Mr. John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today (31 December) launched statutory planning guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas, which will act as a blueprint for the future sustainable development of Irish cities, towns and villages in the coming years.
These guidelines were issued as a consultation draft for public consultation earlier this year, and the Minister expressed his thanks to the numerous public and private bodies who made valuable submissions and contributions to the drafting process.
The guidelines are accompanied by a best practice Urban Design Manual, which illustrates how the guidelines can be implemented effectively and consistently across the different scales of urban development around the country.
The draft guidelines have also been updated to refer to the recently published draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on the Management of Flood Risk (September 2008) and the Joint Code of Practice on Provision of Schools and the Planning System (August 2008). Advice from the recent circular on taking-in-charge of housing schemes has also been included.
Publishing the Guidelines, the Minister was pleased to note that the Guidelines and best practice Urban Design Manual have been warmly welcomed both by planning authorities and by professional bodies during the consultation process earlier this year; “The Guidelines and associated Design Manual provide a basis on which planners and designers can reach a shared vision for new housing schemes in cities, towns and villages throughout the country, and have the potential to raise the quality of our built environment”, the Minister continued.
These Guidelines replace the 1999 Residential Density Guidelines for Planning Authorities and have been prepared in the wider planning/housing context, as part of the suite of inter-related guidance documents, which also include the Apartment Design Standards guidelines that were issued in September 2007, and Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities published in March 2007. They take account of, and knit with, other policy initiatives such as Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities, and will be a valuable resource as the key policy reference document for local authority planners, as well as developers, architects and other interested parties when planning for new residential development.
The guidelines are focused on creating sustainable communities by incorporating the highest design standards and providing a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of essential infrastructure and services. These guidelines add to and support the considerable work which has been done at central and local government levels to plan for this anticipated growth in an appropriate manner that supports the creation of sustainable communities within a high quality living environment.
The objectives of these new Guidelines are to:
· facilitate the development of sustainable communities through more effective planning and the provision of necessary supporting services and amenities;
· help achieve the most efficient use of urban land through housing densities that are appropriate to the location involved and availability of supporting services and infrastructure, particularly transport; and
· set high standards in terms of space and facilities to meet the needs of the Irish context into the future.
Preparation of the guidance and the complementary design guide was overseen by a broadly representative Steering Group, which comprised officials from the Department and planning authorities, along with prominent representatives from Local Authorities, the Irish Planning Institute, the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, the Irish Home Builders Association and An Bord Pleanála.
There is a major emphasis in the guidelines on the need for new residential developments to be supported and facilitated by the necessary supporting services and infrastructure. Crucial infrastructure such as education and health facilities, public transport, child-care and community amenities are set as equally important as the usual hard infrastructure needed like water services and road access.
“Improved integration, which is driven and supported by effective and democratically mandated local planning, between the provision of housing and the necessary, supporting community and social infrastructure, such as schools, community amenities and child care facilities, is essential” the Minister said. “This policy guidance further reinforces the Government’s Developing Areas Initiative, which is aimed at providing a holistic and partnership approach to the integrated delivery of both hard and soft infrastructure, such as water and wastewater services, roads and public transport, schools and sports & community facilities”
The new Guidelines are being issued to planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála under section 28 of the 2000 Planning Act, which requires them to be taken into account when preparing or varying development plans and local area plans.
Minister Gormley concluded by saying “I firmly believe that, when implemented in planning authorities countrywide, these new guidelines will be make a positive difference in how we plan and build new developments.”
The guidelines, together with the urban design best practice manual, are available to view and download from the Department’s website: www.environ.ie.
Appendix - Key Policy in the Guidelines
Role of Development Plans and Local Area Plans
· Development plans, urban local area plans and planning schemes for Strategic Development Zones schemes should contain policies and objectives which will underpin the creation of sustainable residential developments.
· They should also include clear guidance on implementation measures, particularly with regard to the phased and co-ordinated provision of physical infrastructure, public transport and community facilities.
Role of Urban Design
· Development plans should include urban design policies which are capable of being expanded in more detail in local area plans
· Planning authorities should issue design briefs and receive design statements for particularly important, sensitive or large-scale development sites.
· Pre-planning application discussions should be encouraged, so that there is clarity around sequencing priorities of the development plan, the vision statement and phasing objectives of the local area plan (where applicable), and how they relate to the applicant’s land.
· The best practice Urban Design Manual sets out the following 12 criteria, which should be used, both in pre-application consultations and in assessing individual planning applications.
Best Practice Design Guide Criteria
1. Context: How does the development respond to its surroundings?
2. Connections: How well is the new neighbourhood / site connected?
3. Inclusivity: How easily can people use and access the development?
4. Variety: How does the development promote a good mix of activities?
5. Efficiency: How does the development make appropriate use of resources, including land?
6. Distinctiveness: How do the proposals create a sense of place?
7. Layout: How does the proposal create people-friendly streets and spaces?
8. Public realm: How safe, secure and enjoyable are the public areas?
9. Adaptability: How will the buildings cope with change?
10. Privacy / amenity: How do the buildings provide a decent standard of amenity?
11. Parking: How will the parking be secure and attractive?
12. Detailed design: How well thought through is the building and landscape design?
· The design of residential streets needs to strike the right balance between the different functions of the street, including a “sense of place”.
Planning for Sustainable Neighbourhoods
· No substantial residential development should proceed without an assessment of existing schools capacity or the provision of new school facilities in tandem with the development.
· No substantial residential development should proceed without either adequate existing public transport provision or new public transport provided in tandem with the development.
· There should be adequate provision at convenient locations for retail, health and other community facilities.
· New developments should:
o prioritise public transport, cycling and walking, and minimise the need to use cars?
o ensure accessibility for everyone, including people with disabilities?
o encourage more efficient use of energy and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions?
o include the right quality and quantity of public open space
o include measures to ensure satisfactory standards of personal safety and traffic safety within the neighbourhood?
o Present an attractive and well-maintained appearance?
o Promote social integration and provide for a diverse range of household types, age groups and mix of housing tenures?
o protect, and where possible enhance, the built and natural heritage?
o provide for Sustainable Drainage Systems?
Cities and Larger Towns
· Sustainable patterns of urban development should be promoted, particularly higher residential densities in locations, which are, or will be, served by public transport. Higher densities must be accompanied in all cases by high qualitative standards of design and layout.
· In general, minimum net densities of 50 dwellings per hectare should apply within such public transport corridors and should be specified in local area plans.
· Other appropriate locations for higher densities include city and town centres and some inner suburban locations.
· The greatest efficiency in land usage in outer suburban sites will be achieved by providing net densities in the range 35 - 50 dwellings per hectare.
· Particular sensitivity is required in relation to the design and location of apartment blocks, which are higher than existing adjacent residential development.
Small Towns and Villages
· Is the Local Area Plan or supplementary non-statutory planning framework focused on securing development patterns that are sustainable in economic and social development and environmental protection terms, recognising the challenges faced by rural economies in the future?
· Is the scale of development envisaged in terms of future housing, population, retail and employment growth in line with the overall County Development Plan Settlement and Housing Strategies and any Regional Planning Guidelines in force?
· Will the plan ensure a compact and easily walkable town or village creating forms of development that will make walking and cycling, especially for local trips, more attractive than using the car?
· Are adequate arrangements in place to ensure that the scale of new housing development schemes is in proportion to the pattern and grain of existing development?
· Have policies been put in place to ensure that the design, layout and character of new development successfully relates to the local character and heritage of the existing small town or village?
The Home and its Setting
· It is of fundamental importance to the acceptability of higher density development by the public that the quality of design and finish extends also to the individual dwelling and its immediate surroundings.
· Residents are entitled to expect that their new homes will offer decent levels of amenity, privacy, security and energy efficiency.
· The orientation of the dwelling and its internal layout can affect levels of daylight and sunlight, and will thus influence not only the amenity of the occupants but the energy demand for heat and light.
· Privacy is an important element of residential amenity, and contributes towards the sense of security felt by people in their homes.
· Where possible, designers should seek to create child- and pedestrian-friendly car-free areas, especially in higher density schemes, through the careful location of access streets and parking areas.
· All houses (terraced, semi-detached and detached) should have an area of private open space behind the building line. The provision of adequate and well-designed private open space for apartments is crucial in meeting the amenity needs of residents; in particular, usable outdoor space is a high priority for families.
· Circulation within housing layouts, including access to individual buildings, should have regard to the varying needs of occupants over their lifetimes, including needs associated with mobility difficulties and the normal frailty associated with old age.
· Adequate provision should be made for storage / collection of waste materials.
· The quality of finish and the maintenance arrangements of completed residential developments are intrinsic elements of their long-term sustainability. The quality of the finish of the public realm is of particular importance.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
'No pause button' on Corrib gas project, Shell says
SHELL EP Ireland has said there is "no pause button" on the Corrib gas project, and no overall delay to the current schedule.
The company was responding yesterday to an industry media report that the project may have been put on hold. The current issue of the Oil and Gas Journal refers to the company's recent withdrawal of its onshore gas pipeline application from An Bord Pleanála, and says that "it seems Shell has decided to push the pause button for the time being".
"In the oil and gas business there are times when projects come to a standstill or even halt altogether. Something along those lines has happened to Royal Dutch Shell Plc in Ireland," the report states.
However, a spokesman for the company said more than 900 people were still employed on constructing the Corrib gas terminal at Bellanaboy and "we haven't pressed any pause button".
The terminal or refinery is more than two-thirds built, with much of the basic construction almost finished. The target completion date is the coming summer, which will be followed by a commissioning phase, the spokesman said.
There was "no overall delay" to the schedule as a result of the decision to withdraw the recent onshore pipeline application under the Strategic Infrastructure Act.
Offshore pipelaying, which was due to have taken place last summer, was "on schedule for 2009", he said. The firm has set no date for sending in a fresh application to An Bord Pleanála - the original pipeline route was exempted from the planning process. The appeals board had been seeking crucial additional information from the Corrib gas developers' consultants on the first modified application, submitted earlier this year by Shell consultants RPS.
Last August, the board gave the developers six weeks to provide additional information regarding the development's impact on the stability of ground in the area, on its environmental impact, and the impact of any extension of the life of wellfields.
An Bord Pleanála also sought reports on a post-landslide site at Derrybrien wind farm in Co Galway, as referred to in the company's environmental impact statement.
The proposed 9km, high-pressure pipeline route extends from a landfall at Glengad under Dooncarton mountain, where there was a series of landslides in September 2003.
RPS have said a revised application would "seek minor realignments to part of the proposed route for the Corrib onshore pipeline, in order to avoid more sensitive habitat, including bog pools, in the Rossport commonage, identified during recent surveys".
The community group Pobal Chill Chomáin has queried this reference to surveys, in the light of a District Court ruling preventing Shell from carrying out such invasive works on the commonage.
In November 2007, a Belmullet District Court ruling in a case taken by 20 landowners found that proper notification was not given by Shell consultants in relation to commonage access, nor was shareholder consent sought under the Gas Act. The company has since acquired a share in the Rossport commonage.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The company was responding yesterday to an industry media report that the project may have been put on hold. The current issue of the Oil and Gas Journal refers to the company's recent withdrawal of its onshore gas pipeline application from An Bord Pleanála, and says that "it seems Shell has decided to push the pause button for the time being".
"In the oil and gas business there are times when projects come to a standstill or even halt altogether. Something along those lines has happened to Royal Dutch Shell Plc in Ireland," the report states.
However, a spokesman for the company said more than 900 people were still employed on constructing the Corrib gas terminal at Bellanaboy and "we haven't pressed any pause button".
The terminal or refinery is more than two-thirds built, with much of the basic construction almost finished. The target completion date is the coming summer, which will be followed by a commissioning phase, the spokesman said.
There was "no overall delay" to the schedule as a result of the decision to withdraw the recent onshore pipeline application under the Strategic Infrastructure Act.
Offshore pipelaying, which was due to have taken place last summer, was "on schedule for 2009", he said. The firm has set no date for sending in a fresh application to An Bord Pleanála - the original pipeline route was exempted from the planning process. The appeals board had been seeking crucial additional information from the Corrib gas developers' consultants on the first modified application, submitted earlier this year by Shell consultants RPS.
Last August, the board gave the developers six weeks to provide additional information regarding the development's impact on the stability of ground in the area, on its environmental impact, and the impact of any extension of the life of wellfields.
An Bord Pleanála also sought reports on a post-landslide site at Derrybrien wind farm in Co Galway, as referred to in the company's environmental impact statement.
The proposed 9km, high-pressure pipeline route extends from a landfall at Glengad under Dooncarton mountain, where there was a series of landslides in September 2003.
RPS have said a revised application would "seek minor realignments to part of the proposed route for the Corrib onshore pipeline, in order to avoid more sensitive habitat, including bog pools, in the Rossport commonage, identified during recent surveys".
The community group Pobal Chill Chomáin has queried this reference to surveys, in the light of a District Court ruling preventing Shell from carrying out such invasive works on the commonage.
In November 2007, a Belmullet District Court ruling in a case taken by 20 landowners found that proper notification was not given by Shell consultants in relation to commonage access, nor was shareholder consent sought under the Gas Act. The company has since acquired a share in the Rossport commonage.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Luas journeys derailed by one million
THERE WERE nearly one million fewer passenger journeys completed on the Luas trams in Dublin in 2008 compared to the previous year.
According to the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), there were 27.4 million passenger journeys completed in 2008 compared to 28.4 million in 2007.
The Green Luas line to Dundrum and Sandyford has remained steady with more than 12 million annual journeys served, but the Red Line out to Tallaght has seen a significant decrease in numbers, although it still completed 15 million journeys this year.
In spite of the current economic downturn, the agency has insisted the light rail system was performing well.
“The fast, reliable and comfortable service which the Luas has provided over the last five years has produced a loyal and consistent customer base which has become more discerning in getting the best value for money from the range of ticket options which are available,” said RPA chief executive Frank Allen.
There has been a 50 per cent growth in the proportion of journeys made by those taking advantage of the tax benefits of using monthly and annual tickets.
There has also been an increase in customers using Iarnróid Éireann/Luas integrated tickets, which are up by 15 per cent.
The majority of Luas users have switched from single cash transactions at the vending machines to period passes and off-system sales outlets.
There was also an increase of 28 per cent of those using the Luas Smartcard.
Mr Allen said that the performance was encouraging in very difficult economic circumstances where levels of economic activity had contracted significantly.
He also added that the new lines which are under construction in Docklands and out to Cherrywood in South County Dublin will bring the Luas experience to other communities in the coming years.
In spite of the decrease in numbers from 2008, the single-journey fares on both Red and Green lines will rise by 10 cent and return fares will go up by 20 cent. The increases will come into effect on Monday, January 5th.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
According to the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), there were 27.4 million passenger journeys completed in 2008 compared to 28.4 million in 2007.
The Green Luas line to Dundrum and Sandyford has remained steady with more than 12 million annual journeys served, but the Red Line out to Tallaght has seen a significant decrease in numbers, although it still completed 15 million journeys this year.
In spite of the current economic downturn, the agency has insisted the light rail system was performing well.
“The fast, reliable and comfortable service which the Luas has provided over the last five years has produced a loyal and consistent customer base which has become more discerning in getting the best value for money from the range of ticket options which are available,” said RPA chief executive Frank Allen.
There has been a 50 per cent growth in the proportion of journeys made by those taking advantage of the tax benefits of using monthly and annual tickets.
There has also been an increase in customers using Iarnróid Éireann/Luas integrated tickets, which are up by 15 per cent.
The majority of Luas users have switched from single cash transactions at the vending machines to period passes and off-system sales outlets.
There was also an increase of 28 per cent of those using the Luas Smartcard.
Mr Allen said that the performance was encouraging in very difficult economic circumstances where levels of economic activity had contracted significantly.
He also added that the new lines which are under construction in Docklands and out to Cherrywood in South County Dublin will bring the Luas experience to other communities in the coming years.
