A MULTI-million conversion of a former convent to include a 155-seat underground cinema and conference centres, offices, shops, creche, community centre and 52 apartments is set to proceed following a vote taken by Cork county councillors yesterday.
Councillors voted unanimously to a Material Contravention of the County Development Plan (2003) to allow Irish & European Properties Ltd to redevelop the former Presentation Convent in Mitchelstown.
Prior to the vote they read an in-depth report issued by senior planner, Bob Gunkel, who said that in his opinion the project would provide the town with “a modern social, cultural and entertainment centre”.
Mr Gunkel added that the developers would retain the finest features of the building. Only one submission was received by the council with regard to the development and director of planning, John O’Neill, pointed out that it wasn’t actually an objection.
Cllr Liam O’Doherty (FG), who proposed the contravention, declared it as a win-win situation for Mitchelstown. “We’re getting facilities we never had in Mitchelstown before. It’s great to see somebody coming in from outside and developing this building.”
Cllr Deirdre Forde, a former pupil at the convent, said her one concern was that a lot of planning permissions had been granted in the town during the past few years which hadn’t yet reached construction.
Irish Examiner
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Monday, 23 July 2007
Liquid gas terminal may be development catalyst
THE Shannon Estuary is on the threshold of a new industrial dawn which promises to transform the entire industrial aspect of the Mid-West and Kerry.
The catalyst will be a new €400 million liquid natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal — the first of its kind in Ireland — planned for a land-bank between Ballylongford and Tarbert on the estuary’s southern tip.
Not only will the facility provide access to new, reliable natural gas supplies from abroad, it also has the potential to lead to the development of a gas-fired electricity station in that area of the estuary.
Shannon LNG Ltd, a subsidiary of Hess LNG, will lodge a planning application in the next two months.
It will be the first project to seek planning permission directly from An Bord Pleanála under new legislation to fast-forward key infrastructural developments.
Under the new act a final planning decision is given within 18 weeks.
The company has held extensive consultative meetings and information evenings with local community leaders and politicians.
Shannon LNG was established by Paddy Power, a native of Tralee, who has more than 35 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry.
Frozen natural gas will be shipped into the terminal in bulk containers and defrosted before being fed into the national grid. Major exporters of frozen LNG include Alaska, Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Australia, Indonesia, Egypt and Trinidad.
If the planning process goes according to the expectations of the promoters, site clearance work will start next year and construction will take about three years.
The facility will be located on 280 acres of a 600- acre land-bank controlled by Shannon Development.
John Brassil, chairman of Shannon Development, said: “This LNG plant will create a whole new industrial zone as we will have a further 300 acres to offer industries which will want to co-locate near the LNG terminal. Experience in other parts of the world shows that gas-powered electricity generating stations are often developed nearby.”
Ned O’Sullivan, a director of Shannon Foynes Port Company which will manage shipping at the terminal, said: “The project has the potential to make a real difference to long-term energy costs in this country as well as delivering significant economic, environmental and employment benefits. It also has the potential to secure Ireland’s long-term supply of natural gas and provide an important economic boost.”
Irish Examiner
The catalyst will be a new €400 million liquid natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal — the first of its kind in Ireland — planned for a land-bank between Ballylongford and Tarbert on the estuary’s southern tip.
Not only will the facility provide access to new, reliable natural gas supplies from abroad, it also has the potential to lead to the development of a gas-fired electricity station in that area of the estuary.
Shannon LNG Ltd, a subsidiary of Hess LNG, will lodge a planning application in the next two months.
It will be the first project to seek planning permission directly from An Bord Pleanála under new legislation to fast-forward key infrastructural developments.
Under the new act a final planning decision is given within 18 weeks.
The company has held extensive consultative meetings and information evenings with local community leaders and politicians.
Shannon LNG was established by Paddy Power, a native of Tralee, who has more than 35 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry.
Frozen natural gas will be shipped into the terminal in bulk containers and defrosted before being fed into the national grid. Major exporters of frozen LNG include Alaska, Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Australia, Indonesia, Egypt and Trinidad.
If the planning process goes according to the expectations of the promoters, site clearance work will start next year and construction will take about three years.
The facility will be located on 280 acres of a 600- acre land-bank controlled by Shannon Development.
John Brassil, chairman of Shannon Development, said: “This LNG plant will create a whole new industrial zone as we will have a further 300 acres to offer industries which will want to co-locate near the LNG terminal. Experience in other parts of the world shows that gas-powered electricity generating stations are often developed nearby.”
