A planning probe is under way following the erection of a fast-food giant’s
advertising signs on a historic laneway entrance to Cork’s famous English
Market. Cork City Council confirmed yesterday that it has no record of a
planning application for the two Burger King signs which have appeared on a
structure over Market Lane. A spokesman said that following an inspection of
the signs, planners are satisfied that the structures are not exempt from
planning and that the issue is now being pursued through the planning
enforcement process. The issue was first
highlighted on social media earlier this week by chef Kate Lawlor, who tweeted
a photograph of the signs which have been attached to either side of an
overhead structure which straddles Market Lane — the laneway between the
fast-food outlet’s St Patrick’s St branch and the rear of the regenerated
Capitol building.
Read the full story @ The Irish Examiner
Showing posts with label advertising and planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advertising and planning. Show all posts
Thursday, 29 March 2018
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Council approves €10m signs
COUNCILLORS IN Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, voted to accept a plan to erect 60 on-street advertising signs worth €10 million at a meeting last night.
The council agreed not to carry the signs, to be erected by Clear Channel Ireland, in 10 architecturally sensitive areas, including Dalkey.
Alternative sites would have to be found for the two square metre signs, the meeting was told.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown county councillors gave a broad welcome to the plan and the €10 million it would raise over 10 years for the council, which is to be earmarked for amenity.
Green Party councillor Tom Kivlehan asked that signs close to schools should not carry adverts for alcohol.
His party colleague, Cllr Gene Feighery, said the council should have put the matter out to public consultation.
“I don’t think they improve the built environment,” she said.
Councillors also raised concerns about whether the signs would obstruct people with wheelchairs or the visually impaired.
Richard Shakespeare, director of recreation and amenity at the council, said the disability officer would examine the signs and their positioning before they are put up.
There was an “appropriateness clause” in the contract between the council and Clear Channel to ensure only suitable advertising was carried on the signs.
“Politicians ads will of course be welcomed, provided you pay the rate,” he said.
Councillors also gave the go-ahead to retain a controversial car park on what was a circus field at Booterstown.
The development had angered local residents who claimed water birds at nearby Williamstown Creek could be threatened by the work.
The creek was designated a special protected area under the EU law Natura 2000.
Councillors voted 14 in favour and 13 against the development, which had already been built by the council.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The council agreed not to carry the signs, to be erected by Clear Channel Ireland, in 10 architecturally sensitive areas, including Dalkey.
Alternative sites would have to be found for the two square metre signs, the meeting was told.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown county councillors gave a broad welcome to the plan and the €10 million it would raise over 10 years for the council, which is to be earmarked for amenity.
Green Party councillor Tom Kivlehan asked that signs close to schools should not carry adverts for alcohol.
His party colleague, Cllr Gene Feighery, said the council should have put the matter out to public consultation.
“I don’t think they improve the built environment,” she said.
Councillors also raised concerns about whether the signs would obstruct people with wheelchairs or the visually impaired.
Richard Shakespeare, director of recreation and amenity at the council, said the disability officer would examine the signs and their positioning before they are put up.
There was an “appropriateness clause” in the contract between the council and Clear Channel to ensure only suitable advertising was carried on the signs.
“Politicians ads will of course be welcomed, provided you pay the rate,” he said.
Councillors also gave the go-ahead to retain a controversial car park on what was a circus field at Booterstown.
The development had angered local residents who claimed water birds at nearby Williamstown Creek could be threatened by the work.
The creek was designated a special protected area under the EU law Natura 2000.
Councillors voted 14 in favour and 13 against the development, which had already been built by the council.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 9 February 2009
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown councillors consider erection of 60 advert signs
COUNCILLORS IN Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Co Council are to consider tonight plans to erect 60 outdoor advertising signs in various locations throughout the local authority area.
The signs, originally planned for locations including the heritage village of Dalkey, will be erected by outdoor advertising company Clear Channel Ireland.
They will measure 2sq m (21½sq ft) and the elevation will extend to bus shelter height, the council has said.
Moreover the intention is that the signage will be scrolling and double sided.
Revenue from the project will generate €10 million for the council over 10 years. Contracts are expected to be signed with Clear Channel in the next two weeks.
The money is to be ring-fenced for the council’s recreation and amenity budget.
The council has also entered into discussions with another outdoor signage provider in relation to the provision of larger “metropole” structures. It is understood this signage will come before councillors for discussion in April.