In spite of the decrease in numbers from 2008, the single-journey fares on both Red and Green lines will rise by 10 cent and return fares will go up by 20 cent. The increases will come into effect on Monday, January 5th.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Urban development guidelines published
Statutory planning guidelines on development in urban areas were launched today by Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
The guidelines, which will act as a blueprint for the future development of Irish cities, towns and villages, were previously issued as a consultation draft for public consultation.
Following record torrential rain in August, which caused flooding problems in many parts of the country, the guidelines were amended to include a provision for the management of flood risk.
A code of practice on the provision of schools in urban areas has also been included.
Publishing the guidelines, Minister Gormley said "The Guidelines and associated Design Manual provide a basis on which planners and designers can reach a shared vision for new housing schemes in cities, towns and villages throughout the country, and have the potential to raise the quality of our built environment".
The guidelines are focused on creating sustainable communities by incorporating the highest design standards and providing a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of essential infrastructure and services.
They replace the 1999 Residential Density Guidelines for Planning Authorities.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The guidelines, which will act as a blueprint for the future development of Irish cities, towns and villages, were previously issued as a consultation draft for public consultation.
Following record torrential rain in August, which caused flooding problems in many parts of the country, the guidelines were amended to include a provision for the management of flood risk.
A code of practice on the provision of schools in urban areas has also been included.
Publishing the guidelines, Minister Gormley said "The Guidelines and associated Design Manual provide a basis on which planners and designers can reach a shared vision for new housing schemes in cities, towns and villages throughout the country, and have the potential to raise the quality of our built environment".
The guidelines are focused on creating sustainable communities by incorporating the highest design standards and providing a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of essential infrastructure and services.
They replace the 1999 Residential Density Guidelines for Planning Authorities.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 29 December 2008
New northside Luas line to link with other services
THE route of the planned Luas line from Dublin city centre to the new DIT campus at Grangegorman has been unveiled.
Yesterday, it was confirmed that the line will serve people living on the northside in Cabra from 2015, when the new route is expected to open.
It will form part of the city centre link-up between the existing red (Tallaght) and green (Sandyford) lines.
The Railway Procurement Agency has revealed that construction on Line D -- from the city centre to Broombridge via Broadstone -- will link up with a proposed track between the red and green lines.
The Irish Independent can reveal that Line D will begin at O'Connell Street, with a stop at the Rotunda Hospital and Dominick Street and further stops at Broadstone and at Dublin Institute of Technology's new campus at Grangegorman.
It will continue to Phibsborough and Cabra, intersect with the Iarnrod Eireann's Maynooth line, and terminate at Broombridge station.
There is capacity to extend the network to Finglas if required.
The Rail Procurement Authority (RPA) has approved the route for Line D and has sanctioned further work on the design and public consultation for the line.
An application for final permission to proceed with the construction of the line will be made in 2009.
The RPA believes that the cross-city link between the red and green lines is essential.
"The provision of a cross-city Luas line is fundamental to the development of a Luas network for the city," a spokesman for the RPA said.
"Currently, with two separate and disconnected light railway lines, interchange between both can only be effected by means of walking 12 to 15 minutes through the city centre.
"This is a disincentive to interchange and consequently demand for trips that involve a journey on both lines is not adequately met with the current arrangement."
The cross-city link will allow passengers to switch between the Luas, Metro North and the Maynooth rail line services of Iarnrod Eireann at Broombridge.
This Line D extension also represents the first segment of a Luas line which would ultimately extend to Finglas and interchange with the planned Metro West.
Formal public consultation on Line D began in September with the issue to more than 30,000 homes of the details of the route options.
Regeneration
Yesterday, Line D project manager Jim Kilfeather said the link would help regenerate part of the city centre, and provide increased access to Iarnrod Eireann services.
"The preferred Line D route will contribute in a significant way to the planned regeneration of Dominick Street and will serve the new DIT campus at Grangegorman.
"The re-opening of the old Broadstone railway line to Luas services, as happened with the Luas Green Line and the old Harcourt Street railway, will provide increased accessibility for the communities of Cabra and Phibsborough and offer excellent interchange with Irish rail services on the Maynooth rail line.
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Yesterday, it was confirmed that the line will serve people living on the northside in Cabra from 2015, when the new route is expected to open.
It will form part of the city centre link-up between the existing red (Tallaght) and green (Sandyford) lines.
The Railway Procurement Agency has revealed that construction on Line D -- from the city centre to Broombridge via Broadstone -- will link up with a proposed track between the red and green lines.
The Irish Independent can reveal that Line D will begin at O'Connell Street, with a stop at the Rotunda Hospital and Dominick Street and further stops at Broadstone and at Dublin Institute of Technology's new campus at Grangegorman.
It will continue to Phibsborough and Cabra, intersect with the Iarnrod Eireann's Maynooth line, and terminate at Broombridge station.
There is capacity to extend the network to Finglas if required.
The Rail Procurement Authority (RPA) has approved the route for Line D and has sanctioned further work on the design and public consultation for the line.
An application for final permission to proceed with the construction of the line will be made in 2009.
The RPA believes that the cross-city link between the red and green lines is essential.
"The provision of a cross-city Luas line is fundamental to the development of a Luas network for the city," a spokesman for the RPA said.
"Currently, with two separate and disconnected light railway lines, interchange between both can only be effected by means of walking 12 to 15 minutes through the city centre.
"This is a disincentive to interchange and consequently demand for trips that involve a journey on both lines is not adequately met with the current arrangement."
The cross-city link will allow passengers to switch between the Luas, Metro North and the Maynooth rail line services of Iarnrod Eireann at Broombridge.
This Line D extension also represents the first segment of a Luas line which would ultimately extend to Finglas and interchange with the planned Metro West.
Formal public consultation on Line D began in September with the issue to more than 30,000 homes of the details of the route options.
Regeneration
Yesterday, Line D project manager Jim Kilfeather said the link would help regenerate part of the city centre, and provide increased access to Iarnrod Eireann services.
"The preferred Line D route will contribute in a significant way to the planned regeneration of Dominick Street and will serve the new DIT campus at Grangegorman.
"The re-opening of the old Broadstone railway line to Luas services, as happened with the Luas Green Line and the old Harcourt Street railway, will provide increased accessibility for the communities of Cabra and Phibsborough and offer excellent interchange with Irish rail services on the Maynooth rail line.
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Kerry railway station will not be protected
A MAJORITY of councillors in Kerry have voted not to include on the list of protected buildings the last remaining railway building on the now closed Farranfore to Valentia line, despite passionate pleas from planners and fellow councillors that too much railway history was being lost.
Director of planning Tom Sheehy said there were enormous ties to the old Valentia line, closed in the 1960s.
High-quality materials were used in the railway station building near Castlemaine, including brick, stone and cast iron, much of the building was intact and there was a good chance of getting grants to renovate it.
The single-storey, rubble stone-built station included the remnants of a stone-fronted platform to the side.
An appraisal commissioned by the council strongly recommended it be included in the county's record of protected structures because of "its special architectural, historical and social interest".
"This is privately owned. The community does not own it. The railway line is long gone. There is no right of way into it. The owner will not repair it because it is not worth repairing," Cllr Michael O'Shea said.
He was opposed by Independent councillor Michael Gleeson who said one of the great achievements of the 19th century had been the railway line, and too many buildings along existing lines had been left to appear derelict and too many were being demolished.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Director of planning Tom Sheehy said there were enormous ties to the old Valentia line, closed in the 1960s.
High-quality materials were used in the railway station building near Castlemaine, including brick, stone and cast iron, much of the building was intact and there was a good chance of getting grants to renovate it.
The single-storey, rubble stone-built station included the remnants of a stone-fronted platform to the side.
An appraisal commissioned by the council strongly recommended it be included in the county's record of protected structures because of "its special architectural, historical and social interest".
"This is privately owned. The community does not own it. The railway line is long gone. There is no right of way into it. The owner will not repair it because it is not worth repairing," Cllr Michael O'Shea said.
He was opposed by Independent councillor Michael Gleeson who said one of the great achievements of the 19th century had been the railway line, and too many buildings along existing lines had been left to appear derelict and too many were being demolished.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Houses planned for historical estate
PLANNING PERMISSION has been sought for a €100 million development at the site of Hazelwood House in Sligo, one of Ireland's historical former stately homes.
It was designed almost 300 years ago by Richard Castle, architect of Leinster House, Powerscourt House and Westport House.
Developers have applied to Sligo County Council for planning permission to restore the Palladian-style mansion on the shores of the Garavogue river which was occupied by the Wynne family for almost 200 years until the 1920s.
Foresthaze Developments is also seeking planning permission for the demolition of the former Snia/Saehan Media factory on the estate and for the construction of 158 detached houses, and 54 apartments in four blocks on the 81 acre site. The developers say the project would be a significant visitor attraction and would operate under the stewardship of the Irish Heritage Trust.
A factory was built on the Hazelwood Demesne in the early 1970s for the Italian nylon manufacturer Snia.
The firm's factory closed down in 1982 and the premises was sold to Korean company Saehan Media which made video tapes at the plant for 15 years until 2006.
The property was sold to a mainly local consortium in April 2006 for a reported price tag of €7-€10 million.
The new owners, Foresthaze Developments, lodged their application on December 18th.
Built in the 1730s, Hazelwood House was occupied by the Army during the second World War and was later bought by the Department of Health for use as a psychiatric hospital. The house comprises a central block of three storeys over a basement, flanked by two curved wings.
The Irish Georgian Society has described Hazelwood House as "certainly one of the most important architectural structures not only in Sligo but in the northwest as a whole", and urged that the building be preserved as an educational/tourist amenity.
A decision on the planning application is due in February.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
It was designed almost 300 years ago by Richard Castle, architect of Leinster House, Powerscourt House and Westport House.
Developers have applied to Sligo County Council for planning permission to restore the Palladian-style mansion on the shores of the Garavogue river which was occupied by the Wynne family for almost 200 years until the 1920s.
Foresthaze Developments is also seeking planning permission for the demolition of the former Snia/Saehan Media factory on the estate and for the construction of 158 detached houses, and 54 apartments in four blocks on the 81 acre site. The developers say the project would be a significant visitor attraction and would operate under the stewardship of the Irish Heritage Trust.
A factory was built on the Hazelwood Demesne in the early 1970s for the Italian nylon manufacturer Snia.
The firm's factory closed down in 1982 and the premises was sold to Korean company Saehan Media which made video tapes at the plant for 15 years until 2006.
The property was sold to a mainly local consortium in April 2006 for a reported price tag of €7-€10 million.
The new owners, Foresthaze Developments, lodged their application on December 18th.
Built in the 1730s, Hazelwood House was occupied by the Army during the second World War and was later bought by the Department of Health for use as a psychiatric hospital. The house comprises a central block of three storeys over a basement, flanked by two curved wings.
The Irish Georgian Society has described Hazelwood House as "certainly one of the most important architectural structures not only in Sligo but in the northwest as a whole", and urged that the building be preserved as an educational/tourist amenity.
A decision on the planning application is due in February.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Corrib forum chairman opens door to campaigners
THE CHAIRMAN of the Government's forum on resolving the Corrib gas controversy, Joe Brosnan, has said that there is a "flexibility" in the terms of reference which should allow north Mayo community groups to participate.
"I'm prepared to talk to anybody informally outside the forum context, without prejudice, and there is no prescribed outcome to this," Mr Brosnan said.
The forum, which represents the first direct Government attempt to resolve Corrib gas issues in almost three years, was established by Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan and Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív, in November.
However, Government sources have indicated that it is experiencing serious teething problems. Several key community groups in Erris declined to engage at its first hearing on December 5th in Belmullet, Co Mayo, due to terms of reference which preclude it from revisiting statutory consents and permissions.
Shell EP Ireland and Pro-Gas Mayo were among the groups that did attend, while Pobal Chill Chomáin and Pobal le Chéile, representing community and business interests in Erris, and Mayo Shell to Sea did not.
North Mayo Fianna Fáil councillor Tim Quinn was among those who criticised the "narrow terms of reference".
Since then, Shell EP Ireland has withdrawn its Bord Pleanála strategic infrastructure application for a modified onshore pipeline route - although its consultants have stated a revised application is being prepared. Work on the offshore pipeline has already been deferred.
Pobal Chill Chomáin and Pobal Le Chéile have now sought further clarification from Mr Brosnan in the light of Shell EP Ireland's decision.
Responding to this, Mr Brosnan said that his role was to "facilitate discussion and dialogue" and he could not comment on "substance", which he was "keeping an open mind on" as he has to maintain impartiality.
"I have told people that they can raise anything," he said. "There was a concern among some people that it would be a talking shop, but my view is that in talking about it, the positions of the various parties become clarified - such as relating to what kind of regulation, monitoring and adherence to national and international standards will be in place.
"There cannot be any prescribed outcome of this in advance," he said. "It is a question of getting involved in discussion, and to have open-ended dialogue. I will continue the contacts, and if anyone or any group wishes to speak to me outside the forum setting, I am available. My door is open without prejudice," he said.
Kerry-born and a qualified barrister, Mr Brosnan is a former Department of Justice secretary general and a member of the Independent Monitoring Commission for Northern Ireland.
He is a vice-chair of the Institute of European Affairs, and served as chef de cabinet for former EU Commissioner Pádraig Flynn in Brussels.
Since December 5th, he has been trying to engage with non-participating interests in advance of the forum's next session on January 19th. In a joint letter to Mr Brosnan, Pobal Le Chéile and Pobal Chill Chomáin said that they were "willing to help the forum, the Government and the developers to bring this sorry saga to a successful conclusion".
The groups referred to a compromise location for the gas refinery, which, they said, had "majority community consent" although Shell has rejected it.
"Our groups still have great difficulty in partaking in a process that effectively has no power to change anything," the two groups said. They quoted one of their members as saying that "we do not need more money and we do not need group therapy".
A spokeswoman for Eamon Ryan said that the Minister was "fully supportive" of Mr Brosnan's efforts.
Last month Mr Ryan admitted that "undoubted mistakes" had been made with State and developer management of the project, including a failure to consult adequately with the local community.
Separately, a High Court action taken by four residents seeking declarations that Shell has no interest in lands acquired under compulsory acquisition orders in 2002 is continuing. Complaints have also been lodged with the OECD and European Commission, and with the European Parliament's petitions committee.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
"I'm prepared to talk to anybody informally outside the forum context, without prejudice, and there is no prescribed outcome to this," Mr Brosnan said.
The forum, which represents the first direct Government attempt to resolve Corrib gas issues in almost three years, was established by Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan and Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív, in November.
However, Government sources have indicated that it is experiencing serious teething problems. Several key community groups in Erris declined to engage at its first hearing on December 5th in Belmullet, Co Mayo, due to terms of reference which preclude it from revisiting statutory consents and permissions.
Shell EP Ireland and Pro-Gas Mayo were among the groups that did attend, while Pobal Chill Chomáin and Pobal le Chéile, representing community and business interests in Erris, and Mayo Shell to Sea did not.
North Mayo Fianna Fáil councillor Tim Quinn was among those who criticised the "narrow terms of reference".
Since then, Shell EP Ireland has withdrawn its Bord Pleanála strategic infrastructure application for a modified onshore pipeline route - although its consultants have stated a revised application is being prepared. Work on the offshore pipeline has already been deferred.
Pobal Chill Chomáin and Pobal Le Chéile have now sought further clarification from Mr Brosnan in the light of Shell EP Ireland's decision.
Responding to this, Mr Brosnan said that his role was to "facilitate discussion and dialogue" and he could not comment on "substance", which he was "keeping an open mind on" as he has to maintain impartiality.
"I have told people that they can raise anything," he said. "There was a concern among some people that it would be a talking shop, but my view is that in talking about it, the positions of the various parties become clarified - such as relating to what kind of regulation, monitoring and adherence to national and international standards will be in place.
"There cannot be any prescribed outcome of this in advance," he said. "It is a question of getting involved in discussion, and to have open-ended dialogue. I will continue the contacts, and if anyone or any group wishes to speak to me outside the forum setting, I am available. My door is open without prejudice," he said.
Kerry-born and a qualified barrister, Mr Brosnan is a former Department of Justice secretary general and a member of the Independent Monitoring Commission for Northern Ireland.
