RESIDENTS IN south Dublin have once again launched a campaign to help protect urban farm, Airfield, from new road proposals.
The 35-acre estate, which was bequeathed in trust to the people of Dublin by the Overend sisters, has been under threat from developers and road builders intermittently over the last 10 years. According to Friends of Airfield, the current threat is contained in the draft Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Development Plan 2010-2016. The plan includes an objective to investigate providing a “public transport corridor” along a route from the Drummartin Link Road to Dundrum Town Centre.
Two years ago, a similar proposal was rejected by councillors on the grounds it would have encroached on the lower fields of the estate. Friends of Airfield have called on councillors to reject the latest objective.
Submissions to the council on all aspects of the draft development plan close next Friday, July 3rd.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Waste firms warn council on incineration
DUBLIN CITY Council has been accused of altering the terms of waste collection permits with the aim of directing household and commercial waste to the proposed municipal incinerator at Poolbeg.
The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA), which claims to represent 95 per cent of Ireland’s private waste management sector in Ireland, may take legal action against the council to have the new terms dropped.
Leading firm of solicitors AL Goodbody wrote to the council earlier this month claiming its move was contrary to the Waste Management Plan for the Dublin Region 2005-2010 and the Waste Management Regulations of 2007 and 2008.
The disputed clause specifies that a permit holder “shall ensure that all, or such specified proportion, of waste . . . is delivered to . . . such facilities or types of facilities so designated by the relevant local authority” in each functional area.
The IWMA claims this is designed by the council to “direct more waste to facilities it owns or has a financial interest in, such as the proposed Poolbeg incinerator”, which is being planned as a public-private partnership project.
According to the association, it was inserted into a waste collection permit granted last month to Veolia Environmental Services (Ireland) Ltd, of Ballymount Cross, Tallaght, a subsidiary of the French conglomerate Veolia, which also runs Luas.
In a letter to Minister for the Environment John Gormley, the IWMA claimed that the new clause “could restrict competition, cost consumers more and presents a clear conflict of interest for the council as both a regulator and market participant”.
One of its members, Panda Waste Services, is challenging the council’s decision to alter the existing waste permit regime, under which several private firms operate, to one where collection is carried out by either by the council or by a single firm appointed by it.
Waste collection permits for private companies are renewable every five years by the city council, acting as the region’s licensing authority, in line with the regional waste management plan, which also covers Fingal, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
The plan allows for permits to dictate which types of waste should be sent to a particular tier in the “waste hierarchy” – for example recycling, recovery (incineration) or disposal (landfill), all prioritised on the basis of environmental sustainability.
The IWMA insists the new terms “reserve the right for the council to designate which specific facilities the waste should be directed to”.
Jim Kells, the association’s chairman, said this “can only be with the Poolbeg incinerator in mind. It is the only facility the council has such a critical commercial interest in.”
Dublin City Council did not provide a reaction yesterday.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA), which claims to represent 95 per cent of Ireland’s private waste management sector in Ireland, may take legal action against the council to have the new terms dropped.
Leading firm of solicitors AL Goodbody wrote to the council earlier this month claiming its move was contrary to the Waste Management Plan for the Dublin Region 2005-2010 and the Waste Management Regulations of 2007 and 2008.
The disputed clause specifies that a permit holder “shall ensure that all, or such specified proportion, of waste . . . is delivered to . . . such facilities or types of facilities so designated by the relevant local authority” in each functional area.
The IWMA claims this is designed by the council to “direct more waste to facilities it owns or has a financial interest in, such as the proposed Poolbeg incinerator”, which is being planned as a public-private partnership project.
According to the association, it was inserted into a waste collection permit granted last month to Veolia Environmental Services (Ireland) Ltd, of Ballymount Cross, Tallaght, a subsidiary of the French conglomerate Veolia, which also runs Luas.
In a letter to Minister for the Environment John Gormley, the IWMA claimed that the new clause “could restrict competition, cost consumers more and presents a clear conflict of interest for the council as both a regulator and market participant”.
One of its members, Panda Waste Services, is challenging the council’s decision to alter the existing waste permit regime, under which several private firms operate, to one where collection is carried out by either by the council or by a single firm appointed by it.
Waste collection permits for private companies are renewable every five years by the city council, acting as the region’s licensing authority, in line with the regional waste management plan, which also covers Fingal, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
The plan allows for permits to dictate which types of waste should be sent to a particular tier in the “waste hierarchy” – for example recycling, recovery (incineration) or disposal (landfill), all prioritised on the basis of environmental sustainability.
The IWMA insists the new terms “reserve the right for the council to designate which specific facilities the waste should be directed to”.
Jim Kells, the association’s chairman, said this “can only be with the Poolbeg incinerator in mind. It is the only facility the council has such a critical commercial interest in.”
Dublin City Council did not provide a reaction yesterday.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Former AIB Donnybrook bank to be converted into supermarket
The former AIB bank branch in Donnybrook, Dublin, is to be converted into a supermarket by Superquinn directors David Courtney and Padraig Breen after Dublin City Council gave the plan the thumbs up.
Encap Properties is to develop the shop, a gym, restaurant and offices on the site.
Courtney, who is currently facing legal action from Barclays Bank in relation to loans for a proposed development in Finglas, north Dublin, was one of the original investors in Select Retail Holdings, which bought Superquinn from the Quinn family.
Superquinn has said that it is not involved in the Donnybrook development. The building was sold by AIB in 2006 as part of its sale and leaseback programme.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Encap Properties is to develop the shop, a gym, restaurant and offices on the site.
Courtney, who is currently facing legal action from Barclays Bank in relation to loans for a proposed development in Finglas, north Dublin, was one of the original investors in Select Retail Holdings, which bought Superquinn from the Quinn family.
Superquinn has said that it is not involved in the Donnybrook development. The building was sold by AIB in 2006 as part of its sale and leaseback programme.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Big four: how the downturn has hit the country's leading developers
The Longford native has a 40% stake in Castlethorn Construction, one of the largest developers in the state, whose assets include the Dundrum Town Centre and a site earmarked for an expansion of it. It is also behind the Adamstown development near Lucan and has plans for a major development at Woodbrook in Shankill. The remainder of the company is owned by the family of the late Liam Maye and builder John Fitzsimons.
Castlethorn's auditors, BDO Simpson Xavier, recently said there was uncertainty over the precise carrying value of Castlethorn's assets because of economic developments. Castlethorn's accounts were not qualified. Accounts for the Woodbrook site and a site at Shanganagh show a shareholders' deficit of more than €17m on 30 June 2007, up from less than €500,000 the previous year. During the year Castlethorn provided management services worth more than €5.9m to the company.
O'Reilly formed Chartered Land in recent years for his own developments. Since setting it up, he acquired part of the Pavilions in Swords and an adjacent site which he is planning to develop as well as a 50% of the Ilac Centre in Dublin city centre. He is also planning to develop the €1bn Dublin Central retail-led scheme at O'Connell Street. Chartered is also involved in a €300m office, leisure and retail scheme at Grand Canal Dock. O'Reilly developed a €110m retail centre on South King Street perpendicular to Grafton Street but sold 90% of it to an Anglo Irish Bank private equity fund. Neil Callanan
Seán Dunne
The Carlow-born developer has substantial property interests in Dublin 4, including the former Jurys Doyle and Berkeley Court hotels, which he bought for nearly €380m and now runs as D4 Hotels after planning permission for a major redevelopment of the seven-acre site was refused by An Bord Pleanála.
Dunne also owns an office building called Hume House, over which he is involved in a legal case with property advisers CBRE, and the Donnybrook Mall which he is planning to redevelop. He owns offices and land at AIB's headquarters in Ballsbridge and land in Rathfarnham.
Dunne owns a large number of companies, one of which, DCD Builders, had an emphasis of matter inserted in its accounts for the year ended 31 July 2007 by KPMG, which said the financial statements had been "prepared on a going concern basis, the validity of which depends on continuing financial support, which will enable the group and company to realise amounts for its property-related assets in excess of their carrying value".
During the year it made a loss of more than €14.5m, reducing shareholders' funds to just under €27.7m. Net debt stood at more than €418m at the end of the financial year.
A regular in Doheny & Nesbitt's pub at Baggot Street in Dublin 2, Dunne is one of the few developers who will be largely unaffected by the introduction of the National Asset Management Agency, as most of his borrowings were done with Ulster Bank, which is owned by RBS and is therefore covered by the British government's asset-protection scheme.
Paddy Kelly
Kelly told the Commercial Court in March he was thinking of entering bankruptcy proceedings as his liabilities exceeded his assets.
Kelly's relationship with the banks has become increasingly fraught. In a recent interview he launched a ferocious attack on them, saying: "The banks are being bailed out and they are putting the boot in left, right and centre. They're not lending and they are getting away with telling lies." Kelly claimed he was hounded by the banks during the boom years and is now being hounded for different reasons.
Several judgements have been registered against Kelly that could remove him from the property game permanently. Anglo Irish, a key lender to Kelly, has stopped the developer availing of some credit facilities, but it is understood the bank recently extended additional credit lines to the developer .
Recently Kelly and his son Simon had a €2m judgment entered against them by Investec, the South African bank. In May ACC secured orders against Kelly and his three children requiring them to pay €16m arising from guarantees over property. A stay has been placed on the execution of this judgement. Kelly previously accepted a judgment for €6.1m against him personally over failure to repay other loans advanced by ACC. The €6.1m judgment related to several loans advanced by ACC, including a €4.8m loan relating to the construction of 62 hotel units at the Clarion Hotel, near Blanchardstown in Dublin. Emmet Oliver
Bernard McNamara
Clare man McNamara has been a less frequent visitor to the courts in the past six months than either Carroll or Kelly. His chief company, Michael McNamara and Company, has unlimited status so it does not have to disclose its financial position publicly. However McNamara is likely to be seriously under water in terms of the valuation of his Burlington Hotel site, although he has sought to have the site rezoned.
McNamara, a resident of Ailesbury Road, was once believed to be worth almost €240m, but his wealth will have shrunk massively in the downturn.
The developer, a significant borrower with Anglo Irish Bank, is still getting support from that institution and Bank of Ireland, according to accounts for his companies. But in a reflection of straitened times for developers, McNamara's companies have been hit with a litany of "emphasis of matter" warnings by their own auditors.
One firm, Hannamie, recently said directors were having difficulty verifying the carrying value of property-related assets in the context of "current market conditions". Another key McNamara project, the South Wharf site at Poolbeg, is also likely to have plummeted in value. Anglo Irish recently took additional security on its €293m loan to Becbay, the company owned by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, McNamara and Derek Quinlan, which paid €411m for the site.
McNamara was a member of the Léargas consortium that was scheduled to build Thornton Hall prison, but the government said the price quoted was prohibitive and it is to be re-tendered. McNamara's group said they had put three years of "work and expense" into the project.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Castlethorn's auditors, BDO Simpson Xavier, recently said there was uncertainty over the precise carrying value of Castlethorn's assets because of economic developments. Castlethorn's accounts were not qualified. Accounts for the Woodbrook site and a site at Shanganagh show a shareholders' deficit of more than €17m on 30 June 2007, up from less than €500,000 the previous year. During the year Castlethorn provided management services worth more than €5.9m to the company.
O'Reilly formed Chartered Land in recent years for his own developments. Since setting it up, he acquired part of the Pavilions in Swords and an adjacent site which he is planning to develop as well as a 50% of the Ilac Centre in Dublin city centre. He is also planning to develop the €1bn Dublin Central retail-led scheme at O'Connell Street. Chartered is also involved in a €300m office, leisure and retail scheme at Grand Canal Dock. O'Reilly developed a €110m retail centre on South King Street perpendicular to Grafton Street but sold 90% of it to an Anglo Irish Bank private equity fund. Neil Callanan
Seán Dunne
The Carlow-born developer has substantial property interests in Dublin 4, including the former Jurys Doyle and Berkeley Court hotels, which he bought for nearly €380m and now runs as D4 Hotels after planning permission for a major redevelopment of the seven-acre site was refused by An Bord Pleanála.
Dunne also owns an office building called Hume House, over which he is involved in a legal case with property advisers CBRE, and the Donnybrook Mall which he is planning to redevelop. He owns offices and land at AIB's headquarters in Ballsbridge and land in Rathfarnham.
Dunne owns a large number of companies, one of which, DCD Builders, had an emphasis of matter inserted in its accounts for the year ended 31 July 2007 by KPMG, which said the financial statements had been "prepared on a going concern basis, the validity of which depends on continuing financial support, which will enable the group and company to realise amounts for its property-related assets in excess of their carrying value".
During the year it made a loss of more than €14.5m, reducing shareholders' funds to just under €27.7m. Net debt stood at more than €418m at the end of the financial year.
A regular in Doheny & Nesbitt's pub at Baggot Street in Dublin 2, Dunne is one of the few developers who will be largely unaffected by the introduction of the National Asset Management Agency, as most of his borrowings were done with Ulster Bank, which is owned by RBS and is therefore covered by the British government's asset-protection scheme.
Paddy Kelly
Kelly told the Commercial Court in March he was thinking of entering bankruptcy proceedings as his liabilities exceeded his assets.
Kelly's relationship with the banks has become increasingly fraught. In a recent interview he launched a ferocious attack on them, saying: "The banks are being bailed out and they are putting the boot in left, right and centre. They're not lending and they are getting away with telling lies." Kelly claimed he was hounded by the banks during the boom years and is now being hounded for different reasons.
Several judgements have been registered against Kelly that could remove him from the property game permanently. Anglo Irish, a key lender to Kelly, has stopped the developer availing of some credit facilities, but it is understood the bank recently extended additional credit lines to the developer .
Recently Kelly and his son Simon had a €2m judgment entered against them by Investec, the South African bank. In May ACC secured orders against Kelly and his three children requiring them to pay €16m arising from guarantees over property. A stay has been placed on the execution of this judgement. Kelly previously accepted a judgment for €6.1m against him personally over failure to repay other loans advanced by ACC. The €6.1m judgment related to several loans advanced by ACC, including a €4.8m loan relating to the construction of 62 hotel units at the Clarion Hotel, near Blanchardstown in Dublin. Emmet Oliver
Bernard McNamara
Clare man McNamara has been a less frequent visitor to the courts in the past six months than either Carroll or Kelly. His chief company, Michael McNamara and Company, has unlimited status so it does not have to disclose its financial position publicly. However McNamara is likely to be seriously under water in terms of the valuation of his Burlington Hotel site, although he has sought to have the site rezoned.
McNamara, a resident of Ailesbury Road, was once believed to be worth almost €240m, but his wealth will have shrunk massively in the downturn.
The developer, a significant borrower with Anglo Irish Bank, is still getting support from that institution and Bank of Ireland, according to accounts for his companies. But in a reflection of straitened times for developers, McNamara's companies have been hit with a litany of "emphasis of matter" warnings by their own auditors.
One firm, Hannamie, recently said directors were having difficulty verifying the carrying value of property-related assets in the context of "current market conditions". Another key McNamara project, the South Wharf site at Poolbeg, is also likely to have plummeted in value. Anglo Irish recently took additional security on its €293m loan to Becbay, the company owned by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, McNamara and Derek Quinlan, which paid €411m for the site.
McNamara was a member of the Léargas consortium that was scheduled to build Thornton Hall prison, but the government said the price quoted was prohibitive and it is to be re-tendered. McNamara's group said they had put three years of "work and expense" into the project.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin Airport clashes with Park's Cotter over car parks
The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is appealing against planning permission recently granted for a privately owned car park, claiming that parking is already at full capacity.
Michael Cotter's Park Developments was recently given permission by Fingal County Council to build a car park with 1,200 spaces on the site of the Cloghran stud farm, north of the airport.
However, the DAA says parking at the airport will already be at full capacity if its jointly-owned facility at Ballystruan goes ahead.
When the development of Terminal 2 was being considered, long-term parking at Dublin Airport was capped at 26,800 spaces and the DAA claims that giving both developments the go-ahead will breach this cap.
The Ballystruan development is a joint project between the DAA and Gerry Gannon and is also currently the subject of an appeal. This development was also limited to 1,200 spaces. However, the developers are seeking to have this increased substantially on appeal.
A DAA spokesman denied the authority is attempting to dominate long-term parking at the airport. "We currently have a live application in train for a long-term car park... If this were also approved, the cap would be breached," he said. The DAA, led by chief executive Declan Collier, is heavily dependent on car-parking revenues.
Park Developments is also appealing the decision to give planning to its car park and is seeking to have development contributions reduced from €9.15m to less than €8,000. When granting permission, the council included two multi-million euro contribution levies – €3.8m under the Development Contribution Scheme and €5.35m to go towards the part funding of the Metro North. However, Park Developments claims the levies are grossly incorrect and is asking to have them dramatically reduced.
In its submission to An Bord Pleanála, Park Developments argues the development-contribution levy applies solely to buildings and does not include open-air car-park facilities. As the only building proposed for the site is a 72sq m control office, the company argues, the contribution set by the council should have been just €7,992. In addition, the submission argues the €5.35m levy applied in support of Metro North should be reduced to nothing.
The levy applies to infrastructure in the vicinity of the Metro which will benefit from its scheme. However, Park Developments claims because customers will be driving to the car park, they will not use or benefit from the Metro, so the levy is not applicable.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Michael Cotter's Park Developments was recently given permission by Fingal County Council to build a car park with 1,200 spaces on the site of the Cloghran stud farm, north of the airport.
However, the DAA says parking at the airport will already be at full capacity if its jointly-owned facility at Ballystruan goes ahead.
When the development of Terminal 2 was being considered, long-term parking at Dublin Airport was capped at 26,800 spaces and the DAA claims that giving both developments the go-ahead will breach this cap.
The Ballystruan development is a joint project between the DAA and Gerry Gannon and is also currently the subject of an appeal. This development was also limited to 1,200 spaces. However, the developers are seeking to have this increased substantially on appeal.
A DAA spokesman denied the authority is attempting to dominate long-term parking at the airport. "We currently have a live application in train for a long-term car park... If this were also approved, the cap would be breached," he said. The DAA, led by chief executive Declan Collier, is heavily dependent on car-parking revenues.
Park Developments is also appealing the decision to give planning to its car park and is seeking to have development contributions reduced from €9.15m to less than €8,000. When granting permission, the council included two multi-million euro contribution levies – €3.8m under the Development Contribution Scheme and €5.35m to go towards the part funding of the Metro North. However, Park Developments claims the levies are grossly incorrect and is asking to have them dramatically reduced.
In its submission to An Bord Pleanála, Park Developments argues the development-contribution levy applies solely to buildings and does not include open-air car-park facilities. As the only building proposed for the site is a 72sq m control office, the company argues, the contribution set by the council should have been just €7,992. In addition, the submission argues the €5.35m levy applied in support of Metro North should be reduced to nothing.
The levy applies to infrastructure in the vicinity of the Metro which will benefit from its scheme. However, Park Developments claims because customers will be driving to the car park, they will not use or benefit from the Metro, so the levy is not applicable.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
TCD to turn listed bank building into bar
TRINITY College Dublin is set to expand into Temple Bar and renovate buildings on Anglesea Street and Foster Place in order to build a new bar and restaurant.
The former Allied Irish Bank premises is set to be revamped from a banking hall into a trendy bar which will span two floors. The entire development will stretch across seven buildings.
Also included in the extensive plans are proposals for a retail outlet on ground-floor level.
A spokeswoman for the
college said: "Planning permission is being sought to upgrade the entire property to accommodate improved educational facilities and comply with current building regulations and accessibility standards."
The upper levels of the buildings will be overhauled and extended to provide academic accommodation – a mixture of teaching rooms, study rooms and offices for the faculty of arts (humanities) and social sciences.
The work will require the removal of 200-year-old banking vaults.
Four of the buildings are listed as protected structures.
The body, which represents businesses in Temple Bar, Traders in the Area Supporting the Cultural Quarter (TASCQ), will discuss the scheme in its next sub-committee meeting.
"We are not anti-development in any sense, but we will look over the proposals when we get them," said Martin Harte, executive manager of TASCQ.
"In general, the area of development in question is an important gateway to Temple Bar and we usually support plans for advancement of the area."
Local publican and owner of The Bank on College Green Charlie Chawke said that while he thought the area had enough bars, he was in support of any progress which enhanced the area for tourists and locals alike.
"If they get through the rigorous work such a project demands it will be a good move for the area. The buildings themselves are very beautiful and it will be interesting to see what happens," he said.
It is understood the redesign of the premises has been prepared by Moloney O'Beirne architects.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
The former Allied Irish Bank premises is set to be revamped from a banking hall into a trendy bar which will span two floors. The entire development will stretch across seven buildings.
Also included in the extensive plans are proposals for a retail outlet on ground-floor level.
A spokeswoman for the
college said: "Planning permission is being sought to upgrade the entire property to accommodate improved educational facilities and comply with current building regulations and accessibility standards."
The upper levels of the buildings will be overhauled and extended to provide academic accommodation – a mixture of teaching rooms, study rooms and offices for the faculty of arts (humanities) and social sciences.
The work will require the removal of 200-year-old banking vaults.
Four of the buildings are listed as protected structures.
The body, which represents businesses in Temple Bar, Traders in the Area Supporting the Cultural Quarter (TASCQ), will discuss the scheme in its next sub-committee meeting.
"We are not anti-development in any sense, but we will look over the proposals when we get them," said Martin Harte, executive manager of TASCQ.
"In general, the area of development in question is an important gateway to Temple Bar and we usually support plans for advancement of the area."
Local publican and owner of The Bank on College Green Charlie Chawke said that while he thought the area had enough bars, he was in support of any progress which enhanced the area for tourists and locals alike.
"If they get through the rigorous work such a project demands it will be a good move for the area. The buildings themselves are very beautiful and it will be interesting to see what happens," he said.
It is understood the redesign of the premises has been prepared by Moloney O'Beirne architects.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
State agencies divided in row over Galway bypass
A NUMBER of different government agencies are set to take opposing sides of a bitter High Court battle over a controversial €317m Galway city motorway.
A judicial review of An Bord Pleanála's decision to approve part of the Galway city outer bypass will be heard in the High Court's Commercial Court from Tuesday.
Environmentalist Peter Sweetman is taking a case against the state and An Bord Pleanála. Environmental group Hands Across the Corrib of Ballinafoyle, Co Galway, claims that a decision by An Bord Pleanála to approve part of the massive project was based on a flawed environmental impact assessment.
The National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Department of the Environment have joined with objectors such as Sweetman and Hands Across the Corrib in the case against An Bord Pleanála, which in turn has the support of the National Roads Authority and Galway County Council.
The NPWS and the Department of the Environment, which will be represented by the attorney general, is arguing that the decision by An Bord Pleanála may contravene an EU habitat directive.
Galway TD Frank Fahey, who is the chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, has called for co-operation and mediation between the opposing government agencies on the issue as he believes a protracted court battle could jeopardise the future of the controversial project.
Fahey said: "That government agencies are opposing each other in a High Court case in this way is ludicrous.
"The relevant agencies should come together to discuss the potential contraventions to the habitat directive, with the viewpoint to reaching a compromise that would allow this vital infrastructural project to proceed.
"The Galway City outer bypass is crucial for the development of the city and the delay to its development has already proved damaging for the city."
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
A judicial review of An Bord Pleanála's decision to approve part of the Galway city outer bypass will be heard in the High Court's Commercial Court from Tuesday.
Environmentalist Peter Sweetman is taking a case against the state and An Bord Pleanála. Environmental group Hands Across the Corrib of Ballinafoyle, Co Galway, claims that a decision by An Bord Pleanála to approve part of the massive project was based on a flawed environmental impact assessment.
The National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Department of the Environment have joined with objectors such as Sweetman and Hands Across the Corrib in the case against An Bord Pleanála, which in turn has the support of the National Roads Authority and Galway County Council.
The NPWS and the Department of the Environment, which will be represented by the attorney general, is arguing that the decision by An Bord Pleanála may contravene an EU habitat directive.
Galway TD Frank Fahey, who is the chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, has called for co-operation and mediation between the opposing government agencies on the issue as he believes a protracted court battle could jeopardise the future of the controversial project.
Fahey said: "That government agencies are opposing each other in a High Court case in this way is ludicrous.
"The relevant agencies should come together to discuss the potential contraventions to the habitat directive, with the viewpoint to reaching a compromise that would allow this vital infrastructural project to proceed.
"The Galway City outer bypass is crucial for the development of the city and the delay to its development has already proved damaging for the city."
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Gorey man hit with €40k bill after fighting CPO bid
A FATHER of five who fought a compulsory purchase order on his land has been left with a €40,000 bill which he claims the National Roads Authority had said it would pay.
Tadhg O'Scannail (50) from Gorey, Co Wexford, decided to fight the NRA's bid to secure part of his land under a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for a controversial motorway truck stop in the area. He claims he was told his costs for an engineer and a solicitor would be covered by the NRA in the event of any effort to block the CPO.
But the NRA says it never made any such promise and that in the end his land wasn't even wanted. "I am a self-employed plumber," O'Scannail said. "My wife is a nurse who has been hit by all these levies. I don't have a penny and I have three kids in school, one doing the Junior Cert and one starting first year next year.
"It's taken me 10 years to get the house the way it is and it's still not finished. My property is devalued by the economic climate anyway and who is going to buy a house beside a service area?
"This was supposed to be my pension and security for my children but now we are stuck behind a truck stop."
According to O'Scannail, the NRA told him his costs would be covered, or partly covered, in the event that his land became the subject of a CPO.
He incurred various costs including €25,000 for an engineer, €11,000 for a sound engineer, and €5,000 for a barrister to represent him at an oral hearing.
However, the NRA later notified him that a CPO would not be required on his land following a reassessment of the project. "I have been told nothing. We had to make a passionate plea to the inspector in An Bord Pleanála to ask if he would make a recommendation to cover the costs. They are under no legal requirement to do so," said O'Scannail.
"My whole problem is the unfair manner in which we have been dealt with. [The NRA] have misrepresented themselves on a number of occasions. But the NRA says any decision to incur costs before the official CPO process was initiated was "his responsibility". Its spokesman said that a 'notice to treat', which makes the CPO process official, was never furnished and that the decision not to take the land was communicated as soon as they knew.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Tadhg O'Scannail (50) from Gorey, Co Wexford, decided to fight the NRA's bid to secure part of his land under a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for a controversial motorway truck stop in the area. He claims he was told his costs for an engineer and a solicitor would be covered by the NRA in the event of any effort to block the CPO.
But the NRA says it never made any such promise and that in the end his land wasn't even wanted. "I am a self-employed plumber," O'Scannail said. "My wife is a nurse who has been hit by all these levies. I don't have a penny and I have three kids in school, one doing the Junior Cert and one starting first year next year.
"It's taken me 10 years to get the house the way it is and it's still not finished. My property is devalued by the economic climate anyway and who is going to buy a house beside a service area?
"This was supposed to be my pension and security for my children but now we are stuck behind a truck stop."
According to O'Scannail, the NRA told him his costs would be covered, or partly covered, in the event that his land became the subject of a CPO.
He incurred various costs including €25,000 for an engineer, €11,000 for a sound engineer, and €5,000 for a barrister to represent him at an oral hearing.
However, the NRA later notified him that a CPO would not be required on his land following a reassessment of the project. "I have been told nothing. We had to make a passionate plea to the inspector in An Bord Pleanála to ask if he would make a recommendation to cover the costs. They are under no legal requirement to do so," said O'Scannail.
"My whole problem is the unfair manner in which we have been dealt with. [The NRA] have misrepresented themselves on a number of occasions. But the NRA says any decision to incur costs before the official CPO process was initiated was "his responsibility". Its spokesman said that a 'notice to treat', which makes the CPO process official, was never furnished and that the decision not to take the land was communicated as soon as they knew.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Group seeks clarity on exclusion zone at sea
WORK BY the Solitaire ship on laying the offshore pipeline began yesterday in Broadhaven Bay as there were more calls for political leadership and legal clarification on the issues involved.
The Department of Transport confirmed last night that no order had been issued for a 500-metre exclusion zone around the Solitaire. It has issued only one marine notice on work in the bay, which makes no reference to an exclusion zone. Gardaí have said they are policing an exclusion zone “passed by the department”.
Earlier, the Erris Inshore Fishermen’s Association (EIFA), which has a legal agreement with Shell to facilitate the work, said it was “gravely concerned” at the Government’s refusal to clarify the legal situation.
“It is not good enough for a legislative authority to refuse to take responsibility for this project once again, as it has done from day one,” EIFA chairman Eddie Diver told The Irish Times.
He was commenting on Thursday’s arrest of fishermen Pat and Jonathan O’Donnell, who had been out on the water watching their fishing gear hours before the arrival of the Solitaire. Both fishermen’s boats have been detained indefinitely by gardaí under the Maritime Safety Act.
The 300m ship, which has a crew of 420 when at full complement, was escorted into the bay late on Thursday night amid heavy security on land and on water.
Two naval patrol ships, the LE Orla and LE Emer, are assisting the Garda, with inflatable vessels provided by the Naval Service, Garda Water Unit and Shell’s security company, Integrated Risk Management Services (IRMS).
Five Shell to Sea kayakers, among a small group of less than 50 at the Rossport Solidarity Camp, came within 100m of the vessel late on Thursday night. The five were apprehended by IRMS, but no arrests were made.
The EIFA, which has not been party to any protests on water, said the “refusal by the Government to clarify a situation of conflicting rights – a constitutional right to fish for those licensed to do so, and a temporary foreshore licence for a private company – has resulted in one young man being kept in Castlerea prison, one boat has sunk, two boats are detained, and the Garda and Naval Service have been put in an impossible position”.
The O’Donnells are among a minority of EIFA members who declined to accept compensation from Shell for temporary loss of livelihood during pipelaying due to their concern over the impact of the Corrib gas refinery discharge pipe on the marine environment.
Community groups Pobal Chill Chomáin and Pobal Le Chéile, which are not party to any protests on water condemned the arrests.
Spokesmen for the groups, Vincent McGrath of the Rossport Five and Ciarán Ó Murchú, ex-Air Corps pilot and managing director of Coláiste Uisce, warned that “intervention is required . . . before this situation seriously deteriorates and this development results in serious injury or death”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Department of Transport confirmed last night that no order had been issued for a 500-metre exclusion zone around the Solitaire. It has issued only one marine notice on work in the bay, which makes no reference to an exclusion zone. Gardaí have said they are policing an exclusion zone “passed by the department”.
Earlier, the Erris Inshore Fishermen’s Association (EIFA), which has a legal agreement with Shell to facilitate the work, said it was “gravely concerned” at the Government’s refusal to clarify the legal situation.
“It is not good enough for a legislative authority to refuse to take responsibility for this project once again, as it has done from day one,” EIFA chairman Eddie Diver told The Irish Times.
He was commenting on Thursday’s arrest of fishermen Pat and Jonathan O’Donnell, who had been out on the water watching their fishing gear hours before the arrival of the Solitaire. Both fishermen’s boats have been detained indefinitely by gardaí under the Maritime Safety Act.
The 300m ship, which has a crew of 420 when at full complement, was escorted into the bay late on Thursday night amid heavy security on land and on water.
Two naval patrol ships, the LE Orla and LE Emer, are assisting the Garda, with inflatable vessels provided by the Naval Service, Garda Water Unit and Shell’s security company, Integrated Risk Management Services (IRMS).
Five Shell to Sea kayakers, among a small group of less than 50 at the Rossport Solidarity Camp, came within 100m of the vessel late on Thursday night. The five were apprehended by IRMS, but no arrests were made.
The EIFA, which has not been party to any protests on water, said the “refusal by the Government to clarify a situation of conflicting rights – a constitutional right to fish for those licensed to do so, and a temporary foreshore licence for a private company – has resulted in one young man being kept in Castlerea prison, one boat has sunk, two boats are detained, and the Garda and Naval Service have been put in an impossible position”.
The O’Donnells are among a minority of EIFA members who declined to accept compensation from Shell for temporary loss of livelihood during pipelaying due to their concern over the impact of the Corrib gas refinery discharge pipe on the marine environment.
Community groups Pobal Chill Chomáin and Pobal Le Chéile, which are not party to any protests on water condemned the arrests.
Spokesmen for the groups, Vincent McGrath of the Rossport Five and Ciarán Ó Murchú, ex-Air Corps pilot and managing director of Coláiste Uisce, warned that “intervention is required . . . before this situation seriously deteriorates and this development results in serious injury or death”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Best-selling writer appeals Clare wind farm decision
AUTHOR Niall Williams says he will be forced to move from his west Clare home if a planned 120m (395ft) high wind farm is built just more than 500m from his property.
The author of seven novels, Williams has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála against a Clare County Council decision to grant planning permission to Aonghus Coughlan for a two-turbine wind- farm.
The Dubliner and his wife, Christine Breen, moved to Ms Breen’s ancestral family home in the isolated village of Kiltumper, near Kilmihil, in 1985 to write.
In their objection lodged with the council, Williams said the “flashing” effect caused by the rotating blades of the wind turbines, when the sun was shining, would have a nauseating, disorientating effect because of a particular eye condition he had.
“As a result, my lifestyle in Kiltumper, my home for nearly 25 years, would be enormously compromised, and because of fears for my health, I would be forced to sell and move from the area . . . Needless to say, in the event of the windfarm going ahead, we would seek legal representation to address the liability for the loss of our livelihood here.”
But letters of support for the plan have been lodged by local organisations including Kilmihil GAA Club, Kilmihil soccer club and Kilmihil farmers’ association.
The council rejected the Williams’s arguments and gave the the plan the go-ahead, stating it would not seriously injure the amenities of the area. A decision is due on the appeal later this year.
Meanwhile, plans for a separate €50 million wind farm near the Co Clare village of Lissycasey are being threatened by a claim to turf-cutting rights going back generations.
Last month, ESB subsidiary Hibernian Windpower lodged plans for an 11-turbine wind farm at Boolneagleragh in the region.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The author of seven novels, Williams has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála against a Clare County Council decision to grant planning permission to Aonghus Coughlan for a two-turbine wind- farm.
The Dubliner and his wife, Christine Breen, moved to Ms Breen’s ancestral family home in the isolated village of Kiltumper, near Kilmihil, in 1985 to write.
In their objection lodged with the council, Williams said the “flashing” effect caused by the rotating blades of the wind turbines, when the sun was shining, would have a nauseating, disorientating effect because of a particular eye condition he had.
“As a result, my lifestyle in Kiltumper, my home for nearly 25 years, would be enormously compromised, and because of fears for my health, I would be forced to sell and move from the area . . . Needless to say, in the event of the windfarm going ahead, we would seek legal representation to address the liability for the loss of our livelihood here.”
But letters of support for the plan have been lodged by local organisations including Kilmihil GAA Club, Kilmihil soccer club and Kilmihil farmers’ association.
The council rejected the Williams’s arguments and gave the the plan the go-ahead, stating it would not seriously injure the amenities of the area. A decision is due on the appeal later this year.
Meanwhile, plans for a separate €50 million wind farm near the Co Clare village of Lissycasey are being threatened by a claim to turf-cutting rights going back generations.
Last month, ESB subsidiary Hibernian Windpower lodged plans for an 11-turbine wind farm at Boolneagleragh in the region.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Company defends security operations at Corrib gas sites
SHELL EP Ireland yesterday defended the ongoing security operation at its Corrib gas sites in north Mayo on the final day of a Bord Pleanála hearing into the development.
Shell also revealed that the Environmental Protection Agency this week categorised an application by the company for a modification of the project’s Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence – to fulfil an agreement with the Erris Inshore Fishermen’s Association about discharge to Broadhaven Bay – as “a license review” rather than “a technical amendment”.
In a closing statement to the board hearing into Shell’s modified pipeline route, Esmonde Keane, counsel for the company, observed that the “current pipeline application must be seen in the context of the developments which it serves and its strategic importance”.
He said that the large security presence was justified in light of threats to Shell personnel.
“Repeated references have been made by objectors to security. It must be pointed out that the necessity for security and the presence of An Garda Síochána has been to keep the peace in the light of numerous attempts by individuals to cause damage and injury to persons lawfully working on the site.”
Alluding to the long history of the project, Mr Keane said this application was before the board “against a background of a previously approved route which had met intractable opposition from one section of the community and which had resulted in significant efforts to alleviate concerns which were held by certain members of the community.”
He cited the various permissions and consents and noted that “no other development proposal has been subject to such an amount of study and surveys over such a period of time”.
Responding to “inaccuracies” in other submissions, Mr Keane argued that all of “the development which has or is currently being carried out has been properly assessed and is in compliance with all national and European legislation”.
Addressing the alternative onshore proposal for a terminal at the remote Glinsk site, Mr Keane said “not only would the landfall at Glinsk involve tunnelling through significant cliffs but the corridor commencing at Glinsk would traverse the Glenamoy Bog Complex for approximately 5.5km and would involve impacting on extensive areas of undisturbed blanket bog”.
Earlier, in her closing remarks, Maura Harrington of Shell to Sea dismissed the Department of Energy’s contention that the Corrib gas was intrinsic to the country’s future “security of supply”.
She said: “In his evidence to the hearing Mr Stuart Basford confirmed that the maximum flow rate of Corrib (350 million standard cubic feet per day) would only last to Year Three.
“Mr Basford further confirmed that, given the country’s current energy requirements, even the maximum flow rate in the first three years would not provide 60 per cent of these energy needs,” said Ms Harrington. A decision is expected around August.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Shell also revealed that the Environmental Protection Agency this week categorised an application by the company for a modification of the project’s Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence – to fulfil an agreement with the Erris Inshore Fishermen’s Association about discharge to Broadhaven Bay – as “a license review” rather than “a technical amendment”.
In a closing statement to the board hearing into Shell’s modified pipeline route, Esmonde Keane, counsel for the company, observed that the “current pipeline application must be seen in the context of the developments which it serves and its strategic importance”.
He said that the large security presence was justified in light of threats to Shell personnel.
“Repeated references have been made by objectors to security. It must be pointed out that the necessity for security and the presence of An Garda Síochána has been to keep the peace in the light of numerous attempts by individuals to cause damage and injury to persons lawfully working on the site.”
Alluding to the long history of the project, Mr Keane said this application was before the board “against a background of a previously approved route which had met intractable opposition from one section of the community and which had resulted in significant efforts to alleviate concerns which were held by certain members of the community.”
He cited the various permissions and consents and noted that “no other development proposal has been subject to such an amount of study and surveys over such a period of time”.
Responding to “inaccuracies” in other submissions, Mr Keane argued that all of “the development which has or is currently being carried out has been properly assessed and is in compliance with all national and European legislation”.
Addressing the alternative onshore proposal for a terminal at the remote Glinsk site, Mr Keane said “not only would the landfall at Glinsk involve tunnelling through significant cliffs but the corridor commencing at Glinsk would traverse the Glenamoy Bog Complex for approximately 5.5km and would involve impacting on extensive areas of undisturbed blanket bog”.
Earlier, in her closing remarks, Maura Harrington of Shell to Sea dismissed the Department of Energy’s contention that the Corrib gas was intrinsic to the country’s future “security of supply”.
She said: “In his evidence to the hearing Mr Stuart Basford confirmed that the maximum flow rate of Corrib (350 million standard cubic feet per day) would only last to Year Three.
“Mr Basford further confirmed that, given the country’s current energy requirements, even the maximum flow rate in the first three years would not provide 60 per cent of these energy needs,” said Ms Harrington. A decision is expected around August.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 25 June 2009
New codes to protect archaeological sites
NEW MOVES to improve archaeological protection on major building projects were announced yesterday. The new codes of practice will apply to all new infrastructural projects such as motorways, power lines and wind farms.
Their introduction follows a surge in business in recent years among firms involved in archaeological surveys and excavations due to the State’s motorway programme.
More recently the archaeology industry has received a renewed surge in business due to the number of applications for wind farms.
Developed jointly by the ESB, Eirgrid, the Irish Concrete Federation and the Department of Environment, the new codes will allow work to improve infrastructure while “addressing archaeological implications in a structured manner, sensitive to the need to protect archaeological sites and monuments”.
Launching the codes yesterday, Minister for the Environment John Gormley said the organisations involved had shown a strong commitment to the conservation of archaeology in their plans and to an overall approach that is sustainable and sensitive to Ireland’s unique heritage.
He added: “The codes show that development and conservation can go hand in hand . . . “Being pro-heritage does not equate to being anti-development.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Their introduction follows a surge in business in recent years among firms involved in archaeological surveys and excavations due to the State’s motorway programme.
More recently the archaeology industry has received a renewed surge in business due to the number of applications for wind farms.
Developed jointly by the ESB, Eirgrid, the Irish Concrete Federation and the Department of Environment, the new codes will allow work to improve infrastructure while “addressing archaeological implications in a structured manner, sensitive to the need to protect archaeological sites and monuments”.
Launching the codes yesterday, Minister for the Environment John Gormley said the organisations involved had shown a strong commitment to the conservation of archaeology in their plans and to an overall approach that is sustainable and sensitive to Ireland’s unique heritage.
He added: “The codes show that development and conservation can go hand in hand . . . “Being pro-heritage does not equate to being anti-development.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Irish architects win recognition abroad
WITH IRISH architects losing their jobs week after week, it’s heartening to find that some of their best work is winning international recognition. Latest is a 2009 Green Good Design Award for Dublin City Council’s York Street housing scheme, designed by Seán Harrington Architects.
This design accolade is awarded jointly by the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies and the Chicago Athenaeum. Hundreds of submissions were received from over 40 countries, and the winners will be exhibited next month in Athens.
York Street incorporates many sustainable design features, including energy-efficient heating systems using solar panels, glazed “winter garden” balconies, high levels of insulation, “green sedum roofs” and rainwater harvesting to irrigate the residents’ courtyard garden.
Meanwhile, the Seán O’Casey Community Centre in Dublin’s Docklands by O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects, is one of six schemes shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) Lubetkin Prize, which is awarded for the best international scheme by institute members.
It’s up against competition from three Olympic projects in Beijing – the National Stadium by Herzog de Meuron, Beijing International Airport by Foster + Partners and the Watercube National Swimming Centre by PTW Architects – as well as the British High Commission in Colombo by Richard Murphy and Museum Brandhorst in Munich by Sauerbuch Hutton. The Lubetkin Prize is named in honour of Georgia-born architect Berthold Lubetkin (1901-1990), who worked in Paris before coming to London in the 1930s to establish the influential Tecton Group. It is awarded for the most outstanding building outside the EU by an RIBA member and is chosen from winners of RIBA international awards.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
This design accolade is awarded jointly by the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies and the Chicago Athenaeum. Hundreds of submissions were received from over 40 countries, and the winners will be exhibited next month in Athens.
