageing population," Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said.
"We need to address issues such as pensions, services to enable older people remain living in their own
homes, transport and employment policies," he added.
Irishtimes.com
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 25 August 2008
Investigations underway into cause of Kerry mudslide
A company which began work on a wind farm on a mountain bog in north Kerry two weeks ago tonight said an independent investigation was being launched into the cause of a massive landslide which killed thousands of wild salmon and trout.
Tra Investments Limited in Tralee said geological experts would assess what led to a two kilometre long slick flowing off the Stacks Mountains polluting the most important water supplies.
The valuable rivers Smearlagh and Feale were badly affected with up to 3,000 salmon and sea trout killed by the liquid peat which blocked roads and swept away a bridge.
Kerry County Council and the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board are also carrying out separate investigations into what caused the mudslide and the extent of the damage.
In a statement, Tra Investments said initial site works for a windfarm, which many local people opposed, began only a fortnight ago.
“The company has offered full assistance to the authorities in helping those affected, and the local community,” it said.
It has asked the experienced Carlow-based geotechnical consultants AGEC Ltd to investigate and Tra Investments said it would make the findings public.
A boil notice was issued to thousands of homes in North Kerry after the slick entered the water system and supplies turned brown.
Around 1,500 homes remained affected three days after the landslide began.
Eamon Cusack, chief executive of Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, said: “All I can say is that we’re following every lead and we’re obviously looking at the windfarm as a possible source of the start of the landslide.”
The Stacks region has been earmarked as a wind farm area but locals warned construction on one such development threatened to cause landslides.
The risk may have been compounded as the area has been hit by constant heavy rain throughout the summer.
The fisheries board will be seeking damages to recover the costs of clearing the rivers.
Fish in a tributary of the Smearlagh, a spawning stream of the Feale, were totally wiped out while stocks on the upper part of the Smearlagh were badly hit.
The adult fish on the lower parts of the Smearlagh and Feale were safe easing fears entire stocks could have been wiped out causing an ecological catastrophe.
Mr Cusack said the deaths of so many fish was a severe blow to one of the country’s top salmon rivers and it could take ten years to recover.
“The River Feale has continually produced good stocks of salmon, so any blow to that would be very severe in the national terms,” he said.
A survey carried out for Kerry County Council in 2004 did not find any previous signs of instability and a local farmer told consultants there had been no history of landslides in the last 60 years.
A windfarm has been built on similar mountain lands nearby and no problems have been encountered.
It is almost five years since the country suffered its last major landslide. Millions of euro of damage was caused after thousands of tons of rocks and mud crashed down on the tiny seaside village of Pollathomas, Co Mayo in September 2003 following torrential rain.
Irishtimes.com
www.buckplanning.ie
Tra Investments Limited in Tralee said geological experts would assess what led to a two kilometre long slick flowing off the Stacks Mountains polluting the most important water supplies.
The valuable rivers Smearlagh and Feale were badly affected with up to 3,000 salmon and sea trout killed by the liquid peat which blocked roads and swept away a bridge.
Kerry County Council and the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board are also carrying out separate investigations into what caused the mudslide and the extent of the damage.
In a statement, Tra Investments said initial site works for a windfarm, which many local people opposed, began only a fortnight ago.
“The company has offered full assistance to the authorities in helping those affected, and the local community,” it said.
It has asked the experienced Carlow-based geotechnical consultants AGEC Ltd to investigate and Tra Investments said it would make the findings public.
A boil notice was issued to thousands of homes in North Kerry after the slick entered the water system and supplies turned brown.
Around 1,500 homes remained affected three days after the landslide began.
Eamon Cusack, chief executive of Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, said: “All I can say is that we’re following every lead and we’re obviously looking at the windfarm as a possible source of the start of the landslide.”
The Stacks region has been earmarked as a wind farm area but locals warned construction on one such development threatened to cause landslides.
The risk may have been compounded as the area has been hit by constant heavy rain throughout the summer.
The fisheries board will be seeking damages to recover the costs of clearing the rivers.
Fish in a tributary of the Smearlagh, a spawning stream of the Feale, were totally wiped out while stocks on the upper part of the Smearlagh were badly hit.
The adult fish on the lower parts of the Smearlagh and Feale were safe easing fears entire stocks could have been wiped out causing an ecological catastrophe.
Mr Cusack said the deaths of so many fish was a severe blow to one of the country’s top salmon rivers and it could take ten years to recover.