He is a vice-chair of the Institute of European Affairs, and served as chef de cabinet for former EU Commissioner Pádraig Flynn in Brussels.
Since December 5th, he has been trying to engage with non-participating interests in advance of the forum's next session on January 19th. In a joint letter to Mr Brosnan, Pobal Le Chéile and Pobal Chill Chomáin said that they were "willing to help the forum, the Government and the developers to bring this sorry saga to a successful conclusion".
The groups referred to a compromise location for the gas refinery, which, they said, had "majority community consent" although Shell has rejected it.
"Our groups still have great difficulty in partaking in a process that effectively has no power to change anything," the two groups said. They quoted one of their members as saying that "we do not need more money and we do not need group therapy".
A spokeswoman for Eamon Ryan said that the Minister was "fully supportive" of Mr Brosnan's efforts.
Last month Mr Ryan admitted that "undoubted mistakes" had been made with State and developer management of the project, including a failure to consult adequately with the local community.
Separately, a High Court action taken by four residents seeking declarations that Shell has no interest in lands acquired under compulsory acquisition orders in 2002 is continuing. Complaints have also been lodged with the OECD and European Commission, and with the European Parliament's petitions committee.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Proposal to extend Marble Arch park
THE FAMOUS Marble Arch Cave system is the main feature of an application to world heritage body Unesco for recognition of a cross-Border "geopark" straddling counties Cavan and Fermanagh.
Local authorities in the two counties have submitted a joint application to extend the existing Marble Arch Caves geopark in Co Fermanagh to include parts of Co Cavan, with a terrain similar to that found in the Burren, in Co Clare.
The two bodies say in their application that the resulting geopark would provide a platform for further social, economic, cultural and environmental benefits, of strategic importance in the Border region.
"Given the recent history of conflict in Ireland, the cross-Border expansion of the geopark will be widely regarded as a symbol of hope for peace by people in other countries where conflict still exists."
A geopark is defined by Unesco as a geographical area where geological heritage sites are used to further development.
Archaeological, cultural and historical sites are also seen as integral parts of the concept.
Fermanagh County Council developed Marble Arch Caves as a geotourism facility in 1985, and the caves have since attracted more than one million visitors.
It was awarded global geopark status by Unesco in 2004.
The proposed extension into Co Cavan would include features such as the Shannon Pot, where the river rises, and the Cuilcagh mountains.
The gateway to this part of the park would be in the Burren Forest, in an extensive area of upland limestone karst.
"This is a unique and largely undiscovered landscape, with a necklace of attractions as well as some remarkable geology," says Cavan county manager Jack Keyes.
"In an area with a long history of population decline, this will be our beacon for going forward."
The extension of the geopark into the Republic would boost its size from 1,600 hectares to 18,000 hectares.
Much of the land is in public ownership, according to the masterplan prepared by environmental consultants.
However, the councils caution that, "unlike most other European countries, the public do not have the right to walk on private land in either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland due to the specific public access and trespass laws.
"The councils must avoid giving the impression that some private land is included in the geopark without the owners' permission, as this would create public resentment against the geopark by including large areas of private land within it."
While the geopark would not necessarily permit public access to natural features on private land, many of them would be interpreted "at a distance", the application states.
Up to €4 million has already been spent on the project on both sides of the Border, and a further application for EU funding is being prepared, according to Mr Keyes.
At present, the only designated geopark in the Republic is the Copper Coast in Co Waterford, from Dungarvan to Tramore.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Local authorities in the two counties have submitted a joint application to extend the existing Marble Arch Caves geopark in Co Fermanagh to include parts of Co Cavan, with a terrain similar to that found in the Burren, in Co Clare.
The two bodies say in their application that the resulting geopark would provide a platform for further social, economic, cultural and environmental benefits, of strategic importance in the Border region.
"Given the recent history of conflict in Ireland, the cross-Border expansion of the geopark will be widely regarded as a symbol of hope for peace by people in other countries where conflict still exists."
A geopark is defined by Unesco as a geographical area where geological heritage sites are used to further development.
Archaeological, cultural and historical sites are also seen as integral parts of the concept.
Fermanagh County Council developed Marble Arch Caves as a geotourism facility in 1985, and the caves have since attracted more than one million visitors.
It was awarded global geopark status by Unesco in 2004.
The proposed extension into Co Cavan would include features such as the Shannon Pot, where the river rises, and the Cuilcagh mountains.
The gateway to this part of the park would be in the Burren Forest, in an extensive area of upland limestone karst.
"This is a unique and largely undiscovered landscape, with a necklace of attractions as well as some remarkable geology," says Cavan county manager Jack Keyes.
"In an area with a long history of population decline, this will be our beacon for going forward."
The extension of the geopark into the Republic would boost its size from 1,600 hectares to 18,000 hectares.
Much of the land is in public ownership, according to the masterplan prepared by environmental consultants.
However, the councils caution that, "unlike most other European countries, the public do not have the right to walk on private land in either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland due to the specific public access and trespass laws.
"The councils must avoid giving the impression that some private land is included in the geopark without the owners' permission, as this would create public resentment against the geopark by including large areas of private land within it."
While the geopark would not necessarily permit public access to natural features on private land, many of them would be interpreted "at a distance", the application states.
Up to €4 million has already been spent on the project on both sides of the Border, and a further application for EU funding is being prepared, according to Mr Keyes.
At present, the only designated geopark in the Republic is the Copper Coast in Co Waterford, from Dungarvan to Tramore.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin shopping centre to go ahead despite downturn
THE DEVELOPERS behind a major shopping centre in South Dublin have said they will go ahead with the second phase of their complex despite the economic downturn.
A spokesman for Lenridge Properties Ltd, the company behind Dundrum town centre's phase two development, said they hope to begin work on the project in late 2009.
A planning application for phase two is currently before Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. It was lodged last February and has since been the subject of requests for further information and clarifications from council planners as well as objections from locals. A previous application to develop the site was given planning permission by An Bord Pleanála in 2007, but was shelved by the developers.
The current plan, on the site of the original Dundrum shopping centre on Main Street, includes the demolition of properties on Glenville Terrace and Main Street and the development of retail, restaurants, a creche, medical centre and a library, all on four storeys, as well as a nine-storey, 96-bedroom hotel.
A spokesman for Lenridge Properties Ltd said the company was very confident the development would go ahead.
He said they would be providing clarification to the council early in the new year on issues they had raised and were anticipating the application would be appealed to Bord Pleanála in whatever form it was granted.
"Bord Pleanála is likely to take four to six months to process the application, so we would be looking at beginning development in autumn 2009 at the earliest," he said.
He said he was also confident the proposed hotel would do very well, since there were none in the area.
He said trading at the existing Dundrum town centre was strong despite the economic downturn and there was a demand for extra retail in the area.
The spokesman said they were in discussion with a number of interested parties about taking up tenancies at the development.
"The project is definitely going ahead, there is no question about it," he said.
Local Labour Councillor Aidan Culhane said the council had plans to upgrade Main Street radically, which had become very rundown, but there was no point in spending millions on the work if the area was going to become a building site.
He said the developers needed to resolve the issues raised by planners quickly, which included concerns over adequate parking and balance of uses, so that the project could go ahead.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
A spokesman for Lenridge Properties Ltd, the company behind Dundrum town centre's phase two development, said they hope to begin work on the project in late 2009.
A planning application for phase two is currently before Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. It was lodged last February and has since been the subject of requests for further information and clarifications from council planners as well as objections from locals. A previous application to develop the site was given planning permission by An Bord Pleanála in 2007, but was shelved by the developers.
The current plan, on the site of the original Dundrum shopping centre on Main Street, includes the demolition of properties on Glenville Terrace and Main Street and the development of retail, restaurants, a creche, medical centre and a library, all on four storeys, as well as a nine-storey, 96-bedroom hotel.
A spokesman for Lenridge Properties Ltd said the company was very confident the development would go ahead.
He said they would be providing clarification to the council early in the new year on issues they had raised and were anticipating the application would be appealed to Bord Pleanála in whatever form it was granted.
"Bord Pleanála is likely to take four to six months to process the application, so we would be looking at beginning development in autumn 2009 at the earliest," he said.
He said he was also confident the proposed hotel would do very well, since there were none in the area.
He said trading at the existing Dundrum town centre was strong despite the economic downturn and there was a demand for extra retail in the area.
The spokesman said they were in discussion with a number of interested parties about taking up tenancies at the development.
"The project is definitely going ahead, there is no question about it," he said.
Local Labour Councillor Aidan Culhane said the council had plans to upgrade Main Street radically, which had become very rundown, but there was no point in spending millions on the work if the area was going to become a building site.
He said the developers needed to resolve the issues raised by planners quickly, which included concerns over adequate parking and balance of uses, so that the project could go ahead.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Planning Bill to end excessive rezoning - Gormley
NEW PLANNING legislation to be published early in 2009 will put an end to opportunist rezoning of land by county councillors, according to Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
The Planning and Development Bill 2009 will no longer permit excessive zoning of development land, a phenomenon that has become a "major problem" in recent years, Mr Gormley said.
The Bill is designed to allow an adequate supply of zoned and serviced land to ensure that house prices are not forced upwards and that economic development is maintained.
However, it will also outlaw practices where councillors zoned far more land for development than was required.
In the past 18 months, Mr Gormley has been forced to intervene with two county councils, Monaghan and Mayo - as well with zoning decisions in Dungarvan, Co Waterford - over plans that conflicted with national planning policy.
He won backing for his position from An Bord Pleanála. Its chairman John O'Connor said at the time that the board had frequently dealt with appeals relating to zoning decisions that did not accord with sustainable development. He said the zonings seemed sometimes to originate from pressure from local developers.
Mr Gormley points out that lands zoned in some county and city council areas were capable of meeting well over five times the housing needs of the development plan and led to houses and estates being built in improper and inappropriate locations.
The Bill proposes a new requirement to be imposed on local authorities to draw up a development plan that is evidence based.
The authority will have to show why the land is being zoned and demonstrate the basis for the scale of the development and the reason behind the locations.
For the first time also, there will be a requirement to show which parts will be developed first, and what plans are provided for public transport, water and sewerage, as well as the provision of schools in the locality.
Another significant change will see the common practice of introducing zonings very late in the preparation of county development plans, leaving no time for public consultation, being outlawed. All stages of the zoning process will now be the subject of public consultation.
"This is a touchstone issue for the Green Party and a huge priority for the party in terms of our history," said Mr Gormley.
"It will bring common sense and coherence to the planning system and introduce new obligations on local authorities to comply with all the planning guidelines . . . the National Spatial Strategy; flooding guidelines; regional guidelines and sustainable transport like cycling and walking."
Another key provision of the Bill is that all city and county development plans must include a "core strategy". This will align the plan to regional and national planning policies; will more closely relate housing strategy to population forecasts for the region; and also ensure that it reflects the National Climate Change Strategy.
In a separate development in early 2009, the issuing of foreshore licences will come under the remit of the Department of the Environment for the first time.
Mr Gormley described this as significant in terms of fast-tracking development of alternative energy sources such as wind, wave and tidal technologies.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Planning and Development Bill 2009 will no longer permit excessive zoning of development land, a phenomenon that has become a "major problem" in recent years, Mr Gormley said.
The Bill is designed to allow an adequate supply of zoned and serviced land to ensure that house prices are not forced upwards and that economic development is maintained.
However, it will also outlaw practices where councillors zoned far more land for development than was required.
In the past 18 months, Mr Gormley has been forced to intervene with two county councils, Monaghan and Mayo - as well with zoning decisions in Dungarvan, Co Waterford - over plans that conflicted with national planning policy.
He won backing for his position from An Bord Pleanála. Its chairman John O'Connor said at the time that the board had frequently dealt with appeals relating to zoning decisions that did not accord with sustainable development. He said the zonings seemed sometimes to originate from pressure from local developers.
Mr Gormley points out that lands zoned in some county and city council areas were capable of meeting well over five times the housing needs of the development plan and led to houses and estates being built in improper and inappropriate locations.
The Bill proposes a new requirement to be imposed on local authorities to draw up a development plan that is evidence based.
The authority will have to show why the land is being zoned and demonstrate the basis for the scale of the development and the reason behind the locations.
For the first time also, there will be a requirement to show which parts will be developed first, and what plans are provided for public transport, water and sewerage, as well as the provision of schools in the locality.
Another significant change will see the common practice of introducing zonings very late in the preparation of county development plans, leaving no time for public consultation, being outlawed. All stages of the zoning process will now be the subject of public consultation.
"This is a touchstone issue for the Green Party and a huge priority for the party in terms of our history," said Mr Gormley.
"It will bring common sense and coherence to the planning system and introduce new obligations on local authorities to comply with all the planning guidelines . . . the National Spatial Strategy; flooding guidelines; regional guidelines and sustainable transport like cycling and walking."
Another key provision of the Bill is that all city and county development plans must include a "core strategy". This will align the plan to regional and national planning policies; will more closely relate housing strategy to population forecasts for the region; and also ensure that it reflects the National Climate Change Strategy.
In a separate development in early 2009, the issuing of foreshore licences will come under the remit of the Department of the Environment for the first time.
Mr Gormley described this as significant in terms of fast-tracking development of alternative energy sources such as wind, wave and tidal technologies.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Plans to protect oldest monastery unveiled
Leading conservation architects have drawn up plans to protect and save Ireland’s oldest monastic site.
Four years after being named one of the world’s most at risk monuments, the impressive 800-year-old Athassel Abbey in Co Tipperary will undergo basic repairs to stabilise walls making it safe for visitors.
Experts have drafted plans to protect the once proud priory from accelerated deterioration from rain, freezing weather, overgrowing vegetation and flooding from the nearby River Suir.
The conservation report, commissioned by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and drawn up architect Margaret Quinlan, aims to protect what’s left of the four acre site and pave the way for it to be developed for tourists.
The detailed plan includes a footbridge over the Suir, lightning protection systems, flood controls and the closure of burial sites beside the abbey.
Billed as a roadmap to save Athassel, junior minister at the OPW Dr Martin Mansergh has warned limited finances may dictate the pace of work.
“This conservation plan now highlights those issues that the OPW can directly advance; and at this stage these involve the stabilisation of the structures and making the place safe for the visiting public,” he said.
“Other issues such as the footbridge are - in the current economic climate - aspirational but remain a goal to attain.”
Initial works which include stabilising the ancient walls and making the site safe for visitors may get under way in the New Year.
The 78-page plan also includes the option of CCTV to deter vandalism, an end to traditional cattle grazing on the abbey grounds and information points for tourists.
Dr Mansergh received the report last week. It states that the aim is to protect Athassel as a ruin as it stands and to maintain its authenticity, character of peace and improve access.
Athassel was included in the World Monuments Watch list of 100 most endangered cultural heritage sites in 2004.
Founded by William de Burgh in 1192, the priory remained a substantial religious centre for centuries, was home to two mills, held an annual fair and was widely regarded as an economic hub.
It has also been described as the finest achievement of the Augustinian monks in Ireland, who also built Christ Church.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Four years after being named one of the world’s most at risk monuments, the impressive 800-year-old Athassel Abbey in Co Tipperary will undergo basic repairs to stabilise walls making it safe for visitors.
Experts have drafted plans to protect the once proud priory from accelerated deterioration from rain, freezing weather, overgrowing vegetation and flooding from the nearby River Suir.
The conservation report, commissioned by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and drawn up architect Margaret Quinlan, aims to protect what’s left of the four acre site and pave the way for it to be developed for tourists.
The detailed plan includes a footbridge over the Suir, lightning protection systems, flood controls and the closure of burial sites beside the abbey.
Billed as a roadmap to save Athassel, junior minister at the OPW Dr Martin Mansergh has warned limited finances may dictate the pace of work.
“This conservation plan now highlights those issues that the OPW can directly advance; and at this stage these involve the stabilisation of the structures and making the place safe for the visiting public,” he said.
“Other issues such as the footbridge are - in the current economic climate - aspirational but remain a goal to attain.”
Initial works which include stabilising the ancient walls and making the site safe for visitors may get under way in the New Year.
The 78-page plan also includes the option of CCTV to deter vandalism, an end to traditional cattle grazing on the abbey grounds and information points for tourists.