York Street incorporates many sustainable design features, including energy-efficient heating systems using solar panels, glazed “winter garden” balconies, high levels of insulation, “green sedum roofs” and rainwater harvesting to irrigate the residents’ courtyard garden.
Meanwhile, the Seán O’Casey Community Centre in Dublin’s Docklands by O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects, is one of six schemes shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) Lubetkin Prize, which is awarded for the best international scheme by institute members.
It’s up against competition from three Olympic projects in Beijing – the National Stadium by Herzog de Meuron, Beijing International Airport by Foster + Partners and the Watercube National Swimming Centre by PTW Architects – as well as the British High Commission in Colombo by Richard Murphy and Museum Brandhorst in Munich by Sauerbuch Hutton. The Lubetkin Prize is named in honour of Georgia-born architect Berthold Lubetkin (1901-1990), who worked in Paris before coming to London in the 1930s to establish the influential Tecton Group. It is awarded for the most outstanding building outside the EU by an RIBA member and is chosen from winners of RIBA international awards.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Shell asks fishermen to move pots from bay
ON THE EVE of the arrival off Co Mayo of the pipelaying ship Solitaire, Shell EP Ireland has asked four Mayo fishermen to move their gear from Broadhaven Bay.
However, the Garda says it has responded to a request from one of the four fishermen, Pat O’Donnell, to provide protection for him and his gear if requested.
The Solitaire , described as the world’s largest pipelaying ship, had to abandon attempts to lay an offshore pipe last summer. It is scheduled to complete renewed attempts to lay the pipe from Broadhaven Bay out to the wellhead by the end of August.
One and “possibly two” Naval Service ships have been deployed to assist the Garda amid anticipated protests.
The ship is expected to arrive off Co Mayo hours after a Bord Pleanála hearing into the onshore pipeline completes its work in Belmullet after an 18-day sitting.
Mr O’Donnell, who is a Shell To Sea supporter and has concerns about the impact of the Corrib gas discharge pipe on the marine environment, reported damage to some of his pots yesterday to Belmullet Garda station.
Two weeks ago one of his boats was sunk in an alleged boarding by armed men. During the Solitaire ’s visit last year he was arrested twice by gardaí, but was released shortly before a court hearing challenging the terms of his detention.
A letter sent by Shell EP Ireland yesterday to Mr O’Donnell, his two brothers Martin and Tony and son Jonathan asks them to remove their gear temporarily to a safe location or it may be obliged to do same. The letter offers “fair and equitable” compensation for disruption to fishing activities.
Mr O’Donnell, his two brothers and his son have 3,000 crab pots in Broadhaven Bay. Mr O’Donnell told The Irish Times he had “no wish for any conflict with Shell” but had asked the company to “demonstrate its lawful authority to remove his gear”.
While Shell holds a foreshore licence for the offshore pipelaying work, the O’Donnells hold fishing licences, and the fishermen’s legal advisers say the company has no legal authority to remove fishing gear.
They are not party to an agreement between local fishermen and Shell which involves compensation for members of the Erris Inshore Fishermen’s Association.
Under a notice by the Department of Transport, all vessels are required to “keep clear” of the works, and a 500m exclusion zone has been put in place.
Chief Supt Tony McNamara, head of the Mayo Garda division, confirmed that two officers had visited Mr O’Donnell after his request this week for protection.
“Mr O’Donnell could not identify specific threats to his gear, but he was asked to contact us and give adequate notice for same,” said Chief Supt McNamara.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
However, the Garda says it has responded to a request from one of the four fishermen, Pat O’Donnell, to provide protection for him and his gear if requested.
The Solitaire , described as the world’s largest pipelaying ship, had to abandon attempts to lay an offshore pipe last summer. It is scheduled to complete renewed attempts to lay the pipe from Broadhaven Bay out to the wellhead by the end of August.
One and “possibly two” Naval Service ships have been deployed to assist the Garda amid anticipated protests.
The ship is expected to arrive off Co Mayo hours after a Bord Pleanála hearing into the onshore pipeline completes its work in Belmullet after an 18-day sitting.
Mr O’Donnell, who is a Shell To Sea supporter and has concerns about the impact of the Corrib gas discharge pipe on the marine environment, reported damage to some of his pots yesterday to Belmullet Garda station.
Two weeks ago one of his boats was sunk in an alleged boarding by armed men. During the Solitaire ’s visit last year he was arrested twice by gardaí, but was released shortly before a court hearing challenging the terms of his detention.
A letter sent by Shell EP Ireland yesterday to Mr O’Donnell, his two brothers Martin and Tony and son Jonathan asks them to remove their gear temporarily to a safe location or it may be obliged to do same. The letter offers “fair and equitable” compensation for disruption to fishing activities.
Mr O’Donnell, his two brothers and his son have 3,000 crab pots in Broadhaven Bay. Mr O’Donnell told The Irish Times he had “no wish for any conflict with Shell” but had asked the company to “demonstrate its lawful authority to remove his gear”.
While Shell holds a foreshore licence for the offshore pipelaying work, the O’Donnells hold fishing licences, and the fishermen’s legal advisers say the company has no legal authority to remove fishing gear.
They are not party to an agreement between local fishermen and Shell which involves compensation for members of the Erris Inshore Fishermen’s Association.
Under a notice by the Department of Transport, all vessels are required to “keep clear” of the works, and a 500m exclusion zone has been put in place.
Chief Supt Tony McNamara, head of the Mayo Garda division, confirmed that two officers had visited Mr O’Donnell after his request this week for protection.
“Mr O’Donnell could not identify specific threats to his gear, but he was asked to contact us and give adequate notice for same,” said Chief Supt McNamara.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Ministers and Garda accused of prejudicing Bord Pleanála hearing
GOVERNMENT MINISTERS, the Garda Síochána and the Naval Service have been accused of prejudicing the An Bord Pleanála hearing into the modified pipeline route for Shell EP Ireland’s Corrib gas project.
On the penultimate and 18th day of the hearing in Belmullet, Co Mayo, Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan was also accused of incompetence, of “ignoring” the Advantica report, while his officials were told they were trying to “deceive the hearing” by changing a key recommendation of Advantica – an independent safety review commissioned by his predecessor Noel Dempsey.
In his closing statement, Ed Moran, a retired teacher, said the parading of small Naval Service vessels through Belmullet on Wednesday night, coupled with the earlier arrival of the Garda Water Unit and a northwest forum meeting – held on Monday last and attended by three Government Ministers – was “a show of force” ahead of the arrival of the Solitaire pipe-laying vessel.
“The extent to which this is being orchestrated and media-fed while a hearing is being conducted and a decision has yet to be made by An Bord Pleanála [about the onshore pipeline] means that it has prejudiced itself,” said Mr Moran.
Rossport Five’s Micheál Ó Seighin observed that the work of the board had been compromised by “the ongoing implementation of other and overlapping aspects of this split project, accompanied by statements and activities by Government Ministers and official spokespeople that indicate loud and clear that this is a done deal”.
“The contradiction headlined by the work being progressed at a rapid pace by SEPIL at Glengad lent or bestowed a surreal element to the hearing,” said Mr Ó Seighin.
He also observed the hearing had not clarified how former minister Frank Fahey had issued a consent for a project straddling the high water mark without “an initial extant planning permission”.
Responding to a Department of Energy closing statement, John Monaghan, for Pobal Chill Chomáin, said official Bob Hanna “at the eleventh hour” was attempting to “deceive” the hearing “with a new submission”.
Mr Hanna had said the developer “will be obliged to verify to the Minister the integrity of the design, construction, installation, commissioning and maintenance of production facilities”, which will then be audited by Mr Ryan “prior to giving his consent to first production”. Mr Monaghan pointed out that Advantica recommended that “a formal integrity management plan is established prior to construction” and not to commissioning. He also revealed that retired Army bomb disposal expert Comdt Patrick Boyle had told Mr Ryan that the remote Glinsk option – proposed by local priests – was the safest one.
Monica Muller observed that, after eight years of the community trying to help Shell make Corrib safe, she has “no expectations or trust that this applicant would comply with any conditions that the board may impose”.
Fr Michael Nallen, parish priest of Kilcommon, said the project was underpinned by “political motivation” and that its essence, despite the apparent modifications, was the same as when first proposed.
He criticised the manner in which the media was portraying his community.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
On the penultimate and 18th day of the hearing in Belmullet, Co Mayo, Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan was also accused of incompetence, of “ignoring” the Advantica report, while his officials were told they were trying to “deceive the hearing” by changing a key recommendation of Advantica – an independent safety review commissioned by his predecessor Noel Dempsey.
In his closing statement, Ed Moran, a retired teacher, said the parading of small Naval Service vessels through Belmullet on Wednesday night, coupled with the earlier arrival of the Garda Water Unit and a northwest forum meeting – held on Monday last and attended by three Government Ministers – was “a show of force” ahead of the arrival of the Solitaire pipe-laying vessel.
“The extent to which this is being orchestrated and media-fed while a hearing is being conducted and a decision has yet to be made by An Bord Pleanála [about the onshore pipeline] means that it has prejudiced itself,” said Mr Moran.
Rossport Five’s Micheál Ó Seighin observed that the work of the board had been compromised by “the ongoing implementation of other and overlapping aspects of this split project, accompanied by statements and activities by Government Ministers and official spokespeople that indicate loud and clear that this is a done deal”.
“The contradiction headlined by the work being progressed at a rapid pace by SEPIL at Glengad lent or bestowed a surreal element to the hearing,” said Mr Ó Seighin.
He also observed the hearing had not clarified how former minister Frank Fahey had issued a consent for a project straddling the high water mark without “an initial extant planning permission”.
Responding to a Department of Energy closing statement, John Monaghan, for Pobal Chill Chomáin, said official Bob Hanna “at the eleventh hour” was attempting to “deceive” the hearing “with a new submission”.
Mr Hanna had said the developer “will be obliged to verify to the Minister the integrity of the design, construction, installation, commissioning and maintenance of production facilities”, which will then be audited by Mr Ryan “prior to giving his consent to first production”. Mr Monaghan pointed out that Advantica recommended that “a formal integrity management plan is established prior to construction” and not to commissioning. He also revealed that retired Army bomb disposal expert Comdt Patrick Boyle had told Mr Ryan that the remote Glinsk option – proposed by local priests – was the safest one.
Monica Muller observed that, after eight years of the community trying to help Shell make Corrib safe, she has “no expectations or trust that this applicant would comply with any conditions that the board may impose”.
Fr Michael Nallen, parish priest of Kilcommon, said the project was underpinned by “political motivation” and that its essence, despite the apparent modifications, was the same as when first proposed.
He criticised the manner in which the media was portraying his community.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Bord rejects 11-storey block at Four Courts
PLANS TO demolish the six-storey former motor tax office behind the Four Courts in Dublin and replace it with a part seven and 11-storey block have been rejected by An Bord Pleanála.
Linders of Smithfield, which bought the 1970s River House at Chancery Street from Dublin City Council, secured permission for the redevelopment from the city planners subject to a number of conditions, including one that a revised façade be used.
The developers had proposed to wrap the building in what was described as “an external woven mesh screen that unifies the building and gives it an abstract quality”. This was intended to reduce the glare and solar gain associated with the east and west façades. The mesh was also to wrap over the top of the building to screen a plant area at roof level.
The new development was to have 8,636sq m (92,957sq ft) to accommodate 450 workers. The layout provided for a café at ground floor level.
An Taisce said it was seriously concerned about the impact of the proposed building which appeared significantly larger than the dome on the Four Courts “which is a pre-eminently important building and is one of the images of Dublin”.
The inspector from An Bord Pleanála said he found the proposed building to be “insensitively large in scale, poorly proportioned, less than elegant, even threatening and with the proposed use of the mesh rather gimmicky”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Linders of Smithfield, which bought the 1970s River House at Chancery Street from Dublin City Council, secured permission for the redevelopment from the city planners subject to a number of conditions, including one that a revised façade be used.
The developers had proposed to wrap the building in what was described as “an external woven mesh screen that unifies the building and gives it an abstract quality”. This was intended to reduce the glare and solar gain associated with the east and west façades. The mesh was also to wrap over the top of the building to screen a plant area at roof level.
The new development was to have 8,636sq m (92,957sq ft) to accommodate 450 workers. The layout provided for a café at ground floor level.
An Taisce said it was seriously concerned about the impact of the proposed building which appeared significantly larger than the dome on the Four Courts “which is a pre-eminently important building and is one of the images of Dublin”.
The inspector from An Bord Pleanála said he found the proposed building to be “insensitively large in scale, poorly proportioned, less than elegant, even threatening and with the proposed use of the mesh rather gimmicky”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
O'Callaghan in €9m land purchase row
DEVELOPER Owen O'Callaghan is involved in a legal row over whether his company is entitled to terminate an alleged agreement for a €9m land purchase.
It centres on an alleged deal between his company and Sean and Eileen O'Sullivan of Glenhouse, Frankfield, Grange, Douglas, Cork, for the purchase of 37 acres of lands at Ballyorban, Douglas.
Mr O'Callaghan claims the agreement was linked to a separate agreement to buy the grounds of Cork Constitution rugby club for €26m and move the club to the Ballyorban lands.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly admitted the proceedings by O'Callaghan Properties to the Commercial Court yesterday. Separate proceedings seeking specific performance of the €9m agreement had also been issued by the O'Sullivans and will be addressed in the O'Callaghan proceedings.
The O'Sullivans claim that O'Callaghan Properties is not entitled to rescind the agreement.
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
It centres on an alleged deal between his company and Sean and Eileen O'Sullivan of Glenhouse, Frankfield, Grange, Douglas, Cork, for the purchase of 37 acres of lands at Ballyorban, Douglas.
Mr O'Callaghan claims the agreement was linked to a separate agreement to buy the grounds of Cork Constitution rugby club for €26m and move the club to the Ballyorban lands.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly admitted the proceedings by O'Callaghan Properties to the Commercial Court yesterday. Separate proceedings seeking specific performance of the €9m agreement had also been issued by the O'Sullivans and will be addressed in the O'Callaghan proceedings.
The O'Sullivans claim that O'Callaghan Properties is not entitled to rescind the agreement.
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Thomond Park voted public’s favourite building
MUNSTER might not have won the Heineken Cup this year but the province can claim another title as its home ground, Thomond Park in Limerick has scooped a prestigious architecture award.
The redeveloped rugby stadium ground was voted the public’s favourite Irish building in the annual awards ceremony hosted by Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland in Dublin last night.
The famous home of Munster rugby, which now has a 26,500-capacity, was re-opened last year following a 20-month construction project that cost around €40 million.
Plans for the new Thomond Park were designed by leading architectural firm, Murray O’Laoire.
One of the practice’s founders, Hugh Murray – a brother of the Chief Justice John Murray – said he was delighted to accept the Public Choice award "as an architect, a Limerick man and a Munster supporter."
"The firm is really pleased that the project is getting the recognition it deserves," said Mr Murray. "Maintaining the atmosphere and close relationship between players and spectators was a key requirement."
The winner of the RIAI’s Public Choice award was chosen by listeners of RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland programme.
No doubt backed by the famous support of Munster rugby fans, Thomond Park easily beat off strong competition, receiving around 37% of the 5,000 votes submitted in the online poll. Other popular public buildings such as the new Opera House in Wexford and the new library in Abbeyleix, Co Laois finished in second and third place respectively.
The much-praised Opera House, designed by OPW architects and Keith Williams Architects, went on to win the award for best cultural building, while De Blacam & Meagher received the Best Conservation/Restoration Award for their work on the Abbeyleix library.
Murray O’Laoire also won an award for its design for the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, Co Offaly in the category for healthcare building.
However, Thomond was beaten by the Ballyfermot Leisure & Youth Centre Project for the award for Best Leisure Building.
A total of 17 projects, ranging from small house extensions to large-scale public building projects, were presented with their awards by Environment Minister John Gormley.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The redeveloped rugby stadium ground was voted the public’s favourite Irish building in the annual awards ceremony hosted by Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland in Dublin last night.
The famous home of Munster rugby, which now has a 26,500-capacity, was re-opened last year following a 20-month construction project that cost around €40 million.
Plans for the new Thomond Park were designed by leading architectural firm, Murray O’Laoire.
One of the practice’s founders, Hugh Murray – a brother of the Chief Justice John Murray – said he was delighted to accept the Public Choice award "as an architect, a Limerick man and a Munster supporter."
"The firm is really pleased that the project is getting the recognition it deserves," said Mr Murray. "Maintaining the atmosphere and close relationship between players and spectators was a key requirement."
The winner of the RIAI’s Public Choice award was chosen by listeners of RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland programme.
No doubt backed by the famous support of Munster rugby fans, Thomond Park easily beat off strong competition, receiving around 37% of the 5,000 votes submitted in the online poll. Other popular public buildings such as the new Opera House in Wexford and the new library in Abbeyleix, Co Laois finished in second and third place respectively.
The much-praised Opera House, designed by OPW architects and Keith Williams Architects, went on to win the award for best cultural building, while De Blacam & Meagher received the Best Conservation/Restoration Award for their work on the Abbeyleix library.
Murray O’Laoire also won an award for its design for the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, Co Offaly in the category for healthcare building.
However, Thomond was beaten by the Ballyfermot Leisure & Youth Centre Project for the award for Best Leisure Building.
A total of 17 projects, ranging from small house extensions to large-scale public building projects, were presented with their awards by Environment Minister John Gormley.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Noisy neighbours could be hit with ASBOs
HOME and car owners who allow their alarms to blare continuously could be hit by fines or even an ASBO behaviour warning under new legislation to be brought before the Oireachtas this autumn.
The new laws, which will allow local authorities to directly shut down the alarms of repeat offenders, are currently being prepared by environment minister John Gormley.
The proposals will also allow gardaí to intervene if residents complain frequently enough about a specific house or car.
Complaints about noisy alarms going off throughout the night are amongst the most common complaints received by local authorities, landlords and the gardaí.
The new noise pollution legislation will also apply to construction sites as well as commercial premises, particularly pubs and nightclubs.
A code of practice will be put in place for construction, commercial and domestic property-holders with strict rules on what is acceptable.
Details of the scheme released by the Department of Justice said gardaí could also be called in to deal with repeat offenders.
The department said: "Local authorities will have more effective and speedier enforcement powers to deal with nuisances from particular noise sources, including specific powers of direct intervention in the case of continuously sounding alarms.
"It is also proposed to extend some of the enhanced powers to An Garda Síochaná in certain circumstances. There will, in addition, be measures to increase awareness of noise nuisance and of how it can be remedied.
"Under the bill, it will be possible to prescribe time limits for the operation of alarms and to provide for direct intervention to disable alarms from the outside of premises and to issue fixed-payment notices for breaches of the time limit.
"In circumstances where the noise nuisance relating to neighbours is anti-social within the meaning of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, a member of the Garda Síochaná may issue a behaviour warning."
The Department of the Environment, which is drafting the legislation, said the alarm laws were a follow-up on a commitment made in the Programme for Government and were being treated as "a matter of priority".
A total of 235 submissions had been received from members of the public after a discussion paper was published last August, the department said. "The deadline for submissions on the consultation has now passed and the submissions received have been considered.
"Following the consultation process, the general scheme of a bill on noise nuisance was developed by this department. Last month... [the] Minister for the Environment brought the general scheme to cabinet to seek approval to commence the drafting of the bill. The general scheme was approved and it is anticipated that a draft bill will go before the Oireachtas this autumn."
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
The new laws, which will allow local authorities to directly shut down the alarms of repeat offenders, are currently being prepared by environment minister John Gormley.
The proposals will also allow gardaí to intervene if residents complain frequently enough about a specific house or car.
Complaints about noisy alarms going off throughout the night are amongst the most common complaints received by local authorities, landlords and the gardaí.
The new noise pollution legislation will also apply to construction sites as well as commercial premises, particularly pubs and nightclubs.
A code of practice will be put in place for construction, commercial and domestic property-holders with strict rules on what is acceptable.
Details of the scheme released by the Department of Justice said gardaí could also be called in to deal with repeat offenders.
The department said: "Local authorities will have more effective and speedier enforcement powers to deal with nuisances from particular noise sources, including specific powers of direct intervention in the case of continuously sounding alarms.
"It is also proposed to extend some of the enhanced powers to An Garda Síochaná in certain circumstances. There will, in addition, be measures to increase awareness of noise nuisance and of how it can be remedied.
"Under the bill, it will be possible to prescribe time limits for the operation of alarms and to provide for direct intervention to disable alarms from the outside of premises and to issue fixed-payment notices for breaches of the time limit.
"In circumstances where the noise nuisance relating to neighbours is anti-social within the meaning of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, a member of the Garda Síochaná may issue a behaviour warning."
The Department of the Environment, which is drafting the legislation, said the alarm laws were a follow-up on a commitment made in the Programme for Government and were being treated as "a matter of priority".
A total of 235 submissions had been received from members of the public after a discussion paper was published last August, the department said. "The deadline for submissions on the consultation has now passed and the submissions received have been considered.
"Following the consultation process, the general scheme of a bill on noise nuisance was developed by this department. Last month... [the] Minister for the Environment brought the general scheme to cabinet to seek approval to commence the drafting of the bill. The general scheme was approved and it is anticipated that a draft bill will go before the Oireachtas this autumn."
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Metro works to demolish part of St Patrick’s college
Some of the walls and trees at St Patrick’s teacher training college in Drumcondra, Dublin, will be knocked down as part of ‘enabling works’ for the Metro North project.
The works will also include the building of a ventilation shaft for the rail project near to a children’s playground. The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) is seeking tenders for the work, which includes the relocation of a grass recreational area and the reinforcement of walls.
The preferred route for the 18-kilometre Metro North - due to be built between Swords and St Stephen’s Green in the city centre - runs along the west side of the grounds of the training college. The RPA has been in discussions with the management of the college and specified that contractors would seek to minimise disruption during any works.
The works - including the building of the 25-metre deep ventilation shaft for the underground line - are expected to take about six months to complete.
‘‘The area would be sealed off and made safe during and after the construction works. We have worked very closely with college management on these plans,” said an RPA spokesman.
He said that tenders had been sought for a number of works - including the removal and relocation of the Daniel O’Connell statue on O’Connell Street - even though a decision will not be made on a railway order for the Metro North until September.
This means that work could start immediately if the order is granted for the multi-billion euro transport system. An oral hearing on the Metro North project went into recess in May, and is expected to restart soon. When it is complete, An Bord Pleanála will make a decision on the railway order, but enabling works cannot begin for a further two months to allow for judicial review.
Separately, the RPA has also invited tenders for the management and operation of all Luas park-and-ride facilities, including at least two new facilities that will be built for the extensions of the two tram lines.
One of these will be in Cheeverstown - for the Luas Red line extension to Saggart - and will have 300 spaces. The location of a facility for the extension of the Green line to Cherrywood is still being decided.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
The works will also include the building of a ventilation shaft for the rail project near to a children’s playground. The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) is seeking tenders for the work, which includes the relocation of a grass recreational area and the reinforcement of walls.
The preferred route for the 18-kilometre Metro North - due to be built between Swords and St Stephen’s Green in the city centre - runs along the west side of the grounds of the training college. The RPA has been in discussions with the management of the college and specified that contractors would seek to minimise disruption during any works.
The works - including the building of the 25-metre deep ventilation shaft for the underground line - are expected to take about six months to complete.
‘‘The area would be sealed off and made safe during and after the construction works. We have worked very closely with college management on these plans,” said an RPA spokesman.
He said that tenders had been sought for a number of works - including the removal and relocation of the Daniel O’Connell statue on O’Connell Street - even though a decision will not be made on a railway order for the Metro North until September.
This means that work could start immediately if the order is granted for the multi-billion euro transport system. An oral hearing on the Metro North project went into recess in May, and is expected to restart soon. When it is complete, An Bord Pleanála will make a decision on the railway order, but enabling works cannot begin for a further two months to allow for judicial review.
Separately, the RPA has also invited tenders for the management and operation of all Luas park-and-ride facilities, including at least two new facilities that will be built for the extensions of the two tram lines.
One of these will be in Cheeverstown - for the Luas Red line extension to Saggart - and will have 300 spaces. The location of a facility for the extension of the Green line to Cherrywood is still being decided.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Coillte eyes property development
The company controls 7 per cent of all land in the country, and is now seeking to partner with property developers and building firms to develop projects.
Coillte has issued a tender inviting proposals from property companies and intends to set up a panel of potential partners, which it will draw from for individual projects.
According to tender documents, the company is interested in a full range of potential projects, including residential developments, schools, health centres and creches. Coillte also lists utility developments such as waste water facilities and energy projects as potential enterprises.
Tourism projects, leisure developments and sports facilities will also be considered.
Gerry Egan, group director of corporate affairs at Coillte, said the forestry company had applied for and received planning permission for various once-off developments in recent years. He said it now intended to ‘‘formalise’’ its approach to property projects to get the best value.
‘‘We are constantly being approached by individual developers about specific projects. We felt it would be a good idea to control it in a formal basis,” according to Egan.
He said the Coillte tender was ‘‘testing the market’’ to see what projects would be proposed. ‘‘We are looking for people to come and talk to us, and we are setting up a formal structure to allow this to happen,” he said. Coillte has annual revenues of about €250 million, but recently warned the government that it expects to make a loss this year.
It is expected to cut jobs from its workforce of 1,200 people, after suffered from the downturn in residential property construction and the weakness of sterling.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Coillte has issued a tender inviting proposals from property companies and intends to set up a panel of potential partners, which it will draw from for individual projects.
According to tender documents, the company is interested in a full range of potential projects, including residential developments, schools, health centres and creches. Coillte also lists utility developments such as waste water facilities and energy projects as potential enterprises.
Tourism projects, leisure developments and sports facilities will also be considered.
Gerry Egan, group director of corporate affairs at Coillte, said the forestry company had applied for and received planning permission for various once-off developments in recent years. He said it now intended to ‘‘formalise’’ its approach to property projects to get the best value.
‘‘We are constantly being approached by individual developers about specific projects. We felt it would be a good idea to control it in a formal basis,” according to Egan.
He said the Coillte tender was ‘‘testing the market’’ to see what projects would be proposed. ‘‘We are looking for people to come and talk to us, and we are setting up a formal structure to allow this to happen,” he said. Coillte has annual revenues of about €250 million, but recently warned the government that it expects to make a loss this year.
It is expected to cut jobs from its workforce of 1,200 people, after suffered from the downturn in residential property construction and the weakness of sterling.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Locals object to solicitor's plan for Dalkey house at right of way
PLANS BY prominent solicitor and developer Noel Smyth to build a 440sq m (4,736sq feet) house in Dalkey, accessed by an old right of way for walkers, have attracted more than 30 objections from local residents.
Objectors claim the zoning on the site near Torca Road does not permit the construction of additional buildings and say plans by Mr Smyth to replace a 25sq m derelict shed with the De Blacam Meagher-designed house makes a mockery of planning objectives.
The Mount Salus Residents’ Association says in an objection that the three-bed house would seriously injure the amenities and natural environment of the Gorse Hill park in Dalkey.
“This is in effect a proposal to build a house in a park using the public footpath for vehicular access.”
Dalkey Community Council claims the proposal would destroy the wooded aspect of the site and adjoining woodland area, while the proposal for vehicular access on the right of way raises issues of public safety on a quiet lane.
Another prominent lawyer, Bill Shipsey, and his wife Moira say they do not accept that Mr Smyth has any legal rights over the footpath other than as walkers using a right of way.
The Shipseys say the site was at the centre of a previous planning controversy in the late 1970s.
On that occasion, a planning permission for a house, which was granted one day after planning notice appeared in the newspapers, was overturned by the High Court.
The then owner appealed unsuccessfully to the Supreme Court.
Mr Smyth acted as legal adviser for the owner and in 1981 acquired the property himself.
Former Bank of Ireland governor Howard Kilroy and his wife Meriel argue in their objection that Mr Smyth does not have sufficient title to the right of way connecting Torca Road and Knocknacree Road, which is intended to provide access to the house.
The Kilroys also claim the granting of planning permission would set a precedent for further development in the area.
In 2005, Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council widened the lane, laid tarmacadam and installed lighting. The local authority said at the time it carried out the works to minimise vandalism, facilitate a cycle track and allow access for its van to trim trees and remove undergrowth.
Mr Smyth told The Irish Times yesterday that he owned the right of way but had no intention of closing off access for others.
He described the proposed house as “a labour of love” and said he intended to move into it when it was built.
“This is a beautiful area and I wouldn’t build something there unless it was in keeping with its surroundings.” He had spoken to each of his immediate neighbours and had persuaded them it was “a good thing for the area”.
Mr Smyth said neither he nor his agents had any involvement in the council’s decision to upgrade the laneway.
He pointed out that another house could already use it to drive into their house and that he was extending vehicular access by just five metres, not the 40m (131ft) claimed by objectors.
While he fully accepted people’s right to object to planning applications, he claimed that just “two or three” people were behind the collection of the objections.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Objectors claim the zoning on the site near Torca Road does not permit the construction of additional buildings and say plans by Mr Smyth to replace a 25sq m derelict shed with the De Blacam Meagher-designed house makes a mockery of planning objectives.
The Mount Salus Residents’ Association says in an objection that the three-bed house would seriously injure the amenities and natural environment of the Gorse Hill park in Dalkey.
“This is in effect a proposal to build a house in a park using the public footpath for vehicular access.”
Dalkey Community Council claims the proposal would destroy the wooded aspect of the site and adjoining woodland area, while the proposal for vehicular access on the right of way raises issues of public safety on a quiet lane.
Another prominent lawyer, Bill Shipsey, and his wife Moira say they do not accept that Mr Smyth has any legal rights over the footpath other than as walkers using a right of way.
The Shipseys say the site was at the centre of a previous planning controversy in the late 1970s.
On that occasion, a planning permission for a house, which was granted one day after planning notice appeared in the newspapers, was overturned by the High Court.
The then owner appealed unsuccessfully to the Supreme Court.
Mr Smyth acted as legal adviser for the owner and in 1981 acquired the property himself.
Former Bank of Ireland governor Howard Kilroy and his wife Meriel argue in their objection that Mr Smyth does not have sufficient title to the right of way connecting Torca Road and Knocknacree Road, which is intended to provide access to the house.
The Kilroys also claim the granting of planning permission would set a precedent for further development in the area.
In 2005, Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council widened the lane, laid tarmacadam and installed lighting. The local authority said at the time it carried out the works to minimise vandalism, facilitate a cycle track and allow access for its van to trim trees and remove undergrowth.
Mr Smyth told The Irish Times yesterday that he owned the right of way but had no intention of closing off access for others.
He described the proposed house as “a labour of love” and said he intended to move into it when it was built.
“This is a beautiful area and I wouldn’t build something there unless it was in keeping with its surroundings.” He had spoken to each of his immediate neighbours and had persuaded them it was “a good thing for the area”.
Mr Smyth said neither he nor his agents had any involvement in the council’s decision to upgrade the laneway.
He pointed out that another house could already use it to drive into their house and that he was extending vehicular access by just five metres, not the 40m (131ft) claimed by objectors.
While he fully accepted people’s right to object to planning applications, he claimed that just “two or three” people were behind the collection of the objections.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Energy plan to set 'clear and unambiguous' targets
THE GOVERNMENT’S National Energy Efficiency Plan, laying down “clear and unambiguous targets” for all sectors of the economy is to be published shortly, according to Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
Speaking last night at the presentation of the Irish Architecture Awards 2009, he said the new targets would apply to the public service, residential, commercial and industrial sectors, transport providers and energy suppliers.
The Minister noted that minimum energy performance standards for all homes covered by Part L of the building regulations become fully effective from next Wednesday. These would result in a 40 per cent improvement on the previous (2005) standards.
“A framework for achieving the ultimate goal of a carbon neutral building standard for dwellings by 2013 is nearing completion and will be available for consultation with industry and the wider public in the near future,” he said.
He added “green economy thinking is no hollow aspiration”, but was already happening as a result of Government interventions. For example, he noted that 1,400 small construction firms had registered for Sustainable Energy Ireland’s Greener Homes scheme.
As for architects, the Minister recognised that this was a time of “immense challenge”, saying he believed that a growing focus on quality “must be retained and nurtured” because it was by delivering quality design that the profession would best sustain itself.
In the awards, which were presented by RTÉ broadcaster Ryan Tubridy, Abbeyleix Library in Co Laois by deBlacam and Meagher Architects won the conservation/ restoration category for showing such aplomb in transforming the town’s former market house.
The Best Cultural Building award predictably went to the Wexford Opera House, by OPW Architects in association with Keith Williams, for what the jury described as an “exceptional new home contained within a bold contemporary form that rises theatrically” above the skyline.
Ó Briain Beary Architects won the Best Public Building award for Leixlip Garda station, which the jury’s citation said “defies the constraints traditionally associated with this brief and an unpromising suburban site to create an elegant and resourceful architectural composition”.
A2 Architects won the Best Educational Project award for the French School’s Eurocampus in Clonskeagh, Dublin. The jury was impressed by their “careful and confident architectural gesture without unnecessary deference” to existing buildings on the site.
The Public Choice Award, not surprisingly, went to the redevelopment of Thomond Park in Limerick by Murray O’Laoire and AFL Architects. A President’s Award was presented to Grafton Architects, for the Bocconi University Faculty Building in Milan, transcending every category.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Speaking last night at the presentation of the Irish Architecture Awards 2009, he said the new targets would apply to the public service, residential, commercial and industrial sectors, transport providers and energy suppliers.
The Minister noted that minimum energy performance standards for all homes covered by Part L of the building regulations become fully effective from next Wednesday. These would result in a 40 per cent improvement on the previous (2005) standards.
“A framework for achieving the ultimate goal of a carbon neutral building standard for dwellings by 2013 is nearing completion and will be available for consultation with industry and the wider public in the near future,” he said.
He added “green economy thinking is no hollow aspiration”, but was already happening as a result of Government interventions. For example, he noted that 1,400 small construction firms had registered for Sustainable Energy Ireland’s Greener Homes scheme.
As for architects, the Minister recognised that this was a time of “immense challenge”, saying he believed that a growing focus on quality “must be retained and nurtured” because it was by delivering quality design that the profession would best sustain itself.
In the awards, which were presented by RTÉ broadcaster Ryan Tubridy, Abbeyleix Library in Co Laois by deBlacam and Meagher Architects won the conservation/ restoration category for showing such aplomb in transforming the town’s former market house.
The Best Cultural Building award predictably went to the Wexford Opera House, by OPW Architects in association with Keith Williams, for what the jury described as an “exceptional new home contained within a bold contemporary form that rises theatrically” above the skyline.
Ó Briain Beary Architects won the Best Public Building award for Leixlip Garda station, which the jury’s citation said “defies the constraints traditionally associated with this brief and an unpromising suburban site to create an elegant and resourceful architectural composition”.
A2 Architects won the Best Educational Project award for the French School’s Eurocampus in Clonskeagh, Dublin. The jury was impressed by their “careful and confident architectural gesture without unnecessary deference” to existing buildings on the site.
The Public Choice Award, not surprisingly, went to the redevelopment of Thomond Park in Limerick by Murray O’Laoire and AFL Architects. A President’s Award was presented to Grafton Architects, for the Bocconi University Faculty Building in Milan, transcending every category.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Government throws developers a five-year lifeline
HARD-PRESSED developers with planning permission for projects they cannot afford to build are to be thrown a five-year lifeline by Government through new legislation.
The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 will allow local authorities to give planning applicants an extension on the time limit attached to planning applications. Under existing legislation, applications have a shelf life of five years.
Regardless of the time and expense involved in producing a plan and getting it through local authority and An Bord Pleanála planning processes, once the five years is past a developer must reapply for permission if they decide to go ahead with the development.
Under section 23 of the new Bill if “the authority is satisfied that there were considerations of a commercial, economic or technical nature beyond the control of the applicant, which substantially mitigated against either the commencement of development or the carrying out of substantial works pursuant to the planning permission, the council may extend the timeframe of the planning permission by a period in time up to five years at their discretion”.
If introduced, the legislation means developments such as that planned for the Burlington Hotel in Dublin may come to fruition when the economy has recovered.
The €1 billion redevelopment plan for the hotel was shelved by developers earlier this month despite having been given permission by An Bord Pleanála. Glasby Ltd had welcomed the success of the application, but said any decision on the site was many years away.
The Bill amends and extends the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001.
According to its memorandum, its aim is to support economic renewal and promote sustainable development by ensuring that the planning system supports targeted investment on infrastructure by the State.
It also attempts to modernise land zoning and “strengthen local democracy and accountability”.
Under section 18, the Minister for the Environment may direct a local authority to change its development plan, a variation to its development plan or a local area plan.
The authority is bound to comply with that direction and the manager or councillors may not carry out any act that contravenes the direction.
The Bill also aims to ensure a closer alignment between the National Spatial Strategy, regional planning guidelines, development plans and local area plans.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 will allow local authorities to give planning applicants an extension on the time limit attached to planning applications. Under existing legislation, applications have a shelf life of five years.
Regardless of the time and expense involved in producing a plan and getting it through local authority and An Bord Pleanála planning processes, once the five years is past a developer must reapply for permission if they decide to go ahead with the development.
Under section 23 of the new Bill if “the authority is satisfied that there were considerations of a commercial, economic or technical nature beyond the control of the applicant, which substantially mitigated against either the commencement of development or the carrying out of substantial works pursuant to the planning permission, the council may extend the timeframe of the planning permission by a period in time up to five years at their discretion”.
If introduced, the legislation means developments such as that planned for the Burlington Hotel in Dublin may come to fruition when the economy has recovered.
The €1 billion redevelopment plan for the hotel was shelved by developers earlier this month despite having been given permission by An Bord Pleanála. Glasby Ltd had welcomed the success of the application, but said any decision on the site was many years away.
The Bill amends and extends the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001.
According to its memorandum, its aim is to support economic renewal and promote sustainable development by ensuring that the planning system supports targeted investment on infrastructure by the State.
It also attempts to modernise land zoning and “strengthen local democracy and accountability”.
Under section 18, the Minister for the Environment may direct a local authority to change its development plan, a variation to its development plan or a local area plan.
The authority is bound to comply with that direction and the manager or councillors may not carry out any act that contravenes the direction.
The Bill also aims to ensure a closer alignment between the National Spatial Strategy, regional planning guidelines, development plans and local area plans.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Hearing ends into Indaver proposal
AFTER FIVE weeks of deliberations, An Bord Pleanála’s hearing into a proposed incinerator on a 12-acre site at Ringaskiddy in Co Cork drew to a close yesterday.
An Bord Pleanála inspector Öznur Yucel-Finn must now make a conclusive decision on the evidence presented to the hearing.
A decision on the eight-year planning battle between local residents and incinerator backers Indaver Ireland is expected this year.
Yesterday’s presentations consisted of closing submissions from community representatives, statutory bodies, the Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment and Indaver Ireland.
In his closing statement, the director of Indaver Ireland, John Ahern, said that there was a proven need for the proposed incinerator.
“That need is consistent with the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan, does not prejudice any objective in the Cork City Waste Management Plan 2004-2009 or the Waste Management Plan for Cork County 2004-2009.”
He added that the proposed development was consistent with the objective to promote the recovery of energy from waste.
In her closing statement, alliance chairwoman Mary O’Leary spoke of the multiple levels on which the proposal failed good planning criteria.
She said that the site selection was wrong and the technology to be employed was unsuitable.
“We rely on the moral and ethical considerations as well as the policy process that will guide you – the board – in your decision making.
“Indeed, we rely on the axiom of ‘public interest’ to direct you in that decision, and in restoring the faith of this community that our concerns will be listened too this time.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
An Bord Pleanála inspector Öznur Yucel-Finn must now make a conclusive decision on the evidence presented to the hearing.
A decision on the eight-year planning battle between local residents and incinerator backers Indaver Ireland is expected this year.
Yesterday’s presentations consisted of closing submissions from community representatives, statutory bodies, the Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment and Indaver Ireland.
In his closing statement, the director of Indaver Ireland, John Ahern, said that there was a proven need for the proposed incinerator.
“That need is consistent with the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan, does not prejudice any objective in the Cork City Waste Management Plan 2004-2009 or the Waste Management Plan for Cork County 2004-2009.”
He added that the proposed development was consistent with the objective to promote the recovery of energy from waste.
In her closing statement, alliance chairwoman Mary O’Leary spoke of the multiple levels on which the proposal failed good planning criteria.
She said that the site selection was wrong and the technology to be employed was unsuitable.
“We rely on the moral and ethical considerations as well as the policy process that will guide you – the board – in your decision making.
“Indeed, we rely on the axiom of ‘public interest’ to direct you in that decision, and in restoring the faith of this community that our concerns will be listened too this time.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Metro North timetable derailed
IT APPEARS that the timetable for the Metro North rail project in Dublin has slipped by several months.
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) recently wrote to the four groups that have tendered for the multibillion-euro infrastructure project to inform them that An Bord Pleanála would not be in a position to give a decision on the railway order application until September 4th.
This is some six months behind the original estimate and means that the deadline for “best and final offers” from the shortlisted tenderers has been pushed back from December this year to February 2010.
As a result, enabling works will not begin until early next year for the 18km (11 mile) line, which will link St Stephen’s Green and Swords and include Dublin airport, and which will involve underground tunnelling.
Metro North also requires “final Government approval” before any major work begins on the project.
“This approval process is likely to commence in early 2010 once the best and final offer evaluation is complete.”
In April, Stephane Kofman, who heads the specialist investment division of HSBC, told a lunch meeting in Dublin organised by the Ireland-France Chamber of Commerce that the Government would have to underwrite the financing risks associated with the public-private partnership for Metro North if it was to be built.
This is due to the scarcity of finance thanks to the global credit crunch. To date, no figure has been put on the project but estimates of €5 billion to €6 billion have abounded.
HSBC is a partner with Alstom, the French tramway builder, and Siac in bidding for the Metro North contract.
So far, the Government, and in particular Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, has said it intends to proceed with the Metro North project.
The RPA has said the project will support 6,000 jobs during the five years of construction and will carry 35 million passengers in its first year of service.
