Passive House Centre of Excellence

MosArt Architects, who specialise in the design of buildings to the Passive House standard, are moving to new offices in Wicklow town later this year, with a view to establishing a Passive House Centre of Excellence.

MosArt will be joined by Energy365 Consulting Engineers in this endeavour.

The primary objectives of the centre are to create a locus for practitioners, to develop a multi-disciplinary design centre, partner with institutes and academic centres, provide exhibition space for Passive House technologies and general promotion of the Passive House concept.

For further information on the centre, contact -
Tomás O'Leary
MosArt Architects
2 Morton's Lane
Wicklow Town
County Wicklow
Email: tomas@mosart.ie

More cycle lanes could be on cards

This from the Wicklow People: Wicklow town could get more cycle lanes despite the fact that those already in place are rarely used and come in for plenty of local criticism.

An audit being carried out by the Dublin Transportation Office will include a study cycle lanes and bus routes in Wicklow town.

They have advertised for companies all over Europe to tender for the contract, which will include the collection of details on the position and number of cycle lanes in town and the possibility of future lanes in other areas.

However, the cycle lanes already provided for in Wicklow haven't exactly been received warmly since they were installed. Their lack of use has been commented upon at many a town council meeting, with the other criticism being their width which results in seriously reduced road space for motorists. Dunbur Road in particular has been singled out as an example of where cycle lanes don't work.

Areas for improvement are an important part of the audit, and the successful consultants will also be asked to collect information on parking next to the lanes, traffic signals and potential hazards and features.

With a number of new developments planned for the town, Mayor Conal Kavanagh believes the audit could prove particularly beneficial with regards to the area plan for Marlton Road and the planned new VEC and national schools.

'Any review of the cycle lanes in town would be welcome. I don't think cycle lanes are suitable for the more traditional parts of town, but certainly in the area plan I know provisions have been made for cycle lanes. Also the new VEC school on the back road to Rathnew, by the junction with the inner relief road, would be an ideal place for cycle lanes for any of the students who want to cycle into school,' said Mayor Kavanagh.

All the information gathered will be kept in an electronic database by the DTO. They will maintain the database, while Wicklow Town Council and Wicklow County Council will provide further information updates.

The closing date for tenders is March 9.

Wicklow locals voice fears about treatment centre plans

The Wicklow People tells us that Residents living on Marlton Road are currently engaged in talks with the town council to ensure their fears over the community addiction services centre based on the road are listened to.

Just before Christmas, An Bord Pleanala overturned a decision made by Wicklow Town Council and gave the centre the green light.

Part of the report maintained that the centre would be used mainly for counselling of people suffering from addiction and their families and loved ones, and the premises wouldn't be used for the dispensing of medicines. Medical treatment remains the exclusive statutory responsibility of the HSE.

While many residents remain concerned about the development, they at lest feel that the town council are taking their worries on board.

David Lang, Chairman of the Residents Association, says 'we have been engaged with the town council and the talks have proved very constructive. We want to ensure that the clinic adheres to the conditions.

'There are a number of points we have suggested and the discussions are still ongoing.'

While the Residents Association now accepts that the clinic will soon be up and running, they still maintain that Marlton Road isn't the correct location.

Will the proposed alterations to Healy's Pub raise objections?

The Wicklow People carried this story in the latest issue:

Huge facelift planned for Phil Healy's Pub

There are big changes afoot at one of Wicklow town's popular public houses if a major development proposed for the site gets the green light.

A planning application is to be lodged with Wicklow Town Council to demolish the existing Phil Healy's Pub which occupies a prominent location at Fitzwilliam Square in the town.

The application, in the name of James Healy, also seeks to demolish all associated ancillary buildings including an existing residence on the corner of Bridge Street and Fitzwilliam Square.

The proposed development would see the construction of a four storey residential and commercial mixed use building with a penthouse at roof garden level. There would be five one-bed apartments and five two-bed apartments on the second and third floors.

The ground floor and first floor would be for retail or commercial use.

The ground floor plan includes a covered outdoor seating area with a retractable awning over the existing pavement on the corner of Fitzwilliam Square and Main Street.

There is also provision for 17 parking spaces at lower ground level complete with bicycle storage and parking together with large bin storage and apartment post box enclosure onto Bridge Street.

Wicklow Town Development: A New Plan

Presented by buck planning services

Introduction

• Out with the old, in with the new

• Draft Development Plan for Wicklow 2007 - 2013

• Focusing on the issues which may impact on you:

- Proposed A.C.A and Z.A.P.

- Opportunity areas

- Site regeneration areas

• A new zoning map

• Conclusion

Plan-making is difficult, why?

• Different visions.

• Inertia/nostalgia.

• Planning policy direction (implement legislation, policy targets, etc.).

• Different definitions of ‘the public’.

• Different understandings of ‘public consultation’ – most expect ‘public participation.

• Powerful stakeholders, landowners, etc., expect role commensurate with their position.

• Resources available to plan-maker.