Dr Mansergh received the report last week. It states that the aim is to protect Athassel as a ruin as it stands and to maintain its authenticity, character of peace and improve access.
Athassel was included in the World Monuments Watch list of 100 most endangered cultural heritage sites in 2004.
Founded by William de Burgh in 1192, the priory remained a substantial religious centre for centuries, was home to two mills, held an annual fair and was widely regarded as an economic hub.
It has also been described as the finest achievement of the Augustinian monks in Ireland, who also built Christ Church.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Castlethorn seeks permission for 23-acre Meath development
Building firm Castlethorn Construction has sought planning permission for almost 350 homes on a 23-acre site at Dunshaughlin in Co Meath.
If approved by Meath County Council, the scheme on Drumree Road will be made up of 41 four-bedroom terraced houses,102 three-bed terraced houses, 48 three-bed duplexes, 48 two-bed duplexes and 103 one and two-bed apartments.
The proposed plan includes 567 parking spaces and open spaces. Castlethorn, headed by Joe O’Reilly, already owns Killeen Castle, a €200 million luxury development in nearby Dunsany in Meath.
Castlethorn also owns the €1 billion Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin and is behind the Adamstown Central mixed-use development in west Dublin.
Separately, developer Ger Handy has lodged an application with Offaly County Council for a mixed-use scheme on a ten-acre site at Clara. His plans includes a hotel, nursing home, assisted-living units, and detached houses, as well as car parks and site works.
The application also includes a change of use of Inchmore House, a protected structure, from a private residence to an 87-bedroom hotel.
It will measure 6,000 square metres with a new 4,398 square metre three-storey wing. Earlier this year, Handy and Arthur O’Brien submitted plans for a €50million housing development in Clara, with 243 new homes, including a fourto five-storey apartment block containing 66 apartments.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
If approved by Meath County Council, the scheme on Drumree Road will be made up of 41 four-bedroom terraced houses,102 three-bed terraced houses, 48 three-bed duplexes, 48 two-bed duplexes and 103 one and two-bed apartments.
The proposed plan includes 567 parking spaces and open spaces. Castlethorn, headed by Joe O’Reilly, already owns Killeen Castle, a €200 million luxury development in nearby Dunsany in Meath.
Castlethorn also owns the €1 billion Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin and is behind the Adamstown Central mixed-use development in west Dublin.
Separately, developer Ger Handy has lodged an application with Offaly County Council for a mixed-use scheme on a ten-acre site at Clara. His plans includes a hotel, nursing home, assisted-living units, and detached houses, as well as car parks and site works.
The application also includes a change of use of Inchmore House, a protected structure, from a private residence to an 87-bedroom hotel.
It will measure 6,000 square metres with a new 4,398 square metre three-storey wing. Earlier this year, Handy and Arthur O’Brien submitted plans for a €50million housing development in Clara, with 243 new homes, including a fourto five-storey apartment block containing 66 apartments.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
There's no light in sight for Gormley as M3 protesters cast a cloud over winter solstice
Hundreds of winter solstice watchers were left disappointed yesterday as the sun failed to shine on Newgrange.
Dull weather prevented the light shining into the 5,000-year-old burial chamber as dawn broke on the shortest day of the year.
Environment Minister John Gormley -- one of 19 VIPs and lottery winners allowed entry to the Neolithic chamber -- didn't get the blame for the sun failing to shine at the ancient Co Meath site.
But the Green Party leader was heckled over his failure to reroute the M3 motorway from historic cultural sites at the Tara and Skryne Valley.
"When you come out Minister John Gormley, will your hands be untied?" shouted Heather Buchanan, from Co Meath. "He talks about sacred land but he doesn't practise what he preaches. I want to know what his intentions are going into the chamber, what does he hope to achieve by entering the chamber? What does he feel coming out of the chamber, I'd love to know, I'm sure the whole nation would love to know that."
Others among the eclectic gathering, who were attempting to meditate before sunrise, accused Ms Buchanan of "ruining" the event.
"Later on, you could have had your chance, but now you've ruined the whole morning for me. Talk to him [John Gormley] afterwards. Don't ruin it for everybody else," said one woman.
When Mr Gormley emerged from the passage tomb, he was confronted for a second time by two protestors.
In response to their criticisms, he told the Irish Independent that he had "no problem" with them but added it was not the "right place".
"It's a day which requires people to meditate and that, I don't think, is actually appropriate. It's not the place to shout, that's my view," he said.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern was also among the chosen few to enter the monument. Although the ray of light failed to show, he said the experience was "fascinating".
It was Mr Ahern's first time inside the tomb, despite him living only 20 minutes away in Dundalk. "The last time I was here, I was a child and I didn't get in," he added.
Hundreds of people travelled from across the country to attend the event, which was also enjoyed by tourists from the US, England, France and the Netherlands.
Noirin Rooney "stayed up all night" to make the journey from Co Tipperary. "We're here to greet the new dawn, the return of the light," she said.
Christine Deady from Co Cork described the experience as "very special". "I'm pretty sure that this is a spiritual momentum, it's the vortex of the year. Also I know that it being the darkest day of the year, for a lot of healers, and people of that persuasion, it's the New Year. This is like New Year's Eve in the spiritual world. I think this means more than the 31st of December," she added.
It was a romantic occasion for one couple, Ed Lyne from Co Kerry and his fiancee Magda Kiarszys, who were celebrating their anniversary at the event. "We got engaged last year on the 21st. We thought we'd come down to see what it was like."
Eimear Ni Bhraonain
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Dull weather prevented the light shining into the 5,000-year-old burial chamber as dawn broke on the shortest day of the year.
Environment Minister John Gormley -- one of 19 VIPs and lottery winners allowed entry to the Neolithic chamber -- didn't get the blame for the sun failing to shine at the ancient Co Meath site.
But the Green Party leader was heckled over his failure to reroute the M3 motorway from historic cultural sites at the Tara and Skryne Valley.
"When you come out Minister John Gormley, will your hands be untied?" shouted Heather Buchanan, from Co Meath. "He talks about sacred land but he doesn't practise what he preaches. I want to know what his intentions are going into the chamber, what does he hope to achieve by entering the chamber? What does he feel coming out of the chamber, I'd love to know, I'm sure the whole nation would love to know that."
Others among the eclectic gathering, who were attempting to meditate before sunrise, accused Ms Buchanan of "ruining" the event.
"Later on, you could have had your chance, but now you've ruined the whole morning for me. Talk to him [John Gormley] afterwards. Don't ruin it for everybody else," said one woman.
When Mr Gormley emerged from the passage tomb, he was confronted for a second time by two protestors.
In response to their criticisms, he told the Irish Independent that he had "no problem" with them but added it was not the "right place".
"It's a day which requires people to meditate and that, I don't think, is actually appropriate. It's not the place to shout, that's my view," he said.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern was also among the chosen few to enter the monument. Although the ray of light failed to show, he said the experience was "fascinating".
It was Mr Ahern's first time inside the tomb, despite him living only 20 minutes away in Dundalk. "The last time I was here, I was a child and I didn't get in," he added.
Hundreds of people travelled from across the country to attend the event, which was also enjoyed by tourists from the US, England, France and the Netherlands.
Noirin Rooney "stayed up all night" to make the journey from Co Tipperary. "We're here to greet the new dawn, the return of the light," she said.
Christine Deady from Co Cork described the experience as "very special". "I'm pretty sure that this is a spiritual momentum, it's the vortex of the year. Also I know that it being the darkest day of the year, for a lot of healers, and people of that persuasion, it's the New Year. This is like New Year's Eve in the spiritual world. I think this means more than the 31st of December," she added.
It was a romantic occasion for one couple, Ed Lyne from Co Kerry and his fiancee Magda Kiarszys, who were celebrating their anniversary at the event. "We got engaged last year on the 21st. We thought we'd come down to see what it was like."
Eimear Ni Bhraonain
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
€380m Waterford project gets green light
PLANNING PERMISSION has been granted by Waterford City Council for a €380 million waterside hotel, leisure, office and residential development which is expected to create 400 jobs during construction and a similar number on completion.
The Water Haven development will be situated on a 13-acre site beside the river Suir at Bilberry in the city, which was formerly the old location of the Waterford Stanley iron foundry.
The scheme - proposed by local developer William Bolster - will feature an iconic 33-storey tower with 23 floors of apartments and 10 floors of offices.
The building will also house a bar and restaurant offering unprecedented views of Waterford city, east Co Waterford and south Co Kilkenny.
The brownfield lands, identified as an opportunity site in the Waterford City Development Plan 2007-2013, will also accommodate a 15-storey, 150-bedroom hotel along with underground parking, restaurants, smaller office units and duplex apartments.
The hotel, it is proposed, will have a large conference centre capable of accommodating 750 delegates - helping to make Waterford a more attractive venue for off-season business tourism.
A leisure and fitness centre will include a gymnasium, spa and swimming pool, while the scheme also includes provision for a marina with 60 berths.
Meanwhile, an extension of the Waterford and Suir Valley railway to allow the train run to the site of the former Waterford South railway station at Bilberry is also being facilitated by the design team led by Waterford-based CJ Falconer and Associates Chartered Architects.
The residential component of the development includes 420 apartments that will be pitched at families as well as couples, sharers and sole occupants.
Mr Bolster of the Tramore-based Bolster Group said he was delighted to have received planning permission from the Waterford council and hoped to proceed to the first construction phase of the development as early as possible in 2009.
"I would also like to thank the city manager, planning department and all the various departments of the authority along with all the local councillors who gave great support throughout the process. It is an example of how working together can create very exciting projects for the future of Waterford city and county," he said.
"In the current economic climate, it is a massive boost to Waterford and I would appeal to people's better judgment not to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála, which will allow us start real negotiations with hotel operators and companies wishing to relocate to Waterford.
"This will, in turn, create long-term jobs for the people of Waterford."
Mr Bolster said that, in the future, there will be opportunities to develop art galleries and appropriate retail, educational and ecclesiastical facilities in this urban quarter.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Water Haven development will be situated on a 13-acre site beside the river Suir at Bilberry in the city, which was formerly the old location of the Waterford Stanley iron foundry.
The scheme - proposed by local developer William Bolster - will feature an iconic 33-storey tower with 23 floors of apartments and 10 floors of offices.
The building will also house a bar and restaurant offering unprecedented views of Waterford city, east Co Waterford and south Co Kilkenny.
The brownfield lands, identified as an opportunity site in the Waterford City Development Plan 2007-2013, will also accommodate a 15-storey, 150-bedroom hotel along with underground parking, restaurants, smaller office units and duplex apartments.
The hotel, it is proposed, will have a large conference centre capable of accommodating 750 delegates - helping to make Waterford a more attractive venue for off-season business tourism.
A leisure and fitness centre will include a gymnasium, spa and swimming pool, while the scheme also includes provision for a marina with 60 berths.
Meanwhile, an extension of the Waterford and Suir Valley railway to allow the train run to the site of the former Waterford South railway station at Bilberry is also being facilitated by the design team led by Waterford-based CJ Falconer and Associates Chartered Architects.
The residential component of the development includes 420 apartments that will be pitched at families as well as couples, sharers and sole occupants.
Mr Bolster of the Tramore-based Bolster Group said he was delighted to have received planning permission from the Waterford council and hoped to proceed to the first construction phase of the development as early as possible in 2009.
"I would also like to thank the city manager, planning department and all the various departments of the authority along with all the local councillors who gave great support throughout the process. It is an example of how working together can create very exciting projects for the future of Waterford city and county," he said.
"In the current economic climate, it is a massive boost to Waterford and I would appeal to people's better judgment not to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála, which will allow us start real negotiations with hotel operators and companies wishing to relocate to Waterford.
"This will, in turn, create long-term jobs for the people of Waterford."
Mr Bolster said that, in the future, there will be opportunities to develop art galleries and appropriate retail, educational and ecclesiastical facilities in this urban quarter.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Council set to review community role in PPP schemes
DUBLIN CITY Council says it is reviewing the manner in which it works with three communities where public private partnership (PPP) schemes with developer Bernard McNamara collapsed earlier this year.
The Irish Times understands the review will look at whether the regeneration boards for the three areas - St Michael's Estate in Inchicore, Dominick Street and O'Devaney Gardens - should remain in existence now that the PPP projects are not proceeding.
Community groups in St Michael's have reacted angrily to the news, interpreting it as a move to remove local participation from any future decision-making process. However, the council said in a statement it remained committed to working closely with the communities on an ongoing basis.
The chairman of St Michael's Estate Regeneration Board, former Labour Court chairman Finbarr Flood, said the council's move came as a complete shock when it was announced at a board meeting this week. "People are quite upset about it . . . This project is going to go ahead in one form or another and there is no benefit in not having the relevant people in the community involved."
Earlier this month, after deliberating on what to do after the failure of the PPP projects, the council unveiled plans to build social housing in St Michael's and O'Devaney Gardens. However, the number of units is much lower than originally envisaged under the PPP plans and the timescale is longer - up to 2017. The council says it will seek private sector partners for the sites, but it is unclear whether there is any commercial interest in the current climate.
Rita Fagan of the Family Resource Centre in St Michael's said the council's move to review the board was an attack on local democracy. "Local residents and community groups are shocked at the idea that the board could be dismantled when there is so much work to be done.
"The whole idea behind setting up the board was to ensure strong local democratic participation in whatever project took place. Given that we are now in a new phase of regeneration, it would seem to us that . . . strong, participative local structures are an absolute necessity . . .Ten years on, and not a sod turned - shame on them."
A spokesman for O'Devaney Gardens Regeneration Board said it had not been told of the review. Last week, the council unveiled proposals for a replacement scheme involving a reduced number of social housing units, which were considered by a well-attended meeting of residents.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Irish Times understands the review will look at whether the regeneration boards for the three areas - St Michael's Estate in Inchicore, Dominick Street and O'Devaney Gardens - should remain in existence now that the PPP projects are not proceeding.
Community groups in St Michael's have reacted angrily to the news, interpreting it as a move to remove local participation from any future decision-making process. However, the council said in a statement it remained committed to working closely with the communities on an ongoing basis.
The chairman of St Michael's Estate Regeneration Board, former Labour Court chairman Finbarr Flood, said the council's move came as a complete shock when it was announced at a board meeting this week. "People are quite upset about it . . . This project is going to go ahead in one form or another and there is no benefit in not having the relevant people in the community involved."
Earlier this month, after deliberating on what to do after the failure of the PPP projects, the council unveiled plans to build social housing in St Michael's and O'Devaney Gardens. However, the number of units is much lower than originally envisaged under the PPP plans and the timescale is longer - up to 2017. The council says it will seek private sector partners for the sites, but it is unclear whether there is any commercial interest in the current climate.
Rita Fagan of the Family Resource Centre in St Michael's said the council's move to review the board was an attack on local democracy. "Local residents and community groups are shocked at the idea that the board could be dismantled when there is so much work to be done.
"The whole idea behind setting up the board was to ensure strong local democratic participation in whatever project took place. Given that we are now in a new phase of regeneration, it would seem to us that . . . strong, participative local structures are an absolute necessity . . .Ten years on, and not a sod turned - shame on them."
A spokesman for O'Devaney Gardens Regeneration Board said it had not been told of the review. Last week, the council unveiled proposals for a replacement scheme involving a reduced number of social housing units, which were considered by a well-attended meeting of residents.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Merry Christmas to all readers of this blog
It has been a busy year. The total number of planning and planning-related stories included this year - to date - was 1550. The boom years may be at an end, but planning remains as topical as ever.
I thought before the year ends I might jot down a few notes about the blog and hopefully encourage you to continue to use it as a resource.
As you know, I have tried to ensure the blog acts as an up to date information resource for planners - students, council planners and private planners – and anyone else who is interested, throughout the country. The blog contains planning and planning related stories produced by journalists and others published in various media. The site is mainly concerned with planning issues of national interest, but has covered smaller more localised stories from time to time.
In recent times, I have become more aware that the blog also acts as a diary for planning and planning related stories. It is easy to search the blog for all stories on a particular issue such as the Corrib gas project or the battle for Ballsbridge. It can also be used to search by county, so whether you are a Fingal planner or a Wicklow planner, it can give you the stories relevant to you. It is this, perhaps more than any other function, which is now helping with my own work. It has become a reference tool.