“The River Feale has continually produced good stocks of salmon, so any blow to that would be very severe in the national terms,” he said.
A survey carried out for Kerry County Council in 2004 did not find any previous signs of instability and a local farmer told consultants there had been no history of landslides in the last 60 years.
A windfarm has been built on similar mountain lands nearby and no problems have been encountered.
It is almost five years since the country suffered its last major landslide. Millions of euro of damage was caused after thousands of tons of rocks and mud crashed down on the tiny seaside village of Pollathomas, Co Mayo in September 2003 following torrential rain.
Irishtimes.com
www.buckplanning.ie
Developer Carroll plans 15-storey tower at Dublin Port
PROPERTY developer Liam Carroll has submitted plans for a 15-storey tower block as part of a redevelopment project on East Road near Dublin Port.
The tower is part of a four-building scheme which will see the construction of almost 60,500 square metres of office accommodation – more than the combined proposed Ballsbridge high-rise developments of Ray Grehan and Seán Dunne.
Besides offices, the 15-storey tower will include shops and cafes on the ground floor as well as a rooftop restaurant which will feature a balcony offering views over the city.
The scheme will be located on a 5.48-acre site acquired by Carroll in 2006 which includes the former Cookes Bakery, owned by chef Johnny Cooke before it went into examinership in 2006 and was bought out by the McCambridge Bakery Group.
Under Carroll's plans, the tower will be surrounded by three smaller buildings ranging in height from four to eight storeys, one of which will house a 165-bed hotel. The other two buildings will consist almost entirely of offices.
The four blocks will share a two-storey underground car park with 770 parking spaces along with parking for over 420 bicycles. Access to the development will be from the East Road.
Despite the ongoing property slowdown and concerns about oversupply in the Dublin office market, Carroll has proceeded with plans for several high-profile developments, including plans to replace Dublin department store Frawley's with offices and apartments.
It is understand that Carroll has around €1bn in finance at the moment, having securitised his future rental incomes using two banks, one of which was Bank of Scotland (Ireland), last year.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
The tower is part of a four-building scheme which will see the construction of almost 60,500 square metres of office accommodation – more than the combined proposed Ballsbridge high-rise developments of Ray Grehan and Seán Dunne.
Besides offices, the 15-storey tower will include shops and cafes on the ground floor as well as a rooftop restaurant which will feature a balcony offering views over the city.
The scheme will be located on a 5.48-acre site acquired by Carroll in 2006 which includes the former Cookes Bakery, owned by chef Johnny Cooke before it went into examinership in 2006 and was bought out by the McCambridge Bakery Group.
Under Carroll's plans, the tower will be surrounded by three smaller buildings ranging in height from four to eight storeys, one of which will house a 165-bed hotel. The other two buildings will consist almost entirely of offices.
The four blocks will share a two-storey underground car park with 770 parking spaces along with parking for over 420 bicycles. Access to the development will be from the East Road.
Despite the ongoing property slowdown and concerns about oversupply in the Dublin office market, Carroll has proceeded with plans for several high-profile developments, including plans to replace Dublin department store Frawley's with offices and apartments.
It is understand that Carroll has around €1bn in finance at the moment, having securitised his future rental incomes using two banks, one of which was Bank of Scotland (Ireland), last year.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Developer Carroll plans 15-storey tower at Dublin Port
PROPERTY developer Liam Carroll has submitted plans for a 15-storey tower block as part of a redevelopment project on East Road near Dublin Port.
The tower is part of a four-building scheme which will see the construction of almost 60,500 square metres of office accommodation – more than the combined proposed Ballsbridge high-rise developments of Ray Grehan and Seán Dunne.
Besides offices, the 15-storey tower will include shops and cafes on the ground floor as well as a rooftop restaurant which will feature a balcony offering views over the city.
The scheme will be located on a 5.48-acre site acquired by Carroll in 2006 which includes the former Cookes Bakery, owned by chef Johnny Cooke before it went into examinership in 2006 and was bought out by the McCambridge Bakery Group.
Under Carroll's plans, the tower will be surrounded by three smaller buildings ranging in height from four to eight storeys, one of which will house a 165-bed hotel. The other two buildings will consist almost entirely of offices.
The four blocks will share a two-storey underground car park with 770 parking spaces along with parking for over 420 bicycles. Access to the development will be from the East Road.
