WORK ON the new Tesco hypermarket at Ramstown Lower, Gorey, can finally go ahead, after being given the green light by An Bord Pleanala last week.
The Board decided to grant permission for the 8,242 sq.m. food store building, despite a recommendation by its own Inspector that permission be refused.
An appeal to the original granting of permission by Wexford County Council, was lodged with An Bord Pleanala by RGDATA, the representative organisation for independent family grocers in Ireland. Two other appeals by local residents were subsequently withdrawn.
Niralcy Ltd, care of Pat Neville and Sons Ltd., Wexford, applied to construct a single storey food store, which will include 2,990 sq.m. for convenience goods, and 2,112 sq.m. for comparison goods; a customer cafe, a service yard, access roads, and a 606 space surface car park.
The Board said it believed the proposed development constituted an appropriate extension to the town centre, and would not affect the vitality and viability of the town centre.
One condition of giving the go-ahead was that some parking spaces to the west of the site be removed, and two landscaped strips be included in the car park. It also called for seating along the footpath to McCurtain Street, and some glazing along the western frontage of the hypermarket.
It also called for the omission of entrances opposite the southern section of the realigned Ramstown Road.
The development will include a link road, continuing on from Gorey Shopping Centre, just off The Avenue, up to the Ramstown Road junction with the old Enniscorthy Road.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label gorey planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gorey planning. Show all posts
Monday, 19 September 2011
Friday, 6 May 2011
Objections to new Gorey courthouse
From the letters page of the Irish Times:
Madam, – I would like to respond to Frank McDonald’s report (“Courts body to meet ‘alarmed’ residents”, April 25th). As a local historian deeply concerned about Wexford’s built heritage, I cannot see as appropriate the proposal for large high-rise blocks and parking areas to be built onto the existing elegant, well-proportioned mellow red-brick building of the 19th century Tate School (later home of Wexford Corporation Borough Council). My current research on former school governor and freeman of the borough of Wexford, Dr George Hadden, has made me realise what a gracious building we have in a green and charming setting.
It would be sad indeed to lose forever one of the town’s most attractive hilly spaces. Hopefully, given the many development spaces elsewhere, enlightened planners and architects will find an appropriate alternative. It is worth noting that Wexford Opera House was planned and erected in full consultation with local residents. – Yours, etc,
EITHNE SCALLAN,
Maudlintown, Wexford.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Madam, – I would like to respond to Frank McDonald’s report (“Courts body to meet ‘alarmed’ residents”, April 25th). As a local historian deeply concerned about Wexford’s built heritage, I cannot see as appropriate the proposal for large high-rise blocks and parking areas to be built onto the existing elegant, well-proportioned mellow red-brick building of the 19th century Tate School (later home of Wexford Corporation Borough Council). My current research on former school governor and freeman of the borough of Wexford, Dr George Hadden, has made me realise what a gracious building we have in a green and charming setting.
It would be sad indeed to lose forever one of the town’s most attractive hilly spaces. Hopefully, given the many development spaces elsewhere, enlightened planners and architects will find an appropriate alternative. It is worth noting that Wexford Opera House was planned and erected in full consultation with local residents. – Yours, etc,
EITHNE SCALLAN,
Maudlintown, Wexford.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 20 April 2008
Too many houses not finished
OVER 80 housing estates in the Gorey area alone are left unfinished by developers. This is the figure that was given at a meeting of Gorey Town Council last week.
The issue of uncompleted developments was raised by Cllr. Malcolm Byrne who told of the pertinence of having estates in proper order and made specific reference to an estate in Clonattin.
Concerns were expressed about developments not being finished properly and the catch-22 situation which the County Council find themselves in.
Cllr. Byrne stressed that the council's refusal to undertake the finishing of housing estates, which have been not been completed by the developers, is unfair on the residents.
He said that there should be a plan put in place and that the council should look at taking a test case against those who persistently show that they are not meeting standards.
Cllr. Lorcan Allen agreed that it was a major problem, but told how they could do nothing about it until they had got funding to fix the problems. When the developer is given planning permission, they agree to finish it.
Cllr. Kay O'Gorman told the council that the developers aren't taking any notice of being fined and that they should not be granted planning permission for future properties until they comply with their agreement to complete the development to the proper standard.
"It is the same developers who are causing the problems," said Cllr. O'Gorman.