Interestingly, the site has gradually attracted more and more people interested in planning issues. I now receive emails from people all over the country and from other countries (not from small children looking for presents). People want, among other things, more detail on stories, to ask questions about studying planning or working in planning, to discuss similar planning issues in their own counties/countries, etc. I try where possible to respond to these queries.
As always, I also receive emails from individuals, groups and others seeking help with planning issues. Again, I try to provide some advice, but I note that, as this is how I also make my living, I cannot spend all the time I might like on each of these emails. To those I have responded to, I hope it was adequate and helped in some way. I hope people will continue to email me with queries on planning matters.
Finally, no one knows what 2009 will bring, but it is certain to bring new planning stories to our attention and I will continue to make these available in an easy and accessible way.
Enjoy the Christmas,
Brendan Buck
I thought before the year ends I might jot down a few notes about the blog and hopefully encourage you to continue to use it as a resource.
As you know, I have tried to ensure the blog acts as an up to date information resource for planners - students, council planners and private planners – and anyone else who is interested, throughout the country. The blog contains planning and planning related stories produced by journalists and others published in various media. The site is mainly concerned with planning issues of national interest, but has covered smaller more localised stories from time to time.
In recent times, I have become more aware that the blog also acts as a diary for planning and planning related stories. It is easy to search the blog for all stories on a particular issue such as the Corrib gas project or the battle for Ballsbridge. It can also be used to search by county, so whether you are a Fingal planner or a Wicklow planner, it can give you the stories relevant to you. It is this, perhaps more than any other function, which is now helping with my own work. It has become a reference tool.
Interestingly, the site has gradually attracted more and more people interested in planning issues. I now receive emails from people all over the country and from other countries (not from small children looking for presents). People want, among other things, more detail on stories, to ask questions about studying planning or working in planning, to discuss similar planning issues in their own counties/countries, etc. I try where possible to respond to these queries.
As always, I also receive emails from individuals, groups and others seeking help with planning issues. Again, I try to provide some advice, but I note that, as this is how I also make my living, I cannot spend all the time I might like on each of these emails. To those I have responded to, I hope it was adequate and helped in some way. I hope people will continue to email me with queries on planning matters.
Finally, no one knows what 2009 will bring, but it is certain to bring new planning stories to our attention and I will continue to make these available in an easy and accessible way.
Enjoy the Christmas,
Brendan Buck
Monday, 22 December 2008
Protests over Cork coastal designation
PROTESTS ARE to be held in Cork this week amid claims that the proposed designation of coastal areas around Castletownbere, Bantry and Schull as scenic landscape areas could lead to the depopulation of the west of the county.
Beara Chamber of Commerce chairman Michael O'Sullivan said the designation would force young homeowners in Beara, Mizen Head and Sheep's Head out of their rural communities and into towns and villages.
"They are trying to turn the Beara Peninsula, Sheep's Head and the Mizen into Jurassic Park . . . It is absolutely disgraceful. They should be encouraging people into the peninsula, not frightening them off. It is for the up-and-coming generation that we are protesting. The proposals would have serious and devastating consequences and would lead to depopulation."
Mr O'Sullivan said the special designation could see children of families in the area unable to get planning permission for houses later on.
The proposed designation of coastal areas around Castletownbere, Bantry and Schull as scenic landscape areas is to be voted on in the next few weeks by members of Cork Country Council.
The proposals were first put forward in August and are among a number of amendments to the Cork County Development Plan.
Some 200 people from west Cork are due to protest outside Cork County Hall today. However, supporters of the proposed measures claim scenic coastal areas have to be protected.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Beara Chamber of Commerce chairman Michael O'Sullivan said the designation would force young homeowners in Beara, Mizen Head and Sheep's Head out of their rural communities and into towns and villages.
"They are trying to turn the Beara Peninsula, Sheep's Head and the Mizen into Jurassic Park . . . It is absolutely disgraceful. They should be encouraging people into the peninsula, not frightening them off. It is for the up-and-coming generation that we are protesting. The proposals would have serious and devastating consequences and would lead to depopulation."
Mr O'Sullivan said the special designation could see children of families in the area unable to get planning permission for houses later on.
The proposed designation of coastal areas around Castletownbere, Bantry and Schull as scenic landscape areas is to be voted on in the next few weeks by members of Cork Country Council.
The proposals were first put forward in August and are among a number of amendments to the Cork County Development Plan.
Some 200 people from west Cork are due to protest outside Cork County Hall today. However, supporters of the proposed measures claim scenic coastal areas have to be protected.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Stacks windfarm project to be subject of EU investigation
THE EU Environment Commission is to investigate a windfarm development in the Stacks mountains which was at the centre of concerns after a bog slide during heaving rainfall in August.
The commission said it was carrying out the investigation into the Co Kerry development because it appeared "the lessons of Derybrien" in Co Galway, where a major bog slide occurred in 2003, had not been learnt.
Local residents in the Stacks mountains wrote to environment commissioner Stavros Dimas in October to say they were deeply concerned with the manner in which the windfarm at Ballincollig Hill, near Tralee, was being constructed on sensitive bog and to ask that work - which resumed recently - be stopped. The residents said "large tracts of beautiful boglands and rivers" had being damaged in the slide and the nest of a hen harrier, hares and other wildlife disturbed.
Georges Kremlis, head of the commission's environment directorate, has now replied to say wind energy forms part of the EU's commitments to renewable energy but member states must ensure projects likely to have significant effects on the environment are fully assessed.
The Stacks mountain area was proposed by the Irish authorities as a special protection area for the conservation of wild birds.
"[We] will investigate this matter with the Irish authorities to establish if the development in the Stacks mountains is consistent with EC nature and environmental impact assessment legislation," Mr Kremlis said.
Large sections of mountains are zoned for windfarm development in the Kerry county development plan. The August bogslide led to road blockages, some houses being cut off and threats to water supplies. The turf choked a spawning area for salmon and trout, killed eels and brown trout.
Kerry County Council confirmed in recent weeks work has recommenced on the eight-turbine windfarm by Tra Investments Ltd, Tralee, a subsidiary of Lee Strand co-operative.
A council spokesman said the works were not in the precise area of the slide and the windfarm had planning permission. After the landslide, Tra stopped work and employed consultants to carry out a study into the causes of the slide.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The commission said it was carrying out the investigation into the Co Kerry development because it appeared "the lessons of Derybrien" in Co Galway, where a major bog slide occurred in 2003, had not been learnt.
Local residents in the Stacks mountains wrote to environment commissioner Stavros Dimas in October to say they were deeply concerned with the manner in which the windfarm at Ballincollig Hill, near Tralee, was being constructed on sensitive bog and to ask that work - which resumed recently - be stopped. The residents said "large tracts of beautiful boglands and rivers" had being damaged in the slide and the nest of a hen harrier, hares and other wildlife disturbed.
Georges Kremlis, head of the commission's environment directorate, has now replied to say wind energy forms part of the EU's commitments to renewable energy but member states must ensure projects likely to have significant effects on the environment are fully assessed.
The Stacks mountain area was proposed by the Irish authorities as a special protection area for the conservation of wild birds.
"[We] will investigate this matter with the Irish authorities to establish if the development in the Stacks mountains is consistent with EC nature and environmental impact assessment legislation," Mr Kremlis said.
Large sections of mountains are zoned for windfarm development in the Kerry county development plan. The August bogslide led to road blockages, some houses being cut off and threats to water supplies. The turf choked a spawning area for salmon and trout, killed eels and brown trout.
Kerry County Council confirmed in recent weeks work has recommenced on the eight-turbine windfarm by Tra Investments Ltd, Tralee, a subsidiary of Lee Strand co-operative.
A council spokesman said the works were not in the precise area of the slide and the windfarm had planning permission. After the landslide, Tra stopped work and employed consultants to carry out a study into the causes of the slide.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Developer Liam Carroll has been refused planning permission for a huge office-led development in East Wall in Dublin, which would have contained more
THE capital's "self-cleaning" and low maintenance Millennium Spire has cost more than €1.1m to keep gleaming and in working order since being erected.
The astonishing sum has been spent on extensive cleaning and maintenance programmes for the monument, which has been beset by difficulties for its six years in existence.
Dublin City Council said that €324,868 had already been spent this year on major lighting repairs and a major cleaning operation.
A massive crane had to be put in place to carry out the operation, which goes some way to explaining the huge cost of the work.
In 2007, the council spent a grand total of €435,633 carrying out the same type of work: a major cleaning and lighting repairs programme.
Between January 2006 and December 2006, they spent a total of €238,432 on the monument, whose lights have failed time and again since it was unveiled in
January 2003.
From then until the end of 2005, the council spent another €180,000 on maintenance and cleaning.
The €1.179m maintenance and cleaning is on top of the €5m spent on constructing the monument, which despite its failings has become a beloved landmark for denizens of the capital.
Dublin City Council said: "It should be noted that 2007 and 2008 were exceptional years in that major lighting repairs and cleaning took place in each year (this year because the crane and equipment were in place anyway).
"It should also be noted that the award of the maintenance contract for the Spire was carried out under a competitive tendering procedure.
"This exercise is currently under way again under the normal procurement procedures and regulations and a new contract will be awarded early in 2009."
The monument, which was described as "self-cleaning" when erected, has suffered a litany of technical problems since being installed.
Its lights have failed on at least five occasions despite the fact that the 1,200 bulbs inside were supposed to last for at least 20 years.
The 'Monument of Light' was also supposed to wash itself, keeping its sheen
as Dublin's plentiful rainfall rolled down its slightly
slanted sides.
Instead, the metal has become badly smeared and the joints between the individual sections become ever more obvious.
The lower section of the Spire has to be cleaned every morning at 7am and the first 12 metres are given a thorough wash four times a year.
The monument – one of the tallest pieces of sculpture in the world – was designed by the architectural firm of Ian Ritchie, the UK-based designer.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
The astonishing sum has been spent on extensive cleaning and maintenance programmes for the monument, which has been beset by difficulties for its six years in existence.
Dublin City Council said that €324,868 had already been spent this year on major lighting repairs and a major cleaning operation.
A massive crane had to be put in place to carry out the operation, which goes some way to explaining the huge cost of the work.
In 2007, the council spent a grand total of €435,633 carrying out the same type of work: a major cleaning and lighting repairs programme.
Between January 2006 and December 2006, they spent a total of €238,432 on the monument, whose lights have failed time and again since it was unveiled in
January 2003.
From then until the end of 2005, the council spent another €180,000 on maintenance and cleaning.
The €1.179m maintenance and cleaning is on top of the €5m spent on constructing the monument, which despite its failings has become a beloved landmark for denizens of the capital.
Dublin City Council said: "It should be noted that 2007 and 2008 were exceptional years in that major lighting repairs and cleaning took place in each year (this year because the crane and equipment were in place anyway).
"It should also be noted that the award of the maintenance contract for the Spire was carried out under a competitive tendering procedure.
"This exercise is currently under way again under the normal procurement procedures and regulations and a new contract will be awarded early in 2009."
The monument, which was described as "self-cleaning" when erected, has suffered a litany of technical problems since being installed.
Its lights have failed on at least five occasions despite the fact that the 1,200 bulbs inside were supposed to last for at least 20 years.
The 'Monument of Light' was also supposed to wash itself, keeping its sheen
as Dublin's plentiful rainfall rolled down its slightly
slanted sides.
Instead, the metal has become badly smeared and the joints between the individual sections become ever more obvious.
The lower section of the Spire has to be cleaned every morning at 7am and the first 12 metres are given a thorough wash four times a year.
The monument – one of the tallest pieces of sculpture in the world – was designed by the architectural firm of Ian Ritchie, the UK-based designer.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Blow for Carroll as second major office development plan for Docklands rejected
Developer Liam Carroll has been refused planning permission for a huge office-led development in East Wall in Dublin, which would have contained more than 45 per cent of the entire office lettings in the whole of Dublin this year.
Dublin City Council has told Carroll that his plan has "poor architectural quality, insufficient urban design and strategic rationale" and would "have a materially negative visual impact" on the area.
The developer wanted to develop more than 82,000 square metres of office space on the 5.5 acre site between East Road and Merchants Square.
The plan was refused on three grounds including being contrary to its zoning and that it "would injure the residential amenities of the area" and "set an undesirable precedent for similar type development in the area".
As well as the offices, Carroll planned to develop a hotel, gym and pool, healthcare centre, a café and restaurant and a shop on the site. The four buildings would have been up to 17 storeys high and Carroll owns the site through a company called JP Ryan & Sons.
Separately, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) has written to Dublin City Council in relation to Carroll's office building on North Wall Quay that is currently in legal limbo. Rival developer Sean Dunne has applied to have the building demolished after the Commercial Court ruled that the DDDA acted outside its planning powers in approving the development. Carroll subsequently applied to Dublin City Council to retain the work already undertaken and to complete the building.
The DDDA says the existing structure in its current state "is physically unsatisfactory and represents unsustainable development in its current form". It acknowledges that the building is inconsistent with the planning scheme but argues "this may be addressed by providing residential development on adjoining lands in the applicant's ownership".
"The Authority would request Dublin City Council to ask the applicant to demonstrate compliance with the [planning scheme] over the applicant's landholding and to subsequently condition the development accordingly.
The imposition of such a condition would render the proposed development reasonably consistent with the planning scheme in this circumstance and the authority would therefore support a positive recommendation in respect of this retention application," it wrote.
Sean Dunne's company North Wall Quay Property Development has told the council that it will be "adversely affected" by the development and states its belief that "the application suffers from a serious deficit of accurate information". It also argued the application was invalid because under the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin City Council has told Carroll that his plan has "poor architectural quality, insufficient urban design and strategic rationale" and would "have a materially negative visual impact" on the area.
The developer wanted to develop more than 82,000 square metres of office space on the 5.5 acre site between East Road and Merchants Square.
The plan was refused on three grounds including being contrary to its zoning and that it "would injure the residential amenities of the area" and "set an undesirable precedent for similar type development in the area".
As well as the offices, Carroll planned to develop a hotel, gym and pool, healthcare centre, a café and restaurant and a shop on the site. The four buildings would have been up to 17 storeys high and Carroll owns the site through a company called JP Ryan & Sons.
Separately, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) has written to Dublin City Council in relation to Carroll's office building on North Wall Quay that is currently in legal limbo. Rival developer Sean Dunne has applied to have the building demolished after the Commercial Court ruled that the DDDA acted outside its planning powers in approving the development. Carroll subsequently applied to Dublin City Council to retain the work already undertaken and to complete the building.
The DDDA says the existing structure in its current state "is physically unsatisfactory and represents unsustainable development in its current form". It acknowledges that the building is inconsistent with the planning scheme but argues "this may be addressed by providing residential development on adjoining lands in the applicant's ownership".
"The Authority would request Dublin City Council to ask the applicant to demonstrate compliance with the [planning scheme] over the applicant's landholding and to subsequently condition the development accordingly.
The imposition of such a condition would render the proposed development reasonably consistent with the planning scheme in this circumstance and the authority would therefore support a positive recommendation in respect of this retention application," it wrote.
Sean Dunne's company North Wall Quay Property Development has told the council that it will be "adversely affected" by the development and states its belief that "the application suffers from a serious deficit of accurate information". It also argued the application was invalid because under the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
€4bn worth of power stations seeking connection to grid
CER plans licensing overhaul as 50 projects await connection
THE Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) looks set to overhaul its approval system for new power stations after a flood of applications which has left up to €4bn worth of potential projects awaiting connections.
Sources said 50 projects with a combined capacity of 6,000 megawatts (MW), a similar level to the country's entire supply, were now seeking connections to the national grid.
These include large 400MW gas-fired stations, costing €350m each, from several major players. But the majority are smaller peaking plants, which step in during calm conditions when wind farms cannot produce power.
Most applications have been submitted over the past three months as investors seek to benefit from the forthcoming Gate 3 connection offers for wind farms.