But given the severe disruption to the city centre that would result from construction works and the dire state of the exchequer finances, Government approval might become something of a political football next year and the RPA might find itself extending that deadline again.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) recently wrote to the four groups that have tendered for the multibillion-euro infrastructure project to inform them that An Bord Pleanála would not be in a position to give a decision on the railway order application until September 4th.
This is some six months behind the original estimate and means that the deadline for “best and final offers” from the shortlisted tenderers has been pushed back from December this year to February 2010.
As a result, enabling works will not begin until early next year for the 18km (11 mile) line, which will link St Stephen’s Green and Swords and include Dublin airport, and which will involve underground tunnelling.
Metro North also requires “final Government approval” before any major work begins on the project.
“This approval process is likely to commence in early 2010 once the best and final offer evaluation is complete.”
In April, Stephane Kofman, who heads the specialist investment division of HSBC, told a lunch meeting in Dublin organised by the Ireland-France Chamber of Commerce that the Government would have to underwrite the financing risks associated with the public-private partnership for Metro North if it was to be built.
This is due to the scarcity of finance thanks to the global credit crunch. To date, no figure has been put on the project but estimates of €5 billion to €6 billion have abounded.
HSBC is a partner with Alstom, the French tramway builder, and Siac in bidding for the Metro North contract.
So far, the Government, and in particular Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, has said it intends to proceed with the Metro North project.
The RPA has said the project will support 6,000 jobs during the five years of construction and will carry 35 million passengers in its first year of service.
But given the severe disruption to the city centre that would result from construction works and the dire state of the exchequer finances, Government approval might become something of a political football next year and the RPA might find itself extending that deadline again.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 19 June 2009
Gormley move on waste could threaten incinerator viability
A PROPOSED directive on waste management by Minister for the Environment John Gormley could undermine the economic viability of the controversial municipal incinerator planned for Poolbeg, in his Dublin constituency.
Submissions are now being sought on the planned directive, the key aim of which is to ensure that incineration capacity does not reach such a level that it draws in waste that could be dealt with by prevention, re-use, recycling, composting, mechanical and biological treatment (MBT) “or other methods higher up the waste hierarchy”.
The Minister has also sought legal advice from Attorney General Paul Gallagher on the “competition aspects” of Dublin City Council’s contract with a consortium comprising Covanta Energy, of the US, and Danish firm Dong Energy to build and operate the plant.
The council signed the contract with their joint venture, Dublin Waste to Energy Ltd, in September 2007 – before An Bord Pleanála had approved the project. Its terms include a “put or pay” clause, requiring the council to guarantee a supply of waste or make payments in lieu.
Mr Gormley is understood to be concerned that the contract could breach competition law by giving the Poolbeg operators a dominant position in the waste market – especially as the proposed incinerator would have a capacity to burn 600,000 tonnes per annum.
One source said the city council had been among those objecting to plans by a US company, Energy Answers International, to build a rival incinerator in Rathcoole, Co Dublin. An Bord Pleanála refused planning permission for this project last February.
Another source with experience of waste management projects said recent actions by the city council were contrary to ministerial policy – such as issuing waste collection permits that include clauses directing the waste to Poolbeg.
According to Covanta, the Dublin market “continues to be available”, but the company would probably need to invest more equity in the €300 million project than it had intended, although it was “working aggressively to get to the finish line” in terms of funding. Scott Whitney, president of Covanta Europe, said in a brief statement last month that “the financing to construct the facility is available”.
The proposed ministerial direction, advertised for public consultation today, seeks to ensure local authorities do not direct the holders of waste to deliver it in the first instance to “lower elements in the waste hierarchy”, such as landfill or incineration.
Instead, it would place an onus on local authorities to direct holders of waste to deliver it to higher elements in the waste hierarchy – such as recycling, composting or MBT – “thereby encouraging them to act in support of waste management options at the top of the hierarchy”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Submissions are now being sought on the planned directive, the key aim of which is to ensure that incineration capacity does not reach such a level that it draws in waste that could be dealt with by prevention, re-use, recycling, composting, mechanical and biological treatment (MBT) “or other methods higher up the waste hierarchy”.
The Minister has also sought legal advice from Attorney General Paul Gallagher on the “competition aspects” of Dublin City Council’s contract with a consortium comprising Covanta Energy, of the US, and Danish firm Dong Energy to build and operate the plant.
The council signed the contract with their joint venture, Dublin Waste to Energy Ltd, in September 2007 – before An Bord Pleanála had approved the project. Its terms include a “put or pay” clause, requiring the council to guarantee a supply of waste or make payments in lieu.
Mr Gormley is understood to be concerned that the contract could breach competition law by giving the Poolbeg operators a dominant position in the waste market – especially as the proposed incinerator would have a capacity to burn 600,000 tonnes per annum.
One source said the city council had been among those objecting to plans by a US company, Energy Answers International, to build a rival incinerator in Rathcoole, Co Dublin. An Bord Pleanála refused planning permission for this project last February.
Another source with experience of waste management projects said recent actions by the city council were contrary to ministerial policy – such as issuing waste collection permits that include clauses directing the waste to Poolbeg.
According to Covanta, the Dublin market “continues to be available”, but the company would probably need to invest more equity in the €300 million project than it had intended, although it was “working aggressively to get to the finish line” in terms of funding. Scott Whitney, president of Covanta Europe, said in a brief statement last month that “the financing to construct the facility is available”.
The proposed ministerial direction, advertised for public consultation today, seeks to ensure local authorities do not direct the holders of waste to deliver it in the first instance to “lower elements in the waste hierarchy”, such as landfill or incineration.
Instead, it would place an onus on local authorities to direct holders of waste to deliver it to higher elements in the waste hierarchy – such as recycling, composting or MBT – “thereby encouraging them to act in support of waste management options at the top of the hierarchy”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Organic waste bins needed in urban areas, says EPA
LOCAL AUTHORITIES will have to provide brown bins for all householders in urban areas to meet new requirements to separate organic waste from other forms before dumping in landfills.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that from next month, landfill operators will have to demonstrate that all waste has been pre-treated by separating out dry, recyclable materials such as paper and packaging from general waste. This is done by using green and black bins.
For urban areas with a population of 1,500 and more, the agency says that it also expects the separate collection in brown bins of biowaste such as grass cuttings and food residues.
The agency will also announce today a review of landfill licences that will restrict the proportion of biodegradable waste allowed to 40 per cent next year, and falling to 15 per cent in 2016. It says that the new measures are required for Ireland to meet the terms of the EU landfill directive. They will also maximise the value of waste before it is disposed to landfill, reduce greenhouse emissions and help to minimise problems with bad smells at landfills.
Laura Burke of the EPA said that the new policy was another vital step along the way to managing waste effectively.
“Our aim is to make the best possible use of all waste before it is finally disposed of. People in Ireland have clearly demonstrated their willingness to recycle paper, plastic and glass. We must now help them to do the same with food waste. If the waste can be recycled or recovered, then it should not be going to landfill,” Ms Burke said.
Local authorities have been slow to roll out brown bin collection systems, with only Waterford, Galway city and parts of Dublin collecting significant amounts of organic waste last year.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that from next month, landfill operators will have to demonstrate that all waste has been pre-treated by separating out dry, recyclable materials such as paper and packaging from general waste. This is done by using green and black bins.
For urban areas with a population of 1,500 and more, the agency says that it also expects the separate collection in brown bins of biowaste such as grass cuttings and food residues.
The agency will also announce today a review of landfill licences that will restrict the proportion of biodegradable waste allowed to 40 per cent next year, and falling to 15 per cent in 2016. It says that the new measures are required for Ireland to meet the terms of the EU landfill directive. They will also maximise the value of waste before it is disposed to landfill, reduce greenhouse emissions and help to minimise problems with bad smells at landfills.
Laura Burke of the EPA said that the new policy was another vital step along the way to managing waste effectively.
“Our aim is to make the best possible use of all waste before it is finally disposed of. People in Ireland have clearly demonstrated their willingness to recycle paper, plastic and glass. We must now help them to do the same with food waste. If the waste can be recycled or recovered, then it should not be going to landfill,” Ms Burke said.
Local authorities have been slow to roll out brown bin collection systems, with only Waterford, Galway city and parts of Dublin collecting significant amounts of organic waste last year.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Traders not sold on plan by Dunnes
DUNNES STORES is in a bitter dispute with neighbouring traders on Dublin’s Drury Street over plans to convert two long standing shops into a goods entrance and an ESB sub-station. The traders have warned Dublin City Council that, if Dunnes gets permission to redevelop the listed buildings, it will set a precedent for major structural changes in the Victorian shopping enclave.
The two shops at the centre of the dispute, 35 and 36, adjoin the underground car-park in Drury Street and are at the centre of a plan by Dunnes to extend its supermarket from South Great George’s Street back to Drury St. They also want to put Dunnes Stores signs on Drury Street, Exchequer Street and South Great George’s Street.
The first response from the city planners suggests that they will have none of it. They have reminded Dunnes that Drury Street is within the south city retail quarter where shops at ground floor level “create more lively, dynamic and successful places”. The removal of the shops and their replacement with a goods entrance and ESB sub-station “is contrary to this policy” and the planners recommend that Dunnes examine alternative locations.
The council also noted that the enlargement of the supermarket suggested that it would operate more as a trolley, than a basket, shopping outlet and inquired as to where trolleys would be stored and how shoppers using trolleys could access nearby car-parks.
“The difference is we’re Irish” is the Dunnes boast in radio ads. Does that give them the right to destroy a lovely shopping street?
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The two shops at the centre of the dispute, 35 and 36, adjoin the underground car-park in Drury Street and are at the centre of a plan by Dunnes to extend its supermarket from South Great George’s Street back to Drury St. They also want to put Dunnes Stores signs on Drury Street, Exchequer Street and South Great George’s Street.
The first response from the city planners suggests that they will have none of it. They have reminded Dunnes that Drury Street is within the south city retail quarter where shops at ground floor level “create more lively, dynamic and successful places”. The removal of the shops and their replacement with a goods entrance and ESB sub-station “is contrary to this policy” and the planners recommend that Dunnes examine alternative locations.
The council also noted that the enlargement of the supermarket suggested that it would operate more as a trolley, than a basket, shopping outlet and inquired as to where trolleys would be stored and how shoppers using trolleys could access nearby car-parks.
“The difference is we’re Irish” is the Dunnes boast in radio ads. Does that give them the right to destroy a lovely shopping street?
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sisters of Mercy house in Longford back on the market with 35% price cut
ARDAGH HOUSE and Demesne – a 19th century house on 227 acres in Ardagh, Co Longford – is back on the market with a 35 per cent price cut to €3.25 million. The property, owned by the Sisters of Mercy, was sold at auction in autumn 2007 for €5.25 million but the sale fell through. It was relaunched last September with a guide of €5 million.
The house, in the centre of the cut-stone estate village – believed to be the setting for Oliver Goldsmith’s play She Stoops to Conquer – was bought by the order in 1927 and run as a home economics college until last year, when the nuns moved to Ballinasloe.
The 1,161sq m (12,500sq ft) building, a protected structure in an architectural conservation area, is suitable for institutional use, but would need a lot of refurbishment according to selling agent Paddy Jordan.
Accommodation in the two-storey over basement house includes four main reception rooms, 16 bedrooms and in a later addition, a gym and 16 more bedrooms. There are a number of limestone outbuildings. The 227-acre farm is likely to be of interest as agricultural rather than development land, although part of it is zoned residential. The dairy farm comes with a 75,749 gallon milk quota.
Asked whether the proceeds of the sale would now go to the Government for child abuse victims, a spokesman for the Sisters of Mercy said that the issue of further contributions is still being discussed. It is believed that no specific properties are up for negotiation.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The house, in the centre of the cut-stone estate village – believed to be the setting for Oliver Goldsmith’s play She Stoops to Conquer – was bought by the order in 1927 and run as a home economics college until last year, when the nuns moved to Ballinasloe.
The 1,161sq m (12,500sq ft) building, a protected structure in an architectural conservation area, is suitable for institutional use, but would need a lot of refurbishment according to selling agent Paddy Jordan.
Accommodation in the two-storey over basement house includes four main reception rooms, 16 bedrooms and in a later addition, a gym and 16 more bedrooms. There are a number of limestone outbuildings. The 227-acre farm is likely to be of interest as agricultural rather than development land, although part of it is zoned residential. The dairy farm comes with a 75,749 gallon milk quota.
Asked whether the proceeds of the sale would now go to the Government for child abuse victims, a spokesman for the Sisters of Mercy said that the issue of further contributions is still being discussed. It is believed that no specific properties are up for negotiation.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
College speaks out against proposed Cork incinerator
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in Cork could be severely hindered by a proposed toxic waste incinerator on a neighbouring site, according to a senior college official.
Jody Power, Staff Engineering lecturer, at the NMCI, gave evidence at yesterday’s An Bord Pleanála oral hearing into the proposed incinerator, to be located at Ringaskiddy.
Mr Power is the first NMCI staff member to speak out against Indaver Ireland’s planned facility, but concern is deepening among the student population at the college, according to the college’s Student Union representative Gearóid Buckley, who addressed the oral hearing last week.
Mr Power said the proposed incinerator would severely impact the development of the NMCI and adversely affect the international reputation of the college.
An engineering consultant to campaign group Zero Waste Alliance Ireland (ZWAI), Mr Power referenced his findings from a number of visits to operating incinerators in Denmark.
“The proposed incinerators will, in my opinion, adversely affect the international reputation at the college, and hinder its ability to attract and retain staff and make student enrolment a nightmare,” he said.
Increased levels of incinerated waste have caused recycling rates in Denmark to drop, according to Mr Power, who predicts a similar fall off in Ireland with the introduction of incineration.
“With increased levels of incineration in Denmark, recycling rates have plummeted to become one of the lowest in the EU according to Eurostat 2007 figures. About 84 per cent of Copenhagen’s landmass is polluted with heavy metals and coastline pollution is one of the worst examples, with fish consumption restricted from the Baltic area. What is proposed by the incineration application has very serious implications for Cork harbour and our national reputation as a green, clean country,” he said.
In the morning session of the oral hearing, Department of the Environment official Jarvis Good told the hearing that the planned incinerator would not have “significant” adverse effects on the proposed Special Protection Area (pSPA) of Cork harbour.
Outlining the potential effects of the incinerator emissions on bird life and wider ecology in the harbour area, Mr Good, who is attached to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, said emissions from the incinerator stacks were likely to be localised.
Mr Good said that the proposed combined municipal waste and hazardous waste incinerators were not expected to have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of Cork Harbour pSPA.
However, under questioning from engineer Alan Watson on behalf of Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (Chase), Mr Good admitted that there was a lack of baseline monitoring data available for bird species.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Jody Power, Staff Engineering lecturer, at the NMCI, gave evidence at yesterday’s An Bord Pleanála oral hearing into the proposed incinerator, to be located at Ringaskiddy.
Mr Power is the first NMCI staff member to speak out against Indaver Ireland’s planned facility, but concern is deepening among the student population at the college, according to the college’s Student Union representative Gearóid Buckley, who addressed the oral hearing last week.
Mr Power said the proposed incinerator would severely impact the development of the NMCI and adversely affect the international reputation of the college.
An engineering consultant to campaign group Zero Waste Alliance Ireland (ZWAI), Mr Power referenced his findings from a number of visits to operating incinerators in Denmark.
“The proposed incinerators will, in my opinion, adversely affect the international reputation at the college, and hinder its ability to attract and retain staff and make student enrolment a nightmare,” he said.
Increased levels of incinerated waste have caused recycling rates in Denmark to drop, according to Mr Power, who predicts a similar fall off in Ireland with the introduction of incineration.
“With increased levels of incineration in Denmark, recycling rates have plummeted to become one of the lowest in the EU according to Eurostat 2007 figures. About 84 per cent of Copenhagen’s landmass is polluted with heavy metals and coastline pollution is one of the worst examples, with fish consumption restricted from the Baltic area. What is proposed by the incineration application has very serious implications for Cork harbour and our national reputation as a green, clean country,” he said.
In the morning session of the oral hearing, Department of the Environment official Jarvis Good told the hearing that the planned incinerator would not have “significant” adverse effects on the proposed Special Protection Area (pSPA) of Cork harbour.
Outlining the potential effects of the incinerator emissions on bird life and wider ecology in the harbour area, Mr Good, who is attached to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, said emissions from the incinerator stacks were likely to be localised.
Mr Good said that the proposed combined municipal waste and hazardous waste incinerators were not expected to have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of Cork Harbour pSPA.
However, under questioning from engineer Alan Watson on behalf of Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (Chase), Mr Good admitted that there was a lack of baseline monitoring data available for bird species.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Bord rejects plan for D4 office block
THE IRISH Property Unit Trust (IPUT) has failed in its latest attempt to secure permission to demolish a three-storey office building at 10-12 Lansdowne Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, and replace it with a six-storey block with more than double the floor space.
An Bord Pleanála decided against accepting a recommendation from one of its inspectors that permission should be granted for the redevelopment provided the proposed fourth floor was omitted.
The board did not accept that the proximity to the adjoining nine-storey Lansdowne House justified a building of the height and design proposed.
The board also concluded that the proposed development would seriously injure the amenity of adjoining residential property, including the protected structures on Lansdowne Road.
It said that the proposed development, by reason of its design, height, materials and footprint (including its locations forward of the established building line of the adjoining protected structures) would result in an incongruous addition to the streetscape which would seriously and adversely affect the setting of the adjoining protected structures.
The board’s decision was at variance with the views of its inspector who carried out a comprehensive appraisal of the planning issues. He said that, having regard to the existing use of the site and the fact that the design of the new building would retain the character of the area and protect the residential amenity of neighbouring properties, it was considered that, subject to a number of conditions, the proposed development complied with the approved development plan for the area and was in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
The building has net floor space of 1,460sq m (15,715sq ft) and, if redeveloped, the space would grow to 4,677sq m (50,343sq ft). A lower basement car-park was to have provided 15 car-parking spaces.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
An Bord Pleanála decided against accepting a recommendation from one of its inspectors that permission should be granted for the redevelopment provided the proposed fourth floor was omitted.
The board did not accept that the proximity to the adjoining nine-storey Lansdowne House justified a building of the height and design proposed.
The board also concluded that the proposed development would seriously injure the amenity of adjoining residential property, including the protected structures on Lansdowne Road.
It said that the proposed development, by reason of its design, height, materials and footprint (including its locations forward of the established building line of the adjoining protected structures) would result in an incongruous addition to the streetscape which would seriously and adversely affect the setting of the adjoining protected structures.
The board’s decision was at variance with the views of its inspector who carried out a comprehensive appraisal of the planning issues. He said that, having regard to the existing use of the site and the fact that the design of the new building would retain the character of the area and protect the residential amenity of neighbouring properties, it was considered that, subject to a number of conditions, the proposed development complied with the approved development plan for the area and was in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
The building has net floor space of 1,460sq m (15,715sq ft) and, if redeveloped, the space would grow to 4,677sq m (50,343sq ft). A lower basement car-park was to have provided 15 car-parking spaces.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Permission for €250m Beacon hospital in Cork granted
THE BEACON Medical Group has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a €250 million co-located hospital in the grounds of Cork University Hospital and has expressed confidence that the hospital will be completed by 2012.
The board of An Bord Pleanála overruled the decision of its own inspector who, following a three- day oral hearing last September, recommended refusal of planning permission for the new two- to five-storey 33,000 square metre hospital on the northeast corner of the CUH campus.
The board ruled that revised road proposals adequately addressed concerns expressed by the inspector in relation to traffic safety, while a minor relocation of the building southwards would ensure it did not have an unduly negative impact on nearby houses.
It made it a condition of planning that the hospital would not become operational until the Bishopstown Road roundabout had been converted to a signal controlled junction and the entrance to CUH and the new co-located hospital moved some 90 metres to the west.
Beacon chief executive Michael Cullen welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála and said the new hospital would greatly benefit the health and wellbeing of the people of Cork while providing significant economic benefit by employing some 500 staff.
The new hospital will comprise 175 single rooms with eight critical-care unit beds, six theatres, ambulatory surgery and full diagnostics incorporating almost €26 million worth of new generation equipment and will cater for public and private patients. It will cater for 11,000 inpatients, 20,000 day patients and 12,000 surgeries a year.
“We will spend the next four to six months securing finance and doing detailed designs and we hope to be in a position to start construction work on the hospital either late this year or early next year,” Mr Cullen said.
He expressed confidence the group would secure about €800 million in funding for its Cork project and its two other similar projects in Limerick and Beaumont, although he conceded that financing may involve a greater number of banks than originally planned.
BMG is not buying the site on which the proposed hospital is being built and legal agreements have yet to be finalised with the HSE and the Department of Health for the facility.
Local residents had opposed the project. Eamon Cashell, chairman of the Laburnum/Wilton Residents’ Association, said yesterday that residents in the area were outraged at the fact that An Bord Pleanála had ignored its own inspector’s views.
“The hospital isn’t built yet and we haven’t thrown in the towel,” he said, adding that the residents were considering all their options including seeking legal advice.
“People are outraged at this decision,” Mr Cashell added. “We based our arguments not on emotion but solely on planning grounds and we take some solace from the fact that planning inspector found in our favour, but we’re angered that the board then ignored his recommendations and went against its own experts.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The board of An Bord Pleanála overruled the decision of its own inspector who, following a three- day oral hearing last September, recommended refusal of planning permission for the new two- to five-storey 33,000 square metre hospital on the northeast corner of the CUH campus.
The board ruled that revised road proposals adequately addressed concerns expressed by the inspector in relation to traffic safety, while a minor relocation of the building southwards would ensure it did not have an unduly negative impact on nearby houses.
It made it a condition of planning that the hospital would not become operational until the Bishopstown Road roundabout had been converted to a signal controlled junction and the entrance to CUH and the new co-located hospital moved some 90 metres to the west.
Beacon chief executive Michael Cullen welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála and said the new hospital would greatly benefit the health and wellbeing of the people of Cork while providing significant economic benefit by employing some 500 staff.
The new hospital will comprise 175 single rooms with eight critical-care unit beds, six theatres, ambulatory surgery and full diagnostics incorporating almost €26 million worth of new generation equipment and will cater for public and private patients. It will cater for 11,000 inpatients, 20,000 day patients and 12,000 surgeries a year.
“We will spend the next four to six months securing finance and doing detailed designs and we hope to be in a position to start construction work on the hospital either late this year or early next year,” Mr Cullen said.
He expressed confidence the group would secure about €800 million in funding for its Cork project and its two other similar projects in Limerick and Beaumont, although he conceded that financing may involve a greater number of banks than originally planned.
BMG is not buying the site on which the proposed hospital is being built and legal agreements have yet to be finalised with the HSE and the Department of Health for the facility.
Local residents had opposed the project. Eamon Cashell, chairman of the Laburnum/Wilton Residents’ Association, said yesterday that residents in the area were outraged at the fact that An Bord Pleanála had ignored its own inspector’s views.
“The hospital isn’t built yet and we haven’t thrown in the towel,” he said, adding that the residents were considering all their options including seeking legal advice.
“People are outraged at this decision,” Mr Cashell added. “We based our arguments not on emotion but solely on planning grounds and we take some solace from the fact that planning inspector found in our favour, but we’re angered that the board then ignored his recommendations and went against its own experts.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Incinerator waste to go to landfill site
HAZARDOUS WASTE material generated by up to three incinerators operating around Ireland is expected to be dealt with at a landfill site in the “greater Dublin area”, it emerged yesterday.
The landfill site will accept hazardous “fly ash” generated through the incineration process. Fly ash matter makes up about 7 per cent of all ash residual material created as a result of incinerated waste.
Because of its toxic nature, the fly ash will be disposed of in an airtight cell buried underground at the location of an existing landfill facility in Leinster, according to Indaver Ireland.
The landfill operator, which has not been identified, is in “advance stage” talks with Indaver Ireland – which is currently constructing a €130 million incinerator at Carranstown, Co Meath – to negotiate a deal to accept hazardous waste material from incinerators operating around Ireland.
Director of Indaver Ireland John Ahern said the landfill operator would be in Leinster, where it was geographically predisposed to accept hazardous waste from incinerators at Poolbeg in Dublin, Carranstown and a third proposed toxic waste facility currently planned for Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
At An Bord Pleanála’s hearing yesterday into the proposed Cork facility, Mr Ahern said the landfill operator would deal with the fly ash in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations.
“We are at advance stage talks with one particular landfill operator with a view to sending hazardous waste material there to be disposed of.
“The operator will deal with this material in the way the EPA has advised by constructing a designated cell for hazardous waste,” Mr Ahern said.
A spokesman for Indaver Ireland confirmed that the company had been approached among others by two landfill operators in the “greater Dublin area” interested in partnering with Indaver to provide a hazardous waste landfill.
The landfill site in question will need to be modified in order to accept hazardous waste, which requires a “particular form of treatment”, according to the spokesman.
The greater Dublin area takes in Wicklow, Meath and Kildare, but Indaver Ireland did not reveal the identities of two landfill companies with which it is in talks other than to specify that the hazardous waste material would be transported to Leinster to be disposed of if licensing is granted.
The Environmental Protection Agency is currently seeking tenders from companies to develop a National Difficult Waste Management Facility to deal with up to 100,000 tonnes of hazardous waste landfill per annum.
The waste anticipated to be dealt with by the successful company would “be generally deemed not suitable for disposal by waste incineration or export”, according to the EPA guidelines for prospective tenders.
In information issued to prospective companies interested in the tender process, the EPA states: “The National Hazardous Waste Management Plan recommended that at least one hazardous waste landfill should be developed in Ireland, capable of accepting the wide range of hazardous wastes that would otherwise be exported for landfill.
“Such a facility would be expected to provide a key national resource.”
Meanwhile private consultant engineer Alan Watson, director of Public Interest Consultants, told the hearing into the Cork incinerator yesterday that ash produced from the incineration process should be classified as hazardous.
His report is based on the production of “bottom ash” at the facility, which makes up about 70 per cent of the waste matter generated through incineration.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The landfill site will accept hazardous “fly ash” generated through the incineration process. Fly ash matter makes up about 7 per cent of all ash residual material created as a result of incinerated waste.
Because of its toxic nature, the fly ash will be disposed of in an airtight cell buried underground at the location of an existing landfill facility in Leinster, according to Indaver Ireland.
The landfill operator, which has not been identified, is in “advance stage” talks with Indaver Ireland – which is currently constructing a €130 million incinerator at Carranstown, Co Meath – to negotiate a deal to accept hazardous waste material from incinerators operating around Ireland.
Director of Indaver Ireland John Ahern said the landfill operator would be in Leinster, where it was geographically predisposed to accept hazardous waste from incinerators at Poolbeg in Dublin, Carranstown and a third proposed toxic waste facility currently planned for Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
At An Bord Pleanála’s hearing yesterday into the proposed Cork facility, Mr Ahern said the landfill operator would deal with the fly ash in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations.
“We are at advance stage talks with one particular landfill operator with a view to sending hazardous waste material there to be disposed of.
“The operator will deal with this material in the way the EPA has advised by constructing a designated cell for hazardous waste,” Mr Ahern said.
A spokesman for Indaver Ireland confirmed that the company had been approached among others by two landfill operators in the “greater Dublin area” interested in partnering with Indaver to provide a hazardous waste landfill.
The landfill site in question will need to be modified in order to accept hazardous waste, which requires a “particular form of treatment”, according to the spokesman.
The greater Dublin area takes in Wicklow, Meath and Kildare, but Indaver Ireland did not reveal the identities of two landfill companies with which it is in talks other than to specify that the hazardous waste material would be transported to Leinster to be disposed of if licensing is granted.
The Environmental Protection Agency is currently seeking tenders from companies to develop a National Difficult Waste Management Facility to deal with up to 100,000 tonnes of hazardous waste landfill per annum.
The waste anticipated to be dealt with by the successful company would “be generally deemed not suitable for disposal by waste incineration or export”, according to the EPA guidelines for prospective tenders.
In information issued to prospective companies interested in the tender process, the EPA states: “The National Hazardous Waste Management Plan recommended that at least one hazardous waste landfill should be developed in Ireland, capable of accepting the wide range of hazardous wastes that would otherwise be exported for landfill.
“Such a facility would be expected to provide a key national resource.”
Meanwhile private consultant engineer Alan Watson, director of Public Interest Consultants, told the hearing into the Cork incinerator yesterday that ash produced from the incineration process should be classified as hazardous.
His report is based on the production of “bottom ash” at the facility, which makes up about 70 per cent of the waste matter generated through incineration.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
RIAI unveils 35 projects shortlisted for Irish Architecture Awards
Building blocks of success: Thomond Park and Wexford Opera House on shortlist
WEXFORD OPERA House, Thomond Park in Limerick and two ground-breaking social housing schemes in Dublin’s inner city are among the 35 projects shortlisted for this year’s Irish Architecture Awards.
Announced yesterday by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), the list also includes major public projects such as the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, Co Offaly, as well as nine individual houses and three domestic extensions.
At a time when many architects have been made redundant by the collapse of Ireland’s construction industry, RIAI director John Graby said it was heartening that so many projects – 225 in all – had been submitted and that the quality of those that made the cut was so high.
The two shortlisted social housing schemes, both commissioned by Dublin City Council, are at York Street – designed by Seán Harrington Architects – and Timberyard, in the Coombe area of the Liberties, by multiple award-winning O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects.
Seán Harrington Architects have also been shortlisted for the only public space scheme on the shortlist: the Tallaght Zip and Plaza, a dedicated promenade and cycleway designed to “zip” the old village and Square shopping centre together.
Three education projects are included: A2 Architects’ Eurocampus in Clonskeagh, Dublin; Hazelwood School in Glasgow, which was designed for children with disabilities by GM+AD Architects; and the University of Ulster’s new Belfast campus by Todd Architects.
Apart from the Midland Regional Hospital, jointly designed by Murray O’Laoire and Brian O’Connell Associates, public projects on the shortlist include the Heritage Council’s new headquarters in the former Bishop’s Palace, Kilkenny, by Office of Public Works (OPW) Architects.
OPW Architects, in association with Keith Williams Architects, are certain to win an award for Wexford Opera House.
Others in the running include O’Briain Beary for the new Garda station in Leixlip, Co Kildare, and A+D Wejchert for Irishtown Health Centre in Dublin.
Leisure projects feature strongly.
Apart from the new rugby stadium at Thomond Park, designed by Murray O’Laoire and AFL Architects, the list includes Ballyfermot Leisure Centre, by McGarry Ní Éanaigh, and the Light House Cinema in Smithfield by DTA Architects.
The other shortlisted leisure projects are a spa and conference centre at the Hotel Europe in Killarney, Co Kerry, by Gottstein Architects; a swimming pool at St Michael’s House in Dublin by Michael Collins Associates; and a cafe-bar on Deal Pier in Kent by Niall McLaughlin Architects.
Three restoration projects have made the list: St George’s Church on Hardwicke Place, Dublin (Joseph Doyle Architects); the Ulster Bank on O’Connell Street, Dublin (Consarc Design Group); and the library in Abbeyleix, Co Laois (de Blacam and Meagher Architects).
De Blacam and Meagher have also been shortlisted for a beautiful villa on the Balearic island of Ibiza, while both FKL Architects and Odos Architects are in with a double chance of winning awards for two houses each, all unapologetically contemporary in design.
Four other houses are on the list: Cody House in Co Kilkenny by Boyd Cody Architects; Domus House in Rathmines by Donaghy Dimond; Origami House in Co Antrim by Jane D Burnside; and Lake House in Co Kerry by Clancy Moore Architects, who have also been shortlisted for a new parish centre at the Church of St George and St Thomas on Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin.
The architects shortlisted for domestic extensions are: McCullough Mulvin; Lid Architecture; and Catriona Duggan Achim Gottstein Architects.
Only two commercial projects are included: Victoria Square shopping centre in Belfast by BDP; and Tesco’s “eco-store” in Tramore, Co Waterford, by Joseph Doyle Architects.
The awards will be presented next Monday at the Cow Shed Theatre, Farmleigh, by Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
WEXFORD OPERA House, Thomond Park in Limerick and two ground-breaking social housing schemes in Dublin’s inner city are among the 35 projects shortlisted for this year’s Irish Architecture Awards.
Announced yesterday by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), the list also includes major public projects such as the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, Co Offaly, as well as nine individual houses and three domestic extensions.
At a time when many architects have been made redundant by the collapse of Ireland’s construction industry, RIAI director John Graby said it was heartening that so many projects – 225 in all – had been submitted and that the quality of those that made the cut was so high.
The two shortlisted social housing schemes, both commissioned by Dublin City Council, are at York Street – designed by Seán Harrington Architects – and Timberyard, in the Coombe area of the Liberties, by multiple award-winning O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects.
Seán Harrington Architects have also been shortlisted for the only public space scheme on the shortlist: the Tallaght Zip and Plaza, a dedicated promenade and cycleway designed to “zip” the old village and Square shopping centre together.
Three education projects are included: A2 Architects’ Eurocampus in Clonskeagh, Dublin; Hazelwood School in Glasgow, which was designed for children with disabilities by GM+AD Architects; and the University of Ulster’s new Belfast campus by Todd Architects.
Apart from the Midland Regional Hospital, jointly designed by Murray O’Laoire and Brian O’Connell Associates, public projects on the shortlist include the Heritage Council’s new headquarters in the former Bishop’s Palace, Kilkenny, by Office of Public Works (OPW) Architects.
OPW Architects, in association with Keith Williams Architects, are certain to win an award for Wexford Opera House.
Others in the running include O’Briain Beary for the new Garda station in Leixlip, Co Kildare, and A+D Wejchert for Irishtown Health Centre in Dublin.
Leisure projects feature strongly.
Apart from the new rugby stadium at Thomond Park, designed by Murray O’Laoire and AFL Architects, the list includes Ballyfermot Leisure Centre, by McGarry Ní Éanaigh, and the Light House Cinema in Smithfield by DTA Architects.
The other shortlisted leisure projects are a spa and conference centre at the Hotel Europe in Killarney, Co Kerry, by Gottstein Architects; a swimming pool at St Michael’s House in Dublin by Michael Collins Associates; and a cafe-bar on Deal Pier in Kent by Niall McLaughlin Architects.
Three restoration projects have made the list: St George’s Church on Hardwicke Place, Dublin (Joseph Doyle Architects); the Ulster Bank on O’Connell Street, Dublin (Consarc Design Group); and the library in Abbeyleix, Co Laois (de Blacam and Meagher Architects).
De Blacam and Meagher have also been shortlisted for a beautiful villa on the Balearic island of Ibiza, while both FKL Architects and Odos Architects are in with a double chance of winning awards for two houses each, all unapologetically contemporary in design.
Four other houses are on the list: Cody House in Co Kilkenny by Boyd Cody Architects; Domus House in Rathmines by Donaghy Dimond; Origami House in Co Antrim by Jane D Burnside; and Lake House in Co Kerry by Clancy Moore Architects, who have also been shortlisted for a new parish centre at the Church of St George and St Thomas on Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin.
The architects shortlisted for domestic extensions are: McCullough Mulvin; Lid Architecture; and Catriona Duggan Achim Gottstein Architects.
Only two commercial projects are included: Victoria Square shopping centre in Belfast by BDP; and Tesco’s “eco-store” in Tramore, Co Waterford, by Joseph Doyle Architects.
The awards will be presented next Monday at the Cow Shed Theatre, Farmleigh, by Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Quarries
This story on quarry planning, published when I was on Annual Leave, is necessary reading.
Now, I know there's nothing worse than a holidaymaker coming into an area and passing judgment on locals who live there all year round and must earn their livelihood. But this quarry was so big, and its effect so monstrous, that I couldn't help wondering who had sanctioned it.
We need quarries if we are to build houses, offices, railways, harbours and roads. But the environmental impact of quarrying can be enormous. Apart from the obvious scar on the landscape, there are issues of air pollution from the dust, noise pollution from blasting, complex water run-off issues, biodiversity issues and so on.
However, the Cork-based group Friends of the Irish Environment has discovered something rather amazing - that Irish legislation set up to regulate quarries is unenforceable.
Best practice in quarrying will ensure that the surrounding environment will suffer as little as possible from such effects, and also that quarry owners will restore sections they have finished with.
However, the Cork-based group Friends of the Irish Environment has discovered something rather amazing - that Irish legislation set up to regulate quarries is unenforceable. Under the Planning Act of 2000, operating quarries were required to register with county councils to create a framework within which the industry could be environmentally regulated.
Quarries bigger than five hectares, or those located in protected areas, were deemed to need planning permission. Taking public submissions into account, councils imposed a system of development contributions on quarries - not for esoteric tree-hugging purposes, but to cope with straightforward and obvious issues, like the damage done by heavy stone lorries to surrounding roads.
But during a prolonged investigation, Friends of the Irish Environment has established that many quarries do not make development contributions, and some blatantly ignore requests by local councils to minimise their impact. Councils were found to be powerless to pursue quarry owners, because the act of 2000 gave them no means to do so. A test case brought to the Ombudsman elicited this response:
‘‘Enquiries (about enforcement) were made to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Department advised that conditions imposed under Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 were unenforceable because the Act did not provide a mechanism for pursuing legal proceedings for non-compliance."
The letter added that the department was ‘‘considering how this anomaly might be addressed by amending legislation; unfortunately there was no timeframe provided for this''.
So, just to be perfectly clear, quarry owners can behave pretty much how they want, because councils can do nothing to regulate them. It is down to the integrity of owners - or lack of it - as to whether quarries wreck the surrounding environment or not.
As Tony Lowes of Friends of the Irish Environment notes: ‘‘Not only has the environment been damaged by this longstanding legislative failure and great hardships imposed on residents, but many millions in development levies can no longer be collected."
Given the many planning debacles Ireland has witnessed over the years, it has not really occurred to us to consider where the material for all our new buildings and roads is coming from. But it is pretty shocking to learn that, unlike the construction industry, quarrying is barely regulated at all.
The quarry quandary:
I had a fascinating response to last week's article about quarrying, and the lack of regulation surrounding it.
Readers from five different counties contacted me to illustrate cases that had directly affected them. Because I don't have the resources to investigate each one, I won't name names or locations. But your stories highlight a number of common factors.
1.Quarry ‘owners' have sometimes claimed rights to long-abandoned quarries that, historically, they had absolutely no connection with. There is a repetitive pattern of operators reactivating old quarries without asking anyone's permission and, after a period of time, simply claiming squatters' rights - even though they are not caretaking the land, but rather consuming it.
2.The owners of quarries surrounded by common land or turf plots have sometimes either consumed that land or taken possession of it, again by claiming squatters' rights, or by compensating some locals at a token rate and, in a sort of divide and-conquer strategy, steamrolling others who do not cooperate.
Landowners have had to go to court to reclaim property approppriated in this manner.
3.When people go to their local council to complain about quarries, they are sometimes met with indifference, protestations of powerlessness (which was the point of last week's article), and in one or two cases, outright obstruction.
Would it be unusual to find that a dodgy quarry owner also has a number of council contracts in his back pocket, for road or maintenance projects, for example?
This is not necessarily to imply blanket collusion between craven councils and dodgy quarry owners; not all councils are craven, and not all quarry owners are dodgy. The extent of the abuse is hard to gauge - one case even alleged that a local council was using a quarry illegally.
Whatever about their lack of powers under the Planning Act, I think it is fair enough to say that councils are reluctant to move against quarry owners who are in some way connected to them. I'd be very keen to hear from any one else who knows about illegal or semi-legal quarrying activity and my e-mail address is below.
Friends of the Irish Environment must be credited with uncovering this story, but I suspect there's quite a lot to it.
Under the Planning Act 2000, councils are plainly not able to regulate quarries - but I wonder how many Irish quarries are fly-by-night operations in the first place. Initially, my interest in this was that quarry owners seem under no obligation to repair any of the environmental damage that they've done, but this may be just one of the problems.
It is also worth bearing in mind that many of the illegal rubbish dumps uncovered in the late 1990s were in abandoned quarries. If quarrying is as unregulated as it appears to be, is it unreasonable to assume that this filthy, dangerous activity might enjoy a renaissance?
Especially during a recession, when everyone is trying to cut corners? Does anyone have any news about this? If so, get in touch.
By Stephen Price
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Now, I know there's nothing worse than a holidaymaker coming into an area and passing judgment on locals who live there all year round and must earn their livelihood. But this quarry was so big, and its effect so monstrous, that I couldn't help wondering who had sanctioned it.
We need quarries if we are to build houses, offices, railways, harbours and roads. But the environmental impact of quarrying can be enormous. Apart from the obvious scar on the landscape, there are issues of air pollution from the dust, noise pollution from blasting, complex water run-off issues, biodiversity issues and so on.
However, the Cork-based group Friends of the Irish Environment has discovered something rather amazing - that Irish legislation set up to regulate quarries is unenforceable.
Best practice in quarrying will ensure that the surrounding environment will suffer as little as possible from such effects, and also that quarry owners will restore sections they have finished with.
However, the Cork-based group Friends of the Irish Environment has discovered something rather amazing - that Irish legislation set up to regulate quarries is unenforceable. Under the Planning Act of 2000, operating quarries were required to register with county councils to create a framework within which the industry could be environmentally regulated.
Quarries bigger than five hectares, or those located in protected areas, were deemed to need planning permission. Taking public submissions into account, councils imposed a system of development contributions on quarries - not for esoteric tree-hugging purposes, but to cope with straightforward and obvious issues, like the damage done by heavy stone lorries to surrounding roads.
But during a prolonged investigation, Friends of the Irish Environment has established that many quarries do not make development contributions, and some blatantly ignore requests by local councils to minimise their impact. Councils were found to be powerless to pursue quarry owners, because the act of 2000 gave them no means to do so. A test case brought to the Ombudsman elicited this response:
‘‘Enquiries (about enforcement) were made to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Department advised that conditions imposed under Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 were unenforceable because the Act did not provide a mechanism for pursuing legal proceedings for non-compliance."
The letter added that the department was ‘‘considering how this anomaly might be addressed by amending legislation; unfortunately there was no timeframe provided for this''.
So, just to be perfectly clear, quarry owners can behave pretty much how they want, because councils can do nothing to regulate them. It is down to the integrity of owners - or lack of it - as to whether quarries wreck the surrounding environment or not.
As Tony Lowes of Friends of the Irish Environment notes: ‘‘Not only has the environment been damaged by this longstanding legislative failure and great hardships imposed on residents, but many millions in development levies can no longer be collected."