Director of Services, Niall McGuigan, said: "We are trying to take estates in charge. It's a painstaking process. No one can tell at the start of the scheme what will happen. I've a lot of sympathy for the people in the estates. But, there's no point in raising people's expectations."
"There are 270 cases before the courts at the moment and a lot of these can take a couple of years before they are heard."
Rachel Cave
Gorey Echo
www.buckplanning.ie
The issue of uncompleted developments was raised by Cllr. Malcolm Byrne who told of the pertinence of having estates in proper order and made specific reference to an estate in Clonattin.
Concerns were expressed about developments not being finished properly and the catch-22 situation which the County Council find themselves in.
Cllr. Byrne stressed that the council's refusal to undertake the finishing of housing estates, which have been not been completed by the developers, is unfair on the residents.
He said that there should be a plan put in place and that the council should look at taking a test case against those who persistently show that they are not meeting standards.
Cllr. Lorcan Allen agreed that it was a major problem, but told how they could do nothing about it until they had got funding to fix the problems. When the developer is given planning permission, they agree to finish it.
Cllr. Kay O'Gorman told the council that the developers aren't taking any notice of being fined and that they should not be granted planning permission for future properties until they comply with their agreement to complete the development to the proper standard.
"It is the same developers who are causing the problems," said Cllr. O'Gorman.
Director of Services, Niall McGuigan, said: "We are trying to take estates in charge. It's a painstaking process. No one can tell at the start of the scheme what will happen. I've a lot of sympathy for the people in the estates. But, there's no point in raising people's expectations."
"There are 270 cases before the courts at the moment and a lot of these can take a couple of years before they are heard."
Rachel Cave
Gorey Echo
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 17 December 2007
Allen the Fall Guy?
AS THE saga continues surrounding the issue of Cllr. Lorcan Allen's involvement in excessive land zoning in Gorey and his alleged subsequent bust up with fellow Cllr. Malcolm Byrne, the Local Government Enquiry Forum has asked the question is Cllr. Allen to be used as the fall guy, while the real issues at the centre of this controversy are left untouched.
In a statement this week released by the Forum, the question was asked can the Fianna Fáil Party afford such a bust up and the departure of one of its longest serving members.
"Whether the party is big enough to accommodate Cllr. Allen after his performance on Prime Time is another question. Whether it can survive without him is even closer to the point. If he goes will he bring the heart and soul of the party with him? A culture of playing wild and loose with the rules has been well inculcated into the body politic in the county. It didn't happen over night. The display on Prime Time was a well practised seasoned ideology without content or direction, symptomatic of a grab all quick buck culture. Too much land was zoned in Gorey, fine, but who made the decisions. Who stood to gain, more importantly, who will suffer the consequences?"
According to the Forum, Cllr. Allen is not alone where bad planning practices have been put in place across the county and the entire system must be addressed as well as individuals.
"Planning permission is the problem. So that constituents can be accommodated Co. Councillors have to cooperate with planning executives. The ballot box always beckons. Compromise becomes paramount, a working relationship develops. This leads to the slippery slope where roles become confused. It is not the role of the councillor to pander to the whim of the executives. Planning permission should be available by right not given on the basis of preferment.
"The councillors should not have to sell their souls in order to keep on the right side of officials; the tail should not wag the dog. The Co. Councillors are elected to represent the public good not to do the bidding of paid executives. They are also elected to look after public assets. They are not doing this. They might as well not be there at all."
The statement also suggested that should Cllr. Allen walk from Fianna Fáil, then what becomes of the greater issue at hand.
"Is Cllr. Allen being used as the fall guy to distract attention away from other more contentious areas? If he leaves the party as threatened will this act as a safety valve. A sacrificial lamb so that other reputations maybe salvaged. Prime Time was only the tip of the iceberg. It would be ironic that after all the promise the programme served to allay the fears of those parties involved in the racecourse deal rather than confound them."
This week the suggestions that Cllr. Allen may walk have not become reality and both he and Cllr. Byrne are still members.
Cllr. Byrne told the Gorey Echo that he never called for the resignation of his party colleague and that he will make himself available for any mediation talks suggested by Fianna Fáil but still stands over his recently expressed views.
Cllr. Allen refused to comment on the issue this week.