Planning permission or public consultation will not be required for the signs, the council has said, because they will be developed separately and will come under the €126,000 threshold, which would require the council to initiate a part VIII public consultation process under planning legislation.
Technically, councillors do not have the final say on the signs. However, county manager Owen Keegan is required to inform them of the development and they could block it using a section 140 motion if they felt strongly enough.
The director of environment and culture at the council, Richard Shakespeare, said that when the sites for the 60 signs were originally mooted, councillors had raised concerns about some of them.
The council’s heritage officer then assessed the sites and identified 10 as being in sensitive areas.
Mr Shakespeare said that he would try to find alternatives to the 10 sites, although he thought the signs could be fine if they were “tastefully done”.
“We are cognisant of concerns around having these signs in architectural conservation areas, in designated heritage areas or too close to listed structures,” he said.
He said the funding from the signs would provide much needed resources to the area of recreation and amenity, which would be difficult to finance in the current economic climate.
“In effect, we can bullet-proof those budgets,” he said.
Councillors have also been informed that €700,000 of the monies due for 2009 from the signage has already been included by the council as part of its 2009 budget.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The signs, originally planned for locations including the heritage village of Dalkey, will be erected by outdoor advertising company Clear Channel Ireland.
They will measure 2sq m (21½sq ft) and the elevation will extend to bus shelter height, the council has said.
Moreover the intention is that the signage will be scrolling and double sided.
Revenue from the project will generate €10 million for the council over 10 years. Contracts are expected to be signed with Clear Channel in the next two weeks.
The money is to be ring-fenced for the council’s recreation and amenity budget.
The council has also entered into discussions with another outdoor signage provider in relation to the provision of larger “metropole” structures. It is understood this signage will come before councillors for discussion in April.
Planning permission or public consultation will not be required for the signs, the council has said, because they will be developed separately and will come under the €126,000 threshold, which would require the council to initiate a part VIII public consultation process under planning legislation.
Technically, councillors do not have the final say on the signs. However, county manager Owen Keegan is required to inform them of the development and they could block it using a section 140 motion if they felt strongly enough.
The director of environment and culture at the council, Richard Shakespeare, said that when the sites for the 60 signs were originally mooted, councillors had raised concerns about some of them.
The council’s heritage officer then assessed the sites and identified 10 as being in sensitive areas.
Mr Shakespeare said that he would try to find alternatives to the 10 sites, although he thought the signs could be fine if they were “tastefully done”.
“We are cognisant of concerns around having these signs in architectural conservation areas, in designated heritage areas or too close to listed structures,” he said.
He said the funding from the signs would provide much needed resources to the area of recreation and amenity, which would be difficult to finance in the current economic climate.
“In effect, we can bullet-proof those budgets,” he said.
Councillors have also been informed that €700,000 of the monies due for 2009 from the signage has already been included by the council as part of its 2009 budget.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 5 February 2009
No permission required for council's billboards
IN THESE tough times, the pressure is on local authorities to come up with new revenue streams. Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council must surely win the prize for most innovative plan to boost the coffers.
It plans to rake in €10m over 10 years by erecting 60 freestanding advertising billboards throughout its area, if its proposal is approved by councillors. One wonders what residents are going to make of the prospect of these tall freestanding advertising structures popping up on their doorsteps. The council won’t reveal exact locations, saying a report outlining the proposed sites will be presented at a council meeting next Monday, some of the pinpointed sites are in conservation areas, like Dalkey and Monkstown.
A spokesperson for the council says that no planning permission will be required if the plan goes ahead. “The proposal will be considered by the public representatives on behalf of local residents.” Indeed. In 2007 the council sought expressions of interest from media firms for the right to erect advertising structures and sell space on them. It is believed that Clear Channel Ireland was chosen and the projected revenue over the course of the contract was over €10m.
The council says the proceeds will be used to “consolidate and increase the expenditure in recreation and amenity of the council budget” and already €700,000 of 2009 expenditure has been incurred on the basis of this revenue stream.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
It plans to rake in €10m over 10 years by erecting 60 freestanding advertising billboards throughout its area, if its proposal is approved by councillors. One wonders what residents are going to make of the prospect of these tall freestanding advertising structures popping up on their doorsteps. The council won’t reveal exact locations, saying a report outlining the proposed sites will be presented at a council meeting next Monday, some of the pinpointed sites are in conservation areas, like Dalkey and Monkstown.