Given the many planning debacles Ireland has witnessed over the years, it has not really occurred to us to consider where the material for all our new buildings and roads is coming from. But it is pretty shocking to learn that, unlike the construction industry, quarrying is barely regulated at all.
The quarry quandary:
I had a fascinating response to last week's article about quarrying, and the lack of regulation surrounding it.
Readers from five different counties contacted me to illustrate cases that had directly affected them. Because I don't have the resources to investigate each one, I won't name names or locations. But your stories highlight a number of common factors.
1.Quarry ‘owners' have sometimes claimed rights to long-abandoned quarries that, historically, they had absolutely no connection with. There is a repetitive pattern of operators reactivating old quarries without asking anyone's permission and, after a period of time, simply claiming squatters' rights - even though they are not caretaking the land, but rather consuming it.
2.The owners of quarries surrounded by common land or turf plots have sometimes either consumed that land or taken possession of it, again by claiming squatters' rights, or by compensating some locals at a token rate and, in a sort of divide and-conquer strategy, steamrolling others who do not cooperate.
Landowners have had to go to court to reclaim property approppriated in this manner.
3.When people go to their local council to complain about quarries, they are sometimes met with indifference, protestations of powerlessness (which was the point of last week's article), and in one or two cases, outright obstruction.
Would it be unusual to find that a dodgy quarry owner also has a number of council contracts in his back pocket, for road or maintenance projects, for example?
This is not necessarily to imply blanket collusion between craven councils and dodgy quarry owners; not all councils are craven, and not all quarry owners are dodgy. The extent of the abuse is hard to gauge - one case even alleged that a local council was using a quarry illegally.
Whatever about their lack of powers under the Planning Act, I think it is fair enough to say that councils are reluctant to move against quarry owners who are in some way connected to them. I'd be very keen to hear from any one else who knows about illegal or semi-legal quarrying activity and my e-mail address is below.
Friends of the Irish Environment must be credited with uncovering this story, but I suspect there's quite a lot to it.
Under the Planning Act 2000, councils are plainly not able to regulate quarries - but I wonder how many Irish quarries are fly-by-night operations in the first place. Initially, my interest in this was that quarry owners seem under no obligation to repair any of the environmental damage that they've done, but this may be just one of the problems.
It is also worth bearing in mind that many of the illegal rubbish dumps uncovered in the late 1990s were in abandoned quarries. If quarrying is as unregulated as it appears to be, is it unreasonable to assume that this filthy, dangerous activity might enjoy a renaissance?
Especially during a recession, when everyone is trying to cut corners? Does anyone have any news about this? If so, get in touch.
By Stephen Price
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Grandmother in jail on birthday over planning row with council
A GRANDMOTHER will not be able to celebrate her 50th birthday today with her nine children and six grandchildren because she is locked up in prison over a planning row with Limerick County Council.
Geraldine Murphy, from Abbeyfeale, has been placed in an overcrowded cell in Limerick prison since last Monday and is sleeping on a mattress on a floor.
She suffers from a heart condition and diabetes and takes 15 tablets a day.
Her daughter, Yvonne, said last night the family were very concerned for her welfare, and appealed for her mother to be released from the 15-day term she is serving for non-payment of a €300 fine and €3,000 costs arising out of the row.
Yvonne Murphy said: "We went to visit her yesterday in the prison and she was very upset, in bits. My mum was a full-time carer for the past three years for our grandmother, who died two weeks ago. We will go and visit her for her birthday, but it's an awful state of affairs that our mother is locked up like this.
"We thought she'd do a few days and they'd let her out, but because there's a debt involved they've told us they can't let her out before the 15 days."
Ms Murphy was taken to court by the council for opening an entrance at the back of her council house in Abbeyfeale, leading onto a public car park, without planning permission.
The council took action against Ms Murphy for failing to comply with an enforcement order to remove the entrance.
She was brought to Limerick prison last Monday for failing to pay the fine and costs to the county council, arising from district court proceedings.
The council said the opening was against planning and if one person was let away with it, others could follow.
Ms Murphy's husband, Jack, said the opening had now been closed in accordance with the council's requirements. They had created the opening to enable them to bring in turf to the back of their house.
His wife, he said, was being forced to sleep on a mattress on the floor of a cell in the prison, due to overcrowding.
Mr Murphy said: "She buried her mother last week and is suffering from angina and diabetes. She will be spending her birthday on Friday in prison. I wanted to go instead of her, but they wouldn't take me, even though I am a joint tenant with my wife."
A council spokesman said representations had been made to officials to waive the €3,000 costs, but this could not be done.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Geraldine Murphy, from Abbeyfeale, has been placed in an overcrowded cell in Limerick prison since last Monday and is sleeping on a mattress on a floor.
She suffers from a heart condition and diabetes and takes 15 tablets a day.
Her daughter, Yvonne, said last night the family were very concerned for her welfare, and appealed for her mother to be released from the 15-day term she is serving for non-payment of a €300 fine and €3,000 costs arising out of the row.
Yvonne Murphy said: "We went to visit her yesterday in the prison and she was very upset, in bits. My mum was a full-time carer for the past three years for our grandmother, who died two weeks ago. We will go and visit her for her birthday, but it's an awful state of affairs that our mother is locked up like this.
"We thought she'd do a few days and they'd let her out, but because there's a debt involved they've told us they can't let her out before the 15 days."
Ms Murphy was taken to court by the council for opening an entrance at the back of her council house in Abbeyfeale, leading onto a public car park, without planning permission.
The council took action against Ms Murphy for failing to comply with an enforcement order to remove the entrance.
She was brought to Limerick prison last Monday for failing to pay the fine and costs to the county council, arising from district court proceedings.
The council said the opening was against planning and if one person was let away with it, others could follow.
Ms Murphy's husband, Jack, said the opening had now been closed in accordance with the council's requirements. They had created the opening to enable them to bring in turf to the back of their house.
His wife, he said, was being forced to sleep on a mattress on the floor of a cell in the prison, due to overcrowding.
Mr Murphy said: "She buried her mother last week and is suffering from angina and diabetes. She will be spending her birthday on Friday in prison. I wanted to go instead of her, but they wouldn't take me, even though I am a joint tenant with my wife."
A council spokesman said representations had been made to officials to waive the €3,000 costs, but this could not be done.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
€14bn wind energy potential ‘waiting to be tapped’
WIND energy use is growing but the potential for thousands of jobs and €14 billion investment in the sector has still not been tapped, it was claimed.
Figures released yesterday from EirGrid – the state-owned electricity transmission operator – show that in recent months wind power has accounted for up to 40% of all energy on the system and wind energy connected to the power system has increased by more than 25% in the past year.
The figures also show the amount of wind energy connected to the national grid has reached 1,077 megawatts and wind farms in Ireland now produce enough energy to supply approximately 700,000 homes around the country.
Wind power dwarfs hydro and landfill gas generation in terms of energy provided. A new report by Deloitte, also published yesterday, shows huge potential for more jobs in the sector.
The Deloitte report, Jobs and Investment in Irish Wind Energy, states that construction of wind energy projects on the island of Ireland will involve approximately €14.75bn of investment, €5.1bn of which could be retained in the Irish economy.
That in turn can support in excess of 10,500 jobs through direct and indirect investment up to 2020.
The report was launched to mark Global Wind Energy Day and was commissioned by the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA).
The IWEA’s chief executive, Dr Michael Walsh, said new plans will be put in place to boost the sector, but warned of areas of concern, such as the likelihood that many projects will not be delivered if developers cannot be given guarantees that the grid will be delivered to their project on time.
Ireland has set itself a progressive target of delivering 40% of energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020.
However, Dr Walsh said: "While Ireland has established a number of initiatives to stimulate growth in the sector, grid availability, a stable financial framework and a shortage of experienced personnel and lack of awareness of opportunities in the sector are stunting the sector’s growth.
"All of these issues need to be tackled, by industry and policy makers, to ensure the sector can continue to flourish in order to meet our targets and assist the Government with its recovery plan."
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Figures released yesterday from EirGrid – the state-owned electricity transmission operator – show that in recent months wind power has accounted for up to 40% of all energy on the system and wind energy connected to the power system has increased by more than 25% in the past year.
The figures also show the amount of wind energy connected to the national grid has reached 1,077 megawatts and wind farms in Ireland now produce enough energy to supply approximately 700,000 homes around the country.
Wind power dwarfs hydro and landfill gas generation in terms of energy provided. A new report by Deloitte, also published yesterday, shows huge potential for more jobs in the sector.
The Deloitte report, Jobs and Investment in Irish Wind Energy, states that construction of wind energy projects on the island of Ireland will involve approximately €14.75bn of investment, €5.1bn of which could be retained in the Irish economy.
That in turn can support in excess of 10,500 jobs through direct and indirect investment up to 2020.
The report was launched to mark Global Wind Energy Day and was commissioned by the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA).
The IWEA’s chief executive, Dr Michael Walsh, said new plans will be put in place to boost the sector, but warned of areas of concern, such as the likelihood that many projects will not be delivered if developers cannot be given guarantees that the grid will be delivered to their project on time.
Ireland has set itself a progressive target of delivering 40% of energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020.
However, Dr Walsh said: "While Ireland has established a number of initiatives to stimulate growth in the sector, grid availability, a stable financial framework and a shortage of experienced personnel and lack of awareness of opportunities in the sector are stunting the sector’s growth.
"All of these issues need to be tackled, by industry and policy makers, to ensure the sector can continue to flourish in order to meet our targets and assist the Government with its recovery plan."
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
July date set for Cork to Midleton rail line Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/july-date-set-for-cork-to-midleton-rail-line-94185.html#ixzz0I
A NEW deadline of July 27 has been set for the long-awaited opening of the €75 million Cork-Midleton commuter rail service.
But senior Iarnród Éireann officials conceded the commencement date was, however, dependent on a green light from the Railway Safety Commission.
The commission is currently examining the track, signalling and stations along the route. Once it has given approval Iarnród Éireann will put trains on the line and start training its drivers on route familiarisation.
Fortunately, it now looks as though there is some light at the end of the tunnel in a long-running saga which at times descended into farce.
Just a few weeks ago Transport Minister Noel Dempsey came down to the new railway station in Midleton to announce the service’s timetable.
But he couldn’t provide people with the actual start-up date. The ministerial photo-session took place in a train at the station. But the train didn’t move, because it wasn’t certified to carry passengers.
On numerous occasions during the past few years both Mr Dempsey and his predecessor at the department, the late Seamus Brennan, have attended photoshoots along the track.
Iarnród Éireann prided itself in the connectivity of the service with the Dublin train. However, the ink wasn’t dry on the timetable when eagle-eyed TD David Stanton noticed a major mistake. The first train out of Midleton in the morning would arrive eight minutes after the Dublin-bound train had left Kent station. As Mr Stanton pointed out, that would be the train most people would have to get in order to be in the capital for an early business meeting. Red-faced Iarnród Éireann officials said they would try and address the situation.
Midleton Chamber of Commerce president Cillian O’Sullivan said his members had also been informed by Iarnród Éireann officials that the first commuter trains would start rolling during the week commencing July 27. "We met with people from Irish Rail last week and informed our members. We would like to see the railway line open as soon as possible," Mr O’Sullivan said.
Businesspeople in Midleton – which is regarded as one of the finest shopping towns in Munster – will be hoping to cash-in on the rail link by attracting customers from Cork city.
It will also make the town increasingly attractive for home buyers, as the train will also connect with Carrigtwohill, Glounthaune, and a large number of factories in Little Island.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
But senior Iarnród Éireann officials conceded the commencement date was, however, dependent on a green light from the Railway Safety Commission.
The commission is currently examining the track, signalling and stations along the route. Once it has given approval Iarnród Éireann will put trains on the line and start training its drivers on route familiarisation.
Fortunately, it now looks as though there is some light at the end of the tunnel in a long-running saga which at times descended into farce.
Just a few weeks ago Transport Minister Noel Dempsey came down to the new railway station in Midleton to announce the service’s timetable.
But he couldn’t provide people with the actual start-up date. The ministerial photo-session took place in a train at the station. But the train didn’t move, because it wasn’t certified to carry passengers.
On numerous occasions during the past few years both Mr Dempsey and his predecessor at the department, the late Seamus Brennan, have attended photoshoots along the track.
Iarnród Éireann prided itself in the connectivity of the service with the Dublin train. However, the ink wasn’t dry on the timetable when eagle-eyed TD David Stanton noticed a major mistake. The first train out of Midleton in the morning would arrive eight minutes after the Dublin-bound train had left Kent station. As Mr Stanton pointed out, that would be the train most people would have to get in order to be in the capital for an early business meeting. Red-faced Iarnród Éireann officials said they would try and address the situation.
Midleton Chamber of Commerce president Cillian O’Sullivan said his members had also been informed by Iarnród Éireann officials that the first commuter trains would start rolling during the week commencing July 27. "We met with people from Irish Rail last week and informed our members. We would like to see the railway line open as soon as possible," Mr O’Sullivan said.
Businesspeople in Midleton – which is regarded as one of the finest shopping towns in Munster – will be hoping to cash-in on the rail link by attracting customers from Cork city.
It will also make the town increasingly attractive for home buyers, as the train will also connect with Carrigtwohill, Glounthaune, and a large number of factories in Little Island.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Incinerator explosion contingency plan urged
THE POSSIBILITY of a vapour cloud explosion at the site of a proposed incinerator in Ringaskiddy, Cork, must be taken into account and planned for, according to a major emergency officer attached to the HSE.
Peter Daly, chief emergency management officer for the HSE and a former chemical weapons inspector in Iraq, said “credible scenarios” included in the application for the €140 million waste-to-energy plant “must include the possibility of a vapour cloud explosion, which is currently omitted”.
Mr Daly, a Cobh resident and objector to the proposed incinerator, was speaking as a private individual and not for the HSE at an oral hearing into the incinerator.
He referred to huge explosions that took place at the Buncefield oil depot in the UK in December 2005. In the planning process for the oil depot explosions of that scale were not considered to be a “credible scenario”.
“If Buncefield teaches us anything it is that we need to consider a vapour cloud explosion as a credible scenario, and it is worth repeating from the report that the circumstances which led to the event were predictable even if the consequences were not.”
In evidence previously unknown to anti-incinerator campaigners, Mr Daly said distances claimed to be safe by incinerator proposers Indaver would be regarded as well inside the danger zones by public response agencies in the event of an accident.
He said should an accident occur, response agencies would consider whether their staff could be admitted to the danger zone.
“The public safety zone consists essentially of three zones: hot, warm and cold. Distances claimed as safe in the application would be regarded by the public response agencies in emergency response as well inside a PSZ warm circle. The area that they would regard as being in a ‘warm zone’ would be significantly greater than the perimeter of the plant,” Mr Daly said.
A spokesman for Indaver said emergency plans for the facility would be made known locally before incineration begins.
“We are happy to reiterate that any emergency planning aspects of the proposed facility would be co-ordinated with the relevant authorities in advance of operations and communicated locally.
“Everyday operations will meet the highest standards, involving modern technology and qualified personnel to ensure appropriate safety at all times.”
However, Mr Daly said a singular access point to the site for the incinerator also posed problems for the emergency services. “The area is effectively a cul-de-sac with only one entry point, and if that entry point along the Ringaskiddy road is compromised then the public response agencies will be significantly affected, with the potential of very serious consequences.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Peter Daly, chief emergency management officer for the HSE and a former chemical weapons inspector in Iraq, said “credible scenarios” included in the application for the €140 million waste-to-energy plant “must include the possibility of a vapour cloud explosion, which is currently omitted”.
Mr Daly, a Cobh resident and objector to the proposed incinerator, was speaking as a private individual and not for the HSE at an oral hearing into the incinerator.
He referred to huge explosions that took place at the Buncefield oil depot in the UK in December 2005. In the planning process for the oil depot explosions of that scale were not considered to be a “credible scenario”.
“If Buncefield teaches us anything it is that we need to consider a vapour cloud explosion as a credible scenario, and it is worth repeating from the report that the circumstances which led to the event were predictable even if the consequences were not.”
In evidence previously unknown to anti-incinerator campaigners, Mr Daly said distances claimed to be safe by incinerator proposers Indaver would be regarded as well inside the danger zones by public response agencies in the event of an accident.
He said should an accident occur, response agencies would consider whether their staff could be admitted to the danger zone.
“The public safety zone consists essentially of three zones: hot, warm and cold. Distances claimed as safe in the application would be regarded by the public response agencies in emergency response as well inside a PSZ warm circle. The area that they would regard as being in a ‘warm zone’ would be significantly greater than the perimeter of the plant,” Mr Daly said.
A spokesman for Indaver said emergency plans for the facility would be made known locally before incineration begins.
“We are happy to reiterate that any emergency planning aspects of the proposed facility would be co-ordinated with the relevant authorities in advance of operations and communicated locally.
“Everyday operations will meet the highest standards, involving modern technology and qualified personnel to ensure appropriate safety at all times.”
However, Mr Daly said a singular access point to the site for the incinerator also posed problems for the emergency services. “The area is effectively a cul-de-sac with only one entry point, and if that entry point along the Ringaskiddy road is compromised then the public response agencies will be significantly affected, with the potential of very serious consequences.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Safe distances at issue at the Ringiskiddy incinerator oral hearing
Evidence was presented at this morning's Ringiskiddy, Indaver, Oral Hearing by Mr Peter Daly, Chief Emergency Management Officer for the HSE (Health Services Executive), South, whose function in that role is to prepare emergency plans for the HSE for all type of Major Emergencies. Mr Daly said that distances claimed to be safe by Indaver would be regarded as well inside the danger zones by Public Response Agencies in the event of an accident or emergency.
Mr Daly said that should an accident occur, response plans prepared by Principle Response Agencies would define a 'Warm Zone' that "in this instance will at least include the public road" and "will carefully consider the risk of allowing even their own staff into that Warm Zone". The Warm Zone is described as being inside the 'Inner Cordon' where "airborne concentrations above which the general population could experience irreversible or other serious effects occur". Mr Daly also said:
- credible scenarios MUST include the possibility of a Vapour Cloud Explosion, which is currently omitted.
- in the event of an emergency there is insufficient infrastructure with only one entry and the same exit point to and from the same area.
- the occupants of the NMCI (Maritime College) should not be required to evacuate in the direction of the incident, indeed to within a few meters of the proposed plant.
Mr Daly is a former Defense Forces Engineering Officer and served as a Chemical Weapons Inspector to UNSCOM in Iraq. He holds a postgraduate qualification in Mechanical Engineering, and has made a study of the Seveso Legislation and related matters. He stressed that he made his submission as a private individual, but that the detailed knowledge he has in relation to Seveso issues is a result of his education, training, experience and derived from his current HSE responsibilities.
Outlining the process by which Principle Response Agencies prepare emergency plans at Seveso sites, which use the Public Safety Zone as a basis for emergency response, Mr Daly said "The Public Safety Zone (PSZ) addresses low probability scenarios. These incidents may however be of high consequence. In the unlikely event of an incident occurring there will be casualties with varying degrees of injury. The Public Safety Zone consists essentially of three zones i.e. Hot, Warm and Cold (Zones). Distances claimed as safe in the application would be regarded by the Public Response Agencies in emergency response as well inside a PSZ Warm circle. The area that they would regard as being in a 'warm zone' would be significantly greater than the perimeter of the plant."
Mr Daly also highlighted that in planning an emergency response, the Public Response Agencies must provide for primary and secondary access as a basic tenet. He said "This principle is not achievable in the proposed site. The area is effectively a cul-de-sac with only one entry point and if that entry point along the Ringaskiddy road is compromised then the Public Response Agencies will be significantly affected with the potential of very serious consequences.
The same principles dictate that "the concept of persons being evacuated from the Maritime College being compelled to move towards the facility, before being able to flee to the left or to the right will be of significant and on-going concern."
Source: Cork Harbour Alliance For a Safe Environment www.chaseireland.org
www.buckplanning.ie
Mr Daly said that should an accident occur, response plans prepared by Principle Response Agencies would define a 'Warm Zone' that "in this instance will at least include the public road" and "will carefully consider the risk of allowing even their own staff into that Warm Zone". The Warm Zone is described as being inside the 'Inner Cordon' where "airborne concentrations above which the general population could experience irreversible or other serious effects occur". Mr Daly also said:
- credible scenarios MUST include the possibility of a Vapour Cloud Explosion, which is currently omitted.
- in the event of an emergency there is insufficient infrastructure with only one entry and the same exit point to and from the same area.
- the occupants of the NMCI (Maritime College) should not be required to evacuate in the direction of the incident, indeed to within a few meters of the proposed plant.
Mr Daly is a former Defense Forces Engineering Officer and served as a Chemical Weapons Inspector to UNSCOM in Iraq. He holds a postgraduate qualification in Mechanical Engineering, and has made a study of the Seveso Legislation and related matters. He stressed that he made his submission as a private individual, but that the detailed knowledge he has in relation to Seveso issues is a result of his education, training, experience and derived from his current HSE responsibilities.
Outlining the process by which Principle Response Agencies prepare emergency plans at Seveso sites, which use the Public Safety Zone as a basis for emergency response, Mr Daly said "The Public Safety Zone (PSZ) addresses low probability scenarios. These incidents may however be of high consequence. In the unlikely event of an incident occurring there will be casualties with varying degrees of injury. The Public Safety Zone consists essentially of three zones i.e. Hot, Warm and Cold (Zones). Distances claimed as safe in the application would be regarded by the Public Response Agencies in emergency response as well inside a PSZ Warm circle. The area that they would regard as being in a 'warm zone' would be significantly greater than the perimeter of the plant."
Mr Daly also highlighted that in planning an emergency response, the Public Response Agencies must provide for primary and secondary access as a basic tenet. He said "This principle is not achievable in the proposed site. The area is effectively a cul-de-sac with only one entry point and if that entry point along the Ringaskiddy road is compromised then the Public Response Agencies will be significantly affected with the potential of very serious consequences.
The same principles dictate that "the concept of persons being evacuated from the Maritime College being compelled to move towards the facility, before being able to flee to the left or to the right will be of significant and on-going concern."
Source: Cork Harbour Alliance For a Safe Environment www.chaseireland.org
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 15 June 2009
Concern at 'deteriorating' Corrib row
LABOUR PARTY president Michael D Higgins has expressed concern about a “deteriorating situation” with the Corrib gas project in north Mayo, following the sinking last week of a fishing vessel in Broadhaven Bay.
Mr Higgins has said “accurate information” is required for “establishment of fact”.
He has also called on the Government to outline progress on enacting the Private Security Act, 2004, on regulating the security industry, in the light of the vessel’s sinking.
The owner of the fishing vessel, Pat O’Donnell, had expressed fears about his own safety more than a month ago, due to his decision not to sign up to an agreement between Shell and the Erris Inshore Fishermen’s Association on facilitating the laying of the Corrib gas project offshore pipeline in Broadhaven Bay.
Under current legislation, the developer cannot compel fishermen to quit fishing grounds during the pipelaying.
Bord Pleanála is continuing its oral hearing this week on the planning application for a modified onshore pipeline route and land valve, along with compulsory acquisition orders to private land.
Mr Higgins said he wished to know the “status of the existing legislation on the practice of private security companies and what, specifically, is their relationship with the Garda Commissioner”.
He raised the issue in the Dáil on last Thursday’s order of business.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen told Mr Higgins he did not have the information before him, and “must ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to revert to the Deputy on those issues”.
A chronology of events relating to the Iona Isle sinking was issued at the weekend by the legal representatives for Mr O’Donnell, McGarr Solicitors.
The statement says the fisherman and shellfish business owner had been keeping watch on his fishing gear on the seabed in the early hours of Thursday morning last, as he had “heard a rumour that an unidentified fishing boat was intent on removing (and damaging) his fishing gear”. “His gear had been damaged last year from a similar cause,” the solicitors state.
“Coincidental with those events of last year he was arrested twice by the Garda Síochána while attempting to protect his fishing gear from the loss and damage he sustained,” they state.
“He was released on the second occasion from Belmullet Garda station two minutes before his lawyers were due to present papers to the High Court for an inquiry into his arrest under Article 42.4.2 of the Constitution of Ireland.
“Subsequently the DPP directed that no charges be brought against him by the State arising from the circumstances of his arrest (or otherwise).”
Green Party TD Ciarán Cuffe has also called for “a full and impartial investigation”, as the sinking “clearly raises tensions on all sides in west Mayo”.
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has indicated that it is unlikely that it will initiate an inquiry, as it regards the sinking as a criminal matter. The Garda Síochána has said it will investigate, but said Mr O’Donnell was “not co-operating”.
Mr O’Donnell has said he will co-operate through his legal representatives, but that he was in shock when asked to hand over his clothing to four detectives and a uniformed Garda at Castlebar General Hospital last week.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Mr Higgins has said “accurate information” is required for “establishment of fact”.
He has also called on the Government to outline progress on enacting the Private Security Act, 2004, on regulating the security industry, in the light of the vessel’s sinking.
The owner of the fishing vessel, Pat O’Donnell, had expressed fears about his own safety more than a month ago, due to his decision not to sign up to an agreement between Shell and the Erris Inshore Fishermen’s Association on facilitating the laying of the Corrib gas project offshore pipeline in Broadhaven Bay.
Under current legislation, the developer cannot compel fishermen to quit fishing grounds during the pipelaying.
Bord Pleanála is continuing its oral hearing this week on the planning application for a modified onshore pipeline route and land valve, along with compulsory acquisition orders to private land.
Mr Higgins said he wished to know the “status of the existing legislation on the practice of private security companies and what, specifically, is their relationship with the Garda Commissioner”.
He raised the issue in the Dáil on last Thursday’s order of business.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen told Mr Higgins he did not have the information before him, and “must ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to revert to the Deputy on those issues”.
A chronology of events relating to the Iona Isle sinking was issued at the weekend by the legal representatives for Mr O’Donnell, McGarr Solicitors.
The statement says the fisherman and shellfish business owner had been keeping watch on his fishing gear on the seabed in the early hours of Thursday morning last, as he had “heard a rumour that an unidentified fishing boat was intent on removing (and damaging) his fishing gear”. “His gear had been damaged last year from a similar cause,” the solicitors state.
“Coincidental with those events of last year he was arrested twice by the Garda Síochána while attempting to protect his fishing gear from the loss and damage he sustained,” they state.
“He was released on the second occasion from Belmullet Garda station two minutes before his lawyers were due to present papers to the High Court for an inquiry into his arrest under Article 42.4.2 of the Constitution of Ireland.
“Subsequently the DPP directed that no charges be brought against him by the State arising from the circumstances of his arrest (or otherwise).”
Green Party TD Ciarán Cuffe has also called for “a full and impartial investigation”, as the sinking “clearly raises tensions on all sides in west Mayo”.
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has indicated that it is unlikely that it will initiate an inquiry, as it regards the sinking as a criminal matter. The Garda Síochána has said it will investigate, but said Mr O’Donnell was “not co-operating”.
Mr O’Donnell has said he will co-operate through his legal representatives, but that he was in shock when asked to hand over his clothing to four detectives and a uniformed Garda at Castlebar General Hospital last week.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Hybrid 'rail bus' proposal for Limerick Junction service
IRISH RAIL is considering replacing the Waterford to Limerick Junction services with a “rail bus” – a hybrid vehicle which can run on road and rail.
The vehicle, which has double sets of wheels, is one of a number of cost-cutting options on the route which has passenger traffic of only 54,000 people a year.
The rail bus, similar to an ordinary mini bus, is able to drive on either railways or roads and Irish Rail believes its capacity of about 20 seats would meet demand.
Rail bus operations around the world traditionally allow high-cost signalling to be removed from the line, and a rail-mounted vehicle with the operational characteristics of a bus can then run instead. The rail bus offers significant fuel savings.
The Irish Times understands Irish Rail is studying reports on the introduction of such vehicles on little-used routes in Japan
It is also understood that the company is looking at a second tram-like rail carriage which is employed on some low-usage lines in the UK.
The Waterford to Limerick route suffered a near catastrophic setback in 2003 when a cement train derailed on the Cahir viaduct. Twelve wagons fell through the bridge into the River Suir.
The route was reopened after a €3 million repair, after which services between Limerick and Waterford were increased to four per day in each direction. Passenger numbers remained minuscule.
A source said: “The future of the line has been the focus of speculation in years past. But the current cost-reduction programme is very much on achieving savings while maintaining services, and the company is examining some innovative bus-rail type operations suitable for this route.”
Irish Rail estimates a rail bus system on the route could cut costs by 50 per cent.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The vehicle, which has double sets of wheels, is one of a number of cost-cutting options on the route which has passenger traffic of only 54,000 people a year.
The rail bus, similar to an ordinary mini bus, is able to drive on either railways or roads and Irish Rail believes its capacity of about 20 seats would meet demand.
Rail bus operations around the world traditionally allow high-cost signalling to be removed from the line, and a rail-mounted vehicle with the operational characteristics of a bus can then run instead. The rail bus offers significant fuel savings.
The Irish Times understands Irish Rail is studying reports on the introduction of such vehicles on little-used routes in Japan
It is also understood that the company is looking at a second tram-like rail carriage which is employed on some low-usage lines in the UK.
The Waterford to Limerick route suffered a near catastrophic setback in 2003 when a cement train derailed on the Cahir viaduct. Twelve wagons fell through the bridge into the River Suir.
The route was reopened after a €3 million repair, after which services between Limerick and Waterford were increased to four per day in each direction. Passenger numbers remained minuscule.
A source said: “The future of the line has been the focus of speculation in years past. But the current cost-reduction programme is very much on achieving savings while maintaining services, and the company is examining some innovative bus-rail type operations suitable for this route.”
Irish Rail estimates a rail bus system on the route could cut costs by 50 per cent.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Minister urges commuters to try cycling to work
MINISTER FOR Transport Noel Dempsey yesterday urged commuters to try cycling – and revealed the Government is seeking alternative sources of finance to save up to 10,000 jobs in State road-building projects.
Speaking as he launched National Bike week in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, Mr Dempsey responded to assertions by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association that up to 10,000 road builders face unemployment over the next 12 months, as a result of cuts in national building projects.
The Minister, who joined a crowd of 1,500 people in a family-centred cycle around the park, said he would “be hopeful that the initiative of the Minister for Finance, where he was talking about alternative methods of finance, that we will be able to bring that quickly to Cabinet”.
Already private sector financing has been found for two former public spending projects: the Newlands Cross interchange in Dublin, and improvements to the N11 in Wicklow.
But while he said the Government was keen to secure such alternative sources of funding, he warned “you can’t just keep building roads for the sake of it. From the point of view of the infrastructure programme, if alternative methods of funding can be found, if they are reasonable for the taxpayer, then obviously we will use those and try and maintain as much employment as we possibly can and that would be our aim,” he said.
Mr Dempsey said it was difficult to be definitive on the chances of the Government’s major capital programmes actually going to construction on target, given the fall in the public finances. They were, he said, predicated on a 4 per cent growth rate when the rate this year was more likely to be closer to minus 8 per cent.
He added: “People keep asking me is this going to go ahead, is that going to go ahead – at this stage until we know whether we are going to get alternative sources of finance, I can’t give you any other answer.”
But on the subject of bicycles, Mr Dempsey was more positive. In glorious sunshine he joined children with painted faces, parents on bicycles with tow bars, even a bicycle with an on-board barbecue for a fun cycle to launch National Bike Week, an event which was also raising money for Barnardos.
As he completed his jaunt – on an electrically-assisted bicycle – Mr Dempsey said while cycling in Dublin recently he had experienced first-hand some of the difficulties of disappearing cycle lanes and parking in cycle lanes.
The Minister said €5 million was to be spent this year on eliminating problems with cycle lanes and expanding the network nationally. He said applications were also coming in for the development of cycle-only networks across the country, including one from Kerry for a 40km trail.
The bad news on the day was that the cycle ride failed to live up to its target of a record-breaking 2,000 entrants. But the Minister said the forthcoming An Post Meath Heritage Cycle Tour would take place on Sunday, July 5th, and would offer entrants another chance at the record for the biggest organised cycle.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Speaking as he launched National Bike week in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, Mr Dempsey responded to assertions by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association that up to 10,000 road builders face unemployment over the next 12 months, as a result of cuts in national building projects.
The Minister, who joined a crowd of 1,500 people in a family-centred cycle around the park, said he would “be hopeful that the initiative of the Minister for Finance, where he was talking about alternative methods of finance, that we will be able to bring that quickly to Cabinet”.
Already private sector financing has been found for two former public spending projects: the Newlands Cross interchange in Dublin, and improvements to the N11 in Wicklow.
But while he said the Government was keen to secure such alternative sources of funding, he warned “you can’t just keep building roads for the sake of it. From the point of view of the infrastructure programme, if alternative methods of funding can be found, if they are reasonable for the taxpayer, then obviously we will use those and try and maintain as much employment as we possibly can and that would be our aim,” he said.
Mr Dempsey said it was difficult to be definitive on the chances of the Government’s major capital programmes actually going to construction on target, given the fall in the public finances. They were, he said, predicated on a 4 per cent growth rate when the rate this year was more likely to be closer to minus 8 per cent.
He added: “People keep asking me is this going to go ahead, is that going to go ahead – at this stage until we know whether we are going to get alternative sources of finance, I can’t give you any other answer.”
But on the subject of bicycles, Mr Dempsey was more positive. In glorious sunshine he joined children with painted faces, parents on bicycles with tow bars, even a bicycle with an on-board barbecue for a fun cycle to launch National Bike Week, an event which was also raising money for Barnardos.
As he completed his jaunt – on an electrically-assisted bicycle – Mr Dempsey said while cycling in Dublin recently he had experienced first-hand some of the difficulties of disappearing cycle lanes and parking in cycle lanes.
The Minister said €5 million was to be spent this year on eliminating problems with cycle lanes and expanding the network nationally. He said applications were also coming in for the development of cycle-only networks across the country, including one from Kerry for a 40km trail.
The bad news on the day was that the cycle ride failed to live up to its target of a record-breaking 2,000 entrants. But the Minister said the forthcoming An Post Meath Heritage Cycle Tour would take place on Sunday, July 5th, and would offer entrants another chance at the record for the biggest organised cycle.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 14 June 2009
KClub plans to expand
The owners of the K Club hotel and golf resort are defying the recession with an application for permission to extend the five-star venue, writes Michelle Devane.
The planned works include a spa and pool complex, 350seater ballroom with bar, a new entrance foyer and drop off point, new kitchen and extension of ancillary accommodation on the ground floor. There will also be internal remodelling and refurbishment of all three storeys of the existing east wing and alterations to the facade.
Under the plan, the single storey leisure centre, which was built in the 1980s, would be removed at the south-east end of the hotel, though it will be partially reinstated. An additional 46 parking spaces will also be created by extending the existing car park.
Owned by businessmen Michael Smurfit and Gerry Gannon, the 550-acre K Club estate includes two championship golf courses, one of which hosted the Ryder Cup in 2006.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
The planned works include a spa and pool complex, 350seater ballroom with bar, a new entrance foyer and drop off point, new kitchen and extension of ancillary accommodation on the ground floor. There will also be internal remodelling and refurbishment of all three storeys of the existing east wing and alterations to the facade.
Under the plan, the single storey leisure centre, which was built in the 1980s, would be removed at the south-east end of the hotel, though it will be partially reinstated. An additional 46 parking spaces will also be created by extending the existing car park.
Owned by businessmen Michael Smurfit and Gerry Gannon, the 550-acre K Club estate includes two championship golf courses, one of which hosted the Ryder Cup in 2006.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Council has spent €32m on controversial super dump
FINGAL county council has spent a staggering €32m on a planned super dump in north Dublin, a final decision on which is due later this month.
Both An Bord Pleanála and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are set to rule on the controversial landfill after nearly five years of deliberations and five oral hearings.
The contentious 500,000-tonne capacity Nevitt landfill facility in Lusk was even the subject of a complaint to the European Commission last year.
To date, the local authority has spent just over €26m on land acquisition to accommodate the development.
Other cost outlays by the council include €1.45m on a site-selection study and €5.6m on consultants, site investigation, legal fees and borehole compensation.
"The council has thrown money at this since September 2004 when it was announced. They say they can justify the spending but it is a massive waste of public money," said a spokesman for the Nevitt Lusk Action Group (NLAG).
"There are a lot of very contentious issues around this. There is a water supply here called the Bog of the Ring and we have got evidence that this is linked to the area where the landfill is going. The horticulture industry is worth €600m a year to the economy and this will be wiped out if [the dump] goes ahead."
Fingal county council says that the level of expenditure on a programme of this magnitude is not at all unusual, nor is its timing ahead of a ruling by the planning appeals authority.
In relation to claims of water contamination, a spokeswoman said: "It's up to the [EPA] to decide whether the risk is significant enough not to allow the landfill to go ahead."
But she added that the amount of water in question is not significant in the overall context of water in the region.
The landfill is part of the overall Dublin waste-management plan, together with the Ringsend incinerator, composting sites and recycling facilities.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Both An Bord Pleanála and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are set to rule on the controversial landfill after nearly five years of deliberations and five oral hearings.
The contentious 500,000-tonne capacity Nevitt landfill facility in Lusk was even the subject of a complaint to the European Commission last year.
To date, the local authority has spent just over €26m on land acquisition to accommodate the development.
Other cost outlays by the council include €1.45m on a site-selection study and €5.6m on consultants, site investigation, legal fees and borehole compensation.
"The council has thrown money at this since September 2004 when it was announced. They say they can justify the spending but it is a massive waste of public money," said a spokesman for the Nevitt Lusk Action Group (NLAG).
"There are a lot of very contentious issues around this. There is a water supply here called the Bog of the Ring and we have got evidence that this is linked to the area where the landfill is going. The horticulture industry is worth €600m a year to the economy and this will be wiped out if [the dump] goes ahead."
Fingal county council says that the level of expenditure on a programme of this magnitude is not at all unusual, nor is its timing ahead of a ruling by the planning appeals authority.
In relation to claims of water contamination, a spokeswoman said: "It's up to the [EPA] to decide whether the risk is significant enough not to allow the landfill to go ahead."
But she added that the amount of water in question is not significant in the overall context of water in the region.
The landfill is part of the overall Dublin waste-management plan, together with the Ringsend incinerator, composting sites and recycling facilities.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Elysian: the final resting place of the boom
It was launched last September with a glitzy party attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin. It had a starring role in TV3's The Apprentice and was billed as the ultimate in Celtic Tiger living.
But were property developers dreaming when they built Ireland's tallest apartment block and hoped millionaires would be queuing up to move in?
The Sunday Tribune has learned that nine months after going on sale, just 35 out of the 211 properties in Cork's exclusive Elysian building have been sold.
According to Michael O'Flynn, the developer of €150m project: "It's not the product. It's just the times we're in."
But buyers would need to be immune to the recession and have deep wallets to afford prices which range from €375,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, up to €2m for the largest penthouses.
Not only do buyers get a bird's eye view of Cork from a skyscraper six metres higher than Cork County Hall and 13 metres higher than Liberty Hall in Dublin, they also get black-lacquer kitchens with taps designed by Porsche.
Such extras are key selling points, says Trish Stokes, a director at selling agent Sherry Fitzgerald Cork.
"People who have viewed or bought with us have been extremely impressed by the specifications and the standard of finish throughout," she says. "They tell us they haven't seen that level of high-quality finish delivered in any apartment to date."
However, despite a considerable marketing campaign and a major role in the last series of The Apprentice, where contestants competed to design a television commercial for O'Flynn, the seller is still struggling to shift units.
"It's not as if we're the only ones affected," Stokes said. "It's an even distribution of grief to be honest."
Last Friday, the vast building was almost entirely deserted. With no evidence of residents coming or going, there were only a handful of cars in the vast car park.
There was no sign of any security presence and the reception/concierge desk was unmanned, with the main entrance firmly shut.
All bar one of the ground floor commercial units lay unoccupied and unfinished, with Rabo Bank/ACC the sole business tenant in situ.
A bank employee confirmed the office had been open since January but did not know what other companies, if any, were expected to join them. While an agent's sign claimed that only two medical/office units remain, the almost total lack of activity at the complex suggested otherwise.
The Elysian 'Experience', which appeared to be a partially finished café-bar, lay seemingly abandoned mid-project with no suggestion of imminent completion.
It was all a complete contrast to publicity material for developer, O'Flynn Construction, which says: "Since its completion in mid-2008, The Elysian stands like a beacon above the city."
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
But were property developers dreaming when they built Ireland's tallest apartment block and hoped millionaires would be queuing up to move in?
The Sunday Tribune has learned that nine months after going on sale, just 35 out of the 211 properties in Cork's exclusive Elysian building have been sold.
According to Michael O'Flynn, the developer of €150m project: "It's not the product. It's just the times we're in."
But buyers would need to be immune to the recession and have deep wallets to afford prices which range from €375,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, up to €2m for the largest penthouses.
Not only do buyers get a bird's eye view of Cork from a skyscraper six metres higher than Cork County Hall and 13 metres higher than Liberty Hall in Dublin, they also get black-lacquer kitchens with taps designed by Porsche.
Such extras are key selling points, says Trish Stokes, a director at selling agent Sherry Fitzgerald Cork.
"People who have viewed or bought with us have been extremely impressed by the specifications and the standard of finish throughout," she says. "They tell us they haven't seen that level of high-quality finish delivered in any apartment to date."
However, despite a considerable marketing campaign and a major role in the last series of The Apprentice, where contestants competed to design a television commercial for O'Flynn, the seller is still struggling to shift units.
"It's not as if we're the only ones affected," Stokes said. "It's an even distribution of grief to be honest."
Last Friday, the vast building was almost entirely deserted. With no evidence of residents coming or going, there were only a handful of cars in the vast car park.
There was no sign of any security presence and the reception/concierge desk was unmanned, with the main entrance firmly shut.
All bar one of the ground floor commercial units lay unoccupied and unfinished, with Rabo Bank/ACC the sole business tenant in situ.
A bank employee confirmed the office had been open since January but did not know what other companies, if any, were expected to join them. While an agent's sign claimed that only two medical/office units remain, the almost total lack of activity at the complex suggested otherwise.
The Elysian 'Experience', which appeared to be a partially finished café-bar, lay seemingly abandoned mid-project with no suggestion of imminent completion.
It was all a complete contrast to publicity material for developer, O'Flynn Construction, which says: "Since its completion in mid-2008, The Elysian stands like a beacon above the city."