Deborah Coleman
Gorey Echo
www.buckplanning.ie
In a statement this week released by the Forum, the question was asked can the Fianna Fáil Party afford such a bust up and the departure of one of its longest serving members.
"Whether the party is big enough to accommodate Cllr. Allen after his performance on Prime Time is another question. Whether it can survive without him is even closer to the point. If he goes will he bring the heart and soul of the party with him? A culture of playing wild and loose with the rules has been well inculcated into the body politic in the county. It didn't happen over night. The display on Prime Time was a well practised seasoned ideology without content or direction, symptomatic of a grab all quick buck culture. Too much land was zoned in Gorey, fine, but who made the decisions. Who stood to gain, more importantly, who will suffer the consequences?"
According to the Forum, Cllr. Allen is not alone where bad planning practices have been put in place across the county and the entire system must be addressed as well as individuals.
"Planning permission is the problem. So that constituents can be accommodated Co. Councillors have to cooperate with planning executives. The ballot box always beckons. Compromise becomes paramount, a working relationship develops. This leads to the slippery slope where roles become confused. It is not the role of the councillor to pander to the whim of the executives. Planning permission should be available by right not given on the basis of preferment.
"The councillors should not have to sell their souls in order to keep on the right side of officials; the tail should not wag the dog. The Co. Councillors are elected to represent the public good not to do the bidding of paid executives. They are also elected to look after public assets. They are not doing this. They might as well not be there at all."
The statement also suggested that should Cllr. Allen walk from Fianna Fáil, then what becomes of the greater issue at hand.
"Is Cllr. Allen being used as the fall guy to distract attention away from other more contentious areas? If he leaves the party as threatened will this act as a safety valve. A sacrificial lamb so that other reputations maybe salvaged. Prime Time was only the tip of the iceberg. It would be ironic that after all the promise the programme served to allay the fears of those parties involved in the racecourse deal rather than confound them."
This week the suggestions that Cllr. Allen may walk have not become reality and both he and Cllr. Byrne are still members.
Cllr. Byrne told the Gorey Echo that he never called for the resignation of his party colleague and that he will make himself available for any mediation talks suggested by Fianna Fáil but still stands over his recently expressed views.
Cllr. Allen refused to comment on the issue this week.
Deborah Coleman
Gorey Echo
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
Forum calls for Cllr. Allen to resign
ALLEGATIONS CONTAINED in last Monday night's Prime Time Investigates have put Cllr. Lorcan Allen's business activities firmly in the spotlight.
His involvement in rezoning his own family land in Gorey and his failure to make a full declaration of interests was dealt with fully in the RTE programme and has prompted the newly-established Local Government Enquiry Forum to call for his resignation.
In an amazing display of bravado, Cllr. Allen repeatedly said that he did nothing wrong. The evidence presented suggested otherwise.
He seemed to be completely indifferent to the rules and regulations that other people have to subscribe to. The programme said he might be wringing his hands but he's not apologising.
Some councillors are playing wild and loose with the planning and zoning laws and this has to stop. The legacy left by opportunistic decisions will blight future generations.
The statement made by Cllr. Allen that everyone is out to make a quick buck best summarises the mentality of those who have taken over the planning process as if it were their own personal fiefdom.
The Local Government Enquiry Forum couldn't be better placed to address the anomalies in Wexford which have now been highlighted by the national broadcaster.
The group will investigate issues like how did Cllr. Allen managed to get 50 acres of his family land a kilometre and a half from Gorey included in the development plan after the plan was removed from public display.
Cllr. Allen didn't act alone. Why was this behaviour allowed? Who facilitated it and what paper work was involved. Wexford County Council is the Local Government Authority and the buck stops with it. What were the County Council executives doing when all of this was happening? Did they turn a blind eye or were they completely hoodwinked?
Part of the Wexford Racecourse was also rezoned residential in 2002. Was this rezoned like Cllr. Allen's land in Gorey after the development plan was removed from public display?
It must have been, otherwise somebody would have noted that there was a plan to build houses where the horses were racing. The controversy over the extension to the racecourse has its origins in this rezoning anomaly.
There were other peculiar land deals happening at Bettyville at the same time. It does beg the question who knew what and when and how high up it goes said a spokesperson for the new group. "A lot of people seemed to be standing idly by".