A spokesperson for the council says that no planning permission will be required if the plan goes ahead. “The proposal will be considered by the public representatives on behalf of local residents.” Indeed. In 2007 the council sought expressions of interest from media firms for the right to erect advertising structures and sell space on them. It is believed that Clear Channel Ireland was chosen and the projected revenue over the course of the contract was over €10m.
The council says the proceeds will be used to “consolidate and increase the expenditure in recreation and amenity of the council budget” and already €700,000 of 2009 expenditure has been incurred on the basis of this revenue stream.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 1 February 2009
A €10m deal to erect 60 billboards? Only in Dun Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has awarded a 10-year, €10m contract to a company for the rights to erect just 60 advertising billboards.
A councillor has urged that officials carefully assess the value of the contract with leading outdoor media company, Clear Channel Ireland.
The awarding of the contract comes in the wake of a highly controversial deal struck by Dublin City Council with a French advertising company, JC Decaux, whereby €1m a year will be paid for 15 years in exchange for 450 bicycles.
After much public and political pressure about the lack of transparency surrounding the 'billboards for bikes' deal, Dublin City Council recently relented and agreed to allow an independent audit committee to examine the contract.
Citing the controversy, Green Party councillor Gene Feighery has called on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to ensure the Clear Channel deal would represent value for money.
"Of course I would love €10m but I really have to balance the carrot that is being dangled with whether or not it is going have a positive impact on the area and where the money is going to go and whether it is index-linked," she said.
"This is a €10m deal now but if the recession ends and advertising space is at a major premium I would want more for the spaces... I want to read the small print on this and I don't want to end up in a situation that Dublin City Council ended up in."
At a Dún Laoghaire area committee meeting last week, council management also showed local representatives the proposed locations for the 2.7 sq m standalone billboards.
But Feighery questioned whether the location of several of the advert boards would be appropriate, considering some would be situated in conservation areas.
"Dalkey is an architectural conservation area and (there) are proposals to place two there. They would be adjacent to protected structures in Dún Laoghaire and on Marine Road and we have to assess the cumulative effect and the obstruction they would cause. I would prefer to see trees being planted and although I know there is no revenue in trees, we really have to wonder whether we are defacing our town for the sake of a few pieces of silver."
In a report to councillors, Richard Shakespeare, senior executive officer of the culture, community and amenities department, said council management had also entered into talks with another company regarding the provision of larger metropole billboards.
In addition, the report noted the legal work on the Clear Channel deal was "nearing completion" and it added that the matter would be presented to councillors at the next full council meeting on Monday 9 February.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
A councillor has urged that officials carefully assess the value of the contract with leading outdoor media company, Clear Channel Ireland.
The awarding of the contract comes in the wake of a highly controversial deal struck by Dublin City Council with a French advertising company, JC Decaux, whereby €1m a year will be paid for 15 years in exchange for 450 bicycles.
After much public and political pressure about the lack of transparency surrounding the 'billboards for bikes' deal, Dublin City Council recently relented and agreed to allow an independent audit committee to examine the contract.
Citing the controversy, Green Party councillor Gene Feighery has called on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to ensure the Clear Channel deal would represent value for money.
"Of course I would love €10m but I really have to balance the carrot that is being dangled with whether or not it is going have a positive impact on the area and where the money is going to go and whether it is index-linked," she said.
"This is a €10m deal now but if the recession ends and advertising space is at a major premium I would want more for the spaces... I want to read the small print on this and I don't want to end up in a situation that Dublin City Council ended up in."
At a Dún Laoghaire area committee meeting last week, council management also showed local representatives the proposed locations for the 2.7 sq m standalone billboards.
But Feighery questioned whether the location of several of the advert boards would be appropriate, considering some would be situated in conservation areas.
"Dalkey is an architectural conservation area and (there) are proposals to place two there. They would be adjacent to protected structures in Dún Laoghaire and on Marine Road and we have to assess the cumulative effect and the obstruction they would cause. I would prefer to see trees being planted and although I know there is no revenue in trees, we really have to wonder whether we are defacing our town for the sake of a few pieces of silver."
In a report to councillors, Richard Shakespeare, senior executive officer of the culture, community and amenities department, said council management had also entered into talks with another company regarding the provision of larger metropole billboards.