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin firms body wants new dereliction laws
The Dublin City Business Association (DCBA) wants the local authority to "champion" a proposal that a commercial premises left empty or derelict for 18 months or more would be forced to lower its rent or face a compulsory purchase order or be added to the derelict sites register.
"The post-Tiger period presents significant new challenges to Dublin city, not least being vacancies and the potential for dereliction," the DCBA told Dublin City Council in a submission, seen by the Sunday Tribune. Sites and buildings on the derelict sites register are subject to a financial penalty of up to 3% of their market value for every year they remain on the register.
The DCBA also wants the council to enforce signage legislation, which would remove "bawdy banners... tolerated" on convenience food shops on O'Connell Street. It also suggests that a series of multi-storey car parks be developed along the canal which would make the city centre more pedestrian friendly.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
"The post-Tiger period presents significant new challenges to Dublin city, not least being vacancies and the potential for dereliction," the DCBA told Dublin City Council in a submission, seen by the Sunday Tribune. Sites and buildings on the derelict sites register are subject to a financial penalty of up to 3% of their market value for every year they remain on the register.
The DCBA also wants the council to enforce signage legislation, which would remove "bawdy banners... tolerated" on convenience food shops on O'Connell Street. It also suggests that a series of multi-storey car parks be developed along the canal which would make the city centre more pedestrian friendly.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Property boom's poster boy faces his toughest battle yet
If developer Liam Carroll loses an upcoming legal battle with fellow developer Noel Smyth over The Square in Tallaght, it could deal him a serious blow.
Developer Noel Smyth, above, is suing Liam Carroll for €150m in damages over delays to an extension at The Square shopping centre in Tallaght, Dublin.
Developer Liam Carroll, the poster child of the developer made billionaire by the house price boom, will face one of the biggest battles of his business life in the coming weeks, when a case taken by developer Noel Smyth, who owns most of The Square shopping centre in Tallaght in west Dublin, begins in the commercial court.
Smyth is seeking €150m in damages against Carroll, developer Larry O'Mahony, former IRA hunger striker turned developer Tom McFeely, and related companies called Tafica and Aifca.
If Carroll's side loses, it would be a significant body blow to the developer at a time when his main company, Danninger, is asking creditors to accept 60 cent for every euro owed.
Smyth says delays to the proposed expansion of the Tallaght shopping centre cost him about €70m in lost capital allowances and is seeking additional damages, restitution for loss of profits and legal fees.
The case arose after Smyth secured planning permission for a €300m development at The Square on land where Lowe Taverns (Tallaght), a subsidiary of Aifca, had a car parking licence. Smyth had to acquire that licence to allow the development to go ahead and needed to complete the development by June of last year to claim the allowances. He also had numerous retailers interested in opening in the extension.
Smyth's Redfern vehicle is claiming that a breach of contract by Aifca, which was owned by McFeely and O'Mahony, delayed work on the development. O'Mahony and McFeely in turn say they entered an agreement with Carroll to refinance their loan facilities in September 2006 and, as a result, Carroll subscribed for more than 50% of the issued share capital of Aifca, meaning they no longer control the company.
In a contingent liabilities note in its 2006 accounts, Aifca states that if the company, its directors, Lowe Taverns (Tallaght) or any connected person, transfers, surrenders or loses the benefit of the licence, then McFeely and O'Mahony are due an extra €5m within 14 business days.
There have been attempts at mediation between Smyth and the others but they came to nothing.
The case was due to begin on Tuesday but Larry O'Mahony appealed that date to the Supreme Court, who heard a case last Wednesday relating to access to documents. He has since been given access to the documents.
O'Mahony and McFeely are expected to represent themselves after their solicitors, Ivor Fitzpatrick & Co, told the courts in April that they would no longer be representing the duo. The case will therefore only be mentioned on Tuesday before Mr Justice Peter Kelly with a delay of at least a week likely before hearings begin.
Listed for eight weeks, sources suggested it could last as long as 12 weeks and the estimated bill for the court appearances alone would be €2.5m to €3.5m for each side.
Ironically, the delays could all have been avoided by the intervention of the local authority if new retail planning guidelines proposed for greater Dublin had been in operation at the time. The draft guidelines recommend that local authorities "should allocate sufficient sites and expansion areas" to allow town centres to grow and "where necessary use compulsory purchase powers to bring forward important sites".
Smyth and Carroll have been at the centre of numerous battles over the years and there is no love lost between them. Earlier this year, Smyth settled his long-running legal dispute with Carroll over Smyth's removal from office at Dunloe Ewart when Carroll bought the company in 2002 after a protracted hostile takeover. Legend has it that the first thing Carroll asked for after the takeover was the keys to the company's blue Mercedes.
The rivalry began after Carroll was pipped by Dunloe in a tender for a site at Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin.
Carroll owns a significant number of assets in his own name, having bought many of them for cash during the boom years when his developments were generating huge profits. It is not known, however, if the developer had to pledge any of them when he received additional banking facilities of about €100m from Bank of Scotland (Ireland) and AIB in recent months.
In total Carroll owes about €2.8bn to the banks, with Anglo Irish Bank among the other financial institutions that backed his projects. He is also developing the bank's proposed new headquarters at North Wall Quay but planning permission has not been forthcoming for the development and the building has been left as a shell ever since.
Kilkenny Shipping Centre Developer May Be Wound Up
McDonagh Junction Developments Limited (MJDL), which developed the shopping centre of that name in Kilkenny, is due to face a winding-up petition from Winthrop Engineering in the courts tomorrow.
MJDL, owned by auctioneer Paul Newman and solicitor Paul Hanby, has confirmed it is in financial difficulties and says it is offering 62 cent in the euro to its creditors in settlement of all outstanding debt.
BDO Simpson Xavier's Hugh Cooney is advising MJDL. The shopping centre is unaffected by the dispute.
In April the Sunday Tribune published details of documents showing the problems MJDL was having with its bankers and the extent of rent arrears at the shopping centre, which stood at more than €620,000 earlier this year. The centre's struggles had been known about for over a year.
Davy has told investors who bought into the centre that MJDL continues to have obligations to the investors, including an option to put back any unlet units "after two years for the price they paid for them".
If the vacant units are let at a "rent lower than what was capped up at, the purchase price is recalculated based on reduced rent and MJDL refunds the difference to investors". Additionally, "MJDL is responsible for letting costs associated with the unlet units such as fit out costs and tenant incentives".
Contrary to reports, Michael Whelan's Moritz is not involved in the development. Moritz had worked with Newman and Hanby on several projects through Chesterbridge Developments but in 2007 Moritz decided not to participate in the development of MacDonagh Junction from either a financial or management perspective.
This led to a restructuring of the finances for Chesterbridge Developments, allowing Moritz concentrate its equity from Chesterbridge into its core residential development business.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Developer Noel Smyth, above, is suing Liam Carroll for €150m in damages over delays to an extension at The Square shopping centre in Tallaght, Dublin.
Developer Liam Carroll, the poster child of the developer made billionaire by the house price boom, will face one of the biggest battles of his business life in the coming weeks, when a case taken by developer Noel Smyth, who owns most of The Square shopping centre in Tallaght in west Dublin, begins in the commercial court.
Smyth is seeking €150m in damages against Carroll, developer Larry O'Mahony, former IRA hunger striker turned developer Tom McFeely, and related companies called Tafica and Aifca.
If Carroll's side loses, it would be a significant body blow to the developer at a time when his main company, Danninger, is asking creditors to accept 60 cent for every euro owed.
Smyth says delays to the proposed expansion of the Tallaght shopping centre cost him about €70m in lost capital allowances and is seeking additional damages, restitution for loss of profits and legal fees.
The case arose after Smyth secured planning permission for a €300m development at The Square on land where Lowe Taverns (Tallaght), a subsidiary of Aifca, had a car parking licence. Smyth had to acquire that licence to allow the development to go ahead and needed to complete the development by June of last year to claim the allowances. He also had numerous retailers interested in opening in the extension.
Smyth's Redfern vehicle is claiming that a breach of contract by Aifca, which was owned by McFeely and O'Mahony, delayed work on the development. O'Mahony and McFeely in turn say they entered an agreement with Carroll to refinance their loan facilities in September 2006 and, as a result, Carroll subscribed for more than 50% of the issued share capital of Aifca, meaning they no longer control the company.
In a contingent liabilities note in its 2006 accounts, Aifca states that if the company, its directors, Lowe Taverns (Tallaght) or any connected person, transfers, surrenders or loses the benefit of the licence, then McFeely and O'Mahony are due an extra €5m within 14 business days.
There have been attempts at mediation between Smyth and the others but they came to nothing.
The case was due to begin on Tuesday but Larry O'Mahony appealed that date to the Supreme Court, who heard a case last Wednesday relating to access to documents. He has since been given access to the documents.
O'Mahony and McFeely are expected to represent themselves after their solicitors, Ivor Fitzpatrick & Co, told the courts in April that they would no longer be representing the duo. The case will therefore only be mentioned on Tuesday before Mr Justice Peter Kelly with a delay of at least a week likely before hearings begin.
Listed for eight weeks, sources suggested it could last as long as 12 weeks and the estimated bill for the court appearances alone would be €2.5m to €3.5m for each side.
Ironically, the delays could all have been avoided by the intervention of the local authority if new retail planning guidelines proposed for greater Dublin had been in operation at the time. The draft guidelines recommend that local authorities "should allocate sufficient sites and expansion areas" to allow town centres to grow and "where necessary use compulsory purchase powers to bring forward important sites".
Smyth and Carroll have been at the centre of numerous battles over the years and there is no love lost between them. Earlier this year, Smyth settled his long-running legal dispute with Carroll over Smyth's removal from office at Dunloe Ewart when Carroll bought the company in 2002 after a protracted hostile takeover. Legend has it that the first thing Carroll asked for after the takeover was the keys to the company's blue Mercedes.
The rivalry began after Carroll was pipped by Dunloe in a tender for a site at Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin.
Carroll owns a significant number of assets in his own name, having bought many of them for cash during the boom years when his developments were generating huge profits. It is not known, however, if the developer had to pledge any of them when he received additional banking facilities of about €100m from Bank of Scotland (Ireland) and AIB in recent months.
In total Carroll owes about €2.8bn to the banks, with Anglo Irish Bank among the other financial institutions that backed his projects. He is also developing the bank's proposed new headquarters at North Wall Quay but planning permission has not been forthcoming for the development and the building has been left as a shell ever since.
Kilkenny Shipping Centre Developer May Be Wound Up
McDonagh Junction Developments Limited (MJDL), which developed the shopping centre of that name in Kilkenny, is due to face a winding-up petition from Winthrop Engineering in the courts tomorrow.
MJDL, owned by auctioneer Paul Newman and solicitor Paul Hanby, has confirmed it is in financial difficulties and says it is offering 62 cent in the euro to its creditors in settlement of all outstanding debt.
BDO Simpson Xavier's Hugh Cooney is advising MJDL. The shopping centre is unaffected by the dispute.
In April the Sunday Tribune published details of documents showing the problems MJDL was having with its bankers and the extent of rent arrears at the shopping centre, which stood at more than €620,000 earlier this year. The centre's struggles had been known about for over a year.
Davy has told investors who bought into the centre that MJDL continues to have obligations to the investors, including an option to put back any unlet units "after two years for the price they paid for them".
If the vacant units are let at a "rent lower than what was capped up at, the purchase price is recalculated based on reduced rent and MJDL refunds the difference to investors". Additionally, "MJDL is responsible for letting costs associated with the unlet units such as fit out costs and tenant incentives".
Contrary to reports, Michael Whelan's Moritz is not involved in the development. Moritz had worked with Newman and Hanby on several projects through Chesterbridge Developments but in 2007 Moritz decided not to participate in the development of MacDonagh Junction from either a financial or management perspective.
This led to a restructuring of the finances for Chesterbridge Developments, allowing Moritz concentrate its equity from Chesterbridge into its core residential development business.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Anglo cancels planned Georgian demolition
State-owned Anglo Irish Bank has dropped plans to demolish several Georgian buildings at the €350m Opera Centre retail development in Limerick. Anglo owns half of the development, with the remainder owned by Jerry O'Reilly, David Courtney and Terry Sweeney.
Planning permission was granted for an initial project but Regeneration Developments, the vehicle being used for the scheme, subsequently applied for a larger scheme that would have had two retail anchor units, one of which is expected to be Marks & Spencer, and 38 other shops.
"Bigger and better" was Courtney's description of the plans, which are now before An Bord Pleanála, and which included a proposal to demolish 12 Georgian buildings.
However, further information submitted to An Bord Pleanála by the company in recent days means that most of the buildings scheduled for demolition will have at least their façades retained.
Anglo acquired its stake in the venture in 2007 and planned to syndicate it to private clients but failed to do so.
The Opera Centre will be the largest shopping centre in the midwest. It takes its name from opera singer Catherine Hayes, who was born at 4 Patrick Street, which forms part of the development. Her birthplace will be separate from the mall and will be refurbished as a museum or civic amenity.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Planning permission was granted for an initial project but Regeneration Developments, the vehicle being used for the scheme, subsequently applied for a larger scheme that would have had two retail anchor units, one of which is expected to be Marks & Spencer, and 38 other shops.
"Bigger and better" was Courtney's description of the plans, which are now before An Bord Pleanála, and which included a proposal to demolish 12 Georgian buildings.
However, further information submitted to An Bord Pleanála by the company in recent days means that most of the buildings scheduled for demolition will have at least their façades retained.
Anglo acquired its stake in the venture in 2007 and planned to syndicate it to private clients but failed to do so.
The Opera Centre will be the largest shopping centre in the midwest. It takes its name from opera singer Catherine Hayes, who was born at 4 Patrick Street, which forms part of the development. Her birthplace will be separate from the mall and will be refurbished as a museum or civic amenity.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Saturday, 13 June 2009
New IKEA will open on time next month, store boss insists
THE manager of a new Ikea store which will employ 500 people has expressed confidence that it will open on time next month.
The Swedish furniture shop cannot open for business until routes around its north Dublin site are upgraded, and the National Roads Authority (NRA) admitted this week that it would be a "surprise" if the work was completed by the July 27 opening date.
But store manager Garry Deakin told the Irish Independent yesterday that "all parties were aware" of the opening date agreed last January, and that he shared the confidence of Fingal County Council -- which is responsible for ensuring the network is complete -- that the work would be done on time.
"We agreed the opening date of July 27 when in discussions in early January," Mr Deakin said.
"All parties are aware of it. I understand the difficulties they have because on their timeline they would like Ikea to wait for a 28-day notice period and they would say, 'from 28 days tomorrow it will be done'. But Ikea needs a seven-month lead-in time to recruit 500 people and develop them.
Dilemma
"So we've always had this dilemma. The last thing anyone wanted, including the Roads Authority, was for Ikea to remain closed for another five months [after a notice period].
"I met with both parties last week, and I'm confident that Ikea will open its doors at 11am on July 27."
The off-ramps from the M50 near the Ballymun interchange of the M50 are still under construction, and there is substantial roadworks yet to be completed around the massive store.
A 'town hall' meeting held in the store yesterday, and attended by EU Commission vice president Margot Wallstrom, showcased that the inside of the store is almost complete.
However, a number of approach roads remain closed off.
"What we don't want and what won't be good for the island is if the consumer is thinking, 'Is Ikea opening or not'?" Mr Deakin said.
"Ikea would have been happy to see the Dublin store opening on the same day as the Belfast store 18 months ago, but it wasn't possible."
A batch of 160 staff is due to begin next Monday, another 160 the following Wednesday, and another 80 the following Monday as induction begins in earnest at the store.
And those who have taken the trip to the Belfast store will feel immediately at home in the new venue, which is slightly bigger at 31,800 sqm, but has an almost identical layout.
"Worldwide, once you are inside an Ikea store you don't know which part of the world you're in," Mr Deakin said.
"Once we are open, you will think we are in Belfast. But having said that, we will have different room sets -- the latest ones worldwide."
There will be about 55 'rooms' set out on the second floor, featuring in the region of 9,500 Ikea products which can be collected by customers on the first floor. Ground floor is parking.
Jason O'Brien
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The Swedish furniture shop cannot open for business until routes around its north Dublin site are upgraded, and the National Roads Authority (NRA) admitted this week that it would be a "surprise" if the work was completed by the July 27 opening date.
But store manager Garry Deakin told the Irish Independent yesterday that "all parties were aware" of the opening date agreed last January, and that he shared the confidence of Fingal County Council -- which is responsible for ensuring the network is complete -- that the work would be done on time.
"We agreed the opening date of July 27 when in discussions in early January," Mr Deakin said.
"All parties are aware of it. I understand the difficulties they have because on their timeline they would like Ikea to wait for a 28-day notice period and they would say, 'from 28 days tomorrow it will be done'. But Ikea needs a seven-month lead-in time to recruit 500 people and develop them.
Dilemma
"So we've always had this dilemma. The last thing anyone wanted, including the Roads Authority, was for Ikea to remain closed for another five months [after a notice period].
"I met with both parties last week, and I'm confident that Ikea will open its doors at 11am on July 27."
The off-ramps from the M50 near the Ballymun interchange of the M50 are still under construction, and there is substantial roadworks yet to be completed around the massive store.
A 'town hall' meeting held in the store yesterday, and attended by EU Commission vice president Margot Wallstrom, showcased that the inside of the store is almost complete.
However, a number of approach roads remain closed off.
"What we don't want and what won't be good for the island is if the consumer is thinking, 'Is Ikea opening or not'?" Mr Deakin said.
"Ikea would have been happy to see the Dublin store opening on the same day as the Belfast store 18 months ago, but it wasn't possible."
A batch of 160 staff is due to begin next Monday, another 160 the following Wednesday, and another 80 the following Monday as induction begins in earnest at the store.
And those who have taken the trip to the Belfast store will feel immediately at home in the new venue, which is slightly bigger at 31,800 sqm, but has an almost identical layout.
"Worldwide, once you are inside an Ikea store you don't know which part of the world you're in," Mr Deakin said.
"Once we are open, you will think we are in Belfast. But having said that, we will have different room sets -- the latest ones worldwide."
There will be about 55 'rooms' set out on the second floor, featuring in the region of 9,500 Ikea products which can be collected by customers on the first floor. Ground floor is parking.
Jason O'Brien
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Development gets green light but plans still in doubt
TWO major office and residential developments have been given the go-ahead by an Bord Pleanála in one of the country’s most exclusive neighbourhoods despite multiple objections from wealthy residents and environmentalists.
But one of the developments — on the site of the Burlington Hotel in Dublin’s Ballsbridge — is in doubt after its promoters, chiefly developer Bernard McNamara, said any decision on the future of the site was "many years away".
The plan — opposed by An Taisce and local residents — was to demolish the hotel and replace it with offices and apartments, possibly as a future headquarters for Bank of Ireland.
However, Mr McNamara ran into difficulties last year and became embroiled in controversy after public-private partnership schemes he engaged in with Dublin City Council for the regeneration of several social housing estates collapsed, leaving the 900m projects in limbo.
A statement issued on his behalf said the planning decision was welcome, but the promoters were looking forward "to the continuing growth and success of the Burlington as the leading four star hotel in the south Dublin area".
The second development is on the site of the former Veterinary College on Shelbourne Road owned by Ray Grehan of Glenkerrin Homes, whose approval for apartments and offices comes with the condition that he shave six storeys off a 15-storey section.
Mr Grehan said that he accepted the conditions: "It’s great to have permission on the site and hopefully when we start to creep out of recession, we’ll be able to get moving on it."
Objectors to his development, who included seven individuals and 16 residents’ associations, said however they were surprised and disappointed by the decision. They believed An Bord Pleanála had sent out a strong signal earlier this year when they refused Sean Dunne’s albeit much higher 37-storey proposal for the nearby Jury’s Hotel site that tower-type buildings were not appropriate for the area.
"We’re not getting consistency from An Bord Pleanála," said Damien Cassidy, chairman of the Ringsend and Sandymount Environmental Group.
"There was only a one-storey building on the Veterinary College site so what will replace it is huge by comparison. It’s out of character and will dwarf the two-storey houses on Shelbourne Road. Similar points were made in the case of the Jury’s Hotel site and were accepted."
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
But one of the developments — on the site of the Burlington Hotel in Dublin’s Ballsbridge — is in doubt after its promoters, chiefly developer Bernard McNamara, said any decision on the future of the site was "many years away".
The plan — opposed by An Taisce and local residents — was to demolish the hotel and replace it with offices and apartments, possibly as a future headquarters for Bank of Ireland.
However, Mr McNamara ran into difficulties last year and became embroiled in controversy after public-private partnership schemes he engaged in with Dublin City Council for the regeneration of several social housing estates collapsed, leaving the 900m projects in limbo.
A statement issued on his behalf said the planning decision was welcome, but the promoters were looking forward "to the continuing growth and success of the Burlington as the leading four star hotel in the south Dublin area".
The second development is on the site of the former Veterinary College on Shelbourne Road owned by Ray Grehan of Glenkerrin Homes, whose approval for apartments and offices comes with the condition that he shave six storeys off a 15-storey section.
Mr Grehan said that he accepted the conditions: "It’s great to have permission on the site and hopefully when we start to creep out of recession, we’ll be able to get moving on it."
Objectors to his development, who included seven individuals and 16 residents’ associations, said however they were surprised and disappointed by the decision. They believed An Bord Pleanála had sent out a strong signal earlier this year when they refused Sean Dunne’s albeit much higher 37-storey proposal for the nearby Jury’s Hotel site that tower-type buildings were not appropriate for the area.
"We’re not getting consistency from An Bord Pleanála," said Damien Cassidy, chairman of the Ringsend and Sandymount Environmental Group.
"There was only a one-storey building on the Veterinary College site so what will replace it is huge by comparison. It’s out of character and will dwarf the two-storey houses on Shelbourne Road. Similar points were made in the case of the Jury’s Hotel site and were accepted."
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin's development
A FAILURE to plan properly for expansion is at the heart of many of our contemporary urban problems. Successive governments allowed developers decide where new housing estates should be built and did not intervene to prevent sub-standard construction. Transport policy was heavily influenced by trade union interests. And political opportunism gave us a decentralisation policy that paid no heed to established spatial strategy. We must learn from these mistakes.
A report that envisages various development scenarios for the capital city between now and the year 2030 has been produced by the Dublin Institute of Technology. It points to opportunities and problems that are likely to arise in cases of strong and weak economic growth, along with likely social pressures, increasing wealth and inequality, urban sprawl and poor planning.
At this point in the economic recession, it concludes, Dublin is at a crossroads. Unless extensive reforms are introduced, the city and the quality of life of its citizens will decline. A demand for effective planning is nothing new and is fully justified. Even when formal commitments were given by government to introduce reforms that were both necessary and urgently needed, there was little follow-through. A prime example is the Dublin Transportation Authority with powers to regulate public and private transport, along with oversight affecting the construction of roads, railways and other infrastructure. It has been promised in various manifestations for at least 20 years and is still awaited.
This report is critical of a failure by the authorities to formally recognise Dublin as the main engine of growth within the Irish economy. It blames government for a lack of strategic vision for the city. A reluctance to take crucial decisions and prolonged delays in implementing them significantly impeded Dublin’s ability to compete on the international scene in the past, it found, and could do so in the future.
It suggested the creation of a “Dublin region brand” and of a “Dublin heroes” project that would recognise achievement and promote social cohesion and environmental awareness. A greater Dublin region would be empowered to raise taxes and set a strategic vision. Urban sprawl would be tackled. And crime should be addressed through education, special programmes for people at risk and community supports. Dublin is likely to become the tipping point in the next general election. For any party that wants to be in government, planning for the capital’s future should begin now.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
A report that envisages various development scenarios for the capital city between now and the year 2030 has been produced by the Dublin Institute of Technology. It points to opportunities and problems that are likely to arise in cases of strong and weak economic growth, along with likely social pressures, increasing wealth and inequality, urban sprawl and poor planning.
At this point in the economic recession, it concludes, Dublin is at a crossroads. Unless extensive reforms are introduced, the city and the quality of life of its citizens will decline. A demand for effective planning is nothing new and is fully justified. Even when formal commitments were given by government to introduce reforms that were both necessary and urgently needed, there was little follow-through. A prime example is the Dublin Transportation Authority with powers to regulate public and private transport, along with oversight affecting the construction of roads, railways and other infrastructure. It has been promised in various manifestations for at least 20 years and is still awaited.
This report is critical of a failure by the authorities to formally recognise Dublin as the main engine of growth within the Irish economy. It blames government for a lack of strategic vision for the city. A reluctance to take crucial decisions and prolonged delays in implementing them significantly impeded Dublin’s ability to compete on the international scene in the past, it found, and could do so in the future.
It suggested the creation of a “Dublin region brand” and of a “Dublin heroes” project that would recognise achievement and promote social cohesion and environmental awareness. A greater Dublin region would be empowered to raise taxes and set a strategic vision. Urban sprawl would be tackled. And crime should be addressed through education, special programmes for people at risk and community supports. Dublin is likely to become the tipping point in the next general election. For any party that wants to be in government, planning for the capital’s future should begin now.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The fall of the mighty developers
ENTIRE landscape of Ireland’s construction industry has changed utterly over the past 18 months. Gone are the days when ministers trumpeted record housing output year-on-year as an outstanding national achievement – even though the rip-roaring trend they repeatedly applauded was clearly unsustainable.
The industry was so white-hot that it glowed in the dark, its tower cranes emblazoned with all the big names (McNamara, Pierce, Sisk) churning out office buildings, hotels, shopping centres and apartment blocks. In 2006 alone, nearly 90,000 new homes were built – more per capita than anywhere else.
Artificially inflated by Government tax incentives for investors, which continued to be dispensed long after there was any justification for dishing them out, the property market became so overheated that it eventually collapsed. And because the boom here was so intense, the bust is much more severe than in other countries.
Architects were the first to feel the bitter chill of recession. Firms that expanded enormously during the boom found the work drying up and began laying off staff in droves. Some practices are a shadow of their former selves, with personnel down from 200 to little more than 20, while others have gone into receivership or liquidation.
Estate agents, solicitors and others who were kept busy during the boom have also been shedding staff. And for those being laid off, there are not as many options to seek work abroad, as there were in the 1980s, due to the global nature of the recession. As a result, many professionals are swelling the dole queues.
Direct employment in the construction industry is down by well over 50 per cent since it peaked at 280,000 in early 2007. During last year, the number of unemployed foreign nationals here trebled, from 8,000 to 25,000. The influx of migrant workers – mostly from Poland – has been reversed, with an estimated 100,000 leaving Ireland in 2008.
Meanwhile, builders and construction industry professionals are scouting for opportunities overseas, in an effort to stay afloat. House builder McInerney Holdings, which operates mainly in Ireland and Britain, has its eye on the Middle East and already has a team in Abu Dhabi, chief executive Barry O’Connor revealed last month. At home, more than 50,000 new homes are vacant, having failed to sell in a market that has yet to “bottom out”. Developers desperate to offload their stock have been offering huge discounts; some have devised ingenious “rent-to-buy” deals to attract customers.
Much-touted PPP (public-private partnership) projects have fallen apart, most notoriously a brace of regeneration schemes for run-down housing estates in Dublin involving Bernard McNamara and Castlethorn Construction.
MANY DEVELOPERS are now in serious trouble. The most high-profile case to come before the commercial division of the High Court so far involves Paddy Kelly, who admitted last March that he was considering bankruptcy after two banks moved to secure court orders for the payment of more than €25 million in loans and interest charges. Most of the €16 million claim by
ACC Bank related to guarantees allegedly given by Kelly and his three grown-up children over loans in late 2007 to purchase the Cablelink/NTL building at Pembroke Place, Ballsbridge. That property was valued at €27 million at the time, but is currently on the market seeking offers of around €9.5 million. Kelly was one of Ireland’s leading evelopers, with schemes such as Clarion Quay and the west side of Smithfield under his belt. He also had extensive hotel interests, notably the Clarion group, and was involved in consortiums with Alanis Investments, John Flynn and Joe Linders as well as an ill-fated golf resort in Sarasota, Florida.
But Paddy Kelly’s problems (at least, those already revealed) pale into insignificance compared to the mountain of debt racked up by other developers. At Anglo Irish Bank alone, 15 of its once-valuable customers each owe more than €500 million; most of them are builders or developers, although their identities have yet to be revealed. On May 29th, Anglo Irish posted a loss of €4.1 billion for the six-month period to March 31st and warned that losses were likely to exceed €7.5
billion by 2011. “Our rate of growth and risk appetite at the top of the economic cycle was imprudent and the stark evidence of this is seen in the figures announced today,” said chairman Donal O’Connor.
Morgan Kelly, professor of economics at UCD, has put all the banks’ bad debts in a nutshell: “If we suppose that most of the €20 billion lent to builders will not reappear this side of Judgment Day, along with 20 per cent of the €90 billion lent to developers, and 10 per cent of the €120 billion in mortgages, then we are already up to €50 billion”.
Writing in The Irish Times last February, he said: “These are only guesses. However, the continuing stream of revelations from Anglo Irish – which bear out the old investment dictum that there is never just one cockroach in a kitchen – suggest that they could be optimistic guesses”. In which case, he concluded, “we are sunk”. The Government’s device to avoid such a catastrophe is the National Asset Management Agency (Nama), although nobody yet knows precisely how it will work.
In theory, it aims to “clean up” the balance sheets of the six banks by taking over their dodgy loan books, thereby allowing them to get on with legitimate lending.
Nama was seen by one developer (who couldn’t be named) as “quite accomplished, quite elegant really, because it keeps those who caused the problem away from messing with the solution”.
However, as Arthur Beesley reported in The Irish Times late last month, “the failure of Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan to set out exactly how Nama will work has led to a sense of paralysis in the property sector and fevered speculation. In a community accustomed to easy profit and the luxury lifestyle, a sense of profound uncertainty pervades.”
The main fear is that Nama will get its hands not just on “nonperforming” loans, but also on sound properties used by developers as collateral to lever funds for projects which have failed due to the collapse in property values. Many of the assets are abroad, principally in Britain but also in far-flung places like Bulgaria and Florida. One of the key issues is what discount will be offered by the banks to get toxic debts off their books.
For example, the Irish Glass Bottle site in Ringsend was bought by a Bernard McNamara-led consortium for €412 million in October 2006, and no interest is being paid on a €288 million debt to Anglo Irish Bank. How much is this site worth now?
Given that Nama will end up as one of the largest landowners in the State, with a mandate to “work out” property debts over 10 to 15 years, it must have a broader role in securing
sustainable development – not merely to get some sort of return to taxpayers, but also to ensure real “planning gain” in the development of its vast landbank.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The industry was so white-hot that it glowed in the dark, its tower cranes emblazoned with all the big names (McNamara, Pierce, Sisk) churning out office buildings, hotels, shopping centres and apartment blocks. In 2006 alone, nearly 90,000 new homes were built – more per capita than anywhere else.
Artificially inflated by Government tax incentives for investors, which continued to be dispensed long after there was any justification for dishing them out, the property market became so overheated that it eventually collapsed. And because the boom here was so intense, the bust is much more severe than in other countries.
Architects were the first to feel the bitter chill of recession. Firms that expanded enormously during the boom found the work drying up and began laying off staff in droves. Some practices are a shadow of their former selves, with personnel down from 200 to little more than 20, while others have gone into receivership or liquidation.
Estate agents, solicitors and others who were kept busy during the boom have also been shedding staff. And for those being laid off, there are not as many options to seek work abroad, as there were in the 1980s, due to the global nature of the recession. As a result, many professionals are swelling the dole queues.
Direct employment in the construction industry is down by well over 50 per cent since it peaked at 280,000 in early 2007. During last year, the number of unemployed foreign nationals here trebled, from 8,000 to 25,000. The influx of migrant workers – mostly from Poland – has been reversed, with an estimated 100,000 leaving Ireland in 2008.
Meanwhile, builders and construction industry professionals are scouting for opportunities overseas, in an effort to stay afloat. House builder McInerney Holdings, which operates mainly in Ireland and Britain, has its eye on the Middle East and already has a team in Abu Dhabi, chief executive Barry O’Connor revealed last month. At home, more than 50,000 new homes are vacant, having failed to sell in a market that has yet to “bottom out”. Developers desperate to offload their stock have been offering huge discounts; some have devised ingenious “rent-to-buy” deals to attract customers.
Much-touted PPP (public-private partnership) projects have fallen apart, most notoriously a brace of regeneration schemes for run-down housing estates in Dublin involving Bernard McNamara and Castlethorn Construction.
MANY DEVELOPERS are now in serious trouble. The most high-profile case to come before the commercial division of the High Court so far involves Paddy Kelly, who admitted last March that he was considering bankruptcy after two banks moved to secure court orders for the payment of more than €25 million in loans and interest charges. Most of the €16 million claim by
ACC Bank related to guarantees allegedly given by Kelly and his three grown-up children over loans in late 2007 to purchase the Cablelink/NTL building at Pembroke Place, Ballsbridge. That property was valued at €27 million at the time, but is currently on the market seeking offers of around €9.5 million. Kelly was one of Ireland’s leading evelopers, with schemes such as Clarion Quay and the west side of Smithfield under his belt. He also had extensive hotel interests, notably the Clarion group, and was involved in consortiums with Alanis Investments, John Flynn and Joe Linders as well as an ill-fated golf resort in Sarasota, Florida.
But Paddy Kelly’s problems (at least, those already revealed) pale into insignificance compared to the mountain of debt racked up by other developers. At Anglo Irish Bank alone, 15 of its once-valuable customers each owe more than €500 million; most of them are builders or developers, although their identities have yet to be revealed. On May 29th, Anglo Irish posted a loss of €4.1 billion for the six-month period to March 31st and warned that losses were likely to exceed €7.5
billion by 2011. “Our rate of growth and risk appetite at the top of the economic cycle was imprudent and the stark evidence of this is seen in the figures announced today,” said chairman Donal O’Connor.
Morgan Kelly, professor of economics at UCD, has put all the banks’ bad debts in a nutshell: “If we suppose that most of the €20 billion lent to builders will not reappear this side of Judgment Day, along with 20 per cent of the €90 billion lent to developers, and 10 per cent of the €120 billion in mortgages, then we are already up to €50 billion”.
Writing in The Irish Times last February, he said: “These are only guesses. However, the continuing stream of revelations from Anglo Irish – which bear out the old investment dictum that there is never just one cockroach in a kitchen – suggest that they could be optimistic guesses”. In which case, he concluded, “we are sunk”. The Government’s device to avoid such a catastrophe is the National Asset Management Agency (Nama), although nobody yet knows precisely how it will work.
In theory, it aims to “clean up” the balance sheets of the six banks by taking over their dodgy loan books, thereby allowing them to get on with legitimate lending.
Nama was seen by one developer (who couldn’t be named) as “quite accomplished, quite elegant really, because it keeps those who caused the problem away from messing with the solution”.
However, as Arthur Beesley reported in The Irish Times late last month, “the failure of Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan to set out exactly how Nama will work has led to a sense of paralysis in the property sector and fevered speculation. In a community accustomed to easy profit and the luxury lifestyle, a sense of profound uncertainty pervades.”
The main fear is that Nama will get its hands not just on “nonperforming” loans, but also on sound properties used by developers as collateral to lever funds for projects which have failed due to the collapse in property values. Many of the assets are abroad, principally in Britain but also in far-flung places like Bulgaria and Florida. One of the key issues is what discount will be offered by the banks to get toxic debts off their books.
For example, the Irish Glass Bottle site in Ringsend was bought by a Bernard McNamara-led consortium for €412 million in October 2006, and no interest is being paid on a €288 million debt to Anglo Irish Bank. How much is this site worth now?
Given that Nama will end up as one of the largest landowners in the State, with a mandate to “work out” property debts over 10 to 15 years, it must have a broader role in securing
sustainable development – not merely to get some sort of return to taxpayers, but also to ensure real “planning gain” in the development of its vast landbank.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Changing landscape of archaeology
WILL THE recession leave Irish archaeology in the past? Over a decade and a half we have witnessed an unprecedented rise in archaeological activity in Ireland as a result of the boom in construction. Several private archaeology firms have sprung up and commercial archaeology has become a lucrative business, writes BRIAN O'CONNELL.
Between 1993 and 2003, there was a 10-fold increase in the number of licences for archaeological excavations issued, the majority of them granted to private consultancy firms. It is estimated that by 2007, about 1,700 archaeologists were working in Ireland, whereas a decade earlier that number was 500.
The National Monuments Acts (1994 and 2004) include a requirement for archaeological investigations where major infrastructural projects were undertaken, thereby ensuring that archaeological activity accelerated in line with the infrastructural splurge.
But what have we learned from the spike in archaeological activity over the past 15 years that we didn’t already know? And what now for archaeologists and their employment prospects given the changed economic climate?
At an industrial estate in Little Island, outside Cork city, nestled among carbon-copy factory units, dozens of archaeologists are at work collating the findings from excavations and writing detailed reports.
Headland Archaeology is one of several private archaeology companies that have entered the Irish market in the past decade. On a tour of the premises, company director Damien Shiels says the firm currently has 45 employees. “Archaeology has been seriously damaged by the recession,” he says. “We’re managing to survive, but there has been a definite downturn.” Shiels studied archaeology at University College Cork, worked excavations around the country, and then spent time in the museum sector before making the move to commercial archaeology in 2006.
What is his team working on at the moment? “There are a lot of human remains from Athy, Co Kildare, in our specialist unit right now,” he says. “We’re looking after them for Kildare County Council.” In a separate building adjacent to the main offices, where a smaller team of archaeologists is sifting through skeletons and skulls, carefully cleaning and documenting each one. An archaeologist points out the signs of TB on a male ribcage, while another person appears to have died from a blunt force trauma to the head.
In other parts of the building, employees are working on comb remains and pottery fragments from a pit in Co Carlow, producing surveys on monuments and historic buildings in Cork, or sifting through trays of flint tools and axe heads. A graphics department prepares plans and drawings to illustrate the reports.
As well as trowel and shovel, the modern tools of the archaeologist include geophysics and GPS, which can estimate, through non-invasive survey methods, what features exist beneath the surface. Commercial archaeologists often make the case that before the economic boom individuals would target a specific site they wanted to investigate in a very ordered and planned manner. What the new roads network has essentially done is cut a swathe across the country so that, in theory, archaeologists are seeing a cross-section through the evidence.
SO, WHAT HAVE we learned? Large amounts of Bronze Age settlements have been found, yet even with the activity of the past 15 years, Iron Age settlements are still less common. “There are a lot of questions around the Iron Age,” says Shiels. “I think they are becoming more focused now due to the work of the last 20 years. Archaeology really got its act together in the last two decades, and I think the commercial environment helped that happen. If there is a big road scheme, it is reliant on the archaeology being looked after to proceed.”
One of the criticisms of the archaeological work in Ireland over the recent past is that too few of the finds have been communicated with the public. While the National Roads Authority (NRA) has held exhibitions and published finds regularly in an accessible manner, there is a feeling that due to their workloads, private companies have struggled to communicate the results of their work.
“It’s important that we continue to publish,” says Shiels. “We have to get our reports and finds out there, otherwise there is very little point in doing much of this. We need to be able to share our knowledge with people, both with other archaeologists and the general public, because there is a significant amount of money spent on archaeology and the public deserve to get something back out of it.”
Perhaps, now that infrastructural projects have slowed down, there will be time for more collating of information and taking stock of our archaeological material. There is a feeling in academic circles that much of the work over the past decade has been data collection, with little sharing of information or time to analyse fully the results and significance of multiple finds. This may have led to tensions between commercial and academic archaeology, but the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government believes that communication between the two aspects of the sector has improved. “There have been some differences apparent between the academic and other sectors of the archaeological profession on a number of occasions,” a spokesperson says. “In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of collaboration between academics and commercial archaeologists.”
A long-standing dispute at the site of the new M3 motorway near Tara, highlighted that not every arrangement between the NRA and the wider archaeology sector is successful. The building of the road, through the Tara Valley, unearthed the types of sensitivities and tensions that can emerge, when major infrastructural works are built in close proximity to areas of historical merit. “Lip service was paid to archaeology but archaeologists were used to destroy our heritage,” claimed Maggie Ronayne, a lecturer in the Department of Archaeology, NUI Galway, at a conference in 2008. At the time, Mary Deevy, senior archaeologist with the NRA said more than €30 million had been spent on archaeological research related to the Hill of Tara and that the route with the potential for least disturbance was chosen.
The Department of the Environment acknowledges better co-operation between commercial and academic archaeology could exist. In a statement, a spokesperson says: “From our perspective it has been increasingly obvious that a new legislative framework more suited to the needs of the 21st century is needed. The review of archaeological policy and practice put in place by the Minister [for the Environment, John Gormley] has as its first priority the drafting of new legislation and this is well advanced. From the perspective of the profession as a whole the need for more co-operation between sectors and for continued professional development is obvious, and the Institute of Archaeologists in Ireland has made progress with this.”
PROF MUIRIS O’SULLIVAN, senior lecturer in archeology in UCD, had the following to say about the need to communicate finds: “I think it will take another 10 years for the flow of information to emerge. The NRA has taken a lot of criticism, but they have been very good at communicating results on their website and through publication. But the fact remains, if I as an academic wanted to do something on some particular feature, it is difficult for me at the moment to nail down where the material might be. I wouldn’t know something was discovered last summer because of the scale of activity and lack of coherence in the structure.”
Finola O’Carroll, chairwoman of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, says the big worry for archaeology at present is the skills drain, as opportunities for work reduce. “A lot of people will migrate into other professions, but we are very worried about the skills that may be lost. There was a huge amount of professional skill gained during the last decade or so, such as well-honed excavation skills and accurate report writing. I hope now that the Government allows for upskilling programmes or that schemes are introduced to allow archaeologists to remain in work and that people can be maintained even on three-day weeks if necessary.”
But will future generations thank us for unearthing such large amounts of archaeological material at the taxpayer’s expense? Pat Cooke, a cultural policy lecturer at UCD, is uncertain. “If you assemble a collection of 500,000 deer bones and somewhere 40 years down the road, a guy writes a paragraph based on the material and concludes that, contrary to previous belief, prehistoric Cavan Man didn’t eat 835lb of meat, but instead ate 936lb, is the pay-off worth it?”
Cooke says we need to take care not to make assumptions future generations may not thank us for. “This generation is making assumptions but future generations, who will have to pick up the bill, may have different opinions. It’s like examining grandmother’s attic when she dies. Sometimes, there is a feeling, what was Granny doing collecting this stuff? Granny, of course, believed we all wanted the stuff and had to have it.”