Despite the ongoing property slowdown and concerns about oversupply in the Dublin office market, Carroll has proceeded with plans for several high-profile developments, including plans to replace Dublin department store Frawley's with offices and apartments.
It is understand that Carroll has around €1bn in finance at the moment, having securitised his future rental incomes using two banks, one of which was Bank of Scotland (Ireland), last year.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
The tower is part of a four-building scheme which will see the construction of almost 60,500 square metres of office accommodation – more than the combined proposed Ballsbridge high-rise developments of Ray Grehan and Seán Dunne.
Besides offices, the 15-storey tower will include shops and cafes on the ground floor as well as a rooftop restaurant which will feature a balcony offering views over the city.
The scheme will be located on a 5.48-acre site acquired by Carroll in 2006 which includes the former Cookes Bakery, owned by chef Johnny Cooke before it went into examinership in 2006 and was bought out by the McCambridge Bakery Group.
Under Carroll's plans, the tower will be surrounded by three smaller buildings ranging in height from four to eight storeys, one of which will house a 165-bed hotel. The other two buildings will consist almost entirely of offices.
The four blocks will share a two-storey underground car park with 770 parking spaces along with parking for over 420 bicycles. Access to the development will be from the East Road.
Despite the ongoing property slowdown and concerns about oversupply in the Dublin office market, Carroll has proceeded with plans for several high-profile developments, including plans to replace Dublin department store Frawley's with offices and apartments.
It is understand that Carroll has around €1bn in finance at the moment, having securitised his future rental incomes using two banks, one of which was Bank of Scotland (Ireland), last year.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Hilton seeks to extend Dublin 2 hotel
Hilton Hotels Corporation is seeking to extend its hotel at Charlemont Place, overlooking the Grand Canal in Dublin 2.
Planning permission was lodged to Dublin City Council on 15 August, as part of an application by Bernard McNamara's Grattenlane, to redevelop McConnell House, a five-storey office building previously occupied by McConnell Advertising.
Under the plans, the existing office block, which dates from the 1960s, will be demolished and replaced with a mixed development of offices, a café and the Hilton extension. A protected structure is also located on the site.
The extension to the rear of the hotel will consist of a new seven-storey over single basement, comprising 34 hotel bedrooms, five meeting rooms, bars, lounges, gallery, health club and executive lounge. This will increase the total gross floor area (GFA) of the hotel from 10,243 square metres to 17,914 square metres, and the number of bedrooms to 245.
Bernard McNamara, along with Jerry O'Reilly and Eamon Sheild's Albert Properties, was previously refused planning permission in April 2007 to demolish McConnell House and replace it with an eight storey-office block and 16 apartments, on the grounds that the scheme's height and scale would be out of character with the area.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Planning permission was lodged to Dublin City Council on 15 August, as part of an application by Bernard McNamara's Grattenlane, to redevelop McConnell House, a five-storey office building previously occupied by McConnell Advertising.
Under the plans, the existing office block, which dates from the 1960s, will be demolished and replaced with a mixed development of offices, a café and the Hilton extension. A protected structure is also located on the site.
The extension to the rear of the hotel will consist of a new seven-storey over single basement, comprising 34 hotel bedrooms, five meeting rooms, bars, lounges, gallery, health club and executive lounge. This will increase the total gross floor area (GFA) of the hotel from 10,243 square metres to 17,914 square metres, and the number of bedrooms to 245.
Bernard McNamara, along with Jerry O'Reilly and Eamon Sheild's Albert Properties, was previously refused planning permission in April 2007 to demolish McConnell House and replace it with an eight storey-office block and 16 apartments, on the grounds that the scheme's height and scale would be out of character with the area.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Greencore to build near flood plain
GREENCORE has said that its plans for its 396-acre site in Mallow, Co Cork, remain unchanged despite the prospect of environment minister John Gormley introducing a ban on building on flood plains. According to documents submitted to Cork County Council, part of the development's proposed golf course, including some luxury golf lodges, will be located on a flood plain for the River Blackwater.
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said that Gormley's new planning guidelines would define a flood plain as an "an area of land next to a river or stream, which is susceptible to partial or complete inundation by water during a flood event".
Mallow saw heavy flooding earlier this month after the river broke its banks and the company told the council that a comprehensive review of its flood levels would have to take place before work on the development could begin.