Cllr. Allen, according to Prime Time, was chairman of the four member Gorey Area Committee of councillors. The very body that proposed his family land for rezoning and the four-strong committee zoned land linked to the family of another of its members, Deirdre Bolger, Fine Gael. Neither Cllr. Bolger nor Cllr. Allen, Prime Time, said took part in that decision.
Lorcan Allen commented: "in politics, that's what happens". In a loaded statement he revealed much about the inner workings of the system. The system that works for those with the most influence and for those that flout their position.
After the Allen lands were rezoned the family sold 16 acres to the council for the new Gorey bypass, for an undisclosed price.
Last year the remaining 36 acres went on sale for an estimated value of €2 million an acre. So said the auctioneer conducting the sale, Lorcan Allen. Mr. Allen said on Prime Time that his credentials are unblemished.
However, Cllr. Allen did admit that there is a unanimous feeling amongst the councillors now that they did make a mistake in 2002 in rezoning too much land. A spokesperson for the enquiry forum said that this wasn't acceptable. No one is handing back the hefty profits that they made.
In relation to Declaration of Interests Lorcan Allen is noncompliant as well. In line with modern ethics requirements each councillor is required on an annual basis to make a declaration of interests, the interests to be declared are their own financial interests.
Wexford County Council told Prime Time that they paid Cllr. Allen's auctioneering firm almost €50,000 last year and €2,000 the year before for professional fees. Cllr. Allen declared none of these figures on his Declaration of Interests.
Fees earned by a councillor directly or indirectly for services provided to a local authority if over €6,348 a year must be declared in Section 8 of the form. Section 8 of Cllr. Allen's return has been left blank.
Councillors also have to declare every interest they have in land and buildings. Cllr. Allen has owned property in Gorey Bridge since 2002 which he has never declared. In 2005 he declared ownership of his family home and 30 acres of land but he never declared it before or since.
Section 3 of Cllr. Allen's declaration where he must declare all land and property is blank.
The reason why councillors have to declare all their property annually and that includes and any interest in family home is quite simple: the zoning decisions councillors take could boost the value of their property many times over and to avoid conflict of interest everything has to be out in the open. It isn't and that's why vested interests have succeeded in taking over.
Gorey Echo
His involvement in rezoning his own family land in Gorey and his failure to make a full declaration of interests was dealt with fully in the RTE programme and has prompted the newly-established Local Government Enquiry Forum to call for his resignation.
In an amazing display of bravado, Cllr. Allen repeatedly said that he did nothing wrong. The evidence presented suggested otherwise.
He seemed to be completely indifferent to the rules and regulations that other people have to subscribe to. The programme said he might be wringing his hands but he's not apologising.
Some councillors are playing wild and loose with the planning and zoning laws and this has to stop. The legacy left by opportunistic decisions will blight future generations.
The statement made by Cllr. Allen that everyone is out to make a quick buck best summarises the mentality of those who have taken over the planning process as if it were their own personal fiefdom.
The Local Government Enquiry Forum couldn't be better placed to address the anomalies in Wexford which have now been highlighted by the national broadcaster.
The group will investigate issues like how did Cllr. Allen managed to get 50 acres of his family land a kilometre and a half from Gorey included in the development plan after the plan was removed from public display.
Cllr. Allen didn't act alone. Why was this behaviour allowed? Who facilitated it and what paper work was involved. Wexford County Council is the Local Government Authority and the buck stops with it. What were the County Council executives doing when all of this was happening? Did they turn a blind eye or were they completely hoodwinked?
Part of the Wexford Racecourse was also rezoned residential in 2002. Was this rezoned like Cllr. Allen's land in Gorey after the development plan was removed from public display?
It must have been, otherwise somebody would have noted that there was a plan to build houses where the horses were racing. The controversy over the extension to the racecourse has its origins in this rezoning anomaly.
There were other peculiar land deals happening at Bettyville at the same time. It does beg the question who knew what and when and how high up it goes said a spokesperson for the new group. "A lot of people seemed to be standing idly by".
Cllr. Allen, according to Prime Time, was chairman of the four member Gorey Area Committee of councillors. The very body that proposed his family land for rezoning and the four-strong committee zoned land linked to the family of another of its members, Deirdre Bolger, Fine Gael. Neither Cllr. Bolger nor Cllr. Allen, Prime Time, said took part in that decision.
Lorcan Allen commented: "in politics, that's what happens". In a loaded statement he revealed much about the inner workings of the system. The system that works for those with the most influence and for those that flout their position.
