WHILE fire safety regulations at Priory Hall in Donaghmede may have been agreed at the planning stage of this rogue development, the question is whether they were checked at all during construction, before completion of a time-bomb apartment block.
Arguably, had that happened, 240 people would not be in their present plight. It’s one thing to rubber stamp regulations on an architect’s drawing but an entirely different matter to ensure important steps are not only taken, but seen to be taken during construction.
Otherwise, impressive-looking drawings from teams of architects are hardly worth the paper they are on. The Priory Hall scandal is graphic proof of the need to rigorously check fire regulations during construction of the building, not merely tick off boxes after completion when nothing can be seen.
Irish Examiner
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Showing posts with label Priory Hall case. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Priory Hall case. Show all posts
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Nama offers apartments for Priory Hall residents
THE NATIONAL Assets Management Agency has submitted a list of 332 apartments to Dublin City Council for consideration in rehousing residents of the Priory Hall apartments.
A Nama spokesman said the agency had supplied a list of potential properties in Dublin 13, Dublin 17 and Dublin 11. Nama has been examining housing units linked to loans on its books that might be used to accommodate residents from the 187-apartment complex in Donaghmede who have been evacuated from their homes.
It is understood that the identified sites include 66 units in Belmayne, off the Malahide Road, 12 units in Belmayne Park, 38 units in Clongriffin, and eight units in Clongriffin Town Centre, all of which are in Dublin 13, as well as units in Finglas, Baldoyle and Northern Cross on the Malahide Road.
Last week, the council secured a court order to evacuate the apartments after it was found the buildings contained serious structural deficiencies and posed a fire safety risk.
The Nama spokesman said it was now up to the council to review the list and make contact with the relevant owners or agents to see if it could agree terms. He said that, contrary to recent media reports, Nama was not in position to “simply hand over” properties to the council as it did not directly own them.
Last night, the council said 131 adults and 49 children under 12 had been provided with emergency accommodation in the Regency Hotel, Whitehall.
Approximately 40-50 people remained in the apartment complex ahead of today’s evacuation deadline. The council said it had so far secured 22 housing units, which would be allocated on a “prioritised basis” based on individual family need.
Minister of State for Housing Willie Penrose said he had been in contact with Nama officials yesterday about rehousing the residents. But he said many Nama units may not be suitable.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fail Senator Averil Power has called on all financial institutions that provided mortgages for properties in Priory Hall to freeze the monthly repayments until the development works are completed, saying she understood one bank had already suspended such repayments.
Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
A Nama spokesman said the agency had supplied a list of potential properties in Dublin 13, Dublin 17 and Dublin 11. Nama has been examining housing units linked to loans on its books that might be used to accommodate residents from the 187-apartment complex in Donaghmede who have been evacuated from their homes.
It is understood that the identified sites include 66 units in Belmayne, off the Malahide Road, 12 units in Belmayne Park, 38 units in Clongriffin, and eight units in Clongriffin Town Centre, all of which are in Dublin 13, as well as units in Finglas, Baldoyle and Northern Cross on the Malahide Road.
Last week, the council secured a court order to evacuate the apartments after it was found the buildings contained serious structural deficiencies and posed a fire safety risk.
The Nama spokesman said it was now up to the council to review the list and make contact with the relevant owners or agents to see if it could agree terms. He said that, contrary to recent media reports, Nama was not in position to “simply hand over” properties to the council as it did not directly own them.
Last night, the council said 131 adults and 49 children under 12 had been provided with emergency accommodation in the Regency Hotel, Whitehall.
Approximately 40-50 people remained in the apartment complex ahead of today’s evacuation deadline. The council said it had so far secured 22 housing units, which would be allocated on a “prioritised basis” based on individual family need.
Minister of State for Housing Willie Penrose said he had been in contact with Nama officials yesterday about rehousing the residents. But he said many Nama units may not be suitable.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fail Senator Averil Power has called on all financial institutions that provided mortgages for properties in Priory Hall to freeze the monthly repayments until the development works are completed, saying she understood one bank had already suspended such repayments.
Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Nama may make some housing units available
EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION: DUBLIN CITY Council says it will pursue “every avenue” in the coming days to find suitable accommodation for the residents of Priory Hall who have been evacuated from their homes.
The National Asset Management may work with the council to see if it can assist with the housing needs of residents, according to a report last night. A Nama spokesman told RTÉ the agency may make available some of the vacant housing units which are linked to loans held by Nama.
The High Court last Friday granted the council an order to evacuate the 187-apartment complex in Donaghmede after hearing evidence it was a very serious fire safety risk, had significant structural deficiencies and that insurance cover had been withdrawn.
Residents have been provided with temporary accommodation in the Regency Hotel in Whitehall, Dublin, but many, particularly those with families, said it was unsuitable. A council spokesman last night said it had so far secured 22 housing units which would be allocated on the basis of “individual family need”.
The complex developers, Thomas McFeely and Larry O’Mahony, have been ordered to surrender their passports after they said they could not pay the hotel bills.
Concerns have been raised in relation to fire safety at another McFeely development, Áras Na Cluaine in Clondalkin. South Dublin County Council said it had no direct involvement in the process.
Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
The National Asset Management may work with the council to see if it can assist with the housing needs of residents, according to a report last night. A Nama spokesman told RTÉ the agency may make available some of the vacant housing units which are linked to loans held by Nama.
The High Court last Friday granted the council an order to evacuate the 187-apartment complex in Donaghmede after hearing evidence it was a very serious fire safety risk, had significant structural deficiencies and that insurance cover had been withdrawn.
Residents have been provided with temporary accommodation in the Regency Hotel in Whitehall, Dublin, but many, particularly those with families, said it was unsuitable. A council spokesman last night said it had so far secured 22 housing units which would be allocated on the basis of “individual family need”.
The complex developers, Thomas McFeely and Larry O’Mahony, have been ordered to surrender their passports after they said they could not pay the hotel bills.
Concerns have been raised in relation to fire safety at another McFeely development, Áras Na Cluaine in Clondalkin. South Dublin County Council said it had no direct involvement in the process.
Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Priory Hall sparks safety fear over recent builds
CONCERNS have been raised that other apartment blocks built during the boom may not meet the required building and fire safety regulations.
The news comes as 180 Priory Hall residents spent a second night at the Regency Hotel in Dublin following their removal due to serious fire safety concerns at the complex.
The developers behind the complex, Thomas McFeely and Larry O’Mahony, have been ordered to surrender their passports. Mr McFeely said he would commit resources to repairs.
Currently, developments are signed off on using a largely self-regulating system. As houses and apartments are sold, architects and engineers certify that the works have been completed in accordance with building regulations based on the plans supplied by the developers.
Principal solicitor with apartmentlaw.ie Sonia McEntee said her firm was receiving a growing number of calls in relation to building flaws in apartment complexes built in the past six or seven years.
"I think there are broader issues with compliance to building regulations," she said. "While fire safety might be the most urgent or the most critical of them, there are also issues with ventilation, insulation, waste control and waste disposal. Issues like that are coming out and I’m certainly having more and more calls in relation to incidents like that."
Ms McEntee said that, in light of the Priory Hall case, there was a case to be made for ensuring that architects and engineers sign off on buildings for purchasers rather than developers.
"There is certainly cause for looking at a system whereby architects and engineers would sign off on behalf of the purchaser so that they have benefit of independent sign-off when they are purchasing properties like that," she said.
"In one sense, the horse has bolted for so many because we are unlikely to see development of the kind we’ve seen in the last five to seven years in the short term."
Construction Industry Federation director Tom Parlon has criticised the previous government for failing to act on its calls since 2000 for the establishment of a Register of Competent Builders.
"Clearly, the Priory Hall situation highlights the need for change," he said.
"The register is crucial in this regard. This can be augmented by a system of continuous inspection by professionally accredited individuals. Failing to build to the required standard or wrongly signing off on a building should carry heavy penalties for the builder and the professionals involved."
In July, a number of measures were announced by the Department of Environment and local authorities with a view to improving compliance with and oversight of the requirements of the building regulations.
This includes the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings, confirming statutory building regulations requirements have been met.
Irish Examiner
www.bpsplanningconsultants
The news comes as 180 Priory Hall residents spent a second night at the Regency Hotel in Dublin following their removal due to serious fire safety concerns at the complex.
The developers behind the complex, Thomas McFeely and Larry O’Mahony, have been ordered to surrender their passports. Mr McFeely said he would commit resources to repairs.
Currently, developments are signed off on using a largely self-regulating system. As houses and apartments are sold, architects and engineers certify that the works have been completed in accordance with building regulations based on the plans supplied by the developers.
Principal solicitor with apartmentlaw.ie Sonia McEntee said her firm was receiving a growing number of calls in relation to building flaws in apartment complexes built in the past six or seven years.
"I think there are broader issues with compliance to building regulations," she said. "While fire safety might be the most urgent or the most critical of them, there are also issues with ventilation, insulation, waste control and waste disposal. Issues like that are coming out and I’m certainly having more and more calls in relation to incidents like that."
Ms McEntee said that, in light of the Priory Hall case, there was a case to be made for ensuring that architects and engineers sign off on buildings for purchasers rather than developers.
"There is certainly cause for looking at a system whereby architects and engineers would sign off on behalf of the purchaser so that they have benefit of independent sign-off when they are purchasing properties like that," she said.
"In one sense, the horse has bolted for so many because we are unlikely to see development of the kind we’ve seen in the last five to seven years in the short term."
Construction Industry Federation director Tom Parlon has criticised the previous government for failing to act on its calls since 2000 for the establishment of a Register of Competent Builders.
"Clearly, the Priory Hall situation highlights the need for change," he said.
"The register is crucial in this regard. This can be augmented by a system of continuous inspection by professionally accredited individuals. Failing to build to the required standard or wrongly signing off on a building should carry heavy penalties for the builder and the professionals involved."
In July, a number of measures were announced by the Department of Environment and local authorities with a view to improving compliance with and oversight of the requirements of the building regulations.
This includes the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings, confirming statutory building regulations requirements have been met.
Irish Examiner
www.bpsplanningconsultants
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