Ned O’Sullivan, a director of Shannon Foynes Port Company which will manage shipping at the terminal, said: “The project has the potential to make a real difference to long-term energy costs in this country as well as delivering significant economic, environmental and employment benefits. It also has the potential to secure Ireland’s long-term supply of natural gas and provide an important economic boost.”
Irish Examiner
Gormley orders council to redraw development plan
ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley yesterday intervened in the controversial Monaghan County Development Plan ordering councillors to go back to the drawing board.
He issued a formal direction instructing the county council to vary the plan in the interests of future sustainable development in the county.
He made the intervention following concerns about the extraordinary levels of zoned land proposed in the plan, which was adopted on March 20 this year. It had provided for an astounding increase of population in the county over the next six years, approving planning for an additional 102,000 people.
That was an increase of 182% on the total population of 58,000 currently living in the county.
The Green Party leader said that the rationale for such an increase in zoning could not be substantiated. It would have meant that some villages in the county might have seen their population increase four-fold or five-fold.
“The practice of zoning for residential development in a sporadic and haphazard fashion in random green-field sites, which extend outwards from villages and do not have the necessary services to support the proposed development, does not conform with proper planning principles and such development is not sustainable,” said Mr Gormley.
He also said he was dissatisfied with the council’s rejection of the department’s advice to use the distinction between Clár and non-Clár areas as a basis for distinguishing between weaker rural areas and rural areas under strong urban influence. He instanced those areas close to the main towns of Monaghan, Carrickmacross and Castleblayney and along the N2 National Primary Route .
“Councils have a duty and obligation, when making development plans,” said the minister, “to ensure that the greater common good will prevail from their decisions and the future development of their areas is based on sound planning principles”.
Irish Examiner
He issued a formal direction instructing the county council to vary the plan in the interests of future sustainable development in the county.
He made the intervention following concerns about the extraordinary levels of zoned land proposed in the plan, which was adopted on March 20 this year. It had provided for an astounding increase of population in the county over the next six years, approving planning for an additional 102,000 people.
That was an increase of 182% on the total population of 58,000 currently living in the county.
The Green Party leader said that the rationale for such an increase in zoning could not be substantiated. It would have meant that some villages in the county might have seen their population increase four-fold or five-fold.
“The practice of zoning for residential development in a sporadic and haphazard fashion in random green-field sites, which extend outwards from villages and do not have the necessary services to support the proposed development, does not conform with proper planning principles and such development is not sustainable,” said Mr Gormley.
He also said he was dissatisfied with the council’s rejection of the department’s advice to use the distinction between Clár and non-Clár areas as a basis for distinguishing between weaker rural areas and rural areas under strong urban influence. He instanced those areas close to the main towns of Monaghan, Carrickmacross and Castleblayney and along the N2 National Primary Route .
“Councils have a duty and obligation, when making development plans,” said the minister, “to ensure that the greater common good will prevail from their decisions and the future development of their areas is based on sound planning principles”.
Irish Examiner
Tara protest attracts 1,000 marchers
RENOWNED artist 90-year-old Louis le Brocquy joined 1,000 marchers in Dublin seeking to reroute a motorway from the historic Hill of Tara.
The Love Tara demonstration brought protesters from the Garden of Remembrance, along the banks of the Liffey, to the offices of Environment Minister John Gormley in the Custom House.
Organisers TaraWatch claimed the Green Party leader has power to change his predecessor’s decision regarding the M3 route in Co Meath.
“Apparently Minister Gormley is getting annoyed at people saying that he does have the power to change the M3 route,” said Laura Grealish of TaraWatch. “Perhaps that explains why there were no Green Party representatives at the march today, unlike previous ones.”
The marchers, on Saturday, carried the flags of all 32 counties to signify the importance of the Tara archaeological site to people all over the island of Ireland.
Some demonstrators then moved to visit Cloverhill Prison to show solidarity with four men currently being detained in relation to demonstrations that took place at Tara some days earlier.
The Tara Four will appear before Judge Brophy in Navan District Court this coming week, after refusing to agree to bail conditions that they would not return to the site to protest.
When it was not possible on Saturday to turn in 50,000 petition signatures to Mr Gormley, an email was sent directing him to thousands of online petition signatures. The written petitions will be handed in today.
Organiser Vincent Salafia said: “Minister Gormley obviously wants us to ask the courts to compel him to act, even though the EU has stated the demolition of the national monument in Lismullin is illegal.”
