THE CONSTRUCTION Industry Federation's (CIF) plan for its headquarters on Dublin's Grand Canal has been refused planning permission by Dublin City Council because it would devalue adjoining property.
Refusing planning permission for the mixed-use scheme, planners at the council said the development "would seriously injure the residential amenities and depreciate the value" of houses on Athlumney Villas by way of overshadowing.
Council planners also objected to the height, scale and mass of the proposed CIF development saying it would be "visually obtrusive and out of character" with the area.
The CIF and Construction Workers Pension Scheme (CWPS) were seeking permission to revamp the 1970s headquarters, Canal House on Canal Road in Dublin 6.
The proposed scheme, designed by architects Burke Kennedy Doyle, involved the demolition of an office block on the site along with a row of five derelict cottages, Dunville Terrace, to make way for a seven-storey office building.
Five apartments were planned for the top floor of this new office block and a further 11 apartments were planned for two office blocks which were to be renovated and raised by one and two storeys.
Among the 21 objectors to the scheme were An Taisce, Senator Deirdre de Búrca and a number of residents groups.
Height, overlooking, light pollution and overdevelopment were the main issues identified by the objectors.
David Quinn, for residents from neighbouring Ontario Terrace and Mount Pleasant Parade, says the scheme would become one of south Dublin's "iconic cock-ups".
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label applying for planning permission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label applying for planning permission. Show all posts
Friday, 20 June 2008
Thursday, 7 February 2008
Council to seek court order to demolish house
Meath County Council is expected to seek a court order shortly for the demolition of a large two-storey house near Navan which was built without planning permission.
The council is expected to reactivate earlier legal proceedings for the demolition of the house near Bohermeen. This follows the refusal of An Bord Pleanála to grant retention permission for the unauthorised development.
The house was built by the owner, Michael Murray, a local plumber who owns a plant hire business. At 588sq metres in size, it was about twice as large as the house proposed in the original planning application. Mr Murray declined to comment on the case.
Last November, An Bord Pleanála refused retention permission for the house, which is in a cul-de-sac at Faughanhill. It ruled that the house was out of character for the area and represented an "unduly prominent and incongruous" feature on the landscape. It would also give rise to excessive development in a rural area lacking services and would set an undesirable precedent for further development, the board found.
The board rejected arguments made on behalf of Mr Murray by planning consultant Seán Lucy, who said his client was born and reared in the family home less than half a mile from the house under dispute. He said Mr Murray had applied for planning permission for a house for himself and his family on three occasions on three different sites, but was refused.
Mr Lucy said Mr Murray had built the house "in desperation" because he needed a home for his wife and three children. His client recognised that he was "remiss", but pleaded that this should not prejudice his case.
The An Bord Pleanála inspector found that Mr Murray met the criteria for local needs under the guidelines for sustainable rural housing and ruled there were no traffic issues. However, he claimed permission would place excessive pressure on waste water treatment in an unserviced rural area and so would be prejudicial to public health.
An Taisce (Meath branch) had appealed the application for retention permission, saying it could set a dangerous precedent. Not only had the original planning refusal been ignored, but the house built was considerably larger than the original application, it said. The area has seen a number of planning applications, most of which have been refused.
A council spokesman declined to comment on the case as it was the subject of legal proceedings which were started after the council refused Mr Murray's initial planning application on the site in May 2006.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The council is expected to reactivate earlier legal proceedings for the demolition of the house near Bohermeen. This follows the refusal of An Bord Pleanála to grant retention permission for the unauthorised development.
The house was built by the owner, Michael Murray, a local plumber who owns a plant hire business. At 588sq metres in size, it was about twice as large as the house proposed in the original planning application. Mr Murray declined to comment on the case.
Last November, An Bord Pleanála refused retention permission for the house, which is in a cul-de-sac at Faughanhill. It ruled that the house was out of character for the area and represented an "unduly prominent and incongruous" feature on the landscape. It would also give rise to excessive development in a rural area lacking services and would set an undesirable precedent for further development, the board found.