After the Allen lands were rezoned the family sold 16 acres to the council for the new Gorey bypass, for an undisclosed price.
Last year the remaining 36 acres went on sale for an estimated value of €2 million an acre. So said the auctioneer conducting the sale, Lorcan Allen. Mr. Allen said on Prime Time that his credentials are unblemished.
However, Cllr. Allen did admit that there is a unanimous feeling amongst the councillors now that they did make a mistake in 2002 in rezoning too much land. A spokesperson for the enquiry forum said that this wasn't acceptable. No one is handing back the hefty profits that they made.
In relation to Declaration of Interests Lorcan Allen is noncompliant as well. In line with modern ethics requirements each councillor is required on an annual basis to make a declaration of interests, the interests to be declared are their own financial interests.
Wexford County Council told Prime Time that they paid Cllr. Allen's auctioneering firm almost €50,000 last year and €2,000 the year before for professional fees. Cllr. Allen declared none of these figures on his Declaration of Interests.
Fees earned by a councillor directly or indirectly for services provided to a local authority if over €6,348 a year must be declared in Section 8 of the form. Section 8 of Cllr. Allen's return has been left blank.
Councillors also have to declare every interest they have in land and buildings. Cllr. Allen has owned property in Gorey Bridge since 2002 which he has never declared. In 2005 he declared ownership of his family home and 30 acres of land but he never declared it before or since.
Section 3 of Cllr. Allen's declaration where he must declare all land and property is blank.
The reason why councillors have to declare all their property annually and that includes and any interest in family home is quite simple: the zoning decisions councillors take could boost the value of their property many times over and to avoid conflict of interest everything has to be out in the open. It isn't and that's why vested interests have succeeded in taking over.
Gorey Echo
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
Wexford shopping centre to create over 400 jobs
More than 400 jobs will be created in Co Wexford over the coming months with the opening of a major new shopping centre in Gorey, it was announced yesterday.
The €20m Gorey Shopping Centre is due to open in early October and will include Dunnes Stores as anchor tenant and another 24 shops as well as a medical centre.
Over 200 workers will be employed in the 83,000 square foot Dunnes outlet alone and will be one of the company's largest stores in the south east.
There will also be parking for 400 cars, half of them in a specially designed underground facility that will boast state of the art security lighting.
The centre's manager, Brendan O'Bracken, reassured business owners that the new development will not lure away their customers. "You could say it was an extension of the Main Street," O'Bracken added.
Irish Independent
The €20m Gorey Shopping Centre is due to open in early October and will include Dunnes Stores as anchor tenant and another 24 shops as well as a medical centre.
Over 200 workers will be employed in the 83,000 square foot Dunnes outlet alone and will be one of the company's largest stores in the south east.
There will also be parking for 400 cars, half of them in a specially designed underground facility that will boast state of the art security lighting.
The centre's manager, Brendan O'Bracken, reassured business owners that the new development will not lure away their customers. "You could say it was an extension of the Main Street," O'Bracken added.
Irish Independent
Thursday, 5 July 2007
New bypass brings end to town centre traffic jam
THOUSANDS of drivers gave a sigh of relief yesterday after a section of the Gorey bypass in Co Wexford was opened.
Travelling the scenic route from Dublin and Wexford, via the new 13.5km section of the N11 Arklow to Gorey road, they shaved 12 minutes on average off their travelling time.
However, some motorists said that while the new bypass was welcome, many believed Gorey town would suffer due to a cut down on passing trade.
The €195m project is coming in several weeks ahead of schedule. Contractors Roadbridge Ltd officially started work in November 2005.
National Roads Authority chairman Peter Malone said that road users would "no longer have to endure lengthy delays through Gorey, which has for many years been one of the worst traffic congestion blackspots on the national road network". The area is a busy commuter town.
Mr Malone said the bypass will improve the quality of life for the people of Gorey as they go about their daily business by removing 10,000 vehicles a day from the town.
The entire 22km stretch is scheduled to open in September and will "provide an incentive for jobs and development as well as a boost for tourism along the east coast," added Mr Malone.
The first phase of the scheme stretches from Tinnock, just north of Gorey, to the existing N11 south of Clogh. The bypass includes new grade-separated junctions at Raheenagurren and Tinnock as well as a tie-in junction with the existing N11 south of Clogh.