Mr Salafia noted that another national monument had been discovered recently by the National Roads Authority. The 10th century souterrain complex — consisting of underground passages and chambers — is thought to have been used for defence against Viking raiders.
Mr Salafia said Mr Gormley had the power to reroute the M3 as this was a material change in circumstances from the order given by former environment minister Dick Roche.
Irish Examiner
The Love Tara demonstration brought protesters from the Garden of Remembrance, along the banks of the Liffey, to the offices of Environment Minister John Gormley in the Custom House.
Organisers TaraWatch claimed the Green Party leader has power to change his predecessor’s decision regarding the M3 route in Co Meath.
“Apparently Minister Gormley is getting annoyed at people saying that he does have the power to change the M3 route,” said Laura Grealish of TaraWatch. “Perhaps that explains why there were no Green Party representatives at the march today, unlike previous ones.”
The marchers, on Saturday, carried the flags of all 32 counties to signify the importance of the Tara archaeological site to people all over the island of Ireland.
Some demonstrators then moved to visit Cloverhill Prison to show solidarity with four men currently being detained in relation to demonstrations that took place at Tara some days earlier.
The Tara Four will appear before Judge Brophy in Navan District Court this coming week, after refusing to agree to bail conditions that they would not return to the site to protest.
When it was not possible on Saturday to turn in 50,000 petition signatures to Mr Gormley, an email was sent directing him to thousands of online petition signatures. The written petitions will be handed in today.
Organiser Vincent Salafia said: “Minister Gormley obviously wants us to ask the courts to compel him to act, even though the EU has stated the demolition of the national monument in Lismullin is illegal.”
Mr Salafia noted that another national monument had been discovered recently by the National Roads Authority. The 10th century souterrain complex — consisting of underground passages and chambers — is thought to have been used for defence against Viking raiders.
Mr Salafia said Mr Gormley had the power to reroute the M3 as this was a material change in circumstances from the order given by former environment minister Dick Roche.
Irish Examiner
Sunday, 22 July 2007
IDA was 'insensitive towards elderly couple' in land deal
AN independent inquiry into the IDA's handling of a land swap arrangement with an elderly Waterford couple has found the state agency was insensitive in dealing with the couple. The IDA also earmarked a plot that was a quarter of an acre short of what it had promised them, which the report attributed to an innocent mistake.
A preliminary report by Dermot Quigley, the former Revenue Commissioners chairman who conducted the inquiry, was presented to IDA Ireland last month.
It is understood that the report found that Joseph and Kitty Carey, both of whom have since died, should have been dealt with more sensitively but overall, it exonerates the state agency of any deliberate wrongdoing.
The IDA tried to persuade the elderly couple to swap their house - which was of strategic interest to the state agency - for a new house on an adjoining plot. The IDA needed the Carey's land to allow it to widen the entrance to its business park in Waterford. The couple, who were then aged in their 90s, were reluctant to move. The couple died before the contract was concluded and the property passed to their nephew.
Micheal Martin, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, sought an independent investigation two years ago after allegations from the Carey's nephew that the IDA had "attempted to compromise" the legal advice given to them, by offering the couple's solicitor work to "encourage" a decision favourable to the IDA.
The solicitor for the Carey estate has rubbished any suggestion that he would even consider such an arrangement - pointing out that he never acted for the IDA. Mr Quigley's report is understood to clear the IDA of any improper attempts to pressurise the Careys. However, it does make recommendations for new procedures on how the business agency - which is used to dealing with corporate clients - should handle transactions with ordinary members of the public.
It also emerged that the land it sought to exchange with the couple is significantly less than the .575 acres it promised in its contract. Mr Quigley finds that the shortfall was due to an error in map measurements. The IDA is currently working to resolve the discrepancy.
An internal IDA memo dated September 1999, says "I did indicate to (the solicitor for the Carey's) that I would recommend that the IDA use his firm for the conveyancing of the two pieces of land - Careys to IDA and IDA to Carey. The reason for making that suggestion to (the solicitor) was to try and 'encourage' him to make a decision in IDA favour."
It concluded "Mrs Carey is now permanently in a home for the elderly and I understand that Mr Carey, who is in his mid-90s, is also not in the best of health. We should try and get the building started asap while Mr Carey is still in a position to be party to the development. If Mr Carey dies or is hospitalised the whole deal will die and we will be back to square one."