In addition, the report noted the legal work on the Clear Channel deal was "nearing completion" and it added that the matter would be presented to councillors at the next full council meeting on Monday 9 February.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
A €10m deal to erect 60 billboards? Only in Dun Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has awarded a 10-year, €10m contract to a company for the rights to erect just 60 advertising billboards.
A councillor has urged that officials carefully assess the value of the contract with leading outdoor media company, Clear Channel Ireland.
The awarding of the contract comes in the wake of a highly controversial deal struck by Dublin City Council with a French advertising company, JC Decaux, whereby €1m a year will be paid for 15 years in exchange for 450 bicycles.
After much public and political pressure about the lack of transparency surrounding the 'billboards for bikes' deal, Dublin City Council recently relented and agreed to allow an independent audit committee to examine the contract.
Citing the controversy, Green Party councillor Gene Feighery has called on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to ensure the Clear Channel deal would represent value for money.
"Of course I would love €10m but I really have to balance the carrot that is being dangled with whether or not it is going have a positive impact on the area and where the money is going to go and whether it is index-linked," she said.
"This is a €10m deal now but if the recession ends and advertising space is at a major premium I would want more for the spaces... I want to read the small print on this and I don't want to end up in a situation that Dublin City Council ended up in."
At a Dún Laoghaire area committee meeting last week, council management also showed local representatives the proposed locations for the 2.7 sq m standalone billboards.
But Feighery questioned whether the location of several of the advert boards would be appropriate, considering some would be situated in conservation areas.
"Dalkey is an architectural conservation area and (there) are proposals to place two there. They would be adjacent to protected structures in Dún Laoghaire and on Marine Road and we have to assess the cumulative effect and the obstruction they would cause. I would prefer to see trees being planted and although I know there is no revenue in trees, we really have to wonder whether we are defacing our town for the sake of a few pieces of silver."
In a report to councillors, Richard Shakespeare, senior executive officer of the culture, community and amenities department, said council management had also entered into talks with another company regarding the provision of larger metropole billboards.
In addition, the report noted the legal work on the Clear Channel deal was "nearing completion" and it added that the matter would be presented to councillors at the next full council meeting on Monday 9 February.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
A councillor has urged that officials carefully assess the value of the contract with leading outdoor media company, Clear Channel Ireland.
The awarding of the contract comes in the wake of a highly controversial deal struck by Dublin City Council with a French advertising company, JC Decaux, whereby €1m a year will be paid for 15 years in exchange for 450 bicycles.
After much public and political pressure about the lack of transparency surrounding the 'billboards for bikes' deal, Dublin City Council recently relented and agreed to allow an independent audit committee to examine the contract.
Citing the controversy, Green Party councillor Gene Feighery has called on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to ensure the Clear Channel deal would represent value for money.
"Of course I would love €10m but I really have to balance the carrot that is being dangled with whether or not it is going have a positive impact on the area and where the money is going to go and whether it is index-linked," she said.
"This is a €10m deal now but if the recession ends and advertising space is at a major premium I would want more for the spaces... I want to read the small print on this and I don't want to end up in a situation that Dublin City Council ended up in."
At a Dún Laoghaire area committee meeting last week, council management also showed local representatives the proposed locations for the 2.7 sq m standalone billboards.
But Feighery questioned whether the location of several of the advert boards would be appropriate, considering some would be situated in conservation areas.
"Dalkey is an architectural conservation area and (there) are proposals to place two there. They would be adjacent to protected structures in Dún Laoghaire and on Marine Road and we have to assess the cumulative effect and the obstruction they would cause. I would prefer to see trees being planted and although I know there is no revenue in trees, we really have to wonder whether we are defacing our town for the sake of a few pieces of silver."
In a report to councillors, Richard Shakespeare, senior executive officer of the culture, community and amenities department, said council management had also entered into talks with another company regarding the provision of larger metropole billboards.
In addition, the report noted the legal work on the Clear Channel deal was "nearing completion" and it added that the matter would be presented to councillors at the next full council meeting on Monday 9 February.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 15 October 2007
Advertising company responsible for 119 illegal hoardings
New free-standing advertising panels which JC Decaux is seeking to erect at 120 locations across Dublin in exchange for a city bike scheme, would constitute a "traffic hazard" the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO) has told a Bord Pleanála hearing.
The board is holding an appeals hearing on permission granted by Dublin City Council for 24 of the 120 panels. However, the DTO told the hearing that it is opposed to the scheme in its entirety.