It has also emerged that some areas of the site prone to flooding will be left undeveloped as a "designated protected wildlife habitat with a visitors centre to promote ecological and environmental awareness".
However, a Greencore spokeswoman denied that any other elements of the development would be located on the flood plain despite references to the wildlife habitat as "the undeveloped elements of the flood plain" in the documents.
"The only part of the site that has a flooding issue is the wildlife sanctuary," she said. "The rest of the site is not on the flood plain".
She said that the company had carried out a flood assessment on the site which found that everything was up to current flood engineering standards but declined to provide specific details.
The spokeswoman also added that the golf lodges which appeared to sit on the flood plain were actually on a higher elevation than the river.
Meanwhile, the company is also pressing ahead with its plans for it 333-acre project at the former sugar factory in Carlow. It is understood that the site was not inundated during the recent floods there.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said that Gormley's new planning guidelines would define a flood plain as an "an area of land next to a river or stream, which is susceptible to partial or complete inundation by water during a flood event".
Mallow saw heavy flooding earlier this month after the river broke its banks and the company told the council that a comprehensive review of its flood levels would have to take place before work on the development could begin.
It has also emerged that some areas of the site prone to flooding will be left undeveloped as a "designated protected wildlife habitat with a visitors centre to promote ecological and environmental awareness".
However, a Greencore spokeswoman denied that any other elements of the development would be located on the flood plain despite references to the wildlife habitat as "the undeveloped elements of the flood plain" in the documents.
"The only part of the site that has a flooding issue is the wildlife sanctuary," she said. "The rest of the site is not on the flood plain".
She said that the company had carried out a flood assessment on the site which found that everything was up to current flood engineering standards but declined to provide specific details.
The spokeswoman also added that the golf lodges which appeared to sit on the flood plain were actually on a higher elevation than the river.
Meanwhile, the company is also pressing ahead with its plans for it 333-acre project at the former sugar factory in Carlow. It is understood that the site was not inundated during the recent floods there.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Greencore to build near flood plain
GREENCORE has said that its plans for its 396-acre site in Mallow, Co Cork, remain unchanged despite the prospect of environment minister John Gormley introducing a ban on building on flood plains. According to documents submitted to Cork County Council, part of the development's proposed golf course, including some luxury golf lodges, will be located on a flood plain for the River Blackwater.
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said that Gormley's new planning guidelines would define a flood plain as an "an area of land next to a river or stream, which is susceptible to partial or complete inundation by water during a flood event".
Mallow saw heavy flooding earlier this month after the river broke its banks and the company told the council that a comprehensive review of its flood levels would have to take place before work on the development could begin.
It has also emerged that some areas of the site prone to flooding will be left undeveloped as a "designated protected wildlife habitat with a visitors centre to promote ecological and environmental awareness".
However, a Greencore spokeswoman denied that any other elements of the development would be located on the flood plain despite references to the wildlife habitat as "the undeveloped elements of the flood plain" in the documents.
"The only part of the site that has a flooding issue is the wildlife sanctuary," she said. "The rest of the site is not on the flood plain".
She said that the company had carried out a flood assessment on the site which found that everything was up to current flood engineering standards but declined to provide specific details.
The spokeswoman also added that the golf lodges which appeared to sit on the flood plain were actually on a higher elevation than the river.
Meanwhile, the company is also pressing ahead with its plans for it 333-acre project at the former sugar factory in Carlow. It is understood that the site was not inundated during the recent floods there.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said that Gormley's new planning guidelines would define a flood plain as an "an area of land next to a river or stream, which is susceptible to partial or complete inundation by water during a flood event".
Mallow saw heavy flooding earlier this month after the river broke its banks and the company told the council that a comprehensive review of its flood levels would have to take place before work on the development could begin.
It has also emerged that some areas of the site prone to flooding will be left undeveloped as a "designated protected wildlife habitat with a visitors centre to promote ecological and environmental awareness".
However, a Greencore spokeswoman denied that any other elements of the development would be located on the flood plain despite references to the wildlife habitat as "the undeveloped elements of the flood plain" in the documents.
"The only part of the site that has a flooding issue is the wildlife sanctuary," she said. "The rest of the site is not on the flood plain".
She said that the company had carried out a flood assessment on the site which found that everything was up to current flood engineering standards but declined to provide specific details.
The spokeswoman also added that the golf lodges which appeared to sit on the flood plain were actually on a higher elevation than the river.