Article written by Brian O'Connell.
© Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Between 1993 and 2003, there was a 10-fold increase in the number of licences for archaeological excavations issued, the majority of them granted to private consultancy firms. It is estimated that by 2007, about 1,700 archaeologists were working in Ireland, whereas a decade earlier that number was 500.
The National Monuments Acts (1994 and 2004) include a requirement for archaeological investigations where major infrastructural projects were undertaken, thereby ensuring that archaeological activity accelerated in line with the infrastructural splurge.
But what have we learned from the spike in archaeological activity over the past 15 years that we didn’t already know? And what now for archaeologists and their employment prospects given the changed economic climate?
At an industrial estate in Little Island, outside Cork city, nestled among carbon-copy factory units, dozens of archaeologists are at work collating the findings from excavations and writing detailed reports.
Headland Archaeology is one of several private archaeology companies that have entered the Irish market in the past decade. On a tour of the premises, company director Damien Shiels says the firm currently has 45 employees. “Archaeology has been seriously damaged by the recession,” he says. “We’re managing to survive, but there has been a definite downturn.” Shiels studied archaeology at University College Cork, worked excavations around the country, and then spent time in the museum sector before making the move to commercial archaeology in 2006.
What is his team working on at the moment? “There are a lot of human remains from Athy, Co Kildare, in our specialist unit right now,” he says. “We’re looking after them for Kildare County Council.” In a separate building adjacent to the main offices, where a smaller team of archaeologists is sifting through skeletons and skulls, carefully cleaning and documenting each one. An archaeologist points out the signs of TB on a male ribcage, while another person appears to have died from a blunt force trauma to the head.
In other parts of the building, employees are working on comb remains and pottery fragments from a pit in Co Carlow, producing surveys on monuments and historic buildings in Cork, or sifting through trays of flint tools and axe heads. A graphics department prepares plans and drawings to illustrate the reports.
As well as trowel and shovel, the modern tools of the archaeologist include geophysics and GPS, which can estimate, through non-invasive survey methods, what features exist beneath the surface. Commercial archaeologists often make the case that before the economic boom individuals would target a specific site they wanted to investigate in a very ordered and planned manner. What the new roads network has essentially done is cut a swathe across the country so that, in theory, archaeologists are seeing a cross-section through the evidence.
SO, WHAT HAVE we learned? Large amounts of Bronze Age settlements have been found, yet even with the activity of the past 15 years, Iron Age settlements are still less common. “There are a lot of questions around the Iron Age,” says Shiels. “I think they are becoming more focused now due to the work of the last 20 years. Archaeology really got its act together in the last two decades, and I think the commercial environment helped that happen. If there is a big road scheme, it is reliant on the archaeology being looked after to proceed.”
One of the criticisms of the archaeological work in Ireland over the recent past is that too few of the finds have been communicated with the public. While the National Roads Authority (NRA) has held exhibitions and published finds regularly in an accessible manner, there is a feeling that due to their workloads, private companies have struggled to communicate the results of their work.
“It’s important that we continue to publish,” says Shiels. “We have to get our reports and finds out there, otherwise there is very little point in doing much of this. We need to be able to share our knowledge with people, both with other archaeologists and the general public, because there is a significant amount of money spent on archaeology and the public deserve to get something back out of it.”
Perhaps, now that infrastructural projects have slowed down, there will be time for more collating of information and taking stock of our archaeological material. There is a feeling in academic circles that much of the work over the past decade has been data collection, with little sharing of information or time to analyse fully the results and significance of multiple finds. This may have led to tensions between commercial and academic archaeology, but the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government believes that communication between the two aspects of the sector has improved. “There have been some differences apparent between the academic and other sectors of the archaeological profession on a number of occasions,” a spokesperson says. “In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of collaboration between academics and commercial archaeologists.”
A long-standing dispute at the site of the new M3 motorway near Tara, highlighted that not every arrangement between the NRA and the wider archaeology sector is successful. The building of the road, through the Tara Valley, unearthed the types of sensitivities and tensions that can emerge, when major infrastructural works are built in close proximity to areas of historical merit. “Lip service was paid to archaeology but archaeologists were used to destroy our heritage,” claimed Maggie Ronayne, a lecturer in the Department of Archaeology, NUI Galway, at a conference in 2008. At the time, Mary Deevy, senior archaeologist with the NRA said more than €30 million had been spent on archaeological research related to the Hill of Tara and that the route with the potential for least disturbance was chosen.
The Department of the Environment acknowledges better co-operation between commercial and academic archaeology could exist. In a statement, a spokesperson says: “From our perspective it has been increasingly obvious that a new legislative framework more suited to the needs of the 21st century is needed. The review of archaeological policy and practice put in place by the Minister [for the Environment, John Gormley] has as its first priority the drafting of new legislation and this is well advanced. From the perspective of the profession as a whole the need for more co-operation between sectors and for continued professional development is obvious, and the Institute of Archaeologists in Ireland has made progress with this.”
PROF MUIRIS O’SULLIVAN, senior lecturer in archeology in UCD, had the following to say about the need to communicate finds: “I think it will take another 10 years for the flow of information to emerge. The NRA has taken a lot of criticism, but they have been very good at communicating results on their website and through publication. But the fact remains, if I as an academic wanted to do something on some particular feature, it is difficult for me at the moment to nail down where the material might be. I wouldn’t know something was discovered last summer because of the scale of activity and lack of coherence in the structure.”
Finola O’Carroll, chairwoman of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, says the big worry for archaeology at present is the skills drain, as opportunities for work reduce. “A lot of people will migrate into other professions, but we are very worried about the skills that may be lost. There was a huge amount of professional skill gained during the last decade or so, such as well-honed excavation skills and accurate report writing. I hope now that the Government allows for upskilling programmes or that schemes are introduced to allow archaeologists to remain in work and that people can be maintained even on three-day weeks if necessary.”
But will future generations thank us for unearthing such large amounts of archaeological material at the taxpayer’s expense? Pat Cooke, a cultural policy lecturer at UCD, is uncertain. “If you assemble a collection of 500,000 deer bones and somewhere 40 years down the road, a guy writes a paragraph based on the material and concludes that, contrary to previous belief, prehistoric Cavan Man didn’t eat 835lb of meat, but instead ate 936lb, is the pay-off worth it?”
Cooke says we need to take care not to make assumptions future generations may not thank us for. “This generation is making assumptions but future generations, who will have to pick up the bill, may have different opinions. It’s like examining grandmother’s attic when she dies. Sometimes, there is a feeling, what was Granny doing collecting this stuff? Granny, of course, believed we all wanted the stuff and had to have it.”
Article written by Brian O'Connell.
© Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Incinerator impact statement 'should be withdrawn'
AN ENVIRONMENTAL impact statement (EIS) submitted by the proposers of a toxic waste incinerator in Cork harbour should be withdrawn from consideration because it does not meet required standards, according to a prominent medical scientist.
Epidemiologist and professor of health systems at Dublin City University, Anthony Staines, said Indaver Ireland’s EIS report “shows little grasp” of the practical issues associated with population health surveys.
Prof Staines was asked by anti-incinerator campaigners to review the EIS with particular reference to the estimation of human health impacts and delivered his findings at An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing into the proposed incinerator yesterday.
The EIS, according to Dr Staines, provides no real basis from which to conclude the health impacts of the proposed incinerator.
“The writer has not done what he suggested was required, a baseline environmental analysis, followed by an estimation of the impacts of changes in this on human health. It is not possible for any reasonable person to draw any conclusions as to the health impacts of the proposed development from the EIS,” Dr Staines said.
Prof Staines, who co-authored a Health Research Board report (HRB) on the environmental effects of landfill and incineration of waste, Health and Environmental Effects of Landfilling and Incineration of Waste , said the EIS drawn up on behalf of Indaver Ireland was based wholly on secondary sources; does not take into account recent literature; includes no references for a section on dioxins; and contains no reference to potential pollutants such as cadmium and arsenic.
Prof Staines claimed that some sections of the EIS were plagiarised material, taken without reference, from his own work.
“Whole sections on health issues relating to respiratory symptoms and reproductive effects are copied, verbatim and without any attribution, from [the] HRB report. Much of the cancer section is also copied with a minor rewrite,” he said.
In his Health Research Board report, Prof Staines found that Ireland was poorly equipped to assess, monitor, and enforce human health protection and has insufficient resources to carry out “adequate risk assessments for proposed waste management facilities”. He said that although the necessary skills are available, neither the personnel nor the dedicated resources have been made available.
The professor recommended that better facilities, financial input and data banks be developed for measuring environmental damage in Ireland and he said that although some progress had been made, “the current situation is that neither the EPA, nor the local authorities, have the capacity to adequately monitor and police human health”.
The oral hearing reconvenes on Monday.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Epidemiologist and professor of health systems at Dublin City University, Anthony Staines, said Indaver Ireland’s EIS report “shows little grasp” of the practical issues associated with population health surveys.
Prof Staines was asked by anti-incinerator campaigners to review the EIS with particular reference to the estimation of human health impacts and delivered his findings at An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing into the proposed incinerator yesterday.
The EIS, according to Dr Staines, provides no real basis from which to conclude the health impacts of the proposed incinerator.
“The writer has not done what he suggested was required, a baseline environmental analysis, followed by an estimation of the impacts of changes in this on human health. It is not possible for any reasonable person to draw any conclusions as to the health impacts of the proposed development from the EIS,” Dr Staines said.
Prof Staines, who co-authored a Health Research Board report (HRB) on the environmental effects of landfill and incineration of waste, Health and Environmental Effects of Landfilling and Incineration of Waste , said the EIS drawn up on behalf of Indaver Ireland was based wholly on secondary sources; does not take into account recent literature; includes no references for a section on dioxins; and contains no reference to potential pollutants such as cadmium and arsenic.
Prof Staines claimed that some sections of the EIS were plagiarised material, taken without reference, from his own work.
“Whole sections on health issues relating to respiratory symptoms and reproductive effects are copied, verbatim and without any attribution, from [the] HRB report. Much of the cancer section is also copied with a minor rewrite,” he said.
In his Health Research Board report, Prof Staines found that Ireland was poorly equipped to assess, monitor, and enforce human health protection and has insufficient resources to carry out “adequate risk assessments for proposed waste management facilities”. He said that although the necessary skills are available, neither the personnel nor the dedicated resources have been made available.
The professor recommended that better facilities, financial input and data banks be developed for measuring environmental damage in Ireland and he said that although some progress had been made, “the current situation is that neither the EPA, nor the local authorities, have the capacity to adequately monitor and police human health”.
The oral hearing reconvenes on Monday.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
€1bn Burlington development shelved as plan gets go-ahead
A €1 BILLION redevelopment plan for Dublin’s Burlington Hotel has been shelved by developers after An Bord Pleanála gave the project the go-ahead.
Development company Glasbay Ltd told The Irish Times last night any decision on the future use of the Burlington site was “many years away”. The Burlington will continue to operate as a hotel, the company said.
The planning board announced yesterday it had granted permission for the controversial mixed-use development, which attracted 15 submissions from concerned individuals and groups including An Taisce.
Developer Bernard McNamara bought the hotel for €288 million and was granted planning permission to develop it by Dublin City Council in May 2008 through development company Glasbay Ltd. He also bought adjoining land, formerly the headquarters of Allianz, for €100 million.
The plan for the Burlington included offices, retail space, leisure facilities and a medical centre in three blocks, as well as a public plaza and gardens.
The first phase of the project involved 27,871sq m (300,000sq ft) of office space on the Allianz portion of the site. There were also to be 185 residential units, 33,340sq m (358,868sq ft) of offices, a creche, restaurant/wine bar and leisure centre.
One block, fronting onto Sussex Road and the Mespil Estate, was to contain 102 residential units, retail, restaurants, a creche and leisure centre. It was to be part-six and part-eight storeys.
However, An Bord Pleanála stipulated that the height be reduced by three floors.
A third office block, facing Burlington Road, was to rise to eight storeys. The board stipulated that each floor should have changing and shower facilities for cyclists.
Glasby Ltd said last night they were glad to note the successful outcome of the application.
However it said any decision on the site was “many years away and as such the shareholders in Glasbay Ltd look forward to the continuing growth and success of the Burlington as the leading four-star hotel in the south Dublin area”.
Changes
The height of the block fronting on to Sussex Road and Mespil Estate was partially reduced by three storeys, cutting the number of apartments by six. The reduction in height would increase sunlight to the communal garden serving the development, the planning board said.
Other changes negotiated prior to granting permission included change of use of part of the development to reduce the amount of office space in the project and allowing an increase in retail and medical use.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Development company Glasbay Ltd told The Irish Times last night any decision on the future use of the Burlington site was “many years away”. The Burlington will continue to operate as a hotel, the company said.
The planning board announced yesterday it had granted permission for the controversial mixed-use development, which attracted 15 submissions from concerned individuals and groups including An Taisce.
Developer Bernard McNamara bought the hotel for €288 million and was granted planning permission to develop it by Dublin City Council in May 2008 through development company Glasbay Ltd. He also bought adjoining land, formerly the headquarters of Allianz, for €100 million.
The plan for the Burlington included offices, retail space, leisure facilities and a medical centre in three blocks, as well as a public plaza and gardens.
The first phase of the project involved 27,871sq m (300,000sq ft) of office space on the Allianz portion of the site. There were also to be 185 residential units, 33,340sq m (358,868sq ft) of offices, a creche, restaurant/wine bar and leisure centre.
One block, fronting onto Sussex Road and the Mespil Estate, was to contain 102 residential units, retail, restaurants, a creche and leisure centre. It was to be part-six and part-eight storeys.
However, An Bord Pleanála stipulated that the height be reduced by three floors.
A third office block, facing Burlington Road, was to rise to eight storeys. The board stipulated that each floor should have changing and shower facilities for cyclists.
Glasby Ltd said last night they were glad to note the successful outcome of the application.
However it said any decision on the site was “many years away and as such the shareholders in Glasbay Ltd look forward to the continuing growth and success of the Burlington as the leading four-star hotel in the south Dublin area”.
Changes
The height of the block fronting on to Sussex Road and Mespil Estate was partially reduced by three storeys, cutting the number of apartments by six. The reduction in height would increase sunlight to the communal garden serving the development, the planning board said.
Other changes negotiated prior to granting permission included change of use of part of the development to reduce the amount of office space in the project and allowing an increase in retail and medical use.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tower excluded from Ballsbridge planning approval
PLANNING PERMISSION for the redevelopment of the former veterinary college in Ballsbridge has been granted by Bord Pleanála.
The permission for a mixed-use scheme involving apartments, shops and offices excludes a 15-storey tower which had been sought by developer Ray Grehan’s Kintene Limited.
However, Mr Grehan, who paid €171.5 million for the 2.2 acre site in November 2005, yesterday expressed delight with the permission, which he said “consolidates the value of the site”. He told The Irish Times it would be “two to three years” before economic conditions are favourable for construction to begin on the landmark project which he has called Number One Ballsbridge.
Permission for the development includes 170,000sq ft of office accommodation, 86 luxury apartments and associated retail and restaurant space with buildings ranging from seven to 11 storeys in height. The tallest building is a residential tower of 10 storeys that includes permission for an “event space”, at the 11th floor level.
The new buildings will be centred around two new plazas, provisionally called New Shelbourne Plaza, and New Pembroke Square. These squares will be linked by a new street which provides a walkway through the development from Pembroke Road to Shelbourne Road. It is a condition of the board’s decision that this route be accessible to the public.
The base of the 11-storey tower is to serve as the principal entrance into the residential element with a residents’ concierge and internal gardens overlooking the New Pembroke Square.
The apartments will be on the upper levels of the development. The office spaces are to be stacked beneath, while the ground level will be given to retail, leisure and cultural spaces. There are to be up to four basement levels.
As well as the condition that the new street remain permanently open to the public, Bord Pleanála imposed a further 19 conditions.
These relate to measures to minimise unpleasant wind conditions caused by high buildings; the provision of social and affordable housing; development levies of about €4 million; landscaping; building finishes; and an archaeological assessment of the site which must be submitted to Dublin City Council before work begins. Other conditions cover parking, pedestrian mobility and drainage.
In setting the building heights between seven and 11 storeys Bord Pleanála has taken the adjacent nine-storey Hume House as a broad marker. This decision may have implications for the ambitions of Seán Dunne, whose plan for a 132-metre skyscraper on the Jury’s Hotel and Berkeley Court site next door was turned down by the board.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The permission for a mixed-use scheme involving apartments, shops and offices excludes a 15-storey tower which had been sought by developer Ray Grehan’s Kintene Limited.
However, Mr Grehan, who paid €171.5 million for the 2.2 acre site in November 2005, yesterday expressed delight with the permission, which he said “consolidates the value of the site”. He told The Irish Times it would be “two to three years” before economic conditions are favourable for construction to begin on the landmark project which he has called Number One Ballsbridge.
Permission for the development includes 170,000sq ft of office accommodation, 86 luxury apartments and associated retail and restaurant space with buildings ranging from seven to 11 storeys in height. The tallest building is a residential tower of 10 storeys that includes permission for an “event space”, at the 11th floor level.
The new buildings will be centred around two new plazas, provisionally called New Shelbourne Plaza, and New Pembroke Square. These squares will be linked by a new street which provides a walkway through the development from Pembroke Road to Shelbourne Road. It is a condition of the board’s decision that this route be accessible to the public.
The base of the 11-storey tower is to serve as the principal entrance into the residential element with a residents’ concierge and internal gardens overlooking the New Pembroke Square.
The apartments will be on the upper levels of the development. The office spaces are to be stacked beneath, while the ground level will be given to retail, leisure and cultural spaces. There are to be up to four basement levels.
As well as the condition that the new street remain permanently open to the public, Bord Pleanála imposed a further 19 conditions.
These relate to measures to minimise unpleasant wind conditions caused by high buildings; the provision of social and affordable housing; development levies of about €4 million; landscaping; building finishes; and an archaeological assessment of the site which must be submitted to Dublin City Council before work begins. Other conditions cover parking, pedestrian mobility and drainage.
In setting the building heights between seven and 11 storeys Bord Pleanála has taken the adjacent nine-storey Hume House as a broad marker. This decision may have implications for the ambitions of Seán Dunne, whose plan for a 132-metre skyscraper on the Jury’s Hotel and Berkeley Court site next door was turned down by the board.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Bord inspector's 4,000 word report on tree house
NEVER MIND the credit crunch and the job losses. The hottest issue in Blackrock , Co Dublin, this week was not the economic woes but rather a tree house for children built in the rear garden of 2 Sydney Avenue. No sooner had the owners erected the wooden tree house on a tall apple tree when two neighbouring families objected. A planning officer from Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council was immediately dispatched to the site but was unable to determine the legality of the play house. He then called in an expert from An Bord Pleanála to determine whether it "is or is not development, or is or is not exempted development".
The two objecting families were "most distressed with the structure", according to the board. Their case was that while it may be a tree house, it had a head room of 2.2 metres, and "could be many other things beside, such as an observatory platform or converted to a pigeon loft". Once the objections were raised, the owners lowered the roof, bringing the tree house down to 12ft wide by 7ft deep. They explained that it was not habitable, had no windows and would be taken down when the children had outgrown it.
The planning inspector carried out a thorough investigation of all the issues involved and wrote an excellent 4,000-word thesis on the subject. The board ratified his findings and in due course ruled that the tree house was an exempted development.
With relatively few new building projects in the pipeline and ever more builders going bust, it is encouraging that An Bord Pleanála is still finding worthwhile work for its highly skilled staff.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The two objecting families were "most distressed with the structure", according to the board. Their case was that while it may be a tree house, it had a head room of 2.2 metres, and "could be many other things beside, such as an observatory platform or converted to a pigeon loft". Once the objections were raised, the owners lowered the roof, bringing the tree house down to 12ft wide by 7ft deep. They explained that it was not habitable, had no windows and would be taken down when the children had outgrown it.
The planning inspector carried out a thorough investigation of all the issues involved and wrote an excellent 4,000-word thesis on the subject. The board ratified his findings and in due course ruled that the tree house was an exempted development.
With relatively few new building projects in the pipeline and ever more builders going bust, it is encouraging that An Bord Pleanála is still finding worthwhile work for its highly skilled staff.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Three heads are better than two when making planning decisions at the appeal stage
Having two An Bord Pleanála members, and not three, ruling on ‘simple’ cases will cause problems
LIGHT TOUCH regulation has brought the Irish – and the world – banking system to its knees. Those who led the charge away from tried and tested conservative procedures are now the objects of public vilification: the banks, their directors and senior management, the regulators and politicians. Our growth was based on the construction industry and, consequently, the speculators and builders who drove the Celtic Tiger to its final stage of madness are also responsible for the situation in which we now find ourselves.
In all the recriminations, there is one public body in the development system which has emerged unblemished: An Bord Pleanála. Established in 1977 to take over deciding appeals from the then minister for local government, the legislation ensures the board’s independence and autonomy by provisions such as prohibiting ministerial involvement in individual decisions and making it an offence to contact an inspector or board member to improperly influence the decision on an appeal.
In the 2009 Planning and Development Bill published last week, the minister for the environment had a worrying amendment to the appeals procedure. Section 28 proposes reducing the quorum for decision-making in “simple” cases from three to two board members.
The human psyche automatically rejects two-person decision-making authorities for the reason that, unless both are of one mind, they are frozen into indecision. There is also the lurking spectre of collusion.
Since Roman times, the triumvirate has been seen as the ideal governing model – efficient yet responsive, immune from the dangers of dictatorship and the complexities of committee decision making. That is why the two person tribunal is a rarity and a three-person one is the norm.
The 1976 Planning Act created a six-person board and gave it charge of its own procedures. Under the chairmanship of high court judges Denis Pringle and his successor, EM Walsh, the board determined that a quorum for decision-making would be three members. The board was undoubtedly influenced by its status as a quasi-judicial appellate body and by the fact that the State’s court of final appeal, the Supreme Court, is at a minimum composed of three judges with five being required for certain matters. The three-member quorum was then incorporated into the 1983 Planning Act.
The minister’s purpose in reducing the quorum is to speed up decision making by the board. All organisations need to review their procedures from time to time to maximise efficiency but it is questionable whether this change would have the desired effect and it could do the board much damage.
First, a new internal administrative process would have to be set up to select appeals suitable for mini-board treatment. This raises a number of issues. What about borderline cases? Would appellants be told they were only going to get the attention of two board members before the decision? Would some who could afford it seek judicial review of this preliminary categorisation? Would it only be when the decision is given that the parties would be told they were given the quick treatment? Would mini-boards be seen as a second class of decision making?
Second, the procedure surrounding mini-boards could be counter-productive. There could be no question of giving the chair of a two-person board the customary casting vote, because it would completely distort the principle of collegiate decision-making. The Bill recognises the problem here in referring to voting at such a mini-board being “equally divided”. Does that mean there would be no chair? If the two board members disagree, the case would have to go for a further meeting, and be given full consideration again.
The Bill proposes that this would be by a standard three member board, which is an inequitable solution. It would automatically elevate the additional third member to a controlling position, because they would have to agree with one colleague and disagree with the other. Some deadlocked mini-appeals would inevitably have to go to a five-member board. This might well involve more hours per board member being spent on the smaller types of appeal than they do now. So the logistics of the new procedure could see an average of more rather than less time being given to this new category of appeal and result in slower rather than faster decision-making.
In tandem with the downturn in the economy, the workload in the planning system (including appeals) has decreased significantly since the start of the year, probably by up to one-third. Any remaining delays in determining appeals will have been eliminated as soon as the backlog from the boom years is disposed of, which will happen during the coming months.
Dr Berna Grist BL is senior lecturer in the School of Planning and Environmental Policy, UCD. From 2001 to 2006, she was a member of An Bord Pleanála.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
LIGHT TOUCH regulation has brought the Irish – and the world – banking system to its knees. Those who led the charge away from tried and tested conservative procedures are now the objects of public vilification: the banks, their directors and senior management, the regulators and politicians. Our growth was based on the construction industry and, consequently, the speculators and builders who drove the Celtic Tiger to its final stage of madness are also responsible for the situation in which we now find ourselves.
In all the recriminations, there is one public body in the development system which has emerged unblemished: An Bord Pleanála. Established in 1977 to take over deciding appeals from the then minister for local government, the legislation ensures the board’s independence and autonomy by provisions such as prohibiting ministerial involvement in individual decisions and making it an offence to contact an inspector or board member to improperly influence the decision on an appeal.
In the 2009 Planning and Development Bill published last week, the minister for the environment had a worrying amendment to the appeals procedure. Section 28 proposes reducing the quorum for decision-making in “simple” cases from three to two board members.
The human psyche automatically rejects two-person decision-making authorities for the reason that, unless both are of one mind, they are frozen into indecision. There is also the lurking spectre of collusion.
Since Roman times, the triumvirate has been seen as the ideal governing model – efficient yet responsive, immune from the dangers of dictatorship and the complexities of committee decision making. That is why the two person tribunal is a rarity and a three-person one is the norm.
The 1976 Planning Act created a six-person board and gave it charge of its own procedures. Under the chairmanship of high court judges Denis Pringle and his successor, EM Walsh, the board determined that a quorum for decision-making would be three members. The board was undoubtedly influenced by its status as a quasi-judicial appellate body and by the fact that the State’s court of final appeal, the Supreme Court, is at a minimum composed of three judges with five being required for certain matters. The three-member quorum was then incorporated into the 1983 Planning Act.
The minister’s purpose in reducing the quorum is to speed up decision making by the board. All organisations need to review their procedures from time to time to maximise efficiency but it is questionable whether this change would have the desired effect and it could do the board much damage.
First, a new internal administrative process would have to be set up to select appeals suitable for mini-board treatment. This raises a number of issues. What about borderline cases? Would appellants be told they were only going to get the attention of two board members before the decision? Would some who could afford it seek judicial review of this preliminary categorisation? Would it only be when the decision is given that the parties would be told they were given the quick treatment? Would mini-boards be seen as a second class of decision making?
Second, the procedure surrounding mini-boards could be counter-productive. There could be no question of giving the chair of a two-person board the customary casting vote, because it would completely distort the principle of collegiate decision-making. The Bill recognises the problem here in referring to voting at such a mini-board being “equally divided”. Does that mean there would be no chair? If the two board members disagree, the case would have to go for a further meeting, and be given full consideration again.
The Bill proposes that this would be by a standard three member board, which is an inequitable solution. It would automatically elevate the additional third member to a controlling position, because they would have to agree with one colleague and disagree with the other. Some deadlocked mini-appeals would inevitably have to go to a five-member board. This might well involve more hours per board member being spent on the smaller types of appeal than they do now. So the logistics of the new procedure could see an average of more rather than less time being given to this new category of appeal and result in slower rather than faster decision-making.
In tandem with the downturn in the economy, the workload in the planning system (including appeals) has decreased significantly since the start of the year, probably by up to one-third. Any remaining delays in determining appeals will have been eliminated as soon as the backlog from the boom years is disposed of, which will happen during the coming months.
Dr Berna Grist BL is senior lecturer in the School of Planning and Environmental Policy, UCD. From 2001 to 2006, she was a member of An Bord Pleanála.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Location of waste facility 'unsuitable'
AN TAISCE representatives have claimed the site location for a proposed toxic waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy in Cork Harbour as “wholly unsuitable”.
The conservation group claimed that Indaver Ireland’s site selection failed to meet the criteria for World Health Organisation guidelines for waste facilities.
In the fourth week of an oral hearing into plans to build the proposed incinerator, An Taisce’s Seán Ó Cróinín delivered a speech outlining the reason behind the group’s objection to the development, comparing Indaver’s site selection process to the story of a well-known fairytale.
“The rationale for the site selection bears no relation to site suitability but, we suspect, to chance availability of the land at a past opportune moment and the applicant is endeavouring to fit the shoe on the ugly sister’s foot rather like in the Cinderella fairytale,” he said.
An Taisce claims the incinerator would be better placed on an inland site, in the interest of public safety, residential amenity and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
“The proposal would be better served by locating in a more suitable location in an inland site with radial access and main road frontage, as is the case with all their existing thermal treatment plants elsewhere,” he added.
A spokesman for Indaver said the site was zoned for industrial use. “An Taisce’s stance on waste- to-energy differs not just from ours, but also the stated policy position . . . of Government, EU, WHO and EPA.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The conservation group claimed that Indaver Ireland’s site selection failed to meet the criteria for World Health Organisation guidelines for waste facilities.
In the fourth week of an oral hearing into plans to build the proposed incinerator, An Taisce’s Seán Ó Cróinín delivered a speech outlining the reason behind the group’s objection to the development, comparing Indaver’s site selection process to the story of a well-known fairytale.
“The rationale for the site selection bears no relation to site suitability but, we suspect, to chance availability of the land at a past opportune moment and the applicant is endeavouring to fit the shoe on the ugly sister’s foot rather like in the Cinderella fairytale,” he said.
An Taisce claims the incinerator would be better placed on an inland site, in the interest of public safety, residential amenity and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
“The proposal would be better served by locating in a more suitable location in an inland site with radial access and main road frontage, as is the case with all their existing thermal treatment plants elsewhere,” he added.
A spokesman for Indaver said the site was zoned for industrial use. “An Taisce’s stance on waste- to-energy differs not just from ours, but also the stated policy position . . . of Government, EU, WHO and EPA.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin at the Crossroads: key points
The creation of a new greater Dublin region governance with power to raise taxes and set a strategic vision;
A new “working partnership” of all agencies responsible for enterprise and development in the region, with strong links to academia;
An emissions trading initiative to be set up within the financial services sector;
A new IFSC-style centre for the development of digital media and licensing;
Transformation of the current CO2-heavy transport system to avoid high carbon taxes;
Mobile information technology classrooms to travel to disadvantaged areas;
Introduce a “Dublin region brand”, a “Dublin heroes” project and green, eco-friendly taxis to foster identity, recognise achievement and promote environmental awareness;
Tackle urban sprawl by adopting a region-wide policy on height and density.
Address crime through education, special programmes for people at risk and through building strong communities.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
A new “working partnership” of all agencies responsible for enterprise and development in the region, with strong links to academia;
An emissions trading initiative to be set up within the financial services sector;
A new IFSC-style centre for the development of digital media and licensing;
Transformation of the current CO2-heavy transport system to avoid high carbon taxes;
Mobile information technology classrooms to travel to disadvantaged areas;
Introduce a “Dublin region brand”, a “Dublin heroes” project and green, eco-friendly taxis to foster identity, recognise achievement and promote environmental awareness;
Tackle urban sprawl by adopting a region-wide policy on height and density.
Address crime through education, special programmes for people at risk and through building strong communities.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin must reform or decline, says study
DUBLIN MUST reform its transport, local government and enterprise agencies if it is to avoid stagnation, urban sprawl and a decade of under-achievement, according to influential Futures Academy.
A new report by the academy, which is based in the faculty of Built Environment at Dublin City University, predicts city regions will become the dominant economic and political forces, competing with each other globally.
Its report, Dublin at a Crossroads – Exploring the future of the Dublin City Region, presents three scenarios for Dublin and its east coast hinterland in the year 2030.
The first scenario envisages a city region of 2.5 million – part of a multi-city “conurbation” of 5.2 million people, stretching from Belfast to Waterford.
The Dublin region would feature a thriving economy, an elected mayor, modern efficient public transport and high technology parks with “cloud centres” – a new form of computing in which the hardware is not contained in the computer, but in a hub accessed via broadband.
The scenario encompasses the reorganisation of local government in 2014; the relocation of Dublin airport to the west of the greater Dublin area in 2017 and a start on building a land link to Britain with a fast rail link to London in 2027. However, the scenario also envisages mounting environmental pressures, social division typified by gated communities, unemployment black spots, frequent riots and social unrest.
The second scenario envisages 2.5 million people living in a cleaner, greener, safer Dublin region – one of two city regions in the east – the other being Belfast.
It has good public transport and quality of life, even though the citizens are less well off than in the early 2000s. Electrified public transport developed between 2010 and 2030 enhances people’s lives. But by 2028 Dublin is in decline as good quality of life is attracting young people to the west.
The third scenario envisages Dublin as a region that has lost its international competitiveness but is still the State’s economic engine. The prolonged recession of the early 2010s has had a damaging effect and the region struggles with unabated urban sprawl, poor public transport, crime, racism and social exclusion.
Taking the best from each scenario, the report makes a number of recommendations to deliver the best Dublin region for 2030.
But it warns that “key uncertainties remain” and must be tackled. These include the lack of recognition of Dublin “as the main engine of growth for the Irish economy”. There is also criticism of Government’s “lack of strategic vision for the city region”. The report argued that uncertainty also arose because of “the inability to tackle crucial decisions” and “prolonged delays in implementation [which] can significantly impede Dublin’s ability to compete on the international scene”.
The report, which was led by Prof John Ratcliffe, also warned of uncertainties in public transport, communications technology, social stability, education, access to water and climate change.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
A new report by the academy, which is based in the faculty of Built Environment at Dublin City University, predicts city regions will become the dominant economic and political forces, competing with each other globally.
Its report, Dublin at a Crossroads – Exploring the future of the Dublin City Region, presents three scenarios for Dublin and its east coast hinterland in the year 2030.
The first scenario envisages a city region of 2.5 million – part of a multi-city “conurbation” of 5.2 million people, stretching from Belfast to Waterford.
The Dublin region would feature a thriving economy, an elected mayor, modern efficient public transport and high technology parks with “cloud centres” – a new form of computing in which the hardware is not contained in the computer, but in a hub accessed via broadband.
The scenario encompasses the reorganisation of local government in 2014; the relocation of Dublin airport to the west of the greater Dublin area in 2017 and a start on building a land link to Britain with a fast rail link to London in 2027. However, the scenario also envisages mounting environmental pressures, social division typified by gated communities, unemployment black spots, frequent riots and social unrest.
The second scenario envisages 2.5 million people living in a cleaner, greener, safer Dublin region – one of two city regions in the east – the other being Belfast.
It has good public transport and quality of life, even though the citizens are less well off than in the early 2000s. Electrified public transport developed between 2010 and 2030 enhances people’s lives. But by 2028 Dublin is in decline as good quality of life is attracting young people to the west.
The third scenario envisages Dublin as a region that has lost its international competitiveness but is still the State’s economic engine. The prolonged recession of the early 2010s has had a damaging effect and the region struggles with unabated urban sprawl, poor public transport, crime, racism and social exclusion.
Taking the best from each scenario, the report makes a number of recommendations to deliver the best Dublin region for 2030.
But it warns that “key uncertainties remain” and must be tackled. These include the lack of recognition of Dublin “as the main engine of growth for the Irish economy”. There is also criticism of Government’s “lack of strategic vision for the city region”. The report argued that uncertainty also arose because of “the inability to tackle crucial decisions” and “prolonged delays in implementation [which] can significantly impede Dublin’s ability to compete on the international scene”.
The report, which was led by Prof John Ratcliffe, also warned of uncertainties in public transport, communications technology, social stability, education, access to water and climate change.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Locals oppose plan to demolish historic church on hospital land
Residents in south Dublin have been joined by An Taisce in their opposition to a proposal to demolish a 19th-century church on the grounds of St James's Hospital to make way for a new private hospital under the government's co-location plan.
Concerns have also been raised that a formal request by Dublin city councillors to start the process of having the chapel, which was built in 1890, added to the list of protected structures was not acted upon.
Synchrony Properties Ltd has applied to Dublin City Council for the development of an eight-storey 196-bed private hospital on an approximately 1.15 hectare site in the southwestern section of the St James' Hospital complex.
Synchrony Healthcare has a contract agreement with the Health Service Executive to build the private hospital under the government's co-location scheme.
The city council has received some 50 letters of objection to the proposal, including submissions from several residents' associations, local politicians and An Taisce.
Many of the letters were submitted by residents who use the chapel regularly and have objected to the demolition of the structure, which is also used by patients and staff at the facility as a place of worship.
In one submisson, the Molony family from Kilmainham said the chapel was a "great amenity on the grounds of the hospital for the sick and staff who frequently use it as a place for prayer and reflection".
They said a proposal by the board of the hospital to build a small "multi-faith" facility adjoining the main hospital building is "farcical" given the current cutbacks in the health system.
"There is no way that a chapel or multi-faith facility will be opened if the church is closed down in the current economic climate."
In addition, local Labour councillor John Gallagher has raised concerns that a recommendation by the South Central Area Committee of the city council to place the church on the list of protected structures had not been progressed to a full council meeting.
In his submission, Gallagher said it was "unacceptable" that planning permission for the proposal would be given the go-ahead until such time as the role of the city council in the listing of the building is clarified.
In response to a recent written question by Gallagher on the matter, the council said: "A number of issues have arisen in relation to the status of this building. These issues are being examined at present and a full report will be made to the next meeting of the South Central Area Committee."
Kevin Duff of An Taisce, which has also made a submission on the application, said the chapel was of architectural and historical significance and therefore should not be demolished.
"The proposal to demolish the building does not accord with the principles of sustainable development and would be contrary to Dublin City Council's policies encouraging reuse of unlisted older buildings," he said.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Concerns have also been raised that a formal request by Dublin city councillors to start the process of having the chapel, which was built in 1890, added to the list of protected structures was not acted upon.
Synchrony Properties Ltd has applied to Dublin City Council for the development of an eight-storey 196-bed private hospital on an approximately 1.15 hectare site in the southwestern section of the St James' Hospital complex.
Synchrony Healthcare has a contract agreement with the Health Service Executive to build the private hospital under the government's co-location scheme.
The city council has received some 50 letters of objection to the proposal, including submissions from several residents' associations, local politicians and An Taisce.
Many of the letters were submitted by residents who use the chapel regularly and have objected to the demolition of the structure, which is also used by patients and staff at the facility as a place of worship.
In one submisson, the Molony family from Kilmainham said the chapel was a "great amenity on the grounds of the hospital for the sick and staff who frequently use it as a place for prayer and reflection".
They said a proposal by the board of the hospital to build a small "multi-faith" facility adjoining the main hospital building is "farcical" given the current cutbacks in the health system.
"There is no way that a chapel or multi-faith facility will be opened if the church is closed down in the current economic climate."
In addition, local Labour councillor John Gallagher has raised concerns that a recommendation by the South Central Area Committee of the city council to place the church on the list of protected structures had not been progressed to a full council meeting.
In his submission, Gallagher said it was "unacceptable" that planning permission for the proposal would be given the go-ahead until such time as the role of the city council in the listing of the building is clarified.
In response to a recent written question by Gallagher on the matter, the council said: "A number of issues have arisen in relation to the status of this building. These issues are being examined at present and a full report will be made to the next meeting of the South Central Area Committee."
Kevin Duff of An Taisce, which has also made a submission on the application, said the chapel was of architectural and historical significance and therefore should not be demolished.
"The proposal to demolish the building does not accord with the principles of sustainable development and would be contrary to Dublin City Council's policies encouraging reuse of unlisted older buildings," he said.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Greenstar may take judicial review proceedings over superdump decision
GREENSTAR, the waste firm owned by NTR, is considering whether to seek a High Court judicial review after An Bord Pleanála rejected its plans to turn its landfill at Knockharley, Co Meath, into a superdump, which would handle 400,000 tonnes of waste a year.
The company had argued that the move was necessary due to a shortfall in waste-disposal capacity in the Greater Dublin Area, caused by delays to the proposed Poolbeg incinerator project and Fingal County Council's new landfill at Nevitt.
Greenstar told the board that the shortfall would peak at over 500,000 tonnes of waste a year by 2014 and that Knockharley was the only landfill in the region which could contribute to meeting this challenge. The landfill currently handles a maximum of 132,000 tonnes a year.
The planning board ruled, however, that the proposed development was contrary to both EU and national waste-disposal policy, which aims to reduce the country's dependence on landfills by promoting alternatives.
The ruling came after the planning inspector examining the project, Breda Gannon, reported that she considered "the proposed increase in waste acceptance [at Knockharley] is an unnecessary development having regard to the current available and future landfill capacity in the Greater Dublin Area".
A spokeswoman for Greenstar said the company was disappointed by its ruling and was examining its options.
She said the company believed the inspector's report was flawed as it assumed that other rival facilities would be available in the short term to meet Dublin's waste shortfall.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
The company had argued that the move was necessary due to a shortfall in waste-disposal capacity in the Greater Dublin Area, caused by delays to the proposed Poolbeg incinerator project and Fingal County Council's new landfill at Nevitt.
Greenstar told the board that the shortfall would peak at over 500,000 tonnes of waste a year by 2014 and that Knockharley was the only landfill in the region which could contribute to meeting this challenge. The landfill currently handles a maximum of 132,000 tonnes a year.
The planning board ruled, however, that the proposed development was contrary to both EU and national waste-disposal policy, which aims to reduce the country's dependence on landfills by promoting alternatives.
The ruling came after the planning inspector examining the project, Breda Gannon, reported that she considered "the proposed increase in waste acceptance [at Knockharley] is an unnecessary development having regard to the current available and future landfill capacity in the Greater Dublin Area".
A spokeswoman for Greenstar said the company was disappointed by its ruling and was examining its options.
She said the company believed the inspector's report was flawed as it assumed that other rival facilities would be available in the short term to meet Dublin's waste shortfall.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Green light for three hotels in Dublin
An Bord Pleanála has cleared the way for new hotels in Temple Bar, Phibsborough and just off the Green.
DESPITE THE intense competition on hotel room rates in Dublin because of the surfeit of hotels in the city, planning permission has just been granted for three more hotels – one of them off St Stephen’s Green, another in Temple Bar and the third in Phibsborough.
Plans by Westmeath developer Christopher Bennett for a 290-bedroom hotel in a former nurses home at Leeson Lane, just off St Stephen’s Green in Dublin 2, have been approved by An Bord Pleanála.
Bennett is understood to have agreed to pay in the region of €30 million towards the end of 2007 for a six-storey building owned by the Office of Public Works at Leeson Lane and Quinn’s Lane. It had served as a nurses home for St Stephen’s Hospital on the Green before it relocated to the Merrion Road.
Dublin City Council had earlier granted permission for an additional floor to be added to the building which is close to the Conrad Hotel.
The board said that having regard to the pattern of development in the area, it was considered that the hotel development would not seriously injure the amenities of the built heritage in the conservation area and would be acceptable in terms of design, scale, density and height.