Sources said the CER needed to alter its licensing system so it could quickly identify unviable schemes to allow Eirgrid, the national grid operator, to draw up long-term development plans.
"Due to the volume of renewable and conventional applications, the current system is beginning to creak," said a new CER connection report.
But CER is likely to continue to favour larger power plants because they produce cheaper electricity.
A CER spokesman confirmed the regulator was planning to alter its system for processing applications and would launch an industry consultation next month.
He said the renewed interest in conventional power generation was due to the single all-island electricity market introduced last year.
"Under the old market, if you didn't have enough customers, you had nobody to sell to and you could only really recover your fuel costs," he said. "The single market takes a lot of the risk out of power generation, giving new generators a good start."
The move is not expected to delay the processing of Gate 3 connection offers for wind farms and will have no impact on approved but unbuilt projects such as Seán Quinn's planned 445MW station in Co Louth.
But the independent interconnector being proposed by Imera may be delayed; although the CER has ordered Eirgrid to give the company a provisional connection offer, a final decision on the project will be made only when the new criteria are finalised.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
THE Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) looks set to overhaul its approval system for new power stations after a flood of applications which has left up to €4bn worth of potential projects awaiting connections.
Sources said 50 projects with a combined capacity of 6,000 megawatts (MW), a similar level to the country's entire supply, were now seeking connections to the national grid.
These include large 400MW gas-fired stations, costing €350m each, from several major players. But the majority are smaller peaking plants, which step in during calm conditions when wind farms cannot produce power.
Most applications have been submitted over the past three months as investors seek to benefit from the forthcoming Gate 3 connection offers for wind farms.
Sources said the CER needed to alter its licensing system so it could quickly identify unviable schemes to allow Eirgrid, the national grid operator, to draw up long-term development plans.
"Due to the volume of renewable and conventional applications, the current system is beginning to creak," said a new CER connection report.
But CER is likely to continue to favour larger power plants because they produce cheaper electricity.
A CER spokesman confirmed the regulator was planning to alter its system for processing applications and would launch an industry consultation next month.
He said the renewed interest in conventional power generation was due to the single all-island electricity market introduced last year.
"Under the old market, if you didn't have enough customers, you had nobody to sell to and you could only really recover your fuel costs," he said. "The single market takes a lot of the risk out of power generation, giving new generators a good start."
The move is not expected to delay the processing of Gate 3 connection offers for wind farms and will have no impact on approved but unbuilt projects such as Seán Quinn's planned 445MW station in Co Louth.
But the independent interconnector being proposed by Imera may be delayed; although the CER has ordered Eirgrid to give the company a provisional connection offer, a final decision on the project will be made only when the new criteria are finalised.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
O'Reilly's €1bn O'Connell Street scheme gets green light
Plans for a €1bn retail scheme at O'Connell Street in Dublin have been given the go-ahead by Dublin City Council. Joe O'Reilly's Chartered Land has been told it can develop its Dublin Central scheme, which will cover a site stretching from O'Connell Street to Moore Street and Henry Street to Parnell Street. John Lewis has already been secured as the anchor shop for the development by letting agent Bannon.
The council granted permission subject to 32 conditions, including a stipulation that there be free public access to the proposed 'Sky Park' and that only 769 parking spaces be provided.
O'Reilly will have to pay the council nearly €9.5m in contributions before work is allowed to proceed and will also have to pay nearly €2.3m towards the construction of Metro North. He will have to pay €50,000 to the council to carry out a "comprehensive traffic study on the operation of the proposed car park in city centre street network". This study will take place about six months after the opening of the development.
The council decided to allow the development after Chartered Land submitted changes to its original plans in October, one of which was that the Sky Park would actually face the sun rather than away from it. The height of the building was also reduced, along with the heights of other buildings.
O'Reilly's assets include stakes in Dundrum Town Centre, The Pavilions in Swords, the Ilac Centre in Dublin 1 and the new retail scheme at South King Street in Dublin 2. He is also developing offices in the city's south docks. Through his holdings in Castlethorn Construction, he is involved in the Adamstown development and the Rathborne scheme at Ashtown in west Dublin.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
The council granted permission subject to 32 conditions, including a stipulation that there be free public access to the proposed 'Sky Park' and that only 769 parking spaces be provided.
O'Reilly will have to pay the council nearly €9.5m in contributions before work is allowed to proceed and will also have to pay nearly €2.3m towards the construction of Metro North. He will have to pay €50,000 to the council to carry out a "comprehensive traffic study on the operation of the proposed car park in city centre street network". This study will take place about six months after the opening of the development.
The council decided to allow the development after Chartered Land submitted changes to its original plans in October, one of which was that the Sky Park would actually face the sun rather than away from it. The height of the building was also reduced, along with the heights of other buildings.
O'Reilly's assets include stakes in Dundrum Town Centre, The Pavilions in Swords, the Ilac Centre in Dublin 1 and the new retail scheme at South King Street in Dublin 2. He is also developing offices in the city's south docks. Through his holdings in Castlethorn Construction, he is involved in the Adamstown development and the Rathborne scheme at Ashtown in west Dublin.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Ryan plans to fast-track energy developments
The government plans to reform the planning process in order to fast track energy-related developments worth €16 billion.
The reform of foreshore planning will speed up offshore renewable energy projects and connections to the electricity grid using the current oil and gas licensing process.
The move comes after the government’s plan for economic recovery, which was launched last week, highlighted the future importance of renewable energy. The changes to the planning process have been drafted into a bill by the Oireachtas joint committee on climate change and energy security, which has been sent to Eamon Ryan, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. It envisages bringing offshore renewable energy projects within the scope of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act, 2006.This should ensure that planning decisions on offshore renewable energy projects are made within a year. It is the first time that an Oireachtas committee has drafted a bill to be forwarded to the government. Under its terms, the Marine Institute would be given new roles and responsibilities, such as the preparation of strategic area assessments for designated areas and the power to grant leases for offshore renewable energy projects.
It would also handle the allocation of designated areas for energy production, modelled on the current auction rules for petroleum development and exploitation. It would also act as a statutory adviser to An Bord Pleanala for planning applications from approved leases.
A spokeswoman for Ryan confirmed there would be a ’‘complete reform’’ of the planning process for offshore projects, and said that facilitating connections to the electricity grid from the foreshore would be a priority. ’‘The oil and gas exploration licensing system is one of the best ways of fast-tracking these," she said.
’‘Once the grid is connected, the state can then set out a space for renewable companies to operate from. We will also be discussing this with our petrol affairs division, and with the Department of the Environment, the ESB, Eirgrid and current foreshore operators."
Michael Walsh, chief executive of the Irish Wind Energy Association, said that, while he welcomed the move, other issues relating to the provision of wind and tidal energy needed to be resolved. ’‘Planning permission is one of the three main stages our members go through - the others are the economic startup costs and connection to the grid," he said.
’‘We asked the [Oireachtas] committee for automatic renewal of the current five-year planning expiration, or [to increase] this to ten-year expiration. There is also a major shortage of investment in the grid, and there should be some incentivising of Eirgrid and the ESB to increase capacity on it, because it’s just not there at the moment."
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
The reform of foreshore planning will speed up offshore renewable energy projects and connections to the electricity grid using the current oil and gas licensing process.
The move comes after the government’s plan for economic recovery, which was launched last week, highlighted the future importance of renewable energy. The changes to the planning process have been drafted into a bill by the Oireachtas joint committee on climate change and energy security, which has been sent to Eamon Ryan, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. It envisages bringing offshore renewable energy projects within the scope of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act, 2006.This should ensure that planning decisions on offshore renewable energy projects are made within a year. It is the first time that an Oireachtas committee has drafted a bill to be forwarded to the government. Under its terms, the Marine Institute would be given new roles and responsibilities, such as the preparation of strategic area assessments for designated areas and the power to grant leases for offshore renewable energy projects.
It would also handle the allocation of designated areas for energy production, modelled on the current auction rules for petroleum development and exploitation. It would also act as a statutory adviser to An Bord Pleanala for planning applications from approved leases.
A spokeswoman for Ryan confirmed there would be a ’‘complete reform’’ of the planning process for offshore projects, and said that facilitating connections to the electricity grid from the foreshore would be a priority. ’‘The oil and gas exploration licensing system is one of the best ways of fast-tracking these," she said.
’‘Once the grid is connected, the state can then set out a space for renewable companies to operate from. We will also be discussing this with our petrol affairs division, and with the Department of the Environment, the ESB, Eirgrid and current foreshore operators."
Michael Walsh, chief executive of the Irish Wind Energy Association, said that, while he welcomed the move, other issues relating to the provision of wind and tidal energy needed to be resolved. ’‘Planning permission is one of the three main stages our members go through - the others are the economic startup costs and connection to the grid," he said.
’‘We asked the [Oireachtas] committee for automatic renewal of the current five-year planning expiration, or [to increase] this to ten-year expiration. There is also a major shortage of investment in the grid, and there should be some incentivising of Eirgrid and the ESB to increase capacity on it, because it’s just not there at the moment."
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Ryan plans to fast-track energy developments
The government plans to reform the planning process in order to fast track energy-related developments worth €16 billion.
The reform of foreshore planning will speed up offshore renewable energy projects and connections to the electricity grid using the current oil and gas licensing process.
The move comes after the government’s plan for economic recovery, which was launched last week, highlighted the future importance of renewable energy. The changes to the planning process have been drafted into a bill by the Oireachtas joint committee on climate change and energy security, which has been sent to Eamon Ryan, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. It envisages bringing offshore renewable energy projects within the scope of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act, 2006.This should ensure that planning decisions on offshore renewable energy projects are made within a year. It is the first time that an Oireachtas committee has drafted a bill to be forwarded to the government. Under its terms, the Marine Institute would be given new roles and responsibilities, such as the preparation of strategic area assessments for designated areas and the power to grant leases for offshore renewable energy projects.
It would also handle the allocation of designated areas for energy production, modelled on the current auction rules for petroleum development and exploitation. It would also act as a statutory adviser to An Bord Pleanala for planning applications from approved leases.
A spokeswoman for Ryan confirmed there would be a ’‘complete reform’’ of the planning process for offshore projects, and said that facilitating connections to the electricity grid from the foreshore would be a priority. ’‘The oil and gas exploration licensing system is one of the best ways of fast-tracking these," she said.
’‘Once the grid is connected, the state can then set out a space for renewable companies to operate from. We will also be discussing this with our petrol affairs division, and with the Department of the Environment, the ESB, Eirgrid and current foreshore operators."
Michael Walsh, chief executive of the Irish Wind Energy Association, said that, while he welcomed the move, other issues relating to the provision of wind and tidal energy needed to be resolved. ’‘Planning permission is one of the three main stages our members go through - the others are the economic startup costs and connection to the grid," he said.
’‘We asked the [Oireachtas] committee for automatic renewal of the current five-year planning expiration, or [to increase] this to ten-year expiration. There is also a major shortage of investment in the grid, and there should be some incentivising of Eirgrid and the ESB to increase capacity on it, because it’s just not there at the moment."
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
The reform of foreshore planning will speed up offshore renewable energy projects and connections to the electricity grid using the current oil and gas licensing process.
The move comes after the government’s plan for economic recovery, which was launched last week, highlighted the future importance of renewable energy. The changes to the planning process have been drafted into a bill by the Oireachtas joint committee on climate change and energy security, which has been sent to Eamon Ryan, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. It envisages bringing offshore renewable energy projects within the scope of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act, 2006.This should ensure that planning decisions on offshore renewable energy projects are made within a year. It is the first time that an Oireachtas committee has drafted a bill to be forwarded to the government. Under its terms, the Marine Institute would be given new roles and responsibilities, such as the preparation of strategic area assessments for designated areas and the power to grant leases for offshore renewable energy projects.
It would also handle the allocation of designated areas for energy production, modelled on the current auction rules for petroleum development and exploitation. It would also act as a statutory adviser to An Bord Pleanala for planning applications from approved leases.
A spokeswoman for Ryan confirmed there would be a ’‘complete reform’’ of the planning process for offshore projects, and said that facilitating connections to the electricity grid from the foreshore would be a priority. ’‘The oil and gas exploration licensing system is one of the best ways of fast-tracking these," she said.
’‘Once the grid is connected, the state can then set out a space for renewable companies to operate from. We will also be discussing this with our petrol affairs division, and with the Department of the Environment, the ESB, Eirgrid and current foreshore operators."
Michael Walsh, chief executive of the Irish Wind Energy Association, said that, while he welcomed the move, other issues relating to the provision of wind and tidal energy needed to be resolved. ’‘Planning permission is one of the three main stages our members go through - the others are the economic startup costs and connection to the grid," he said.
’‘We asked the [Oireachtas] committee for automatic renewal of the current five-year planning expiration, or [to increase] this to ten-year expiration. There is also a major shortage of investment in the grid, and there should be some incentivising of Eirgrid and the ESB to increase capacity on it, because it’s just not there at the moment."
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Saturday, 20 December 2008
€800m project gets green light
INTERNATIONAL property company Treasury Holdings was yesterday granted planning permission to develop the €800m Spring Cross Ballymun Town Centre.
Construction on the final piece of Dublin's Ballymun Regeneration programme will start in the new year and will create 2,000 jobs. It is expected that 8,500 direct and indirect jobs will be created once the project is complete in 2012.
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Construction on the final piece of Dublin's Ballymun Regeneration programme will start in the new year and will create 2,000 jobs. It is expected that 8,500 direct and indirect jobs will be created once the project is complete in 2012.
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Mansfield pursues convention centre plan
JIM MANSFIELD looks set to stir up another hornet's nest in relation to his five-year battle to build a second convention centre at his sprawling Citywest Complex in Saggart, Co Dublin. You might recall that Mansfield was forced to stop work on the facility a few years back, leaving a shell in place that still remains.
Mansfield thought he had finally received the green light when An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission last January, albeit with a reduced capacity of 4,100 compared with his original plan to host 6,000 at the €50 million venue.
South Dublin County Council, however, is threatening to scupper his plans. Citing a European Court of Justice ruling on retention planning permission, the council has threatened to take Mansfield to court unless he produces an Environmental Impact Assessment report.
Mansfield's legal advisers disagree and the larger-than-life businessman plans to press ahead with the development. "We'll be starting next week," Mansfield told me on Tuesday in his spacious office overlooking the helipad at Citywest. "We're actively recruiting staff for the convention centre."
Mansfield claims to be weathering the economic storm reasonably well. Turnover at Citywest this year is up 6.7 per cent. Mansfield says only two events have been cancelled and he has 120 events booked in for 2009.
Citywest comprises 1,730 hotel rooms, suites and apartments; two golf courses and a large convention centre. It has proved to be a cash cow for Mansfield's expanding business interests, which include Weston aerodrome, Finnstown hotel near Lucan and Palmerstown House golf course in Kildare.
His holding company, HSS, achieved turnover of €103 million in the year to the end of March 2008 and had retained profits of €77.3 million.
Weston is also flying, so to speak. It made a profit of €900,000 on turnover of €3.1 million in the year to the end of March.
That said, his properties have had their valuations slashed. "Citywest probably would have been worth €550 million at the peak . . . today you're talking about €400 million. Palmerstown is 800 acres. That was worth €500 million. Today I suppose you would be doing well to get €300 million."
Has he dropped money on the stock market? "Not two shillings," he says. "I invested €500,000 in Irish Life one time and it did very well to begin with and so I put more money in, and then it went down and I lost a packet. Never again did I get involved in it."
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Mansfield thought he had finally received the green light when An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission last January, albeit with a reduced capacity of 4,100 compared with his original plan to host 6,000 at the €50 million venue.
South Dublin County Council, however, is threatening to scupper his plans. Citing a European Court of Justice ruling on retention planning permission, the council has threatened to take Mansfield to court unless he produces an Environmental Impact Assessment report.
Mansfield's legal advisers disagree and the larger-than-life businessman plans to press ahead with the development. "We'll be starting next week," Mansfield told me on Tuesday in his spacious office overlooking the helipad at Citywest. "We're actively recruiting staff for the convention centre."
Mansfield claims to be weathering the economic storm reasonably well. Turnover at Citywest this year is up 6.7 per cent. Mansfield says only two events have been cancelled and he has 120 events booked in for 2009.