Meanwhile, the company is also pressing ahead with its plans for it 333-acre project at the former sugar factory in Carlow. It is understood that the site was not inundated during the recent floods there.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Gormley paves way to end patios
The government is considering controlling the building of garden patios, the ultimate symbol of the Celtic Tiger, following the costs of flooding in urban areas in recent weeks, Minister for the Environment John Gormley has said.
Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) chief executive Mike Kemp said a review of planning laws may require detailed attention on local building controls, such as paving over small areas of gardens that can lead to flood waters rising quickly.
Gormley had appeared to focus on the construction of large housing projects on flood plains in provincial towns, but said on Friday that the review will also include an examination of paving that could lead to floods in cities.
"The issue of the increasingly frequent trend of paving over entire residential gardens is under consideration by the department, as part of the preparation of the draft guidelines on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management," an environment department spokesman said.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) chief executive Mike Kemp said a review of planning laws may require detailed attention on local building controls, such as paving over small areas of gardens that can lead to flood waters rising quickly.
Gormley had appeared to focus on the construction of large housing projects on flood plains in provincial towns, but said on Friday that the review will also include an examination of paving that could lead to floods in cities.
"The issue of the increasingly frequent trend of paving over entire residential gardens is under consideration by the department, as part of the preparation of the draft guidelines on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management," an environment department spokesman said.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Crosbie set to press ahead with Dublin skyscraper
Businessman Harry Crosbie has reaffirmed plans to complete his 120-metre skyscraper in Dublin, despite the collapse in the property market, writes Gavin Daly.
A spokesman for Crosbie said that the Watchtower development was going ahead as planned, despite speculation in the construction sector that work on the project had stalled.
‘‘There hasn’t been any change [to the project],” said the spokesman for Crosbie, who said that the building was due to be completed in the second quarter of 2010.
If the project is completed as planned, it will the first residential skyscraper in the country. In the past week, users of the architects’ website Archiseek.com speculated that work on the Watchtower had stopped at ground level because of economic uncertainty.
The 39-storey Watchtower is part of Crosbie’s €850 million Point Village development on Dublin’s north quays. The development, on 12 acres, would include a shopping centre, offices, hotel and cinema, as well as the redeveloped Point Theatre music venue, renamed the O2.
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) had intended that the Watchtower would form half of a ‘‘maritime gateway’’ to Dublin, standing across the Liffey from the planned U2 Tower. However, the U2-backed project has stalled, and the DDDA is still in discussions with the consortium behind it.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
A spokesman for Crosbie said that the Watchtower development was going ahead as planned, despite speculation in the construction sector that work on the project had stalled.
‘‘There hasn’t been any change [to the project],” said the spokesman for Crosbie, who said that the building was due to be completed in the second quarter of 2010.
If the project is completed as planned, it will the first residential skyscraper in the country. In the past week, users of the architects’ website Archiseek.com speculated that work on the Watchtower had stopped at ground level because of economic uncertainty.
The 39-storey Watchtower is part of Crosbie’s €850 million Point Village development on Dublin’s north quays. The development, on 12 acres, would include a shopping centre, offices, hotel and cinema, as well as the redeveloped Point Theatre music venue, renamed the O2.
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) had intended that the Watchtower would form half of a ‘‘maritime gateway’’ to Dublin, standing across the Liffey from the planned U2 Tower. However, the U2-backed project has stalled, and the DDDA is still in discussions with the consortium behind it.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Car-pool programme initiated in Cork city
Residents of Cork city can sign up to share a pool of cars under a new transport initiative.
Cork City Council has entered a partnership with Mendes GoCar, a company that will provide vehicles for car-sharing for periods of as little as one hour.
It is the first time the system has been used in Ireland, but it has been in operation in Switzerland and Germany for 20 years, and for more than ten years in other parts of Europe, Britain and the US.
Private users of the system sign up online and pay a once-off fee of €50, while business customers register for €100 and pay €25 for any additional drivers. All users must have a full licence with at least two years’ driving experience, and have to pay a refundable deposit of €200.
Once authorised, they get a smartcard which unlocks the cars at a particular time, and a customer identification number, which is entered into a handset to start the car. There are eight vehicles in the fleet - six Ford Fiestas, one Ford Focus and one Ford Transit.