DTO chief executive John Henry said that the purpose of the street-side advertising panels was clearly to attract the attention of drivers. "Anything which is designed to attract a driver's attention must therefore distract their attention from the road. Anything which distracts a driver's attention is unacceptable."
JC Decaux, one of the world largest advertising companies, has sought permission for 70 panels of 7sq m which will stand just over 2m off the ground, and 50 panels of 2.59sq m, similar in size to a bus shelter. All of the panels will be illuminated and can carry scrolling images.
Illuminated signs adjacent to the roadside were particularly dangerous, Mr Henry said.
"The DTO is totally opposed to the provision of on-street illuminated outdoor signage as it is considered to constitute a traffic hazard." Scrolling images were "even more distracting", he said.
The DTO's position was supported, Mr Henry said, by a recent Bord Pleanála refusal of permission for an illuminated scrolling advertising panel at Long Mile Road in west Dublin on the grounds that it would distract drivers.
The DTO was also concerned about the panels that were proposed for pedestrian areas, on the grounds that they might impede pedestrians, particularly the visually impaired.
RPS consulting engineers, representing JC Decaux, told the hearing the assertion that the signs would cause a traffic hazard was "inaccurate and without substance". "The suggestion of the appellant that the proposed advertising structure will act as a distraction and consequently a hazard to motorists implies that all signage, including public information signage should be banned. This is patently unreasonable," Angela Grady of RPS said.
Illuminated signage was part of the regular driving environment for city drivers, she said.
"The suggestion of the appellant that the proposed illuminated signage will constitute a traffic hazard is considered inaccurate and without substance."
JC Decaux and the council had gone to considerable effort to ensure the structures would not affect pedestrian movement, she said.
In exchange for allowing JC Decaux to erect 120 signs for a 15-year period, instead of the normal three-year planning permission, the council will receive 450 bikes, four public toilets, and a number of tourism and public information signs.
The advertising company which is to provide a city bike scheme for Dublin in exchange for free advertising at 120 city locations is responsible for 119 illegal advertising hoardings across the State, An Taisce has told a Bord Pleane1la hearing.
The planning board yesterday opened an appeals hearing against 24 of the 120 planning permissions granted by Dublin City Council to one of the world's largest advertising companies, JC Decaux
The council has granted permission to erect 70 panels of 7sq m (8.37sq yards) and 50 panels of 2.59sq m (similar in size to a bus shelter) at locations around the city for a period of 15 years. All panels will be free-standing, double-sided, can be illuminated at night and can carry moving images.
The council is to receive no revenue from the advertising or rental of the advertising spaces, but will get 450 bicycles, reduced from an original 500, which will be available for hire by the public at a fee yet to be decided.
Under the contract with the council, JC Decaux will also provide four public toilets, a number of signposts, freestanding maps and "heritage trail" posts.
The council has also secured a commitment from the company to remove 100 of its 18sq m advertising hoardings from the sides of buildings in the city.
However, An Taisce told the hearing that these older style hoardings were no longer lucrative and many were likely to be illegal and should be forcibly removed by the council.
An Taisce representative John Stewart said the heritage body had identified 119 locations across the State where JC Decaux was responsible for illegal advertising billboards. These were advertising panels that had either been erected without permission, or had been altered, extended or illuminated without permission.
In 28 cases so far, An Taisce has secured declarations from the relevant local authorities that the developments are unauthorised, eight of which relate to developments in Dublin. JC Decaux had also failed to comply with orders from An Bord Pleanala and various local authorities, Mr Stewart said.
"JC Decaux are in contempt of the board, in contempt of the local authorities and in competent of the people of Ireland as a whole."
An Taisce heritage officer Ian Lumley said the contract between the council and JC Decaux should not go ahead because it conflicted with EU and Irish law. Under an EU directive the project should have been subject to an environmental impact assessment (EIA), he said.
It also conflicted with Irish property law, which stated that property owners had rights to a portion of the public road. He added that the applications were "premature" because the city council was preparing an outdoor advertising strategy. The contract should not be allowed to proceed until this strategy was adopted, he said.
Senior planner with the council Mary Conway said the applications did not fall within the EIA remit. JC Decaux has said that Mr Stewart's assertions were untrue and defamatory. The hearing continues today.
Olivia Kelly
The Irish Times
The board is holding an appeals hearing on permission granted by Dublin City Council for 24 of the 120 panels. However, the DTO told the hearing that it is opposed to the scheme in its entirety.