Mr Martin later said the allegations raised questions about the "propriety" of the IDA. In a letter to the IDA in 2005, he noted that "any perception that the IDA sought to compromise the independence of the advice given to them could, I am sure you agree, be very damaging to the IDA's reputation."
Dermot Quigley's report into the deal was held up because the proposed land swap became the subject of two High Court actions. His report is understood to make a number of clear findings and recommendations, which have been accepted by IDA. The report will not be forwarded to Mr Martin until outstanding legal issues are resolved.
The IDA said this weekend a report on the investigation is almost complete and will be given to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in due course. The agency said it was precluded from commenting or from releasing any details of the inquiry because of two sets of High Court proceedings that are currently in train.
Sunday Independent
A preliminary report by Dermot Quigley, the former Revenue Commissioners chairman who conducted the inquiry, was presented to IDA Ireland last month.
It is understood that the report found that Joseph and Kitty Carey, both of whom have since died, should have been dealt with more sensitively but overall, it exonerates the state agency of any deliberate wrongdoing.
The IDA tried to persuade the elderly couple to swap their house - which was of strategic interest to the state agency - for a new house on an adjoining plot. The IDA needed the Carey's land to allow it to widen the entrance to its business park in Waterford. The couple, who were then aged in their 90s, were reluctant to move. The couple died before the contract was concluded and the property passed to their nephew.
Micheal Martin, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, sought an independent investigation two years ago after allegations from the Carey's nephew that the IDA had "attempted to compromise" the legal advice given to them, by offering the couple's solicitor work to "encourage" a decision favourable to the IDA.
The solicitor for the Carey estate has rubbished any suggestion that he would even consider such an arrangement - pointing out that he never acted for the IDA. Mr Quigley's report is understood to clear the IDA of any improper attempts to pressurise the Careys. However, it does make recommendations for new procedures on how the business agency - which is used to dealing with corporate clients - should handle transactions with ordinary members of the public.
It also emerged that the land it sought to exchange with the couple is significantly less than the .575 acres it promised in its contract. Mr Quigley finds that the shortfall was due to an error in map measurements. The IDA is currently working to resolve the discrepancy.
An internal IDA memo dated September 1999, says "I did indicate to (the solicitor for the Carey's) that I would recommend that the IDA use his firm for the conveyancing of the two pieces of land - Careys to IDA and IDA to Carey. The reason for making that suggestion to (the solicitor) was to try and 'encourage' him to make a decision in IDA favour."
It concluded "Mrs Carey is now permanently in a home for the elderly and I understand that Mr Carey, who is in his mid-90s, is also not in the best of health. We should try and get the building started asap while Mr Carey is still in a position to be party to the development. If Mr Carey dies or is hospitalised the whole deal will die and we will be back to square one."
Mr Martin later said the allegations raised questions about the "propriety" of the IDA. In a letter to the IDA in 2005, he noted that "any perception that the IDA sought to compromise the independence of the advice given to them could, I am sure you agree, be very damaging to the IDA's reputation."
Dermot Quigley's report into the deal was held up because the proposed land swap became the subject of two High Court actions. His report is understood to make a number of clear findings and recommendations, which have been accepted by IDA. The report will not be forwarded to Mr Martin until outstanding legal issues are resolved.
The IDA said this weekend a report on the investigation is almost complete and will be given to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in due course. The agency said it was precluded from commenting or from releasing any details of the inquiry because of two sets of High Court proceedings that are currently in train.
Sunday Independent
Brothers may sue council over ban on development
THE Presentation Brothers have expressed their "hurt" at a move to prevent them from cashing in on what potentially could have been one of the most lucrative land deals for a religious order in the country.
The Brothers have threatened Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council with legal action because they say the local authority did not consult them on its decision to start a process which could protect the order's 4.5 acre sports field in Glasthule, Co Dublin, from development.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown county councillors voted on July 9 to initiate a variation of the council's county development plan to preserve the playing pitch.
The field at Hudson Road could be worth as much as €40 million if it was rezoned residential, according to estimates based on other land deals in the area.
A solicitor's letter sent to the county council on behalf of the Presentation Brothers on July 5, said the congregation had been "most upset" to read in a Sunday newspaper (Sunday Business Post ) that County Manager Owen Keegan intended to start the variation of the development plan.
"We must insist that we receive confirmation from you, by return, that the council will not take further action of the nature indicated above or, indeed, any action that will adversely affect the lands in question," the letter added.
A subsequent letter sent by the congregation to the local authority after councillors initiated the variation, said the order was "astonished" the council had begun the process.