When it offered the building for sale, the OPW took the unusual step of demolishing a second building on the site which extends to 0.29 of a hectare (0.7 of an acre). One of the attractions for a purchaser was that the site has not been subject to stamp duty.
Also going ahead is a new “Wooden Hotel” on the edge of Temple Bar at Upper Exchange Street. Accol Investments had sought permission for a 44-suite hotel on 10 floors over ground level with a roof-lit atrium from ground to roof level. The development would have had 12 storeys over ground with roof gardens at fifth, ninth and 11th floors. A total of 14 car-parking spaces are to be provided at Fashion House, 18 Upper Exchange Street.
The board decided to reduce the height of the building by a further two floors, bringing the overall reduction to four floors, because it considered the development would be visually obtrusive and would seriously injure the residential amenity of the apartments to the north-west and also the wooden building by reason of overshadowing and overbearing impact. The board ruled that floors seven to 10 should be omitted and the roof should be kept free of all structures. It also ruled that details of the elevations of the amended hotel building should be submitted to, and agreed with, the planning authority prior to commencement of development.
In a separate ruling the appeals board has cleared the way for businessman Maurice O’Connor to develop a 45-bedroom hotel at North Circular Road, Phibsborough. The development will involve the demolition of part of Chester House and the construction of a two-storey hotel with a setback penthouse level.
The board ruled that a proposed drop off area to the front of the hotel on North Circular Road should be omitted.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
DESPITE THE intense competition on hotel room rates in Dublin because of the surfeit of hotels in the city, planning permission has just been granted for three more hotels – one of them off St Stephen’s Green, another in Temple Bar and the third in Phibsborough.
Plans by Westmeath developer Christopher Bennett for a 290-bedroom hotel in a former nurses home at Leeson Lane, just off St Stephen’s Green in Dublin 2, have been approved by An Bord Pleanála.
Bennett is understood to have agreed to pay in the region of €30 million towards the end of 2007 for a six-storey building owned by the Office of Public Works at Leeson Lane and Quinn’s Lane. It had served as a nurses home for St Stephen’s Hospital on the Green before it relocated to the Merrion Road.
Dublin City Council had earlier granted permission for an additional floor to be added to the building which is close to the Conrad Hotel.
The board said that having regard to the pattern of development in the area, it was considered that the hotel development would not seriously injure the amenities of the built heritage in the conservation area and would be acceptable in terms of design, scale, density and height.
When it offered the building for sale, the OPW took the unusual step of demolishing a second building on the site which extends to 0.29 of a hectare (0.7 of an acre). One of the attractions for a purchaser was that the site has not been subject to stamp duty.
Also going ahead is a new “Wooden Hotel” on the edge of Temple Bar at Upper Exchange Street. Accol Investments had sought permission for a 44-suite hotel on 10 floors over ground level with a roof-lit atrium from ground to roof level. The development would have had 12 storeys over ground with roof gardens at fifth, ninth and 11th floors. A total of 14 car-parking spaces are to be provided at Fashion House, 18 Upper Exchange Street.
The board decided to reduce the height of the building by a further two floors, bringing the overall reduction to four floors, because it considered the development would be visually obtrusive and would seriously injure the residential amenity of the apartments to the north-west and also the wooden building by reason of overshadowing and overbearing impact. The board ruled that floors seven to 10 should be omitted and the roof should be kept free of all structures. It also ruled that details of the elevations of the amended hotel building should be submitted to, and agreed with, the planning authority prior to commencement of development.
In a separate ruling the appeals board has cleared the way for businessman Maurice O’Connor to develop a 45-bedroom hotel at North Circular Road, Phibsborough. The development will involve the demolition of part of Chester House and the construction of a two-storey hotel with a setback penthouse level.
The board ruled that a proposed drop off area to the front of the hotel on North Circular Road should be omitted.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Expert challenges risk study for incinerator
TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS of nano-particles such as those produced from an incinerator stack can be responsible for exacerbating human health problems including asthma, bronchitis and heart disease, according to a scientific expert who gave evidence on behalf of objectors at a public hearing yesterday.
Prof C Vyvyan Howard described Indaver Ireland’s risk assessment of possible health problems associated with a proposed toxic waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy in Cork as “simplistic” and “fundamentally flawed”.
His claims were disputed by Indaver Ireland. Prof Howard, who is in charge of of bioimaging at the University of Ulster, has written and spoken in a variety of forums to draw attention to the threat posed by pollutants to developing foetuses and infants.
Speaking on behalf of anti-incinerator campaign group Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment at a hearing on the proposed incinerator yesterday, Prof Howard, described as a medically qualified toxico-pathologist, claimed there were airborne particles for which there was no known safe level, and that Indaver Ireland’s risk assessment did not cover the emittance of such particles. “The risk assessment in relation to particles that has been undertaken by Indaver is rather simplistic and appears to ignore the very significant contribution made to particulate burdens made by sulphur dioxide and especially nitrous oxide emissions.”
Prof Howard said while effects of individual toxins were known, the effects of multiple toxins in the air was unknown, and research into such effects was difficult.
Indaver Ireland’s risk assessment is based on the effects of individual toxins as per Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards.
“This approach is fundamentally flawed for those emissions like particles, for which no safe level can be demonstrated,” Prof Howard said.
Air pollution levels well within legal limits were killing people, he claimed, “especially older people and those with chronic heart and lung ailments”. Children and foetuses were particularly at risk from airborne pollutant particles, as their immune system and lungs were not fully developed, he said.
“There can be no doubt that children and even the foetus are particularly vulnerable to particle air pollutants, while this has been largely overlooked in setting current standards and controls,” he said.
He cited a review by scientists Joachim Heinrich and Remy Slama showing fine particle pollutants had been associated with infant mortality, impaired lung function and, less consistently, with sudden infant death syndrome.
In his report, Prof Howard claimed Indaver had “completely omitted any consideration of secondary particles and their impacts from their assessments”, which he said can account for a major fraction of the particles emitted by incinerators, despite filtration.
It was claimed that a high proportion of ultra-fine particles emitted through the incineration process evaded filtration systems.
“The subsequent direct uptake of these respirable particles and the ready transfer from the lungs into the bloodstream may be part of the reason that traditional toxicology is at a loss to explain the level of impacts for such apparently low exposures,” he said.
An Indaver Ireland spokesman said Prof Howard’s opinion was “at odds” with views of the World Health Organisation, EU and EPA. “Dioxins are all around us every day. Traffic, home heating and agriculture are among the main dioxin contributors. WHO and EU set safe level limits for dioxin emissions, and expert analysis has shown that the proposed development will have a minuscule effect,” the spokesman said.
The hearing is expected to continue until the end of next week.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Prof C Vyvyan Howard described Indaver Ireland’s risk assessment of possible health problems associated with a proposed toxic waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy in Cork as “simplistic” and “fundamentally flawed”.
His claims were disputed by Indaver Ireland. Prof Howard, who is in charge of of bioimaging at the University of Ulster, has written and spoken in a variety of forums to draw attention to the threat posed by pollutants to developing foetuses and infants.
Speaking on behalf of anti-incinerator campaign group Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment at a hearing on the proposed incinerator yesterday, Prof Howard, described as a medically qualified toxico-pathologist, claimed there were airborne particles for which there was no known safe level, and that Indaver Ireland’s risk assessment did not cover the emittance of such particles. “The risk assessment in relation to particles that has been undertaken by Indaver is rather simplistic and appears to ignore the very significant contribution made to particulate burdens made by sulphur dioxide and especially nitrous oxide emissions.”
Prof Howard said while effects of individual toxins were known, the effects of multiple toxins in the air was unknown, and research into such effects was difficult.
Indaver Ireland’s risk assessment is based on the effects of individual toxins as per Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards.
“This approach is fundamentally flawed for those emissions like particles, for which no safe level can be demonstrated,” Prof Howard said.
Air pollution levels well within legal limits were killing people, he claimed, “especially older people and those with chronic heart and lung ailments”. Children and foetuses were particularly at risk from airborne pollutant particles, as their immune system and lungs were not fully developed, he said.
“There can be no doubt that children and even the foetus are particularly vulnerable to particle air pollutants, while this has been largely overlooked in setting current standards and controls,” he said.
He cited a review by scientists Joachim Heinrich and Remy Slama showing fine particle pollutants had been associated with infant mortality, impaired lung function and, less consistently, with sudden infant death syndrome.
In his report, Prof Howard claimed Indaver had “completely omitted any consideration of secondary particles and their impacts from their assessments”, which he said can account for a major fraction of the particles emitted by incinerators, despite filtration.
It was claimed that a high proportion of ultra-fine particles emitted through the incineration process evaded filtration systems.
“The subsequent direct uptake of these respirable particles and the ready transfer from the lungs into the bloodstream may be part of the reason that traditional toxicology is at a loss to explain the level of impacts for such apparently low exposures,” he said.
An Indaver Ireland spokesman said Prof Howard’s opinion was “at odds” with views of the World Health Organisation, EU and EPA. “Dioxins are all around us every day. Traffic, home heating and agriculture are among the main dioxin contributors. WHO and EU set safe level limits for dioxin emissions, and expert analysis has shown that the proposed development will have a minuscule effect,” the spokesman said.
The hearing is expected to continue until the end of next week.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Dartmouth park to reopen after deal reached with owner
A PARK near Rathmines in Dublin which has been closed for over two years is to reopen its gates to the community after an agreement was reached between a local resident and its owner.
Dartmouth Square resident Peter O’Brien negotiated a deal, which runs to the end of this year, with Athlone businessman and owner of Dartmouth Square park Noel O’Gara to maintain and run the park as an amenity for the locality.
Mr O’Gara bought the park in 2005 for about €10,000 from PJ Darley, whose ancestors built the square in the 1880s. Since then, it has been a source of controversy.
In 2006 it was closed to the public and Mr O’Gara subsequently attempted to set up a tile showroom on the site, and to turn the square into an affordable car park.
An Bord Pleanála approved for Dublin City Council a compulsory purchase order for the land in 2006, but this lapsed last June as the council feared it might have to pay a “substantial and financially prohibitive award” to Mr O’Gara.
Mr O’Brien said the agreement came following a discussion with Mr O’Gara, who was open to “innovative” ideas that made good use of the amenity.
Mr O’Brien said he and other residents hoped the park would host activities for those living in the area, and that he had a contract with Mr O’Gara to do so until the end of the year.
“It’s going to be an experiment to see if we can open a park to the community and have it run by the community for the community.”
He said the park would be open to the public daily, and that events such as children’s football tournaments, barbecues, plays and concerts were likely to take place in coming months.
This afternoon, locals and actors, artists and musicians, including David Kitt and Damien Rice, will gather to mark the reopening of the park. Mr O’Gara said he hoped the development would lead to artistic and entertaining events taking place in the square.
“My long-term aim is to turn it into a car park that would offer the people of Dublin a secure place to leave their cars for €5 a day while they go about their business.”
Labour councillor Oisín Quinn said the park should be brought under city council control.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Dartmouth Square resident Peter O’Brien negotiated a deal, which runs to the end of this year, with Athlone businessman and owner of Dartmouth Square park Noel O’Gara to maintain and run the park as an amenity for the locality.
Mr O’Gara bought the park in 2005 for about €10,000 from PJ Darley, whose ancestors built the square in the 1880s. Since then, it has been a source of controversy.
In 2006 it was closed to the public and Mr O’Gara subsequently attempted to set up a tile showroom on the site, and to turn the square into an affordable car park.
An Bord Pleanála approved for Dublin City Council a compulsory purchase order for the land in 2006, but this lapsed last June as the council feared it might have to pay a “substantial and financially prohibitive award” to Mr O’Gara.
Mr O’Brien said the agreement came following a discussion with Mr O’Gara, who was open to “innovative” ideas that made good use of the amenity.
Mr O’Brien said he and other residents hoped the park would host activities for those living in the area, and that he had a contract with Mr O’Gara to do so until the end of the year.
“It’s going to be an experiment to see if we can open a park to the community and have it run by the community for the community.”
He said the park would be open to the public daily, and that events such as children’s football tournaments, barbecues, plays and concerts were likely to take place in coming months.
This afternoon, locals and actors, artists and musicians, including David Kitt and Damien Rice, will gather to mark the reopening of the park. Mr O’Gara said he hoped the development would lead to artistic and entertaining events taking place in the square.
“My long-term aim is to turn it into a car park that would offer the people of Dublin a secure place to leave their cars for €5 a day while they go about their business.”
Labour councillor Oisín Quinn said the park should be brought under city council control.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Metro North project questioned - report
THE CONSTRUCTION of Dublin’s controversial Metro North rail system will not guarantee maximum accessibility to Dublin airport.
Moreover, it will not ensure the airport’s future as a vital travel hub, a new planning report argues.
A Spatial Vision for Dublin was published yesterday at the Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, by members of the Dublin City Business Association, which commissioned the report, and author Hendrik van der Kamp.
Although Metro North has been touted by the Government as central to Dublin’s economic development, speculation intensified at the beginning of the year that the project would be shelved due to an estimated cost of some €5 billion.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has proposed deferring the project and prioritising smaller, more labour-intensive construction initiatives.
The report uses the example of Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, which it says, like Dublin airport, was for a long time poorly served by public transport, relying almost solely on bus connections to Amsterdam and other cities across the Netherlands.
It found that the deliberate effort to create a working main network railway station in the airport, rather than a mere shuttle rail service to and from the city centre, proved a huge success.
The report also claims that Dublin should not be satisfied with simply connecting the airport with the city centre, as mainline rail access has proven a model of success across Europe.
“It may be of benefit to see Belfast, Dublin and Shannon connected together through a single high-speed railway line, which would link up the three major airports in the country,” Mr van der Kamp. said. “It would provide a . . . fast connection to the west of Ireland, and Galway could be connected to this via the Western Rail Corridor.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Moreover, it will not ensure the airport’s future as a vital travel hub, a new planning report argues.
A Spatial Vision for Dublin was published yesterday at the Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, by members of the Dublin City Business Association, which commissioned the report, and author Hendrik van der Kamp.
Although Metro North has been touted by the Government as central to Dublin’s economic development, speculation intensified at the beginning of the year that the project would be shelved due to an estimated cost of some €5 billion.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has proposed deferring the project and prioritising smaller, more labour-intensive construction initiatives.
The report uses the example of Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, which it says, like Dublin airport, was for a long time poorly served by public transport, relying almost solely on bus connections to Amsterdam and other cities across the Netherlands.
It found that the deliberate effort to create a working main network railway station in the airport, rather than a mere shuttle rail service to and from the city centre, proved a huge success.
The report also claims that Dublin should not be satisfied with simply connecting the airport with the city centre, as mainline rail access has proven a model of success across Europe.
“It may be of benefit to see Belfast, Dublin and Shannon connected together through a single high-speed railway line, which would link up the three major airports in the country,” Mr van der Kamp. said. “It would provide a . . . fast connection to the west of Ireland, and Galway could be connected to this via the Western Rail Corridor.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Roadway hitch threatens to scupper IKEA store opening
FEARS are growing that a new IKEA store -- which will employ 500 people -- will not be able to open on time next month.
The Swedish furniture shop cannot open for business until routes around its north Dublin site are upgraded, but the National Roads Authority (NRA) admitted yesterday it would be a "surprise" if the work was completed by the July 27 opening date.
The off-ramps from the M50 near the Ballymun interchange of the M50 are still under construction, with substantial road works yet to be completed around the massive store -- despite the looming six-week deadline.
However, Fingal County Council, which is responsible for ensuring the network is complete, said yesterday it was confident the works would be completed to allow the store open next month.
Only "minor matters" remained to be addressed, it insisted.
IKEA was not available for comment yesterday, but has previously criticised the delay in completing the roads.
It claims it has lost tens of millions of euro in lost sales, adding that the store was finished last November.
Despite intensive lobbying by IKEA to speed up works, the NRA has repeatedly said its timetable for the works would not be changed to facilitate the company.
An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the 30,500 square metre store in June 2007, but on condition it could only open when upgrading works on the motorway and construction of local roads were complete.
HASH(0x1737750)
Concerns
Yesterday, a spokesman for the NRA said it had concerns about the road network.
"Hopefully, this will come to fruition, but the NRA is still concerned about the traffic impacts," he said.
"It would be a pleasant surprise if it was ready by July. The contractor is not obliged to have works completed on that section until December this year."
Informed sources have said the network is unlikely to be finished until September or October, which will also result in delays in 500 people taking up employment. It would take a "concerted effort" to get works complete by July, the source added.
However, a Fingal County Council statement said: "We are satisfied that substantial compliance with planning conditions is complete or nearing completion and that road/traffic improvement works in the vicinity of the IKEA site in Ballymun, required by condition under the planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanala, will be completed at the time of IKEA opening.
"Minor outstanding matters are the subject of current and ongoing discussions with the relevant parties and are progressing satisfactorily.
"We envisage all required works will be completed by the IKEA opening date."
IKEA opened its first Irish store in Belfast in December 2007 and has said it would consider opening a third branch in Ireland, depending on the success of the Dublin and Belfast outlets.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The Swedish furniture shop cannot open for business until routes around its north Dublin site are upgraded, but the National Roads Authority (NRA) admitted yesterday it would be a "surprise" if the work was completed by the July 27 opening date.
The off-ramps from the M50 near the Ballymun interchange of the M50 are still under construction, with substantial road works yet to be completed around the massive store -- despite the looming six-week deadline.
However, Fingal County Council, which is responsible for ensuring the network is complete, said yesterday it was confident the works would be completed to allow the store open next month.
Only "minor matters" remained to be addressed, it insisted.
IKEA was not available for comment yesterday, but has previously criticised the delay in completing the roads.
It claims it has lost tens of millions of euro in lost sales, adding that the store was finished last November.
Despite intensive lobbying by IKEA to speed up works, the NRA has repeatedly said its timetable for the works would not be changed to facilitate the company.
An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the 30,500 square metre store in June 2007, but on condition it could only open when upgrading works on the motorway and construction of local roads were complete.
HASH(0x1737750)
Concerns
Yesterday, a spokesman for the NRA said it had concerns about the road network.
"Hopefully, this will come to fruition, but the NRA is still concerned about the traffic impacts," he said.
"It would be a pleasant surprise if it was ready by July. The contractor is not obliged to have works completed on that section until December this year."
Informed sources have said the network is unlikely to be finished until September or October, which will also result in delays in 500 people taking up employment. It would take a "concerted effort" to get works complete by July, the source added.
However, a Fingal County Council statement said: "We are satisfied that substantial compliance with planning conditions is complete or nearing completion and that road/traffic improvement works in the vicinity of the IKEA site in Ballymun, required by condition under the planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanala, will be completed at the time of IKEA opening.
"Minor outstanding matters are the subject of current and ongoing discussions with the relevant parties and are progressing satisfactorily.
"We envisage all required works will be completed by the IKEA opening date."
IKEA opened its first Irish store in Belfast in December 2007 and has said it would consider opening a third branch in Ireland, depending on the success of the Dublin and Belfast outlets.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Call to speed up installation of Irish wind power projects
Ireland is facing a 'serious bottleneck' in meeting ambitious renewable energy targets for 2020 and needs to accelerate the delivery of wind power projects, according to the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA).
The association’s chief executive, Dr Michael Walsh cited the latest European figures showing that Ireland was still “very much at the back of the class” in terms of wind installations.
The figures show that just 0.7 per cent of wind capacity in all 27 EU member states was installed here in 2007 - well short of what was needed to meet the target of 40 per cent for renewables by 2020.
“We need to start accelerating project delivery, so we do not end up in a bottleneck as we approach 2020 and miss out on a significant employment opportunity for the Irish economy” - Dr Walsh said.
Noting that Ireland, along with Scotland, has the best wind resources in Europe, he said that with wind energy’s market share of only 1.4 per cent here we are not delivering on anything like our potential.
Given the comparative levels of wind resource, Ireland should be significantly outperforming continental Europe, where wind had an average 6.6 per cent market share (excluding newer EU states).
Dr Walsh said the lack of alternative natural energy resources in Ireland also meant that we were highly sensitive to imported energy prices and this should be an added impetus to expand wind.
At the current rate of installation, he said, it was likely that we would have to bring in companies from abroad to carry out work that Irish companies should have been able to do cheaper and sooner.
The IWEA intends to mark Global Wind Day on June 15th by outlining a road map that would set out a future for the industry and steady increases in activity per year over the next decade.
Seven wind farms will be open to the public on the day and Dr Walsh urged members of the public to visit these.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The association’s chief executive, Dr Michael Walsh cited the latest European figures showing that Ireland was still “very much at the back of the class” in terms of wind installations.
The figures show that just 0.7 per cent of wind capacity in all 27 EU member states was installed here in 2007 - well short of what was needed to meet the target of 40 per cent for renewables by 2020.
“We need to start accelerating project delivery, so we do not end up in a bottleneck as we approach 2020 and miss out on a significant employment opportunity for the Irish economy” - Dr Walsh said.
Noting that Ireland, along with Scotland, has the best wind resources in Europe, he said that with wind energy’s market share of only 1.4 per cent here we are not delivering on anything like our potential.
Given the comparative levels of wind resource, Ireland should be significantly outperforming continental Europe, where wind had an average 6.6 per cent market share (excluding newer EU states).
Dr Walsh said the lack of alternative natural energy resources in Ireland also meant that we were highly sensitive to imported energy prices and this should be an added impetus to expand wind.
At the current rate of installation, he said, it was likely that we would have to bring in companies from abroad to carry out work that Irish companies should have been able to do cheaper and sooner.
The IWEA intends to mark Global Wind Day on June 15th by outlining a road map that would set out a future for the industry and steady increases in activity per year over the next decade.
Seven wind farms will be open to the public on the day and Dr Walsh urged members of the public to visit these.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Single objector halts €40m city plan
A sole objector has succeeded in halting a massive €40 million commercial and retail development in Limerick city centre, which would have given work to 600 people.
An Bord Pleanála has overturned a decision of Limerick City Council last November to grant permission to a business consortium - Catherine Street Partnership - to develop a huge area along Catherine Street, Glentworth Street and Mallow Street.
The development proposed to include five floors with 55,000sq ft of commercial space, 5,500sq ft of offices and 5,000 sq ft retail on the ground floor. The plan also included parking for 110 cars.
An Bord Pleanála knocked the plan following an objection by a businessman who owns property in the area.
A spokesman for the promoters said a series of meetings took place between the consortium and the businessman, but they could not reach agreement.
Although An Bord Pleanála’s own inspector approved the development, the board upheld the objection due to concerns for the heritage of the area.
The spokesman for the consortium said - "This is very disappointing news for us and, we believe, for Limerick. This was an important job-generating development project, fully in keeping with the city council’s own ambitions for urban renewal in this part of the city. It would have completely lifted the area around the site which has become a focus for anti-social behaviour of different types, including prostitution and drug taking.
"We were extremely diligent with regard to our heritage responsibilities and, even at this stage, feel that we could satisfy An Bord Pleanála and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, on any heritage concerns they may have."
Limerick Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Maria Kelly said a development like that proposed would have been a positive addition to the city centre. "Clearly people have a right to object. Any development which can bring life to any part of the city, giving employment, has to be welcomed. I know we have to have a balance with the aesthetic."
Meanwhile, appellant Michael Duffy who owned adjacent buildings which are let as apartments and a crèche/montessori, was concerned about the serious traffic impact during the construction phase, along with the continued negative impact on his properties - including noise disturbance and the excavation of a car park which will make the crèche unusable.
www.buckplanning.ie
An Bord Pleanála has overturned a decision of Limerick City Council last November to grant permission to a business consortium - Catherine Street Partnership - to develop a huge area along Catherine Street, Glentworth Street and Mallow Street.
The development proposed to include five floors with 55,000sq ft of commercial space, 5,500sq ft of offices and 5,000 sq ft retail on the ground floor. The plan also included parking for 110 cars.
An Bord Pleanála knocked the plan following an objection by a businessman who owns property in the area.
A spokesman for the promoters said a series of meetings took place between the consortium and the businessman, but they could not reach agreement.
Although An Bord Pleanála’s own inspector approved the development, the board upheld the objection due to concerns for the heritage of the area.
The spokesman for the consortium said - "This is very disappointing news for us and, we believe, for Limerick. This was an important job-generating development project, fully in keeping with the city council’s own ambitions for urban renewal in this part of the city. It would have completely lifted the area around the site which has become a focus for anti-social behaviour of different types, including prostitution and drug taking.
"We were extremely diligent with regard to our heritage responsibilities and, even at this stage, feel that we could satisfy An Bord Pleanála and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, on any heritage concerns they may have."
Limerick Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Maria Kelly said a development like that proposed would have been a positive addition to the city centre. "Clearly people have a right to object. Any development which can bring life to any part of the city, giving employment, has to be welcomed. I know we have to have a balance with the aesthetic."
Meanwhile, appellant Michael Duffy who owned adjacent buildings which are let as apartments and a crèche/montessori, was concerned about the serious traffic impact during the construction phase, along with the continued negative impact on his properties - including noise disturbance and the excavation of a car park which will make the crèche unusable.
www.buckplanning.ie
Architects may complain to Brussels over design contest
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) is considering a formal complaint to the European Commission over rules set by the ESB for an architectural competition to redevelop its headquarters on Dublin’s Fitzwilliam Street.
The RIAI maintains that criteria for entering the competition - such as that practices had to have an annual turnover exceeding €2.5 million - were “unneccessarily exclusionary” and would effectively debar most Irish architects from taking part.
The closing date for expressions of interest in the competition was 27th May last and an ESB spokeswoman said 45 entries had been received. There was a “good international spread” - with Canada, Japan, the US and Europe represented.
The spokeswoman added that a number of those who indicated their wish to enter the competition were Irish practices, some of whom had joined forces with others from here and abroad. This would have been one of the ways to fulfil the criteria.
Last week, RIAI president Seán O’Laoire met ESB chairman Lochlann Quinn to discuss the institute’s concerns over what it sees as a “lawyer-led process”. However, Mr Quinn said the ESB was not prepared to change the rules at this stage.
In a letter to the ESB chairman on April 30th last, Mr O’Laoire pointed out that the EU’s Procurement Directive had been framed to ensure than small and medium-sized firms were not 'needlessly excluded' from competitions for public contracts.
He complained that the criteria laid down by the ESB - particularly in relation to a firm’s turnover - would exclude such practices as Grafton Architects, which won the first World Building of the Year award last October for Bocconi University in Milan.
“The practice of Gilroy McMahon, who recently received the RIAI gold medal for Croke Park - one of the largest stadiums built in the EU in recent years - and who are working on the redevelopment of Liberty Hall for Siptu, would also not be eligible.”
Mr O’Laoire said the best way to procure a “building of such national importance” as the ESB’s new headquarters, would be to hold an open two-stage competition - this would be transparent, while also providing the widest range of design solutions.
He also complained that the composition of the jury - which consists mainly of serving and former senior ESB officials - “does not have the the range of skills and expertise as would be expected in a competition of this scale and national importance”.
Mr O’Laoire’s letter, which has been seen by The Irish Times, noted that the RIAI had organised 58 architectural competitions in recent years for a diverse range of projects - including new bridges, parks and headquarters for several local authorities.
In response, Mr Quinn invited the RIAI to make observations on the architectural and urban design qualities of the submissions received by the ESB in the first stage of the Fitzwilliam Street competition.
It is not certain, however, that this offer will be taken up.
One of the critical issues in the competition will be the treatment of the facade to Fitzwilliam Street itself. In the 1960s, the ESB was strongly criticised by conservationists for demolishing 16 Georgian houses on the site to erect a modern office block there.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The RIAI maintains that criteria for entering the competition - such as that practices had to have an annual turnover exceeding €2.5 million - were “unneccessarily exclusionary” and would effectively debar most Irish architects from taking part.
The closing date for expressions of interest in the competition was 27th May last and an ESB spokeswoman said 45 entries had been received. There was a “good international spread” - with Canada, Japan, the US and Europe represented.
The spokeswoman added that a number of those who indicated their wish to enter the competition were Irish practices, some of whom had joined forces with others from here and abroad. This would have been one of the ways to fulfil the criteria.
Last week, RIAI president Seán O’Laoire met ESB chairman Lochlann Quinn to discuss the institute’s concerns over what it sees as a “lawyer-led process”. However, Mr Quinn said the ESB was not prepared to change the rules at this stage.
In a letter to the ESB chairman on April 30th last, Mr O’Laoire pointed out that the EU’s Procurement Directive had been framed to ensure than small and medium-sized firms were not 'needlessly excluded' from competitions for public contracts.
He complained that the criteria laid down by the ESB - particularly in relation to a firm’s turnover - would exclude such practices as Grafton Architects, which won the first World Building of the Year award last October for Bocconi University in Milan.
“The practice of Gilroy McMahon, who recently received the RIAI gold medal for Croke Park - one of the largest stadiums built in the EU in recent years - and who are working on the redevelopment of Liberty Hall for Siptu, would also not be eligible.”
Mr O’Laoire said the best way to procure a “building of such national importance” as the ESB’s new headquarters, would be to hold an open two-stage competition - this would be transparent, while also providing the widest range of design solutions.
He also complained that the composition of the jury - which consists mainly of serving and former senior ESB officials - “does not have the the range of skills and expertise as would be expected in a competition of this scale and national importance”.
Mr O’Laoire’s letter, which has been seen by The Irish Times, noted that the RIAI had organised 58 architectural competitions in recent years for a diverse range of projects - including new bridges, parks and headquarters for several local authorities.
In response, Mr Quinn invited the RIAI to make observations on the architectural and urban design qualities of the submissions received by the ESB in the first stage of the Fitzwilliam Street competition.
It is not certain, however, that this offer will be taken up.
One of the critical issues in the competition will be the treatment of the facade to Fitzwilliam Street itself. In the 1960s, the ESB was strongly criticised by conservationists for demolishing 16 Georgian houses on the site to erect a modern office block there.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Government slims down policy on architecture
The Government has adopted a slimmed-down new policy on architecture - with the number of proposed actions reduced from more than 60 to 45 - in deference to concerns in the Department of Finance that the policy would cost too much.
The draft policy, drawn up by a steering committee, chaired by former UCD professor of architecture Loughlin Kealy, was also amended by the Department of the Environment to take account of Finance’s views on public procurement, value for money and cost-benefit analysis. It notes that the policy is 'being brought forward during a challenging period in the public finances'.
As a result, implementation would take place within the context of Government policy on public expenditure and staff numbers as directed by the Department of Finance.
The cost of implementing the policy - entitled Towards a Sustainable Future: Delivering Quality within the Built Environment - over a six-year period has been estimated at €3.25 million - indicating that some of the more expensive actions originally proposed have been dropped.
For example, although it says that in-house expertise is essential, the Department of the Environment will now merely 'consider' the benefits of each county or city council submitting plans for the provision of in-house architectural services, headed by a city or county architect.
Under the heading 'Leading by Example', the policy highlights the role of the State in promoting architectural quality by developing procurement and contracting policies for State-funded projects.
It also proposes that the title of principal architect in the Office of Public Works (OPW) should be changed to State architect and the role be strengthened 'to underline the importance of architectural quality as a cornerstone of national policy'.
In order to develop an 'evidence-based policy' on architecture, the Department of the Environment will convene a built environment research committee that would examine such issues as building energy performance and 'life-cycle costing'.
It also envisages establishing a built-environment forum to heighten awareness of measures that could be taken to 'drive a quality agenda for urban design, architecture and architectural conservation, building control and landscape design and conservation'.
Along with the OPW, the department will investigate appropriate incentives for best practice for 'future-proofing' of buildings - taking account of climate change as well as ensuring that buildings procured in public contracts are designed for ease of maintenance and upgrade.
The department will consider creating a publicly-accessible database of protected structures throughout the State, as well as issuing guidelines on how the re-use of historic buildings could help reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions.
The department will also consider extending eligibility for grant aid for conservation and repair works within architectural conservation areas 'subject to approval by the Department of Finance'.
The policy also aims to promote public awareness of architecture in primary and secondary schools and third-level institutions, as well as engaging the public through cultural institutions such as the Irish Architecture Foundation.
Responsibility for co-ordinating implementation of the new policy over its lifespan to 2015 is assigned to the Department of the Environment, with annual progress reports to be submitted to the Minister.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The draft policy, drawn up by a steering committee, chaired by former UCD professor of architecture Loughlin Kealy, was also amended by the Department of the Environment to take account of Finance’s views on public procurement, value for money and cost-benefit analysis. It notes that the policy is 'being brought forward during a challenging period in the public finances'.
As a result, implementation would take place within the context of Government policy on public expenditure and staff numbers as directed by the Department of Finance.
The cost of implementing the policy - entitled Towards a Sustainable Future: Delivering Quality within the Built Environment - over a six-year period has been estimated at €3.25 million - indicating that some of the more expensive actions originally proposed have been dropped.
For example, although it says that in-house expertise is essential, the Department of the Environment will now merely 'consider' the benefits of each county or city council submitting plans for the provision of in-house architectural services, headed by a city or county architect.
Under the heading 'Leading by Example', the policy highlights the role of the State in promoting architectural quality by developing procurement and contracting policies for State-funded projects.
It also proposes that the title of principal architect in the Office of Public Works (OPW) should be changed to State architect and the role be strengthened 'to underline the importance of architectural quality as a cornerstone of national policy'.
In order to develop an 'evidence-based policy' on architecture, the Department of the Environment will convene a built environment research committee that would examine such issues as building energy performance and 'life-cycle costing'.
It also envisages establishing a built-environment forum to heighten awareness of measures that could be taken to 'drive a quality agenda for urban design, architecture and architectural conservation, building control and landscape design and conservation'.
Along with the OPW, the department will investigate appropriate incentives for best practice for 'future-proofing' of buildings - taking account of climate change as well as ensuring that buildings procured in public contracts are designed for ease of maintenance and upgrade.
The department will consider creating a publicly-accessible database of protected structures throughout the State, as well as issuing guidelines on how the re-use of historic buildings could help reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions.
The department will also consider extending eligibility for grant aid for conservation and repair works within architectural conservation areas 'subject to approval by the Department of Finance'.
The policy also aims to promote public awareness of architecture in primary and secondary schools and third-level institutions, as well as engaging the public through cultural institutions such as the Irish Architecture Foundation.
Responsibility for co-ordinating implementation of the new policy over its lifespan to 2015 is assigned to the Department of the Environment, with annual progress reports to be submitted to the Minister.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Ministers announce approval of first phase of regeneration
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, TD and the Minister for Housing and Local Services, Mr. Michael Finneran, TD announced the approval of the first phase of a planned three-phased regeneration of St. Michael’s Estate.
Exchequer funding for the social housing component of the first phase of the project of €7.8 million is being provided under the Social Housing Investment Programme.
Following the disappointing failure in 2008 of PPP proposals for the regeneration of St. Michael’s Estate, Dublin City Council undertook a comprehensive re-examination of its options for the regeneration of the area. On foot of this, the Council has proposed a three-phased regeneration of the area, which will deliver a high quality, mixed tenure, sustainable community comprising, social, affordable and private housing with supporting commercial and community facilities.
Having regard to the priority which the City Council accorded to the project in terms of its Social Housing Investment Programme, Minister Gormley said that his Department has now approved the Council’s proposal for the building of 32 social units in the estate as part of the first phase which will ultimately comprise 68 social homes and 69 affordable homes and also crèche and community facilities.
The second and third phases will involve the development of commercial and community uses for the site and also private residential development and a village square.
He said - “The Council’s proposed phased incremental approach to the regeneration project will afford the best opportunity for momentum of the regeneration process to be maintained and built upon. Development of this first phase will renew the residential viability of the estate and leave the project best placed to attract commercial interests and private investment and development into the area.”
Minister Finneran explained that, despite the challenging budgetary situation, the Government’s commitment to social housing is undiminished. “Community is - and always has been - the bedrock of Irish society and its development, encouragement and protection is paramount in the sustainable communities philosophy which is at the heart of this Government’s housing policy.
"Specific priority is assigned to the regeneration of existing local authority estates, where particular emphasis is placed on addressing the issues of social, educational and economic disadvantage experienced in some of our most challenging areas. It is our clear objective to ensure that communities like St. Michael’s Estate are afforded the opportunity to grow and develop in a safe sustainable environment.”
www.buckplanning.ie
Exchequer funding for the social housing component of the first phase of the project of €7.8 million is being provided under the Social Housing Investment Programme.
Following the disappointing failure in 2008 of PPP proposals for the regeneration of St. Michael’s Estate, Dublin City Council undertook a comprehensive re-examination of its options for the regeneration of the area. On foot of this, the Council has proposed a three-phased regeneration of the area, which will deliver a high quality, mixed tenure, sustainable community comprising, social, affordable and private housing with supporting commercial and community facilities.
Having regard to the priority which the City Council accorded to the project in terms of its Social Housing Investment Programme, Minister Gormley said that his Department has now approved the Council’s proposal for the building of 32 social units in the estate as part of the first phase which will ultimately comprise 68 social homes and 69 affordable homes and also crèche and community facilities.
The second and third phases will involve the development of commercial and community uses for the site and also private residential development and a village square.
He said - “The Council’s proposed phased incremental approach to the regeneration project will afford the best opportunity for momentum of the regeneration process to be maintained and built upon. Development of this first phase will renew the residential viability of the estate and leave the project best placed to attract commercial interests and private investment and development into the area.”
Minister Finneran explained that, despite the challenging budgetary situation, the Government’s commitment to social housing is undiminished. “Community is - and always has been - the bedrock of Irish society and its development, encouragement and protection is paramount in the sustainable communities philosophy which is at the heart of this Government’s housing policy.
"Specific priority is assigned to the regeneration of existing local authority estates, where particular emphasis is placed on addressing the issues of social, educational and economic disadvantage experienced in some of our most challenging areas. It is our clear objective to ensure that communities like St. Michael’s Estate are afforded the opportunity to grow and develop in a safe sustainable environment.”
www.buckplanning.ie
Gormley circular places emphasis away from incineration
Anti-incinerator lobby groups have welcomed a circular sent by Environment Minister John Gormley to all local authorities and to An Bord Pleanála outlining how department waste strategy is to be directed away from incineration towards sustainable waste management.
Planning permission has been granted for two incinerators in Co Meath and at Poolbeg in Dublin and an An Bord Pleanála hearing is underway in Cork into a proposed €150 million hazardous and municipal waste incinerator in Cork Harbour.
Incineration is a key focus of the National Development Plan, but the programme for government by the Green Party and Fianna Fáil calls for this role to be reduced in favour of the mechanical and biological treatment of waste.
The recent circular states that, as Ireland will have to comply with the landfill directive from next year and will face fines of up to €500,000 per day unless we radically reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill, the Minister is pressing ahead with initiatives to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill.
In the circular, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and city and county councils have been ordered to limit 'incineration capacity, to ensure that waste is not drawn to incineration which could have been dealt with by recycling or other methods higher up the waste hierarchy'. Furthermore, they are to 'refrain from exercising their powers in such a way as to direct waste to landfill or incineration'.
Cork Harbour for a Safe Environment (CHASE), which has fought Indaver’s incinerator plans for over seven years, welcomed the Minister’s "clarification". "This policy movement away from incineration, towards waste minimisation and resource-focused solutions is very significant. This clear move away from incineration leaves Indaver’s proposed incinerator with no role to play in waste management" - a spokeswoman said.
An Indaver spokesman said that the comments by the Minister would make no difference to the viability of the proposed Cork incinerator. "The minister has also, in the past, put on the record that incineration is a part of the waste solution" - he said.
www.buckplanning.ie
Planning permission has been granted for two incinerators in Co Meath and at Poolbeg in Dublin and an An Bord Pleanála hearing is underway in Cork into a proposed €150 million hazardous and municipal waste incinerator in Cork Harbour.
Incineration is a key focus of the National Development Plan, but the programme for government by the Green Party and Fianna Fáil calls for this role to be reduced in favour of the mechanical and biological treatment of waste.
The recent circular states that, as Ireland will have to comply with the landfill directive from next year and will face fines of up to €500,000 per day unless we radically reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill, the Minister is pressing ahead with initiatives to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill.
In the circular, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and city and county councils have been ordered to limit 'incineration capacity, to ensure that waste is not drawn to incineration which could have been dealt with by recycling or other methods higher up the waste hierarchy'. Furthermore, they are to 'refrain from exercising their powers in such a way as to direct waste to landfill or incineration'.
Cork Harbour for a Safe Environment (CHASE), which has fought Indaver’s incinerator plans for over seven years, welcomed the Minister’s "clarification". "This policy movement away from incineration, towards waste minimisation and resource-focused solutions is very significant. This clear move away from incineration leaves Indaver’s proposed incinerator with no role to play in waste management" - a spokeswoman said.
An Indaver spokesman said that the comments by the Minister would make no difference to the viability of the proposed Cork incinerator. "The minister has also, in the past, put on the record that incineration is a part of the waste solution" - he said.
www.buckplanning.ie
€5 million in funding for cycling infrastructure
The Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government John Gormley TD and the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey TD have announced €5 million in funding for cycling infrastructure - including the city centre section of the Sutton to Sandycove (S2S) cycleway.
The money, which will be spent this year and in 2010, will be targeted at developing, improving and repairing cycle ways and cycle lanes.
The two Departments will provide matching funding of €2.5 million each towards the city centre section of the S2S and other infrastructure over this period.
The Ministers made the announcement in advance of National Bike Week, which begins on June 14th and runs to June 21st.
Dublin City Council is developing detailed proposals for new cycling infrastructure in the city and the money will be expected to be used towards beginning work on the city centre section of the S2S, the development of a dedicated cycle way along the Grand Canal and the repair of existing cycle lanes.
Minister Gormley said - “Cycling is being seen more and more as a realistic, cheap and healthy mode of transport. In the last year alone in Dublin, there has been an eight per cent increase in cyclist numbers within the canals' area. However, we have a lot to do if we are to reach levels in other European cities, where more than a third of commuters chose cycling. The delivery of safe cycle lanes and cycle paths is an essential element in this.”
Minister Dempsey added - “Cyclists matter. Just like other road users, they deserve a safer, easier travelling experience and, with this new investment, we want to help to make that happen. We are all familiar with the hassle of lengthening journey times and traffic congestion as well as the harmful effects of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. Equally, we are aware of the health benefits of pursuing more active lifestyles. That’s why a return to the bike can make very real sense. I want to see a new culture of cycling in Ireland by 2020.