Access to the holiday resorts along the north Wexford coast such as Courtown, Ballymoney and Ardamine will be greatly improved. Journey times will be reduced by an average of 12 minutes.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said the bypass is "great news for the thousands of drivers who use this route every day."
The Arklow to Gorey scheme is part of the Government's strategy to improve the Dublin to Wexford/Rosslare route to motorway/dual carriageway standard.
Within Co Wexford, work is well advanced on the planning of the N11 Enniscorthy bypass, while planning is getting under way on the Clogh to Enniscorthy section.
The Arklow to Gorey scheme was funded under the National Development Plan.
Sarah Murphy
Irish Independent
Travelling the scenic route from Dublin and Wexford, via the new 13.5km section of the N11 Arklow to Gorey road, they shaved 12 minutes on average off their travelling time.
However, some motorists said that while the new bypass was welcome, many believed Gorey town would suffer due to a cut down on passing trade.
The €195m project is coming in several weeks ahead of schedule. Contractors Roadbridge Ltd officially started work in November 2005.
National Roads Authority chairman Peter Malone said that road users would "no longer have to endure lengthy delays through Gorey, which has for many years been one of the worst traffic congestion blackspots on the national road network". The area is a busy commuter town.
Mr Malone said the bypass will improve the quality of life for the people of Gorey as they go about their daily business by removing 10,000 vehicles a day from the town.
The entire 22km stretch is scheduled to open in September and will "provide an incentive for jobs and development as well as a boost for tourism along the east coast," added Mr Malone.
The first phase of the scheme stretches from Tinnock, just north of Gorey, to the existing N11 south of Clogh. The bypass includes new grade-separated junctions at Raheenagurren and Tinnock as well as a tie-in junction with the existing N11 south of Clogh.
Access to the holiday resorts along the north Wexford coast such as Courtown, Ballymoney and Ardamine will be greatly improved. Journey times will be reduced by an average of 12 minutes.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said the bypass is "great news for the thousands of drivers who use this route every day."
The Arklow to Gorey scheme is part of the Government's strategy to improve the Dublin to Wexford/Rosslare route to motorway/dual carriageway standard.
Within Co Wexford, work is well advanced on the planning of the N11 Enniscorthy bypass, while planning is getting under way on the Clogh to Enniscorthy section.
The Arklow to Gorey scheme was funded under the National Development Plan.
Sarah Murphy
Irish Independent
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
Section of new bypass opens four months early
THE Gorey bypass on the heavily trafficked highway between Dublin and Wexford is to open today, four months ahead of schedule. A 13.5km section of the N11 Arklow/Gorey scheme will be opened today to traffic, it was announced last night.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said the opening was good news for the thousands of drivers who use this route every day.
"The bypass will improve journey times and free up the streets of Gorey. That is good news for everyone," he added.
Peter Malone, National Roads Authority chairman, said the road opening meant drivers would no longer have to endure lengthy delays through Gorey, which has for years been one of the worst traffic congestion blackspots on the national road network.
Mr Malone added the bypass would remove 10,000 vehicles a day from Gorey town. The entire 22km scheme is scheduled to open in September.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said the opening was good news for the thousands of drivers who use this route every day.
"The bypass will improve journey times and free up the streets of Gorey. That is good news for everyone," he added.
Peter Malone, National Roads Authority chairman, said the road opening meant drivers would no longer have to endure lengthy delays through Gorey, which has for years been one of the worst traffic congestion blackspots on the national road network.
Mr Malone added the bypass would remove 10,000 vehicles a day from Gorey town. The entire 22km scheme is scheduled to open in September.
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
Saturday, 2 June 2007
Objections lodged against Ballymoney development
Several objections have already been lodged against a major residential and commercial development in Ballymoney. It is understood that other residents in the area are planning to make their feelings known on the project before the time allowed for objections runs out at the end of next week.
Prospect Homes is planning to build a large development including 223 dwellings, and seven shop units, three coffee shops/ restaurants, a creche, a community centre, and a medical centre, as well as 358 carparking spaces at Prospect, Ballymoney.
The developer held a public consultation meeting earlier this year, and many residents expressed concern about the scale of the development. David O'Callaghan, Chairman of the Residents' Association, said he knew of several locals who were preparing objections to the development. People are very unhappy about it,'he said. They have been stopping me and asking me what they can do. It's a big development happening all of a sudden in a small rural village.'