The board rejected arguments made on behalf of Mr Murray by planning consultant Seán Lucy, who said his client was born and reared in the family home less than half a mile from the house under dispute. He said Mr Murray had applied for planning permission for a house for himself and his family on three occasions on three different sites, but was refused.
Mr Lucy said Mr Murray had built the house "in desperation" because he needed a home for his wife and three children. His client recognised that he was "remiss", but pleaded that this should not prejudice his case.
The An Bord Pleanála inspector found that Mr Murray met the criteria for local needs under the guidelines for sustainable rural housing and ruled there were no traffic issues. However, he claimed permission would place excessive pressure on waste water treatment in an unserviced rural area and so would be prejudicial to public health.
An Taisce (Meath branch) had appealed the application for retention permission, saying it could set a dangerous precedent. Not only had the original planning refusal been ignored, but the house built was considerably larger than the original application, it said. The area has seen a number of planning applications, most of which have been refused.
A council spokesman declined to comment on the case as it was the subject of legal proceedings which were started after the council refused Mr Murray's initial planning application on the site in May 2006.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Celebrations in Ballydoyle as animal plant gets planning refusal
CHAMPAGNE corks were popping in Ballydoyle stables last night and across the wider Golden Vale as campaigners celebrated the decision by South Tipperary County Council to refuse planning permission for a controversial animal waste plant.
Champion racehorse trainer Aidan O’Brien and his wife Anne-Marie threatened to pull the multimillion Ballydoyle racing empire from the area if the plant went ahead. Their stable is 3km miles from the proposed plant at Castleblake outside Cashel.
“Aidan and I, together with all the staff at Ballydoyle are very relieved. This decision shows that the county council has recognised both the importance of the horse business to south Tipperary economically and the threat to human and animal health and welfare posed by this national rendering and waste plant,” said Anne-Marie O’Brien.
“Clean air and water is essential to everyone in this community, not just Ballydoyle, and we are delighted that the county council has made the right decision in protecting our environment,” she said.
Breeder John Magnier had also threatened to uproot his nearby Coolmore Stud enterprise.
The factory plans galvanised the community into a big campaign with up to 1,100 letters of objection sent to the county council. The plant was to be developed by Green Organics Energy (GOE), made up of National By-Products/Avglade, Bioverda/NTR and Dawn Meats and intended processing up to 250,000 tonnes of animal waste to make electricity, gas and biodiesel.
Campaign group South Tipperary for Clean Industry (STCI) welcomed yesterday’s decision saying it is confident, even if GOE appeals the decision to An Bord Pleanála, the “dirty and frightening project” won’t be developed.
STCI Ltd spokesman Douglas Butler said: “This follows a defeat for Bioverda at Bord Pleanála in relation to a similar plant at Ballard, Co Cork, and gives us more confidence that we will be able to protect this area from a completely unsuitable and unsustainable waste plant. The promoters should now drop this project, which is misguided and simply wrong. This small rural community should not be put through yet another planning process at Bord Pleanála level — even though we are confident of success.”
The council refused the application because of its size and scale, the type and quantity of materials being processed and the pressure on existing road infrastructure from trucks bringing waste and also distributing the finished product.
Timeline
January 2007: A mass meeting is held where the South Tipperary for Clean Industry group is formed. Independent TD Michael Lowry, Fine Gael’s Tom Hayes and Fianna Fáil’s Senator Martin Mansergh support local community.
December. 2006: Planning permission lodged for €75 million anaerobic digester facility and biodiesel plant.
April 2003: The Ronan family, which controls National By-Products, withdraws its application to the Environmental Protection Agency for an integrated pollution control licence for the incinerator. As part of the agreement, racehorse trainer Aidan O’Brien and international horse breeder John Magnier agreed to drop an action for nuisance against the Ronan’s rendering business.
September 2002: Aidan O’Brien and John Magnier apply for a judicial review of the county council’s decision. The challenge was eventually dropped.
July 2002: A petition is circulated, organised by local umbrella group South Tipperary Anti-Incinerator Campaign, objecting to the development. It ends up with nearly 19,000 signatures from farmers, GPs and vets. It also commissioned an MRBI poll on the issue claiming 70% were opposed to the development.
May 2002: Planning permission was granted by South Tipperary County Council to develop a meat and bonemeal incinerator at Castleblake.