DTO chief executive John Henry said that the purpose of the street-side advertising panels was clearly to attract the attention of drivers. "Anything which is designed to attract a driver's attention must therefore distract their attention from the road. Anything which distracts a driver's attention is unacceptable."
JC Decaux, one of the world largest advertising companies, has sought permission for 70 panels of 7sq m which will stand just over 2m off the ground, and 50 panels of 2.59sq m, similar in size to a bus shelter. All of the panels will be illuminated and can carry scrolling images.
Illuminated signs adjacent to the roadside were particularly dangerous, Mr Henry said.
"The DTO is totally opposed to the provision of on-street illuminated outdoor signage as it is considered to constitute a traffic hazard." Scrolling images were "even more distracting", he said.
The DTO's position was supported, Mr Henry said, by a recent Bord Pleanála refusal of permission for an illuminated scrolling advertising panel at Long Mile Road in west Dublin on the grounds that it would distract drivers.
The DTO was also concerned about the panels that were proposed for pedestrian areas, on the grounds that they might impede pedestrians, particularly the visually impaired.
RPS consulting engineers, representing JC Decaux, told the hearing the assertion that the signs would cause a traffic hazard was "inaccurate and without substance". "The suggestion of the appellant that the proposed advertising structure will act as a distraction and consequently a hazard to motorists implies that all signage, including public information signage should be banned. This is patently unreasonable," Angela Grady of RPS said.
Illuminated signage was part of the regular driving environment for city drivers, she said.
"The suggestion of the appellant that the proposed illuminated signage will constitute a traffic hazard is considered inaccurate and without substance."
JC Decaux and the council had gone to considerable effort to ensure the structures would not affect pedestrian movement, she said.
In exchange for allowing JC Decaux to erect 120 signs for a 15-year period, instead of the normal three-year planning permission, the council will receive 450 bikes, four public toilets, and a number of tourism and public information signs.
The advertising company which is to provide a city bike scheme for Dublin in exchange for free advertising at 120 city locations is responsible for 119 illegal advertising hoardings across the State, An Taisce has told a Bord Pleane1la hearing.
The planning board yesterday opened an appeals hearing against 24 of the 120 planning permissions granted by Dublin City Council to one of the world's largest advertising companies, JC Decaux
The council has granted permission to erect 70 panels of 7sq m (8.37sq yards) and 50 panels of 2.59sq m (similar in size to a bus shelter) at locations around the city for a period of 15 years. All panels will be free-standing, double-sided, can be illuminated at night and can carry moving images.
The council is to receive no revenue from the advertising or rental of the advertising spaces, but will get 450 bicycles, reduced from an original 500, which will be available for hire by the public at a fee yet to be decided.
Under the contract with the council, JC Decaux will also provide four public toilets, a number of signposts, freestanding maps and "heritage trail" posts.
The council has also secured a commitment from the company to remove 100 of its 18sq m advertising hoardings from the sides of buildings in the city.
However, An Taisce told the hearing that these older style hoardings were no longer lucrative and many were likely to be illegal and should be forcibly removed by the council.
An Taisce representative John Stewart said the heritage body had identified 119 locations across the State where JC Decaux was responsible for illegal advertising billboards. These were advertising panels that had either been erected without permission, or had been altered, extended or illuminated without permission.
In 28 cases so far, An Taisce has secured declarations from the relevant local authorities that the developments are unauthorised, eight of which relate to developments in Dublin. JC Decaux had also failed to comply with orders from An Bord Pleanala and various local authorities, Mr Stewart said.
"JC Decaux are in contempt of the board, in contempt of the local authorities and in competent of the people of Ireland as a whole."
An Taisce heritage officer Ian Lumley said the contract between the council and JC Decaux should not go ahead because it conflicted with EU and Irish law. Under an EU directive the project should have been subject to an environmental impact assessment (EIA), he said.
It also conflicted with Irish property law, which stated that property owners had rights to a portion of the public road. He added that the applications were "premature" because the city council was preparing an outdoor advertising strategy. The contract should not be allowed to proceed until this strategy was adopted, he said.
Senior planner with the council Mary Conway said the applications did not fall within the EIA remit. JC Decaux has said that Mr Stewart's assertions were untrue and defamatory. The hearing continues today.
Olivia Kelly
The Irish Times
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