Fiestas cost €5 per hour to hire and 35 cent per kilometre driven, while the Focus and Transit cost €6 per hour and 40 cent for the first 100 kilometres driven. The costs include Vat, fuel, insurance and tax. The once-off fee is for administration.
Fifteen council staff and five private users have been signed up for trials since last Wednesday, before the official launch on September 19.
Mendes GoCar is an Irish consultancy that specialises in sustainable transport. It has a partnership with Cambio, a car-sharing company which operates in nine German and 13 Belgian cities. Irish customers of GoCar also have access to Cambio’s large fleet of cars overseas.
Graham Lightfoot, managing director of Mendes GoCar, said the scheme might be introduced in Dublin next year if it proved to be a success in Cork.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Cork City Council has entered a partnership with Mendes GoCar, a company that will provide vehicles for car-sharing for periods of as little as one hour.
It is the first time the system has been used in Ireland, but it has been in operation in Switzerland and Germany for 20 years, and for more than ten years in other parts of Europe, Britain and the US.
Private users of the system sign up online and pay a once-off fee of €50, while business customers register for €100 and pay €25 for any additional drivers. All users must have a full licence with at least two years’ driving experience, and have to pay a refundable deposit of €200.
Once authorised, they get a smartcard which unlocks the cars at a particular time, and a customer identification number, which is entered into a handset to start the car. There are eight vehicles in the fleet - six Ford Fiestas, one Ford Focus and one Ford Transit.
Fiestas cost €5 per hour to hire and 35 cent per kilometre driven, while the Focus and Transit cost €6 per hour and 40 cent for the first 100 kilometres driven. The costs include Vat, fuel, insurance and tax. The once-off fee is for administration.
Fifteen council staff and five private users have been signed up for trials since last Wednesday, before the official launch on September 19.
Mendes GoCar is an Irish consultancy that specialises in sustainable transport. It has a partnership with Cambio, a car-sharing company which operates in nine German and 13 Belgian cities. Irish customers of GoCar also have access to Cambio’s large fleet of cars overseas.
Graham Lightfoot, managing director of Mendes GoCar, said the scheme might be introduced in Dublin next year if it proved to be a success in Cork.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Banks in talks to provide low-cost loans for energy saving
The heads of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) will meet with representatives of the main banks next week in a bid to encourage Irish lenders to provide low-interest retro-f it loans for homeowners and businesses.
CIF director Tom Parlon and SEI chairman Brendan Halligan are to meet Irish Bankers’ Federation chief executive Pat Farrell to discuss the provision of such loans for energy-saving improvements to homes and offices - such as insulating attics, replacing boilers, dry-lining walls and fitting double-glazed windows.
Parlon said he would ask that such loans have interest rates 1 to 2 per cent lower than those on current home improvement loans, and that their credit rate be triple-star.
Parlon believes there is €9 billion worth of retro-fitting to be carried out on current Irish housing stock, and that this market could provide work for tens of thousands of jobless construction works and boost lagging retail homeware sales.
‘‘A €20,000 loan would cover a major retro-fit, or a €10,000 loan would cover the basics,” he said.
‘‘We have already raised this possibility with some of the banks, and we believe they should look favourably on such loans as they are an investment that save on energy bills, are good for the environment, and generate jobs. The CIF is also considering the registration of allied contractors who have the skills to carry out a complete retro-fit, so homeowners won’t need to hire several tradesmen,” he said.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
CIF director Tom Parlon and SEI chairman Brendan Halligan are to meet Irish Bankers’ Federation chief executive Pat Farrell to discuss the provision of such loans for energy-saving improvements to homes and offices - such as insulating attics, replacing boilers, dry-lining walls and fitting double-glazed windows.
Parlon said he would ask that such loans have interest rates 1 to 2 per cent lower than those on current home improvement loans, and that their credit rate be triple-star.
Parlon believes there is €9 billion worth of retro-fitting to be carried out on current Irish housing stock, and that this market could provide work for tens of thousands of jobless construction works and boost lagging retail homeware sales.
‘‘A €20,000 loan would cover a major retro-fit, or a €10,000 loan would cover the basics,” he said.
‘‘We have already raised this possibility with some of the banks, and we believe they should look favourably on such loans as they are an investment that save on energy bills, are good for the environment, and generate jobs. The CIF is also considering the registration of allied contractors who have the skills to carry out a complete retro-fit, so homeowners won’t need to hire several tradesmen,” he said.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
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