"Apart from the obvious discourtesy, we find it incredible that you [the council] should publicly comment on our lands to third parties in the absence of even contacting us, as owners."
Speaking to Southside People newspaper, a spokesman for the Presentation Brothers said that while the Religious Order was "not annoyed" over the variation proposal itself, it was "very hurt" the council had not consulted it on the move.
"The local community will also have to accept that the Brothers have needs but we were and are very willing to examine all possibilities," he added.
Local Cllr Tom Kivlehan (GP) was educated at primary and secondary level at the Presentation Brothers Glasthule, and also played sports on the playing grounds in question.
He said he supported the variation to protect the field from development because of the lack of amenities in the area and added that the decision was based on "proper planning principles".
In a statement, the council said: "At the Council meeting of July 9, the Council agreed to the commencement of the variation process.
"The landowners as well as the public will be invited to make representations on the proposed variation as part of the statutory procedure under the Planning & Development Act 2000."
In recent years several religious orders have benefited hugely from selling land to developers in multi-million euro deals. The bar was set six years ago by the Sisters of Charity, with the sale of 14.5 acres of land on Merrion Road, Dublin, for €45.7 million, which set a new record for a development site in Dublin.
Among the major property deals of 2005 was a 208-acre site at Belcamp College, Malahide, which made €105 million for the Oblate order.
Sunday Independent
The Brothers have threatened Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council with legal action because they say the local authority did not consult them on its decision to start a process which could protect the order's 4.5 acre sports field in Glasthule, Co Dublin, from development.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown county councillors voted on July 9 to initiate a variation of the council's county development plan to preserve the playing pitch.
The field at Hudson Road could be worth as much as €40 million if it was rezoned residential, according to estimates based on other land deals in the area.
A solicitor's letter sent to the county council on behalf of the Presentation Brothers on July 5, said the congregation had been "most upset" to read in a Sunday newspaper (Sunday Business Post ) that County Manager Owen Keegan intended to start the variation of the development plan.
"We must insist that we receive confirmation from you, by return, that the council will not take further action of the nature indicated above or, indeed, any action that will adversely affect the lands in question," the letter added.
A subsequent letter sent by the congregation to the local authority after councillors initiated the variation, said the order was "astonished" the council had begun the process.
"Apart from the obvious discourtesy, we find it incredible that you [the council] should publicly comment on our lands to third parties in the absence of even contacting us, as owners."
Speaking to Southside People newspaper, a spokesman for the Presentation Brothers said that while the Religious Order was "not annoyed" over the variation proposal itself, it was "very hurt" the council had not consulted it on the move.
"The local community will also have to accept that the Brothers have needs but we were and are very willing to examine all possibilities," he added.
Local Cllr Tom Kivlehan (GP) was educated at primary and secondary level at the Presentation Brothers Glasthule, and also played sports on the playing grounds in question.
He said he supported the variation to protect the field from development because of the lack of amenities in the area and added that the decision was based on "proper planning principles".
In a statement, the council said: "At the Council meeting of July 9, the Council agreed to the commencement of the variation process.
"The landowners as well as the public will be invited to make representations on the proposed variation as part of the statutory procedure under the Planning & Development Act 2000."
In recent years several religious orders have benefited hugely from selling land to developers in multi-million euro deals. The bar was set six years ago by the Sisters of Charity, with the sale of 14.5 acres of land on Merrion Road, Dublin, for €45.7 million, which set a new record for a development site in Dublin.
Among the major property deals of 2005 was a 208-acre site at Belcamp College, Malahide, which made €105 million for the Oblate order.
Sunday Independent
Waste incinerator proposals rejected by planning board
A LARGE waste incineration plant which was proposed for Co Monaghan has been rejected by the Planning Appeals Board.
An Bord Pleanala refused to give the go-ahead for the controversial €50m plant which was set to be constructed near the small village of Emyvale, in Co Monaghan, close to the Tyrone border. The plan had previously been rejected by Monaghan County Council after residents protested over having the incinerator in their local area.
The company involved, Monopower Limited, is now expected to challenge the decision in the High Court.
Irish Independent
An Bord Pleanala refused to give the go-ahead for the controversial €50m plant which was set to be constructed near the small village of Emyvale, in Co Monaghan, close to the Tyrone border. The plan had previously been rejected by Monaghan County Council after residents protested over having the incinerator in their local area.
The company involved, Monopower Limited, is now expected to challenge the decision in the High Court.
Irish Independent
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