The road network can't cope,' he continued. Residents are also concerned that it is proposed to run a pipe from the proposed sewerage treatment plant to Ballymoney beach. The Council is in the process of cleaning up their own sewerage problem in Ballymoney. I don't see how they would allow a developer pump his own outflow out to sea,' he added.
He said he would welcome calls from any concerned residents before the closing date for objections next week. He added that the impression had been given in the application that residents were happy with the development. But I haven't met anyone that is happy with it,' he said.
Gorey Guardian
Prospect Homes is planning to build a large development including 223 dwellings, and seven shop units, three coffee shops/ restaurants, a creche, a community centre, and a medical centre, as well as 358 carparking spaces at Prospect, Ballymoney.
The developer held a public consultation meeting earlier this year, and many residents expressed concern about the scale of the development. David O'Callaghan, Chairman of the Residents' Association, said he knew of several locals who were preparing objections to the development. People are very unhappy about it,'he said. They have been stopping me and asking me what they can do. It's a big development happening all of a sudden in a small rural village.'
The road network can't cope,' he continued. Residents are also concerned that it is proposed to run a pipe from the proposed sewerage treatment plant to Ballymoney beach. The Council is in the process of cleaning up their own sewerage problem in Ballymoney. I don't see how they would allow a developer pump his own outflow out to sea,' he added.
He said he would welcome calls from any concerned residents before the closing date for objections next week. He added that the impression had been given in the application that residents were happy with the development. But I haven't met anyone that is happy with it,' he said.
Gorey Guardian
Friday, 18 May 2007
Application to demolish Rynvanney House
An application is to be lodged with Wexford County Council for the demolition of Rynvanney House in Gorey Town. The historic building has been derelict for some time.
Forth Estates is to lodge an application for permission to demolish the Pearse Street building at the back entrance to Pettitt's carpark. It is a protected structure.
The same company is also applying to alter the shopfront at Pettitt's Supervalu on Main Street.
© Gorey Guardian
Forth Estates is to lodge an application for permission to demolish the Pearse Street building at the back entrance to Pettitt's carpark. It is a protected structure.
The same company is also applying to alter the shopfront at Pettitt's Supervalu on Main Street.
© Gorey Guardian
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Eco-friendly trains to improve service
THE FREQUENCY of rail services on the Dublin Rosslare line is set to be improved following the arrival of the country’s first eco-friendly trains last week.
The first 12 carriages in the new €400m ecofriendly fleet arrived at Dublin Port last Tuesday.
The trains will be used to service the Rosslare, Waterford, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Limerick, Kerry, Carlow, Portlaoise and Athlone routes.
Speaking at the arrival ceremony, Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen said: “In order to get people to leave their cars at home and use public transport, we have to offer the best facilities and people deserve the best possible services.”
The new railcars are an eco-friendly fleet with reduced emissions meeting EU directives not in force until 2009 and 2012.
They will include automatic PA and information display systems; air-conditioning; CCTV; modern catering; individual seating and advanced safety features.
Wexford Cllr. Joe Ryan said he, for one, was glad to see new rail stock finally being targeted at the Rosslare line.
“The Rosslare line has for many years received rolling stock re-deployed from other lines,” he said.
“These new cars are the first custom built stock for the line. It will see the introduction of a faster and more frequent service to Wexford.”
© Gorey Echo
The first 12 carriages in the new €400m ecofriendly fleet arrived at Dublin Port last Tuesday.
The trains will be used to service the Rosslare, Waterford, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Limerick, Kerry, Carlow, Portlaoise and Athlone routes.
Speaking at the arrival ceremony, Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen said: “In order to get people to leave their cars at home and use public transport, we have to offer the best facilities and people deserve the best possible services.”
The new railcars are an eco-friendly fleet with reduced emissions meeting EU directives not in force until 2009 and 2012.
They will include automatic PA and information display systems; air-conditioning; CCTV; modern catering; individual seating and advanced safety features.
Wexford Cllr. Joe Ryan said he, for one, was glad to see new rail stock finally being targeted at the Rosslare line.
“The Rosslare line has for many years received rolling stock re-deployed from other lines,” he said.
“These new cars are the first custom built stock for the line. It will see the introduction of a faster and more frequent service to Wexford.”
© Gorey Echo
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