Citywest comprises 1,730 hotel rooms, suites and apartments; two golf courses and a large convention centre. It has proved to be a cash cow for Mansfield's expanding business interests, which include Weston aerodrome, Finnstown hotel near Lucan and Palmerstown House golf course in Kildare.
His holding company, HSS, achieved turnover of €103 million in the year to the end of March 2008 and had retained profits of €77.3 million.
Weston is also flying, so to speak. It made a profit of €900,000 on turnover of €3.1 million in the year to the end of March.
That said, his properties have had their valuations slashed. "Citywest probably would have been worth €550 million at the peak . . . today you're talking about €400 million. Palmerstown is 800 acres. That was worth €500 million. Today I suppose you would be doing well to get €300 million."
Has he dropped money on the stock market? "Not two shillings," he says. "I invested €500,000 in Irish Life one time and it did very well to begin with and so I put more money in, and then it went down and I lost a packet. Never again did I get involved in it."
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Mansfield pursues convention centre plan
JIM MANSFIELD looks set to stir up another hornet's nest in relation to his five-year battle to build a second convention centre at his sprawling Citywest Complex in Saggart, Co Dublin. You might recall that Mansfield was forced to stop work on the facility a few years back, leaving a shell in place that still remains.
Mansfield thought he had finally received the green light when An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission last January, albeit with a reduced capacity of 4,100 compared with his original plan to host 6,000 at the €50 million venue.
South Dublin County Council, however, is threatening to scupper his plans. Citing a European Court of Justice ruling on retention planning permission, the council has threatened to take Mansfield to court unless he produces an Environmental Impact Assessment report.
Mansfield's legal advisers disagree and the larger-than-life businessman plans to press ahead with the development. "We'll be starting next week," Mansfield told me on Tuesday in his spacious office overlooking the helipad at Citywest. "We're actively recruiting staff for the convention centre."
Mansfield claims to be weathering the economic storm reasonably well. Turnover at Citywest this year is up 6.7 per cent. Mansfield says only two events have been cancelled and he has 120 events booked in for 2009.
Citywest comprises 1,730 hotel rooms, suites and apartments; two golf courses and a large convention centre. It has proved to be a cash cow for Mansfield's expanding business interests, which include Weston aerodrome, Finnstown hotel near Lucan and Palmerstown House golf course in Kildare.
His holding company, HSS, achieved turnover of €103 million in the year to the end of March 2008 and had retained profits of €77.3 million.
Weston is also flying, so to speak. It made a profit of €900,000 on turnover of €3.1 million in the year to the end of March.
That said, his properties have had their valuations slashed. "Citywest probably would have been worth €550 million at the peak . . . today you're talking about €400 million. Palmerstown is 800 acres. That was worth €500 million. Today I suppose you would be doing well to get €300 million."
Has he dropped money on the stock market? "Not two shillings," he says. "I invested €500,000 in Irish Life one time and it did very well to begin with and so I put more money in, and then it went down and I lost a packet. Never again did I get involved in it."
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Mansfield thought he had finally received the green light when An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission last January, albeit with a reduced capacity of 4,100 compared with his original plan to host 6,000 at the €50 million venue.
South Dublin County Council, however, is threatening to scupper his plans. Citing a European Court of Justice ruling on retention planning permission, the council has threatened to take Mansfield to court unless he produces an Environmental Impact Assessment report.
Mansfield's legal advisers disagree and the larger-than-life businessman plans to press ahead with the development. "We'll be starting next week," Mansfield told me on Tuesday in his spacious office overlooking the helipad at Citywest. "We're actively recruiting staff for the convention centre."
Mansfield claims to be weathering the economic storm reasonably well. Turnover at Citywest this year is up 6.7 per cent. Mansfield says only two events have been cancelled and he has 120 events booked in for 2009.
Citywest comprises 1,730 hotel rooms, suites and apartments; two golf courses and a large convention centre. It has proved to be a cash cow for Mansfield's expanding business interests, which include Weston aerodrome, Finnstown hotel near Lucan and Palmerstown House golf course in Kildare.
His holding company, HSS, achieved turnover of €103 million in the year to the end of March 2008 and had retained profits of €77.3 million.
Weston is also flying, so to speak. It made a profit of €900,000 on turnover of €3.1 million in the year to the end of March.
That said, his properties have had their valuations slashed. "Citywest probably would have been worth €550 million at the peak . . . today you're talking about €400 million. Palmerstown is 800 acres. That was worth €500 million. Today I suppose you would be doing well to get €300 million."
Has he dropped money on the stock market? "Not two shillings," he says. "I invested €500,000 in Irish Life one time and it did very well to begin with and so I put more money in, and then it went down and I lost a packet. Never again did I get involved in it."
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Retail and leisure centre gets go-ahead under Ballymun regeneration scheme
THE PROPOSED €800 million development of a retail complex in Ballymun Town Centre has been granted full planning permission by Dublin City Council.
The development, part of the Ballymun regeneration programme, will comprise more than 60,000sq m of retail space, 28,000sq m of office space and 11,000sq m of leisure facilities. It will include an 11-screen cinema, a bowling alley, a family entertainment centre and a child drop-in centre, according to developers Treasury Holdings.
The company yesterday said the Spring Cross development would generate 2,000 jobs during construction, due to begin in 2009, and a further 8,500 jobs on completion in 2012.
Niall Kavanagh, director of development at Treasury Holdings Ireland, said: “We recognise how important the regeneration of Ballymun is to Dublin city and are delighted with today’s announcement as it means we can now move forward with the project.”
The development is based on a sustainable open street scheme conducive to community and a positive retail experience, he added.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The development, part of the Ballymun regeneration programme, will comprise more than 60,000sq m of retail space, 28,000sq m of office space and 11,000sq m of leisure facilities. It will include an 11-screen cinema, a bowling alley, a family entertainment centre and a child drop-in centre, according to developers Treasury Holdings.
The company yesterday said the Spring Cross development would generate 2,000 jobs during construction, due to begin in 2009, and a further 8,500 jobs on completion in 2012.
Niall Kavanagh, director of development at Treasury Holdings Ireland, said: “We recognise how important the regeneration of Ballymun is to Dublin city and are delighted with today’s announcement as it means we can now move forward with the project.”
The development is based on a sustainable open street scheme conducive to community and a positive retail experience, he added.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Newgrange got new lease of light and life in 1960s 'rebuild'
ON THE eve of the winter solstice celebration, several leading Irish archaeologists have discovered that a controversial reconstruction of Newgrange passage tomb four decades ago led to the accidental detection of its key feature – the roof box.
The box, a 25cm-high opening which captures the dawning sunlight on the shortest days of the year, was only found during the rebuilding, according to a new book by Boyne Valley archaeologists Geraldine and Matthew Stout.
Ironically, the rebuild of the tomb by the late Prof MJ O’Kelly of University College Cork might never have been permitted under today’s archaeological standards.
The rebuild involved some “liberties” with several key features – including the roof box, the authors note. However, examination of drawings and records kept by the Prof O’Kelly shows a “transparency” in the nature of his decision-making.
Built 1,000 years before Stonehenge, Newgrange was rediscovered 300 years ago but its full significance was only identified by Prof O’Kelly from the early 1960s. “I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t take on this dig. I feel that it will probably be very dull,” Prof O’Kelly is quoted as telling a colleague in 1961.
In fact, it was anything but, and in 1967 he made the first observation of the mid-winter “solstice phenomenon” which would make Newgrange the best-known of all the world’s megalithic tombs due to its alignment, the authors noted.
This was after the dismantling and replacing of the box under Prof O’Kelly between 1964 and 1967, during which slight changes turned it into a “narrow passage”.
The quartz wall surrounding the passage tomb which was erected between 1967 and 1974 was also based on Prof O’Kelly’s interpretation, rather than documentary evidence, the authors note. One Danish archaeologist has even questioned whether a quartz wall ever existed.
However, Ms Stout told The Irish Times yesterday Prof O’Kelly’s pioneering achievements in Newgrange outweighed any questionable aspects of the reconstruction.
He had shown conviction and courage in convincing the British establishment that Newgrange was older than Stonehenge, she said.
She also said he would be “delighted ” to know that the solstice event could be broadcast internationally via a live internet web stream – as is occurring at the chamber in Co Meath tomorrow.
The Office of Public Works is collaborating with the International Year of Astronomy 2009 based at NUI Galway to transmit the event.
The illumination of the passage tomb depends on the weather, but is timed for 08.58 Greenwich mean time tomorrow. A live stream will be available free of charge on the Heritage Ireland website, www.heritageireland.ie and at www.astronomy2009.ie .
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The box, a 25cm-high opening which captures the dawning sunlight on the shortest days of the year, was only found during the rebuilding, according to a new book by Boyne Valley archaeologists Geraldine and Matthew Stout.
Ironically, the rebuild of the tomb by the late Prof MJ O’Kelly of University College Cork might never have been permitted under today’s archaeological standards.
The rebuild involved some “liberties” with several key features – including the roof box, the authors note. However, examination of drawings and records kept by the Prof O’Kelly shows a “transparency” in the nature of his decision-making.
Built 1,000 years before Stonehenge, Newgrange was rediscovered 300 years ago but its full significance was only identified by Prof O’Kelly from the early 1960s. “I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t take on this dig. I feel that it will probably be very dull,” Prof O’Kelly is quoted as telling a colleague in 1961.
In fact, it was anything but, and in 1967 he made the first observation of the mid-winter “solstice phenomenon” which would make Newgrange the best-known of all the world’s megalithic tombs due to its alignment, the authors noted.
This was after the dismantling and replacing of the box under Prof O’Kelly between 1964 and 1967, during which slight changes turned it into a “narrow passage”.
The quartz wall surrounding the passage tomb which was erected between 1967 and 1974 was also based on Prof O’Kelly’s interpretation, rather than documentary evidence, the authors note. One Danish archaeologist has even questioned whether a quartz wall ever existed.
However, Ms Stout told The Irish Times yesterday Prof O’Kelly’s pioneering achievements in Newgrange outweighed any questionable aspects of the reconstruction.
He had shown conviction and courage in convincing the British establishment that Newgrange was older than Stonehenge, she said.
She also said he would be “delighted ” to know that the solstice event could be broadcast internationally via a live internet web stream – as is occurring at the chamber in Co Meath tomorrow.
The Office of Public Works is collaborating with the International Year of Astronomy 2009 based at NUI Galway to transmit the event.
The illumination of the passage tomb depends on the weather, but is timed for 08.58 Greenwich mean time tomorrow. A live stream will be available free of charge on the Heritage Ireland website, www.heritageireland.ie and at www.astronomy2009.ie .
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 19 December 2008
Planning changes may ‘depopulate’ west Cork
PROTESTS are to be held next week by west Cork residents angered by planning changes they believe could lead to further population falls in parts of west Cork.
The proposed designation of coastal areas around Castletownbere, Bantry and Schull as one of seven scenic landscape areas in the county, is to be voted on by members of Cork County Council when they meet on Monday. The changes, which were first proposed in August, are among a number of amendments to Cork County Development Plan put forward by planning officials.
Michael O’Sullivan, Cork chairman of the Irish Rural Dwellers’ Association and chair of Beara Chamber of Commerce, said the move could mean children of families around the Beara, Mizen Head and Sheep’s Head communities being unable to get permission for houses in the future.
“But it’s about much more than planning,” said Mr O’Sullivan. “This could depopulate rural west Cork when we’re supposed to be trying to get people moving in rather than frightening them away.
“The planners are trying to get all the people living in towns and villages instead of rural communities.”
He said up to 200 people could travel to Monday’s meeting at Cork County Hall to show their opposition to the changes.
Cork County Council said the draft amendments have been out for public consultation since August and are still being discussed, with any decision to be made by council members.
Six other scenic landscape areas are proposed along the Blackwater and Lee rivers, Cork and Kinsale harbours, Gougane Barra and the Clonakilty estuary.
Council documents circulated to members propose facilitation of tourism and recreation, and a sustainable approach to new development, including housing, which respects the existing character, pattern and tradition of the areas.
Cllr Noel Harrington, mayor of County Cork and a Beara peninsula representative for Fine Gael, has previously voiced his support for the designation.
He said in September that it will make it easier for people looking to build one-off housing to secure planning permission, as long as their sites are deemed suitable.
However, Mr O’Sullivan said that such suitability is not defined and will still be open to the interpretation of council planners.
A council spokesperson said any future development would be assessed on the impact it might have on the landscape’s character and the main aim of the development plan amendments are to protect scenic areas.
Councillors are also meeting today to reach decision on whether to agree to other planning designation changes, and it is expected that the new development plan will be adopted at a meeting on January 9.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The proposed designation of coastal areas around Castletownbere, Bantry and Schull as one of seven scenic landscape areas in the county, is to be voted on by members of Cork County Council when they meet on Monday. The changes, which were first proposed in August, are among a number of amendments to Cork County Development Plan put forward by planning officials.
Michael O’Sullivan, Cork chairman of the Irish Rural Dwellers’ Association and chair of Beara Chamber of Commerce, said the move could mean children of families around the Beara, Mizen Head and Sheep’s Head communities being unable to get permission for houses in the future.
“But it’s about much more than planning,” said Mr O’Sullivan. “This could depopulate rural west Cork when we’re supposed to be trying to get people moving in rather than frightening them away.
“The planners are trying to get all the people living in towns and villages instead of rural communities.”
He said up to 200 people could travel to Monday’s meeting at Cork County Hall to show their opposition to the changes.
Cork County Council said the draft amendments have been out for public consultation since August and are still being discussed, with any decision to be made by council members.
Six other scenic landscape areas are proposed along the Blackwater and Lee rivers, Cork and Kinsale harbours, Gougane Barra and the Clonakilty estuary.
Council documents circulated to members propose facilitation of tourism and recreation, and a sustainable approach to new development, including housing, which respects the existing character, pattern and tradition of the areas.
Cllr Noel Harrington, mayor of County Cork and a Beara peninsula representative for Fine Gael, has previously voiced his support for the designation.
He said in September that it will make it easier for people looking to build one-off housing to secure planning permission, as long as their sites are deemed suitable.
However, Mr O’Sullivan said that such suitability is not defined and will still be open to the interpretation of council planners.
A council spokesperson said any future development would be assessed on the impact it might have on the landscape’s character and the main aim of the development plan amendments are to protect scenic areas.
Councillors are also meeting today to reach decision on whether to agree to other planning designation changes, and it is expected that the new development plan will be adopted at a meeting on January 9.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Renewable energy sources to account for 40% of output by 2020
SUSTAINABLE AGENDA: THE 2020 target for renewable energy has been increased to 40 per cent as part of the new strategy by Government to make the "green economy" a core component of its recovery plan.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the Government's aim was to deliver a "New Green Deal" that focused on energy efficiency and the investment in clean and renewable technologies.
"As one of the most fossil fuel dependent countries in the world, we must prepare for a future when the prices and volatility we have recently witnessed become the norm," he said.
Improving the environment and energy security is one of the five "action areas" in the plan to rejuvenate the economy and attain sustainable growth.
Minster for Energy Eamon Ryan, who also spoke at the launch of the plan, said it represented a fundamental sea-change in Government thinking and direction.
"The economy is moving in a greener direction," he said. "The smart economy will be a green economy."
Later, Mr Ryan, who is a Green Party TD, said it was reasonable to make comparisons between the plan and ground-breaking events in the past: such as Ireland's decision to join the EEC in 1973 and the collective consensus on building the economy in 1987.
"I have not seen anything like it back in terms of an economic plan. We now own the sustainable economic agenda and it's been put at the heart of Government thinking.
"Our green advantage is real and puts us ahead of other countries.
"The benefits across the board will be real and we can generate wealth in our sustainability agenda, using digital technology, and in agriculture and tourism," he said.
Other key elements in the energy area includes a long-term investment of €30 billion in renewable energy, new supports to allow large companies generate their own renewable electricity on site; and the roll-out of smart meters for every household in the country at a cost of €1 billion. The meters will allow users to monitor their usage, automatically switch off appliances, as well as feed renewable energy into the national grid.