"I recently published Ireland’s first national cycle strategy which aims for 10% of all trips to work to be made by bike within the next twelve years. This funding announced today will help make cycling safer in the Dublin area and, hopefully, encourage more people to rediscover the 'up' sides of cycling.
"With National Bike Week approaching, I hope people right around the country will get involved and participate in some of the many bike-related events that are being organised for that week.”
www.buckplanning.ie
The money, which will be spent this year and in 2010, will be targeted at developing, improving and repairing cycle ways and cycle lanes.
The two Departments will provide matching funding of €2.5 million each towards the city centre section of the S2S and other infrastructure over this period.
The Ministers made the announcement in advance of National Bike Week, which begins on June 14th and runs to June 21st.
Dublin City Council is developing detailed proposals for new cycling infrastructure in the city and the money will be expected to be used towards beginning work on the city centre section of the S2S, the development of a dedicated cycle way along the Grand Canal and the repair of existing cycle lanes.
Minister Gormley said - “Cycling is being seen more and more as a realistic, cheap and healthy mode of transport. In the last year alone in Dublin, there has been an eight per cent increase in cyclist numbers within the canals' area. However, we have a lot to do if we are to reach levels in other European cities, where more than a third of commuters chose cycling. The delivery of safe cycle lanes and cycle paths is an essential element in this.”
Minister Dempsey added - “Cyclists matter. Just like other road users, they deserve a safer, easier travelling experience and, with this new investment, we want to help to make that happen. We are all familiar with the hassle of lengthening journey times and traffic congestion as well as the harmful effects of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. Equally, we are aware of the health benefits of pursuing more active lifestyles. That’s why a return to the bike can make very real sense. I want to see a new culture of cycling in Ireland by 2020.
"I recently published Ireland’s first national cycle strategy which aims for 10% of all trips to work to be made by bike within the next twelve years. This funding announced today will help make cycling safer in the Dublin area and, hopefully, encourage more people to rediscover the 'up' sides of cycling.
"With National Bike Week approaching, I hope people right around the country will get involved and participate in some of the many bike-related events that are being organised for that week.”
www.buckplanning.ie
Doing a deal with the Devil's Ladder
Warning signs now mark Carrauntoohil’s popular Devil’s Ladder ascent, but many believe more drastic action is needed to protect both climbers and the mountain
A QUARTER-CENTURY ago, I approached my first ascent of Carrauntoohil with trepidation. Tales of a giant couloir known as the Devil’s Ladder on the upper reaches of the mountain conjured up images of towering ramparts and scarifying heights. My apprehensions, however, proved groundless.
Halfway up a benign, flower-strewn gully, somebody casually mentioned that we were now traversing the notorious Devil’s Ladder. Then to our immediate relief the climb leader said not to worry, “the Ladder is just a poodle given fangs by the fantasies of Victorian travellers”.
However, on subsequent visits, it became clear that “the poodle” was developing fangs. As its popularity grew, the erosive effect of countless boots made it ever more unfriendly, with bouncier boulders and skating-rink screes. Soon it was fundamentally unstable, with many walkers injured as a consequence.
Eventually, the once-easy, grassy ramp at the head of the Ladder began disintegrating dangerously and walkers started frequenting other routes for safety reasons. Particularly popular were the somewhat exposed but wonderfully scenic Heavenly Gates Path and a grassy defile north of the mountain known as Brother O’Shea’s Gully.
Of course, the inevitable happened here as well. Both tracks have now become badly degraded, while a huge boulder has recently lodged itself in a dangerous position on the Heavenly Gates path. The heavy rains of the past two years have, meantime, further destabilised the Ladder, with a series of recent landslips resulting in the erection of signs by the Beaufort Community Council warning walkers of the dangers posed by the Devil’s Ladder and directing them to a switchback mass path about 200m to the east.
With the number of overseas walkers growing rapidly in recent years and more Irish people taking to the hills, does the growing infatuation with Carrauntoohil mean that the mountain is doomed to fall apart? International best practice suggests that such an outcome can be avoided. The highest peaks of the other nations occupying these islands get many multiples of Carrauntoohil’s ascents and yet suffer fewer dangers from erosion.
THE REASON IS simple. Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon each have relatively stable sacrificial paths to the summit. These hard-wearing trails prevent the sequence of erosion and degradation, followed by inevitable safety issues that then force walkers onto new tracks – such as the switchback mass path mentioned above – where the cycle inevitably repeats itself.
The argument for such a tourist route is that a track is “sacrificed” to expediency in a way that keeps most walkers on one route so as to preserve the integrity of the mountainside. Tourist routes are a compromise between environmental preservation and safety on one hand and maintaining the landscape on the other – a model that works reasonably well for most jampot peaks worldwide.
So is the construction of a stable sacrificial track the answer to the present safety concerns on the Devil’s Ladder? Mountain guide Nathan Kingerlee, who runs a company called Outdoors Ireland, first drew attention to the recent land slippages. He agrees a sacrificial path to Carrauntoohil summit is essential, but funding constraints mean it is presently unlikely to happen.
“In recent years, we have only used the Ladder as a last resort due to its instability, and lately one of my guides almost had a serious accident when a coffee-table size boulder thundered out of the mist, narrowly missing him,” says Kingerlee.
“Outdoors Ireland won’t be using the Ladder in its present state,” he adds, before admitting he rarely concedes to fear on a mountainside, but on a recent descent of the Ladder, he was genuinely scared.
Kerry-based mountain climber Gerry Christie is generally more sanguine about the situation. He has been involved in several rescues of injured people from the Ladder and is also in favour of a sacrificial path.
“Tourists should be encouraged to use this route, freeing up the more challenging areas for experienced mountaineers who know what they are about.”
Like Kingerlee, however, Christie is not optimistic thatsuch a sacrificial route will be constructed soon, given the complicated land-ownership structure of the area and the economic climate. What, then, should be done about the problems on the Devil’s Ladder?
“I have descended the Ladder in the past few days and I just can’t see the need for people to be signed away from using it. There is, of course, a requirement to be careful, but that need has been there for years,” says Christie.
John Cronin was raised at the foot of Mcgillycuddy’s Reeks and comes from a family in which the farmyard was a traditional starting point for Carrauntoohil ascents. Cronin recently opened Ireland’s first climbers café and is well aware of the dangers posed by the Ladder route, but believes the warning signs are counterproductive. “People who would normally use another route are now going up the Ladder out of curiosity, and in recent weeks, the numbers climbing it have actually increased,” says Cronin, echoing the views of just about everyone else I spoke with. “The solution to the present problems lies, not with signage, but with the construction of a safe summit trail.”
He is looking forward to the first step in this process, when “two footbridges provided by Liebherr Ireland are put in place this summer by Kerry County Council to facilitate river crossing”. Cronin disagrees, however, with those who see the recession as a hindrance to sustainable development. “The construction of a safe route on Carrauntoohil would be a sound investment given the extra tourism revenue it would generate, but everyone must be fully on board before this can be achieved.”
Mountain climber and Kerry-based businessman Con Moriarty was involved in erecting the Devil’s Ladder warning signs, which were funded by Killarney Chamber of Commerce. He believes the present situation has arisen on account of Carrauntoohil continuing to remain privately owned and also “because of a shameful neglect by some state agencies prepared to stand back and watch while our highest mountain is literally washed into the Gaddagh.”
When asked if developing an agreed management plan for the Reeks is a complex problem he replies: “It isn’t a huge problem for highly frequented mountains in other countries – it’s just a complex problem here because this is Ireland.” But if everybody appears to favour of building a sacrificial pathway on Carrauntoohil, why hasn’t it been done long ago? “Not everyone was in favour,” says Moriarty. “Planning permission was secured for the erection of footbridges in the Hag’s Glen, the implementation of a Devil’s Ladder erosion control plan and a small facilities building at Lisleibane, but funding was lost because of objections from a handful of local mountaineers.” But if Carrauntoohill is privately owned, what about the attitude of the landowners to an erosion control path? Here, Moriarty readily accepts that objections from landowners were also a factor in the demise of the initiative.
SO WHERE TO FROM HERE? Gerry Christie is against a facilities building at Lisleibane because he believes this would detract from the essential wilderness experience. He would, however, support a sacrificial track up Carauntoohil “if funding was available and broad agreement, including that of the landowners, could be obtained”.
To this end, he intends meeting with Con Moriarty and other interested parties to explore the possibility of some kind of immediate emergency work on the Ladder to render it safer for use as a Carrauntoohil ascent route.
But what of those wishing to ascend out tallest peak in the meantime? According to John Cronin, Carrauntoohil is a wonderful mountain and while he does not go so far as to directly advise people to avoid the Devil’s Ladder, he quickly points out “there is a wide choice of other fine ascent routes making for a great days outing.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
A QUARTER-CENTURY ago, I approached my first ascent of Carrauntoohil with trepidation. Tales of a giant couloir known as the Devil’s Ladder on the upper reaches of the mountain conjured up images of towering ramparts and scarifying heights. My apprehensions, however, proved groundless.
Halfway up a benign, flower-strewn gully, somebody casually mentioned that we were now traversing the notorious Devil’s Ladder. Then to our immediate relief the climb leader said not to worry, “the Ladder is just a poodle given fangs by the fantasies of Victorian travellers”.
However, on subsequent visits, it became clear that “the poodle” was developing fangs. As its popularity grew, the erosive effect of countless boots made it ever more unfriendly, with bouncier boulders and skating-rink screes. Soon it was fundamentally unstable, with many walkers injured as a consequence.
Eventually, the once-easy, grassy ramp at the head of the Ladder began disintegrating dangerously and walkers started frequenting other routes for safety reasons. Particularly popular were the somewhat exposed but wonderfully scenic Heavenly Gates Path and a grassy defile north of the mountain known as Brother O’Shea’s Gully.
Of course, the inevitable happened here as well. Both tracks have now become badly degraded, while a huge boulder has recently lodged itself in a dangerous position on the Heavenly Gates path. The heavy rains of the past two years have, meantime, further destabilised the Ladder, with a series of recent landslips resulting in the erection of signs by the Beaufort Community Council warning walkers of the dangers posed by the Devil’s Ladder and directing them to a switchback mass path about 200m to the east.
With the number of overseas walkers growing rapidly in recent years and more Irish people taking to the hills, does the growing infatuation with Carrauntoohil mean that the mountain is doomed to fall apart? International best practice suggests that such an outcome can be avoided. The highest peaks of the other nations occupying these islands get many multiples of Carrauntoohil’s ascents and yet suffer fewer dangers from erosion.
THE REASON IS simple. Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon each have relatively stable sacrificial paths to the summit. These hard-wearing trails prevent the sequence of erosion and degradation, followed by inevitable safety issues that then force walkers onto new tracks – such as the switchback mass path mentioned above – where the cycle inevitably repeats itself.
The argument for such a tourist route is that a track is “sacrificed” to expediency in a way that keeps most walkers on one route so as to preserve the integrity of the mountainside. Tourist routes are a compromise between environmental preservation and safety on one hand and maintaining the landscape on the other – a model that works reasonably well for most jampot peaks worldwide.
So is the construction of a stable sacrificial track the answer to the present safety concerns on the Devil’s Ladder? Mountain guide Nathan Kingerlee, who runs a company called Outdoors Ireland, first drew attention to the recent land slippages. He agrees a sacrificial path to Carrauntoohil summit is essential, but funding constraints mean it is presently unlikely to happen.
“In recent years, we have only used the Ladder as a last resort due to its instability, and lately one of my guides almost had a serious accident when a coffee-table size boulder thundered out of the mist, narrowly missing him,” says Kingerlee.
“Outdoors Ireland won’t be using the Ladder in its present state,” he adds, before admitting he rarely concedes to fear on a mountainside, but on a recent descent of the Ladder, he was genuinely scared.
Kerry-based mountain climber Gerry Christie is generally more sanguine about the situation. He has been involved in several rescues of injured people from the Ladder and is also in favour of a sacrificial path.
“Tourists should be encouraged to use this route, freeing up the more challenging areas for experienced mountaineers who know what they are about.”
Like Kingerlee, however, Christie is not optimistic thatsuch a sacrificial route will be constructed soon, given the complicated land-ownership structure of the area and the economic climate. What, then, should be done about the problems on the Devil’s Ladder?
“I have descended the Ladder in the past few days and I just can’t see the need for people to be signed away from using it. There is, of course, a requirement to be careful, but that need has been there for years,” says Christie.
John Cronin was raised at the foot of Mcgillycuddy’s Reeks and comes from a family in which the farmyard was a traditional starting point for Carrauntoohil ascents. Cronin recently opened Ireland’s first climbers café and is well aware of the dangers posed by the Ladder route, but believes the warning signs are counterproductive. “People who would normally use another route are now going up the Ladder out of curiosity, and in recent weeks, the numbers climbing it have actually increased,” says Cronin, echoing the views of just about everyone else I spoke with. “The solution to the present problems lies, not with signage, but with the construction of a safe summit trail.”
He is looking forward to the first step in this process, when “two footbridges provided by Liebherr Ireland are put in place this summer by Kerry County Council to facilitate river crossing”. Cronin disagrees, however, with those who see the recession as a hindrance to sustainable development. “The construction of a safe route on Carrauntoohil would be a sound investment given the extra tourism revenue it would generate, but everyone must be fully on board before this can be achieved.”
Mountain climber and Kerry-based businessman Con Moriarty was involved in erecting the Devil’s Ladder warning signs, which were funded by Killarney Chamber of Commerce. He believes the present situation has arisen on account of Carrauntoohil continuing to remain privately owned and also “because of a shameful neglect by some state agencies prepared to stand back and watch while our highest mountain is literally washed into the Gaddagh.”
When asked if developing an agreed management plan for the Reeks is a complex problem he replies: “It isn’t a huge problem for highly frequented mountains in other countries – it’s just a complex problem here because this is Ireland.” But if everybody appears to favour of building a sacrificial pathway on Carrauntoohil, why hasn’t it been done long ago? “Not everyone was in favour,” says Moriarty. “Planning permission was secured for the erection of footbridges in the Hag’s Glen, the implementation of a Devil’s Ladder erosion control plan and a small facilities building at Lisleibane, but funding was lost because of objections from a handful of local mountaineers.” But if Carrauntoohill is privately owned, what about the attitude of the landowners to an erosion control path? Here, Moriarty readily accepts that objections from landowners were also a factor in the demise of the initiative.
SO WHERE TO FROM HERE? Gerry Christie is against a facilities building at Lisleibane because he believes this would detract from the essential wilderness experience. He would, however, support a sacrificial track up Carauntoohil “if funding was available and broad agreement, including that of the landowners, could be obtained”.
To this end, he intends meeting with Con Moriarty and other interested parties to explore the possibility of some kind of immediate emergency work on the Ladder to render it safer for use as a Carrauntoohil ascent route.
But what of those wishing to ascend out tallest peak in the meantime? According to John Cronin, Carrauntoohil is a wonderful mountain and while he does not go so far as to directly advise people to avoid the Devil’s Ladder, he quickly points out “there is a wide choice of other fine ascent routes making for a great days outing.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Gormley to limit amounts of waste for incineration
MINISTER FOR the Environment John Gormley plans to issue a policy directive to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the local authorities placing limits on the volumes of waste going for incineration.
In the meantime, they have been told that the Minister is “pressing ahead” with initiatives compatible with the overall objectives of his review of waste management policy, including an increase in the landfill levy and the introduction of a levy on incineration.
A circular letter issued last Friday by Michael Layde, principal officer for waste policy in the Department of the Environment, says local authorities should intensify efforts to promote home composting and other small-scale local composting initiatives.
They were also told to roll out brown bin collections, encourage access to waste streams for composting or anaerobic digestion, recycling and other processes high on the EU “waste hierarchy”, and promote segregated collection of commercial bio-waste.
These “interim actions” are intended to help meet the EU Landfill Directive targets while implementing commitments in the programme for government. “The Minister considers that they are in line with the policies emerging from the overall review,” the circular says.
It notes that the programme for government (agreed by Fianna Fáil and the Green Party in 2007) put an emphasis on moving away from the high reliance on incineration foreseen in national and regional waste management plans.
“In this regard, it is intended that there be an increased commitment to the use of alternative technologies, including those known as mechanical and biological treatment,” it says, adding that this was intended to minimise waste going to landfill or incineration.
The circular notes that a consultancy review of waste policy options is well advanced. This study should be concluded next month, with “policy proposals being brought to government shortly thereafter”.
The Minister has also initiated a strategic environmental assessment on proposed policy directions requiring the EPA and local authorities to “limit incineration capacity to ensure that waste is not drawn to incineration which could have been dealt with by recycling”.
The proposed directions would also tell them to “refrain from exercising their powers in such a way as to direct waste to landfill or incineration”.
The Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment, which opposes plans for an incinerator at Ringaskiddy, described the circular as very significant. “These clear moves away from incineration leave Indaver’s incinerator with no role to play in waste management,” it said in a statement.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
In the meantime, they have been told that the Minister is “pressing ahead” with initiatives compatible with the overall objectives of his review of waste management policy, including an increase in the landfill levy and the introduction of a levy on incineration.
A circular letter issued last Friday by Michael Layde, principal officer for waste policy in the Department of the Environment, says local authorities should intensify efforts to promote home composting and other small-scale local composting initiatives.
They were also told to roll out brown bin collections, encourage access to waste streams for composting or anaerobic digestion, recycling and other processes high on the EU “waste hierarchy”, and promote segregated collection of commercial bio-waste.
These “interim actions” are intended to help meet the EU Landfill Directive targets while implementing commitments in the programme for government. “The Minister considers that they are in line with the policies emerging from the overall review,” the circular says.
It notes that the programme for government (agreed by Fianna Fáil and the Green Party in 2007) put an emphasis on moving away from the high reliance on incineration foreseen in national and regional waste management plans.
“In this regard, it is intended that there be an increased commitment to the use of alternative technologies, including those known as mechanical and biological treatment,” it says, adding that this was intended to minimise waste going to landfill or incineration.
The circular notes that a consultancy review of waste policy options is well advanced. This study should be concluded next month, with “policy proposals being brought to government shortly thereafter”.
The Minister has also initiated a strategic environmental assessment on proposed policy directions requiring the EPA and local authorities to “limit incineration capacity to ensure that waste is not drawn to incineration which could have been dealt with by recycling”.
The proposed directions would also tell them to “refrain from exercising their powers in such a way as to direct waste to landfill or incineration”.
The Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment, which opposes plans for an incinerator at Ringaskiddy, described the circular as very significant. “These clear moves away from incineration leave Indaver’s incinerator with no role to play in waste management,” it said in a statement.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Outgoing councillors may vote on rezoning
COUNCILLORS in Meath are due to meet today to debate and possibly vote on rezoning lands in the county – even though some of them were unsuccessful at the polls on Friday and no longer have a mandate for the next five years.
The plans are for Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin and dozens of submissions were made by members of the public and developers. The plans will form a blueprint for development between now and 2013. Under legislation, outgoing councillors hold office for seven days after polling. Therefore, those who may no longer have a mandate will be allowed to vote on land rezonings.
Labour Senator Dominic Hannigan says the situation “is far from ideal,” and has asked Minister for the Environment John Gormley “whether you have the power, as Minister, to request that this meeting be postponed until the new council is sworn in. If so, will you consider doing this?”
The council got 87 submissions on the Dunshaughlin area plan, including requests to rezone 484 hectares of land. One submission refers to 110 hectares, another to 200 hectares. There were 27 submissions on the Ashbourne plan.
If significant changes are proposed, the plans maybe put back on public display and the newly-elected county councillors would vote on them later this year.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The plans are for Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin and dozens of submissions were made by members of the public and developers. The plans will form a blueprint for development between now and 2013. Under legislation, outgoing councillors hold office for seven days after polling. Therefore, those who may no longer have a mandate will be allowed to vote on land rezonings.
Labour Senator Dominic Hannigan says the situation “is far from ideal,” and has asked Minister for the Environment John Gormley “whether you have the power, as Minister, to request that this meeting be postponed until the new council is sworn in. If so, will you consider doing this?”
The council got 87 submissions on the Dunshaughlin area plan, including requests to rezone 484 hectares of land. One submission refers to 110 hectares, another to 200 hectares. There were 27 submissions on the Ashbourne plan.
If significant changes are proposed, the plans maybe put back on public display and the newly-elected county councillors would vote on them later this year.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
No need for plant to burn waste, says TD
A SHIFT in Government policy toward waste reduction and recycling has bolstered the case against a proposed toxic waste incinerator to be built at Ringaskiddy, Cork, it was claimed by a Fine Gael TD at the public hearing yesterday.
An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing into the proposed incinerator reconvened in Cork yesterday following a three-week break.
Fine Gael east Cork TD David Stanton said that following the recent polls he was addressing the hearing as a member of the “country’s largest political party” which is committed to “waste management on the prevention and minimisation of waste and the provision of recycling facilities”.
Mr Stanton said there has been a change in national government policy since the incinerator planning process began in 2001, with focus on recycling taking precedence over the need for an incinerator to be built.
As part of a Dáil discussion, in reply to questions, Green Party leader John Gormley said that Government policy supports the principles of internationally recognised waste hierarchy that places emphasis on “prevention, reuse and recycling of waste while minimising reliance on landfill and incineration”.
“Meeting this obligation will entail doubling the existing level of diversion from landfill by 2010 and further increases in diversion in subsequent years. The programme also signalled a move away from mass-burn incineration towards alternative technologies.
“Undue emphasis on incineration as the cornerstone of waste management policy is detrimental to the development of alternative solutions,” Mr Gormley said.
Mr Stanton referred to the recent circular issued by Mr Gormley reiterating a policy move away from incineration toward alternative waste management solutions including “mechanical and biological treatment”.
Chairwoman of Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (Chase) Mary O’Leary presented a 16-page submission against the proposed Indaver incinerator.
“To have this monster in our harbour would always be a constant reminder that it is there 24/7 damaging our environment and health,” Ms O’Leary said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing into the proposed incinerator reconvened in Cork yesterday following a three-week break.
Fine Gael east Cork TD David Stanton said that following the recent polls he was addressing the hearing as a member of the “country’s largest political party” which is committed to “waste management on the prevention and minimisation of waste and the provision of recycling facilities”.
Mr Stanton said there has been a change in national government policy since the incinerator planning process began in 2001, with focus on recycling taking precedence over the need for an incinerator to be built.
As part of a Dáil discussion, in reply to questions, Green Party leader John Gormley said that Government policy supports the principles of internationally recognised waste hierarchy that places emphasis on “prevention, reuse and recycling of waste while minimising reliance on landfill and incineration”.
“Meeting this obligation will entail doubling the existing level of diversion from landfill by 2010 and further increases in diversion in subsequent years. The programme also signalled a move away from mass-burn incineration towards alternative technologies.
“Undue emphasis on incineration as the cornerstone of waste management policy is detrimental to the development of alternative solutions,” Mr Gormley said.
Mr Stanton referred to the recent circular issued by Mr Gormley reiterating a policy move away from incineration toward alternative waste management solutions including “mechanical and biological treatment”.
Chairwoman of Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (Chase) Mary O’Leary presented a 16-page submission against the proposed Indaver incinerator.
“To have this monster in our harbour would always be a constant reminder that it is there 24/7 damaging our environment and health,” Ms O’Leary said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Gormley gives green light to St Michael's Estate houses
MINISTER FOR the Environment John Gormley has approved funding for 32 new social units at St Michael’s Estate, Inchicore – more than one year after the collapse of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme for the complex.
Developer Bernard McNamara was to have built 165 social, 75 affordable and 480 private homes on the site of the dilapidated 1970s flat complex in Inchicore under a PPP deal with Dublin City Council.
The PPP for St Michael’s Estate, along with four others in similar estates in the north inner city, collapsed in May 2008. Attempts were made throughout last summer to rescue the schemes, but these proved unsuccessful.
Mr Gormley yesterday announced he had approved the council to spend €7.8 million on the first phase of development, which will allow them to build 32 social housing units on two acres. The council yesterday said it would be ready to break ground on their construction early next year.
The council formally terminated its relationship with Mr McNamara last August under a deal which saw the developer agree to pay €1.5 million compensation to the council, relinquish any claims on the lands and hand over any plans.
In return the council agreed not to sue Mr McNamara.
The council set up a task force to examine the five failed schemes at Dominick Street and Seán McDermott Street in the north inner city, O’Devaney Gardens, and Infirmary Road near the Phoenix Park, and St Michael’s Estate.
Last December it announced plans to rebuild the three largest – St Michael’s, O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street.
The smaller plots of land at Infirmary Road and Seán McDermott Street are not existing social housing complexes with residents needing rehousing and their redevelopment has been shelved.
St Michael’s Estate was the only scheme to have live planning permission, enabling the council to go directly for Government consent for its redevelopment.
Under the new plans, €36 million will be spent building 137 social and affordable units, a creche and community building on four acres of the 14-acre site. The council hopes the rest of the site will be privately developed at a later date.
It estimates that this private development could take place between 2015 and 2017.
The council said it also hoped to seek planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for the O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street sites early in the new year.
These schemes will be similar to St Michael’s Estate in that the social and affordable elements will be built first using public money and the remaining land will then be offered to the private market for residential and some commercial development.
The council plans to have 80 social apartments at Dominick Street and about 270 social and affordable homes at O’Devaney Gardens, 70 of which will be built in the first phase.
Building work on both these schemes is unlikely to take place before 2011.
A sixth regeneration PPP, this time between Bennett Developments Ltd and the council, collapsed last December. The future of Croke Villas, a 1960s block of 79 flats off the Ballybough Road, is still being determined by the council’s housing taskforce.
John Bissett, a member of the St Michael’s Estate community regeneration team, said the go-ahead for the redevelopment had been long awaited, but was welcome.
“I think it’s important to recognise good news when you get it and the residents are delighted that something is happening after 10 years. We just want to make sure it actually begins now and this isn’t another false dawn and I would like to remind Mr Gormley today that this is just two acres of a 14 acre site and ultimately we need whole site development.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Developer Bernard McNamara was to have built 165 social, 75 affordable and 480 private homes on the site of the dilapidated 1970s flat complex in Inchicore under a PPP deal with Dublin City Council.
The PPP for St Michael’s Estate, along with four others in similar estates in the north inner city, collapsed in May 2008. Attempts were made throughout last summer to rescue the schemes, but these proved unsuccessful.
Mr Gormley yesterday announced he had approved the council to spend €7.8 million on the first phase of development, which will allow them to build 32 social housing units on two acres. The council yesterday said it would be ready to break ground on their construction early next year.
The council formally terminated its relationship with Mr McNamara last August under a deal which saw the developer agree to pay €1.5 million compensation to the council, relinquish any claims on the lands and hand over any plans.
In return the council agreed not to sue Mr McNamara.
The council set up a task force to examine the five failed schemes at Dominick Street and Seán McDermott Street in the north inner city, O’Devaney Gardens, and Infirmary Road near the Phoenix Park, and St Michael’s Estate.
Last December it announced plans to rebuild the three largest – St Michael’s, O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street.
The smaller plots of land at Infirmary Road and Seán McDermott Street are not existing social housing complexes with residents needing rehousing and their redevelopment has been shelved.
St Michael’s Estate was the only scheme to have live planning permission, enabling the council to go directly for Government consent for its redevelopment.
Under the new plans, €36 million will be spent building 137 social and affordable units, a creche and community building on four acres of the 14-acre site. The council hopes the rest of the site will be privately developed at a later date.
It estimates that this private development could take place between 2015 and 2017.
The council said it also hoped to seek planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for the O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street sites early in the new year.
These schemes will be similar to St Michael’s Estate in that the social and affordable elements will be built first using public money and the remaining land will then be offered to the private market for residential and some commercial development.
The council plans to have 80 social apartments at Dominick Street and about 270 social and affordable homes at O’Devaney Gardens, 70 of which will be built in the first phase.
Building work on both these schemes is unlikely to take place before 2011.
A sixth regeneration PPP, this time between Bennett Developments Ltd and the council, collapsed last December. The future of Croke Villas, a 1960s block of 79 flats off the Ballybough Road, is still being determined by the council’s housing taskforce.
John Bissett, a member of the St Michael’s Estate community regeneration team, said the go-ahead for the redevelopment had been long awaited, but was welcome.
“I think it’s important to recognise good news when you get it and the residents are delighted that something is happening after 10 years. We just want to make sure it actually begins now and this isn’t another false dawn and I would like to remind Mr Gormley today that this is just two acres of a 14 acre site and ultimately we need whole site development.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Gas explosion fears raised at hearing
SHELL EP Ireland consultants have conceded that safe shelter in the event of a rupture and explosion has not yet been identified for residents living close to the proposed Corrib gas onshore pipeline.
The consultants also told the An Bord Pleanála oral hearing in north Mayo yesterday that houses within 230 metres of the pipeline could “burn spontaneously” from heat radiation if gas in the pipe was at full pressure.
The Shell team involving Shell, RPS, JP Kenny and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) was responding to a series of questions on safety scenarios put to its members by An Bord Pleanála’s pipeline expert, Nigel Wright.
Mr Wright, a consultant and former British Gas engineer, is one of two experts retained by An Bord Pleanála for the oral hearing into the modified onshore route for the pipeline.
Residents would have just 30 seconds to escape from thermal radiation if gas within the pipe was at full pressure, the team acknowledged in response to Mr Wright’s examination.
Houses within 171m would be at risk if the gas pressure was at 144 bar – the pressure level agreed by the developers after a State-commissioned safety review – the Shell team admitted when it was put to them in questions.
Both 171m and 230m are greater than the minimum separation distance of 140m from houses allowed for in the pipeline route, Mr Wright observed.
The “assumption is that there will be shelter”, Mr Wright was told by the Corrib project team.
Mr Wright confirmed with the Shell team yesterday that this pipeline was unique.
He asked why the onshore pipeline beyond the landfall had been designed for 345 bar when it had been agreed to limit pressure to 144 bar onshore.
Mr Wright was told by a team representative that this was “appropriate to prudent design”.
The integrity management system also allowed for small leaks past valves in the network, the Shell team said.
The Shell team also acknowledged that the controversial practice of gas flaring would be used if pressure crept up in the system, in response to a leakage scenario outlined by Mr Wright.
Mr Wright asked the developers why a recommendation in the Advantica safety report on use of an isolation joint at the landvalve installation at Glengad was not being applied
A Shell representative said that such joints created “inherent weaknesses”.
Mr Wright questioned the developers on the security of the beach valve, and why potential damage in a terrorist attack had been excluded from the quantified risk assessment (QRA) submitted.
Shell responded that including this information was “not part of a normal QRA”.
Mr Wright referred to evidence given last week by former Army bomb disposal expert Comdt Patrick Boyle, representing community group Pobal Chill Chomáin.
Comdt Boyle had outlined the impact of the July 2004 gas pipeline explosion in Ghislenghien, Belgium, in which 24 people died and more than 120 people were injured.
Mr Wright also questioned the team on frequency of accidents.
Last week Desmond Branigan, of DB Marine Research and Associates, told the hearing that Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit had recorded 1,200 deaths in the past decade (to 2008) as a result of pipeline fractures in 58 countries.
Questioned on State responsibility for the safety of staff at the land valve installation, the team said a document would be sent to the Health and Safety Authority.
The hearing, chaired by Martin Nolan, continues today.
It is expected to run into next week.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The consultants also told the An Bord Pleanála oral hearing in north Mayo yesterday that houses within 230 metres of the pipeline could “burn spontaneously” from heat radiation if gas in the pipe was at full pressure.
The Shell team involving Shell, RPS, JP Kenny and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) was responding to a series of questions on safety scenarios put to its members by An Bord Pleanála’s pipeline expert, Nigel Wright.
Mr Wright, a consultant and former British Gas engineer, is one of two experts retained by An Bord Pleanála for the oral hearing into the modified onshore route for the pipeline.
Residents would have just 30 seconds to escape from thermal radiation if gas within the pipe was at full pressure, the team acknowledged in response to Mr Wright’s examination.
Houses within 171m would be at risk if the gas pressure was at 144 bar – the pressure level agreed by the developers after a State-commissioned safety review – the Shell team admitted when it was put to them in questions.
Both 171m and 230m are greater than the minimum separation distance of 140m from houses allowed for in the pipeline route, Mr Wright observed.
The “assumption is that there will be shelter”, Mr Wright was told by the Corrib project team.
Mr Wright confirmed with the Shell team yesterday that this pipeline was unique.
He asked why the onshore pipeline beyond the landfall had been designed for 345 bar when it had been agreed to limit pressure to 144 bar onshore.
Mr Wright was told by a team representative that this was “appropriate to prudent design”.
The integrity management system also allowed for small leaks past valves in the network, the Shell team said.
The Shell team also acknowledged that the controversial practice of gas flaring would be used if pressure crept up in the system, in response to a leakage scenario outlined by Mr Wright.
Mr Wright asked the developers why a recommendation in the Advantica safety report on use of an isolation joint at the landvalve installation at Glengad was not being applied
A Shell representative said that such joints created “inherent weaknesses”.
Mr Wright questioned the developers on the security of the beach valve, and why potential damage in a terrorist attack had been excluded from the quantified risk assessment (QRA) submitted.
Shell responded that including this information was “not part of a normal QRA”.
Mr Wright referred to evidence given last week by former Army bomb disposal expert Comdt Patrick Boyle, representing community group Pobal Chill Chomáin.
Comdt Boyle had outlined the impact of the July 2004 gas pipeline explosion in Ghislenghien, Belgium, in which 24 people died and more than 120 people were injured.
Mr Wright also questioned the team on frequency of accidents.
Last week Desmond Branigan, of DB Marine Research and Associates, told the hearing that Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit had recorded 1,200 deaths in the past decade (to 2008) as a result of pipeline fractures in 58 countries.
Questioned on State responsibility for the safety of staff at the land valve installation, the team said a document would be sent to the Health and Safety Authority.
The hearing, chaired by Martin Nolan, continues today.
It is expected to run into next week.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Farmers battle it out for estate
LAST WEEK’S sale of the Castle Annaghs estate in south Co Kilkenny for €6.075 million – almost €10 million less than the original €16 million asking price – “reflects the realities of the market” according to the auctioneer.
Anne Carton, of New Ross firm PN OGorman, said the price of about €11,000 per acre for the land “reflects the realities of the market” and recalled auctions a few years ago “when men in hard hats were bidding €30,000 to €40,000 per acre”.
The 929sq m (10,000sq ft) Georgian house on 550 acres of agricultural land with two miles of River Barrow frontage was initially offered for sale by tender in spring last year for €16 million. A sale was agreed to an Irish dairy farmer for a rumoured €9.2 million last summer but the deal fell apart. The subsequent banking crisis, economic downturn and collapse in property prices resulted in the owner reducing the price by an extraordinary €8.5 million.
The AMV ahead of last Friday’s public auction was just €7.5 million but, in the end, not even that figure was achieved. The successful bid of just over €6 million represents a 75 per cent drop from the original asking price.
Bidders from as far afield as Donegal and Cork had crowded into the packed sale room at the Mount Brandon Hotel in New Ross.
Anne Carton launched proceedings by noting the good weather and promising the many farmers present that she’d have them “out by 4 o’clock to get back to the silage” but the sale dragged on for half-an-hour longer.
No member of the wealthy German family, the Jebens, who own the estate through a Liechtenstein-registered company, Catanga, was present.
The opening bid of €3 million was made by a north Tipperary farmer who later confirmed to The Irish Times that his “limit was €5 million”. The auction advanced slowly and the hammer eventually came down at 4.25pm when a Donegal farmer was finally outbid by Liam Sheily from west Cork. The dairy farmer said “it was a big price to pay” before he left the room to call his family and sign the sale documents.
Ms Carton later confirmed that “all the bidders were farmers” which “proves that there’s still a future in farming”. A number of local farmers who own land adjoining the estate had attended the sale as observers. One said he “would love to have bought it but would need to have won the Lotto”. However, he was “pleased” that it had been bought by an Irish farmer.
The new owner inherits a large EU Single Farm Payment entitlement which comes with the land as well as an annual milk quota of 174,000 gallons.
The Jebens, who live in Hamburg and bought the property for just £60,000 in 1962, were said to be “delighted” by the sale. They never lived on the estate, which was run by a farm manager, but frequently visited during the summer months.
In 2007, a planning application to convert the house into a hotel and construct 75 apartments, 30 detached houses and a golf course on the estate was rejected by An Bord Pleanála despite having earlier been approved by Kilkenny County Council.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Anne Carton, of New Ross firm PN OGorman, said the price of about €11,000 per acre for the land “reflects the realities of the market” and recalled auctions a few years ago “when men in hard hats were bidding €30,000 to €40,000 per acre”.
The 929sq m (10,000sq ft) Georgian house on 550 acres of agricultural land with two miles of River Barrow frontage was initially offered for sale by tender in spring last year for €16 million. A sale was agreed to an Irish dairy farmer for a rumoured €9.2 million last summer but the deal fell apart. The subsequent banking crisis, economic downturn and collapse in property prices resulted in the owner reducing the price by an extraordinary €8.5 million.
The AMV ahead of last Friday’s public auction was just €7.5 million but, in the end, not even that figure was achieved. The successful bid of just over €6 million represents a 75 per cent drop from the original asking price.
Bidders from as far afield as Donegal and Cork had crowded into the packed sale room at the Mount Brandon Hotel in New Ross.
Anne Carton launched proceedings by noting the good weather and promising the many farmers present that she’d have them “out by 4 o’clock to get back to the silage” but the sale dragged on for half-an-hour longer.
No member of the wealthy German family, the Jebens, who own the estate through a Liechtenstein-registered company, Catanga, was present.
The opening bid of €3 million was made by a north Tipperary farmer who later confirmed to The Irish Times that his “limit was €5 million”. The auction advanced slowly and the hammer eventually came down at 4.25pm when a Donegal farmer was finally outbid by Liam Sheily from west Cork. The dairy farmer said “it was a big price to pay” before he left the room to call his family and sign the sale documents.
Ms Carton later confirmed that “all the bidders were farmers” which “proves that there’s still a future in farming”. A number of local farmers who own land adjoining the estate had attended the sale as observers. One said he “would love to have bought it but would need to have won the Lotto”. However, he was “pleased” that it had been bought by an Irish farmer.
The new owner inherits a large EU Single Farm Payment entitlement which comes with the land as well as an annual milk quota of 174,000 gallons.
The Jebens, who live in Hamburg and bought the property for just £60,000 in 1962, were said to be “delighted” by the sale. They never lived on the estate, which was run by a farm manager, but frequently visited during the summer months.
In 2007, a planning application to convert the house into a hotel and construct 75 apartments, 30 detached houses and a golf course on the estate was rejected by An Bord Pleanála despite having earlier been approved by Kilkenny County Council.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Permission for housing given near Castletown House
KILDARE COUNTY Council has granted planning permission for a housing development at Donaghcumper Demesne, opposite Castletown House, in Co Kildare.
In granting the application for 91 bungalows, the council imposed a number of conditions, including a stipulation that no rear gardens are to face Castletown House.
The proposed estate would be visible from the upper floors of Castletown House – described as Ireland’s most important stately home – as well as from its avenue of lime trees.
The Irish Georgian Society had warned the proposed development presented “the biggest threat” to the setting of Castletown House, since it was saved by Desmond and Mariga Guinness 40 years ago.
The society said it was “gravely concerned” at the proposal.
The planning application was one of two lodged by Devondale Ltd in March 2008. The second for a high-rise mixed development was withdrawn by the council earlier this year.
The site which surrounds the protected Donaghcumper House is elevated and on the opposite bank of the Liffey to Castletown House.
Dating from the 1720s, Castletown is the earliest Palladian house in Ireland and is of acknowledged international significance. Appreciation of the house is said to be greatly enhanced by the survival of its parkland setting, described as one of the finest created landscapes of its type here.
The house was designed for speaker William Connolly by Edward Lovett Pearce, architect of the old Parliament House (now Bank of Ireland) on College Green. It remained in the hands of the Connolly-Carews until 1965, when it was sold to developers.
Desmond and Mariga found the house empty with its doors wide open, they bought the property and set about restoring it.
Donaghcumper Demesne was recently listed by Kildare County Council on the basis of its national importance.
However, former North Kildare TD Catherine Murphy has challenged the council’s assertion that the development was in line with “proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.
Ms Murphy said the terminology was irreconcilable with the decision to list both Castletown and Donaghcumper for preservation. She also cited “the fact that the development is within the Liffey Valley and the large sums currently being expended on Castletown House through the Office of Public Works”.
Ms Murphy said she would be one of a number of local groups and individuals to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála.
“This planning application would not have arisen in the first instance had the land not been rezoned in July 2000” she said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
In granting the application for 91 bungalows, the council imposed a number of conditions, including a stipulation that no rear gardens are to face Castletown House.
The proposed estate would be visible from the upper floors of Castletown House – described as Ireland’s most important stately home – as well as from its avenue of lime trees.
The Irish Georgian Society had warned the proposed development presented “the biggest threat” to the setting of Castletown House, since it was saved by Desmond and Mariga Guinness 40 years ago.
The society said it was “gravely concerned” at the proposal.
The planning application was one of two lodged by Devondale Ltd in March 2008. The second for a high-rise mixed development was withdrawn by the council earlier this year.
The site which surrounds the protected Donaghcumper House is elevated and on the opposite bank of the Liffey to Castletown House.
Dating from the 1720s, Castletown is the earliest Palladian house in Ireland and is of acknowledged international significance. Appreciation of the house is said to be greatly enhanced by the survival of its parkland setting, described as one of the finest created landscapes of its type here.
The house was designed for speaker William Connolly by Edward Lovett Pearce, architect of the old Parliament House (now Bank of Ireland) on College Green. It remained in the hands of the Connolly-Carews until 1965, when it was sold to developers.
Desmond and Mariga found the house empty with its doors wide open, they bought the property and set about restoring it.
Donaghcumper Demesne was recently listed by Kildare County Council on the basis of its national importance.
However, former North Kildare TD Catherine Murphy has challenged the council’s assertion that the development was in line with “proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.
Ms Murphy said the terminology was irreconcilable with the decision to list both Castletown and Donaghcumper for preservation. She also cited “the fact that the development is within the Liffey Valley and the large sums currently being expended on Castletown House through the Office of Public Works”.
Ms Murphy said she would be one of a number of local groups and individuals to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála.
“This planning application would not have arisen in the first instance had the land not been rezoned in July 2000” she said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
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