Champion racehorse trainer Aidan O’Brien and his wife Anne-Marie threatened to pull the multimillion Ballydoyle racing empire from the area if the plant went ahead. Their stable is 3km miles from the proposed plant at Castleblake outside Cashel.
“Aidan and I, together with all the staff at Ballydoyle are very relieved. This decision shows that the county council has recognised both the importance of the horse business to south Tipperary economically and the threat to human and animal health and welfare posed by this national rendering and waste plant,” said Anne-Marie O’Brien.
“Clean air and water is essential to everyone in this community, not just Ballydoyle, and we are delighted that the county council has made the right decision in protecting our environment,” she said.
Breeder John Magnier had also threatened to uproot his nearby Coolmore Stud enterprise.
The factory plans galvanised the community into a big campaign with up to 1,100 letters of objection sent to the county council. The plant was to be developed by Green Organics Energy (GOE), made up of National By-Products/Avglade, Bioverda/NTR and Dawn Meats and intended processing up to 250,000 tonnes of animal waste to make electricity, gas and biodiesel.
Campaign group South Tipperary for Clean Industry (STCI) welcomed yesterday’s decision saying it is confident, even if GOE appeals the decision to An Bord Pleanála, the “dirty and frightening project” won’t be developed.
STCI Ltd spokesman Douglas Butler said: “This follows a defeat for Bioverda at Bord Pleanála in relation to a similar plant at Ballard, Co Cork, and gives us more confidence that we will be able to protect this area from a completely unsuitable and unsustainable waste plant. The promoters should now drop this project, which is misguided and simply wrong. This small rural community should not be put through yet another planning process at Bord Pleanála level — even though we are confident of success.”
The council refused the application because of its size and scale, the type and quantity of materials being processed and the pressure on existing road infrastructure from trucks bringing waste and also distributing the finished product.
Timeline
January 2007: A mass meeting is held where the South Tipperary for Clean Industry group is formed. Independent TD Michael Lowry, Fine Gael’s Tom Hayes and Fianna Fáil’s Senator Martin Mansergh support local community.
December. 2006: Planning permission lodged for €75 million anaerobic digester facility and biodiesel plant.
April 2003: The Ronan family, which controls National By-Products, withdraws its application to the Environmental Protection Agency for an integrated pollution control licence for the incinerator. As part of the agreement, racehorse trainer Aidan O’Brien and international horse breeder John Magnier agreed to drop an action for nuisance against the Ronan’s rendering business.
September 2002: Aidan O’Brien and John Magnier apply for a judicial review of the county council’s decision. The challenge was eventually dropped.
July 2002: A petition is circulated, organised by local umbrella group South Tipperary Anti-Incinerator Campaign, objecting to the development. It ends up with nearly 19,000 signatures from farmers, GPs and vets. It also commissioned an MRBI poll on the issue claiming 70% were opposed to the development.
May 2002: Planning permission was granted by South Tipperary County Council to develop a meat and bonemeal incinerator at Castleblake.
Monday, 13 August 2007
Developer says rival broke €4m pact over planning
DEVELOPERS building rival shopping centres made a €4m pact not to object to planning permission against each other's plans.
However, now one of them is trying to stop €3m of that being paid because an objection has been placed against their development.
The High Court heard yesterday that the two firms - Galway-based Talebury Properties Ltd and Parolen Ltd of Ashbourne, Co Meath - were developing rival shopping centres in Drogheda, Co Louth, in 2003.
Declan McGrath, counsel for Talebury of Kitty Hall, Edward Hall, Co Galway, said the company had found out that Parolen had lodged a number of objections and appeals to various applications for planning permissions which Talebury had made to Drogheda Borough Council.
Agreement
Both developers had on August 21, 2003 entered into a written agreement in which Parolen said it would withdraw its existing appeals and objections.
The company also agreed it would not initiate any future objections or encourage or help anyone else to do so.
In consideration for the undertakings, Talebury had agreed to give Parolen two payments which would be guaranteed by Anglo Irish Bank Corporation plc.