Mr Ryan also pledged yesterday that if more than 25,000 households improved insulation in their homes next year, he would immediately seek to secure extra funds.
The Government will also put a greater emphasis on green enterprise and the development of green technology, both identified as key areas of growth in future years.
Planning for such renewable projects as wind turbines will also be fast-tracked.
The chief executive of the ESB, Padraig McManus, said that the biggest challenge in the plan was to have 40 per cent renewables by 2020, some 20 per cent above the EU target.
"That is going to be a stretch, there's no doubt about that. I know the Minister is committed to it," he said. "If you look at the level of wind connections that people are seeking, by next year, 2009, we will have offers out to people to connect 6,000 megawatts of wind. If that happens, then it's possible." (The current peak demand is circa 5,500 megawatts).
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the Government's aim was to deliver a "New Green Deal" that focused on energy efficiency and the investment in clean and renewable technologies.
"As one of the most fossil fuel dependent countries in the world, we must prepare for a future when the prices and volatility we have recently witnessed become the norm," he said.
Improving the environment and energy security is one of the five "action areas" in the plan to rejuvenate the economy and attain sustainable growth.
Minster for Energy Eamon Ryan, who also spoke at the launch of the plan, said it represented a fundamental sea-change in Government thinking and direction.
"The economy is moving in a greener direction," he said. "The smart economy will be a green economy."
Later, Mr Ryan, who is a Green Party TD, said it was reasonable to make comparisons between the plan and ground-breaking events in the past: such as Ireland's decision to join the EEC in 1973 and the collective consensus on building the economy in 1987.
"I have not seen anything like it back in terms of an economic plan. We now own the sustainable economic agenda and it's been put at the heart of Government thinking.
"Our green advantage is real and puts us ahead of other countries.
"The benefits across the board will be real and we can generate wealth in our sustainability agenda, using digital technology, and in agriculture and tourism," he said.
Other key elements in the energy area includes a long-term investment of €30 billion in renewable energy, new supports to allow large companies generate their own renewable electricity on site; and the roll-out of smart meters for every household in the country at a cost of €1 billion. The meters will allow users to monitor their usage, automatically switch off appliances, as well as feed renewable energy into the national grid.
Mr Ryan also pledged yesterday that if more than 25,000 households improved insulation in their homes next year, he would immediately seek to secure extra funds.
The Government will also put a greater emphasis on green enterprise and the development of green technology, both identified as key areas of growth in future years.
Planning for such renewable projects as wind turbines will also be fast-tracked.
The chief executive of the ESB, Padraig McManus, said that the biggest challenge in the plan was to have 40 per cent renewables by 2020, some 20 per cent above the EU target.
"That is going to be a stretch, there's no doubt about that. I know the Minister is committed to it," he said. "If you look at the level of wind connections that people are seeking, by next year, 2009, we will have offers out to people to connect 6,000 megawatts of wind. If that happens, then it's possible." (The current peak demand is circa 5,500 megawatts).
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Renovations to archbishop of Dublin's palace cost €500,000
The Catholic Church spent more then €500,000 to renovate the Archbishop of Dublin's palace in Drumcondra over the last four years.
Figures obtained by the Irish Independent the total paid for doing up the house -- with more than €200,000 spent on the first floor alone.
A spokeswoman said last night that €100,000 of the overall figure went on renovating the kitchen, utility and laundry areas and fitting appliances.
But the spokeswoman refused to confirm that €94,000 was spent installing a top-of-the-range Miele kitchen for Archbishop Diarmuid Martin -- who has spent three decades as a Vatican diplomat and who likes to cook at home.
The spokesperson later said that €77,000 was spent on the actual Miele units and appliances for the kitchen, utility, laundry and storage area.
This area caters for up to 30 people at a time during various meetings, and houses industrial appliances suitable for such numbers, she said.
The figures come in the wake of an interview last Friday in which Archbishop Martin urged the Government to develop a robust national poverty strategy. He also urged people to mind their money.
"We would all be happier if we were a little bit more austere in our lifestyle. I think there is room for a lot of improvement," he told Pat Kenny on the 'Late Late Show'.
Waste
"Nobody is in favour of waste, throwing food away or spending on things that are absolutely useless. If we learn some of that it will be for the good of all of us."
While originally built as a residence for archbishops of Dublin, the archbishop's house is now primarily used for office and meeting purposes.
It contains office accommodation for the archbishop and seven other diocesan personnel.
The building also provides meeting facilities for a range of Church meetings, conferences and events and is an important diocesan resource.
Archbishop Martin and his immediate predecessors have occupied two rooms -- a bedroom and a study -- for their private use.
A spokeswoman confirmed that significant work was required on the downstairs area, which is over 100 years old.
"Kitchen and toilet facilities date back over 30 years and were in very poor repair and no longer in line with current health and safety standards," she said, "A complete overhaul . . . was required."
"Work on the ground floor began at the end of last year. The cost for this work is around €200,000," the spokeswoman added.
The overall cost to date of renovations over four years was €500,000.
Patricia McDonagh
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Figures obtained by the Irish Independent the total paid for doing up the house -- with more than €200,000 spent on the first floor alone.
A spokeswoman said last night that €100,000 of the overall figure went on renovating the kitchen, utility and laundry areas and fitting appliances.
But the spokeswoman refused to confirm that €94,000 was spent installing a top-of-the-range Miele kitchen for Archbishop Diarmuid Martin -- who has spent three decades as a Vatican diplomat and who likes to cook at home.
The spokesperson later said that €77,000 was spent on the actual Miele units and appliances for the kitchen, utility, laundry and storage area.
This area caters for up to 30 people at a time during various meetings, and houses industrial appliances suitable for such numbers, she said.
The figures come in the wake of an interview last Friday in which Archbishop Martin urged the Government to develop a robust national poverty strategy. He also urged people to mind their money.
"We would all be happier if we were a little bit more austere in our lifestyle. I think there is room for a lot of improvement," he told Pat Kenny on the 'Late Late Show'.
Waste
"Nobody is in favour of waste, throwing food away or spending on things that are absolutely useless. If we learn some of that it will be for the good of all of us."
While originally built as a residence for archbishops of Dublin, the archbishop's house is now primarily used for office and meeting purposes.
It contains office accommodation for the archbishop and seven other diocesan personnel.
The building also provides meeting facilities for a range of Church meetings, conferences and events and is an important diocesan resource.
Archbishop Martin and his immediate predecessors have occupied two rooms -- a bedroom and a study -- for their private use.
A spokeswoman confirmed that significant work was required on the downstairs area, which is over 100 years old.
"Kitchen and toilet facilities date back over 30 years and were in very poor repair and no longer in line with current health and safety standards," she said, "A complete overhaul . . . was required."
"Work on the ground floor began at the end of last year. The cost for this work is around €200,000," the spokeswoman added.
The overall cost to date of renovations over four years was €500,000.
Patricia McDonagh
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
€30m bill to protect eroding Kerry coast
IT COULD cost more than €30 million to protect Kerry’s most vulnerable stretches of coastline from erosion, a report has estimated.
However, the council has no money to do the work and Government coffers are empty. A mere €3m was available for coastal protection, nationally, last year.
The crisis was graphically highlighted this week when erosion created a new, five-acre island at Rossbeigh, cutting off a large chunk of the sand dune area at a popular blue flag beach just off the Ring of Kerry.
Some people in the area have now offered to provide machinery and labour, free of charge, to prevent further damage.
Rossbeigh-based Fianna Fáil councillor and businessman Michael Cahill, who has warned for many years of severe damage by erosion, said there are fears the entire dunes area would eventually be washed away by the sea.
“’In my grandfather’s time it was said there was an acre of dune in Rossbeigh for every day of the year, but there’s less than one-third of that left,” he said.
Kerry has approximately 12% of the country’s coastline and the second highest amount of ‘soft’ coastline — areas vulnerable to erosion, including sand dunes, glacial cliffs, marine wetlands and estuary zones.
The problem was spectacularly illustrated by a landslide in Dunquin, last year, following which a new one kilometre stretch of roadway had to be built.
In 2003, it was estimated that of Kerry’s 684km of coastline, 378km was soft, with about 41km in need of urgent attention.
The cost of protecting the 41km was then conservatively estimated at €26m, but the figure is well over €30m at this stage, according to the council report released yesterday.
In 2003, a prioritised programme of work needed at 10 vulnerable locations was submitted to the Department of Marines for funding, with an estimated cost of almost €11m.
But, only a fraction of the work regarded as necessary five years ago has since been carried out due to a funds shortage.
In early 2007, however, the council had to proceed with emergency works at Inch, in the interest of public safety.
The works cost €4m, with grant aid of €900,000, coming from the Department of Agriculture and €150,000 from the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Department of Environment allocated €950,000.
However, there is still a €2m shortfall.
“The level of funding provided nationally for coastal protection works is totally inadequate, and this has been highlighted in previous responses to notices of motions by this council,” said a council spokesman.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
However, the council has no money to do the work and Government coffers are empty. A mere €3m was available for coastal protection, nationally, last year.
The crisis was graphically highlighted this week when erosion created a new, five-acre island at Rossbeigh, cutting off a large chunk of the sand dune area at a popular blue flag beach just off the Ring of Kerry.
Some people in the area have now offered to provide machinery and labour, free of charge, to prevent further damage.
Rossbeigh-based Fianna Fáil councillor and businessman Michael Cahill, who has warned for many years of severe damage by erosion, said there are fears the entire dunes area would eventually be washed away by the sea.
“’In my grandfather’s time it was said there was an acre of dune in Rossbeigh for every day of the year, but there’s less than one-third of that left,” he said.
Kerry has approximately 12% of the country’s coastline and the second highest amount of ‘soft’ coastline — areas vulnerable to erosion, including sand dunes, glacial cliffs, marine wetlands and estuary zones.
The problem was spectacularly illustrated by a landslide in Dunquin, last year, following which a new one kilometre stretch of roadway had to be built.
In 2003, it was estimated that of Kerry’s 684km of coastline, 378km was soft, with about 41km in need of urgent attention.
The cost of protecting the 41km was then conservatively estimated at €26m, but the figure is well over €30m at this stage, according to the council report released yesterday.
In 2003, a prioritised programme of work needed at 10 vulnerable locations was submitted to the Department of Marines for funding, with an estimated cost of almost €11m.
But, only a fraction of the work regarded as necessary five years ago has since been carried out due to a funds shortage.
In early 2007, however, the council had to proceed with emergency works at Inch, in the interest of public safety.
The works cost €4m, with grant aid of €900,000, coming from the Department of Agriculture and €150,000 from the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Department of Environment allocated €950,000.
However, there is still a €2m shortfall.
“The level of funding provided nationally for coastal protection works is totally inadequate, and this has been highlighted in previous responses to notices of motions by this council,” said a council spokesman.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Heritage group to lead campaign for Beamish site
The National Conservation and Heritage Group, which helped persuade brewing giants Diageo to develop the Guinness Storehouse as a tourist attraction, has confirmed it will mount a similar campaign to save Cork’s historic South Gate brewery site.
The group’s chairman, Dublin-based Damien Cassidy, said the site, in the heart of Cork’s historic core and with its striking mock-Tudor frontage, has huge tourism potential. The brewery, founded in Cork in 1792, is to close next March with the loss of 120 jobs.
The decision was announced last month after months of speculation about its future following the Competition Authority’s green light for its takeover by Heineken Ireland.
Heineken Ireland said it decided to close Beamish after a “a review of both individual brewing operations with particular focus on capacity, expansion capability and future investment”.
Mr Cassidy, who led a campaign to save Kilmainham Gaol, said he is hoping to form and then lead an apolitical delegation that would seek a meeting with senior Heineken executives in the coming weeks to discuss the Beamish project.
The group held similar meetings with Diageo when the Guinness brewing site in St James’s Gate, Dublin, was facing sale and possible development. The Guinness Storehouse is now Ireland’s top visitor attraction and the world’s third biggest “brand experience”. Last month, it welcomed its millionth visitor since opening in 2000.
Mr Cassidy said he will stress the success of the Storehouse when the delegation meets Heineken executives in coming weeks.
“We will put the case to Heineken to maintain some brewing on the site and save the buildings on cultural and heritage grounds, but most importantly on tourism grounds,” he said.
He said the site is perfectly positioned in a historic part of the city, close to South Gate Bridge and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
* The group has invited the public to attend an open meeting at the Flying Enterprise Bar, near the brewery, at 7pm on Saturday.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The group’s chairman, Dublin-based Damien Cassidy, said the site, in the heart of Cork’s historic core and with its striking mock-Tudor frontage, has huge tourism potential. The brewery, founded in Cork in 1792, is to close next March with the loss of 120 jobs.
The decision was announced last month after months of speculation about its future following the Competition Authority’s green light for its takeover by Heineken Ireland.
Heineken Ireland said it decided to close Beamish after a “a review of both individual brewing operations with particular focus on capacity, expansion capability and future investment”.
Mr Cassidy, who led a campaign to save Kilmainham Gaol, said he is hoping to form and then lead an apolitical delegation that would seek a meeting with senior Heineken executives in the coming weeks to discuss the Beamish project.
The group held similar meetings with Diageo when the Guinness brewing site in St James’s Gate, Dublin, was facing sale and possible development. The Guinness Storehouse is now Ireland’s top visitor attraction and the world’s third biggest “brand experience”. Last month, it welcomed its millionth visitor since opening in 2000.
Mr Cassidy said he will stress the success of the Storehouse when the delegation meets Heineken executives in coming weeks.
“We will put the case to Heineken to maintain some brewing on the site and save the buildings on cultural and heritage grounds, but most importantly on tourism grounds,” he said.
He said the site is perfectly positioned in a historic part of the city, close to South Gate Bridge and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
* The group has invited the public to attend an open meeting at the Flying Enterprise Bar, near the brewery, at 7pm on Saturday.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
€100m winter leisure park planned for Dublin
A building development company is planning to build an indoor ski resort and extreme sports centre in Tyrellstown, County Dublin, which it claims could lead to the creation of up to 700 jobs.
The project will feature two ski slopes; the longest running for 190 meters, a rock and ice climbing area and a high-level adventure playground.
The project is being run by Twinlite and is similar to recent winter sport developments in Manchester and Milton Keynes in the UK.
Rick Larkin, Twinlite director said barring any delays in the planning process he hoped the centre would open in the third quarter of 2010.
He said the company had already raised the estimated €100 million required for the development costs and said the worsening economic outlook for the country was not a significant concern.
“International experience is that in a recessionary environment leisure spend tends to be pretty resilient. People are drawn towards escapism and similar facilities in the UK have been performing well”.
In Manchester the fee for 90 minutes skiing including equipment hire is around £24 and Mr Larkin said he expects the pricing model for “Snowtopia” to be broadly similar.
The company expects up to 1.5 million visitors a year to a development that will include a paintball centre, digital theatres, a gym, restaurants and retail outlets.
Mr Larkin said the new jobs would be across the entire development and suggested that another “300 indirect” jobs could be created once the new centre is operational.
Irishtimes.com
www.buckplanning.ie
The project will feature two ski slopes; the longest running for 190 meters, a rock and ice climbing area and a high-level adventure playground.
The project is being run by Twinlite and is similar to recent winter sport developments in Manchester and Milton Keynes in the UK.
Rick Larkin, Twinlite director said barring any delays in the planning process he hoped the centre would open in the third quarter of 2010.
He said the company had already raised the estimated €100 million required for the development costs and said the worsening economic outlook for the country was not a significant concern.
“International experience is that in a recessionary environment leisure spend tends to be pretty resilient. People are drawn towards escapism and similar facilities in the UK have been performing well”.
In Manchester the fee for 90 minutes skiing including equipment hire is around £24 and Mr Larkin said he expects the pricing model for “Snowtopia” to be broadly similar.
The company expects up to 1.5 million visitors a year to a development that will include a paintball centre, digital theatres, a gym, restaurants and retail outlets.
Mr Larkin said the new jobs would be across the entire development and suggested that another “300 indirect” jobs could be created once the new centre is operational.
Irishtimes.com
www.buckplanning.ie
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