Take just one: policy direction

Must also follow ‘Act’

A development plan “shall” include objectives for:

- Zoning of land

- Infrastructure provision

- Conservation and environmental protection

- Protection of architectural and archaeological heritage

- Protection of landscape

- Regeneration

… and so on ‘and’ can include objectives for:

- The location and pattern of development

- Control of areas and structures

- Community facilities

… and so on

Conclusion? Much of the content is prescribed.

Stages – must take two years

• Advertisement in papers calling for submissions. 8 weeks.

• Report on submissions prepared in 8 weeks. Councillors consider report for up to ten weeks. Prepare draft plan in consultation with councillors. Must be in place 12 weeks later.

• Draft Plan on display within 2 weeks. Submissions invited for 10 weeks.

• Preparation of report on submissions received after 12 weeks. Councillors consider report for 12 weeks. If it is to be amended significantly the amendments must go back out on public display (within three weeks of the decision to amend). If no material alterations are made, the councillors will adopt the plan.

• If a material alteration is made (within 3 weeks) a second display period is organised and submissions again invited for 4 weeks.

• Report prepared on submissions after 8 weeks. Councillors consider report and new plan is then adopted after 6 weeks with or without the amendments).

• The plan shall have effect four weeks later.

Obtain a copy of the Department’s leaflet: “The Development Plan”. But note, it is aimed at the general public; not the practitioner.

Where is Wicklow @?

… Draft Development Plan stage

Issues arising from consultation

• Single issue based: More trains, more parking, more community and sports facilities, more pedestrian friendly, more open space, more schools, more traveller accommodation, more environmental protection, more drug treatment facilities, a marina, more bowling …

• General desires: Better design, investment, improved retail facilities, increased attractiveness to tourists, protect trees, reduce dereliction, reduce traffic congestion, more heritage protection, etc.

• Self-interest: “re-zone my land” (individuals, Wicklow Golf Club, etc.), protect our land (East Glendalough School).

• Areas: Port access road (ASAP), Protect Main Street / Town Centre, The Murrough (… again … finally, at last?), Abbey lands (a shared vision?), Whitegate site (recreational?), Convent lands (available during the plan?), and the redevelopment of Fitzwilliam Square (regeneration plan?).

• Lack of synergy with the environs – an age old problem …

Strategic aims

Mostly general, like a GW speech. This allows ‘all’ issues to be covered, but also, if you look at the main impetuses says:

1. The town centre is to serve a projected population of 25,000 to 40,000 by 2016. Up from 6,416 in 1996, 7,031 in 2002 and a preliminary 6,835 for 2006.

2. Retail floor space is to grow by:

– Convenience: 500-1,500 sq.m

– Comparison: 5,000-10,000 sq.m

3. Residentially zoned land is available to accommodate 4.632 persons at 30 units per hectare.42.7 hectares remain undeveloped. No more is required.

Commercial aims – contradictory?

• Self-sufficient but dependant on Dublin demand?

• Supports in town and out of town retail development?

• Apparently contradictory aims is an often, painful, but necessary, aspect of planning.

Focusing on the issues which may impact on you …

Proposed A.C.A.

Why propose an A.C.A?

Section 81 (1) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 states:

• A development plan shall include an objective to preserve the character of a place, area, group of structures or townscape, taking account of building lines and heights, that:

• is of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest or value,

• contributes to the appreciation of protected structures,

• is necessary for the preservation of the character of the place, area, group of structures or townscape concerned.

• ACAs are something to be proud of …

What difference does an A.C.A make?

An A.C.A impacts on proposed development ... Section 82 (1) states: “In architectural conservation areas:

1. Notwithstanding section 4(1)(h), the carrying out of works to the exterior of a structure located in an architectural conservation area shall be exempted development only if those works would not materially affect the character of the area.

2. In considering an application for permission for development in relation to land situated in an architectural conservation area, a planning authority, or the Board on appeal, shall take into account the material effect (if any) that the proposed development would be likely to have on the character of the architectural conservation area.”

Power to acquire structure/land

In an A.C.A a planning authority may acquire land situated within an A.C.A if it is of the opinion:

that it is necessary to so do in order to preserve the character of the architectural conservation area, and

(i) the condition of the land, or the use to which the land or any structure on the land is being put, detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the character or appearance of the architectural conservation area, or

(ii) the acquisition of the land is necessary for the development or renewal of the architectural conservation area or for the provision of amenities in the area.

Note: A planning authority shall not compulsorily acquire any land that is lawfully occupied as a dwelling house by any person other than a person employed as a caretaker.

Impact on you? Policies

The right place for an A.C.A?

• Anything to be proud of? To protect?

Proposed Zone of Archaeological Potential (ZAP!)

What exactly is a Z.A.P?

• A zone defined in the Record of Monuments and Places.

• An area in proximity to recorded monuments.

• A ZAP is statutorily a recorded monument.

• Any works which would impact on archaeological structures, features or deposits including demolition or alterations (major) to a building in a Zone of Archaeological Potential may require two months notice to Dúchas under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994

Impact on you? Policies

Opportunity areas

1. The Murrough, 18 ha.

2. Convent Lands, 33 ha.

Site Regeneration: two areas

1. Whitegates

2. Abbey lands

Let’s look at the whole plan

Development Parameters

A new zoning map

New objectives

Do you share the plan’s vision?

bps planning consultants