Mr McGrath told Ms Justice Mary Laffoy that the first had guaranteed €1m by AIB on behalf of Talebury within 60 days of the date of the agreement, August 21, 2003.
Guarantee
This amount had been duly drawn down by Parolen. The agreement had further provided for a second guarantee to be given in the sum of €3m which would be available for draw-down on the fourth anniversary of the agreement - August 21, 2007.
Mr McGrath said Talebury was seeking an injunction restraining Anglo Irish Bank from paying out on foot of the €3m guarantee pending completion of the legal proceedings before the court.
He said Talebury claimed Parolen had breached the agreement not to lodge further objection.
Edward McGovern, of Laurence Street, Drogheda, had in July last year appealed to An Bord Pleanala a planning permission granted by Drogheda Borough Council to Talebury regarding its lands.
Mr McGrath said it was Talebury's case that Parolen had either directly or indirectly initiated or encouraged the appeal.
He said there was no allegation of wrongdoing against Anglo Irish Bank Corporation and in no way was the reputation of the bank impugned by Talebury Properties Ltd.
Judge Laffoy, granting the injunction restraining the paydown of the €3m until all of the issues in the proceedings had been determined by the court, said that there was a huge conflict of fact in the evidence placed before her and that it was not the court's function at this stage to express any view on the merits of the case.
Ray Managh
Irish Independent
However, now one of them is trying to stop €3m of that being paid because an objection has been placed against their development.
The High Court heard yesterday that the two firms - Galway-based Talebury Properties Ltd and Parolen Ltd of Ashbourne, Co Meath - were developing rival shopping centres in Drogheda, Co Louth, in 2003.
Declan McGrath, counsel for Talebury of Kitty Hall, Edward Hall, Co Galway, said the company had found out that Parolen had lodged a number of objections and appeals to various applications for planning permissions which Talebury had made to Drogheda Borough Council.
Agreement
Both developers had on August 21, 2003 entered into a written agreement in which Parolen said it would withdraw its existing appeals and objections.
The company also agreed it would not initiate any future objections or encourage or help anyone else to do so.
In consideration for the undertakings, Talebury had agreed to give Parolen two payments which would be guaranteed by Anglo Irish Bank Corporation plc.
Mr McGrath told Ms Justice Mary Laffoy that the first had guaranteed €1m by AIB on behalf of Talebury within 60 days of the date of the agreement, August 21, 2003.
Guarantee
This amount had been duly drawn down by Parolen. The agreement had further provided for a second guarantee to be given in the sum of €3m which would be available for draw-down on the fourth anniversary of the agreement - August 21, 2007.
Mr McGrath said Talebury was seeking an injunction restraining Anglo Irish Bank from paying out on foot of the €3m guarantee pending completion of the legal proceedings before the court.
He said Talebury claimed Parolen had breached the agreement not to lodge further objection.
Edward McGovern, of Laurence Street, Drogheda, had in July last year appealed to An Bord Pleanala a planning permission granted by Drogheda Borough Council to Talebury regarding its lands.
Mr McGrath said it was Talebury's case that Parolen had either directly or indirectly initiated or encouraged the appeal.
He said there was no allegation of wrongdoing against Anglo Irish Bank Corporation and in no way was the reputation of the bank impugned by Talebury Properties Ltd.
Judge Laffoy, granting the injunction restraining the paydown of the €3m until all of the issues in the proceedings had been determined by the court, said that there was a huge conflict of fact in the evidence placed before her and that it was not the court's function at this stage to express any view on the merits of the case.
Ray Managh
Irish Independent
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Makeover project for Shandon bell tower
A MAJOR project is set to make Cork’s landmark Shandon bells more tourist-friendly.
The Select Vestry of St Anne’s Shandon has applied for planning permission for a range of developments that will make the iconic building on the city’s northside more accessible as well as improving visitor facilities.
Christopher Southgate and Associates plan to open up an existing closed door for fire safety reasons and install a new wheelchair access lift into the protected structure.
But they also plan to install glass screens and educational displays right up through the bell tower.
Tourists and visitors will be able to climb the bell-ringing platform and read about the history of the 1722-built church all the way up.
A metal grill in the bell tower which protects the ‘Four Faced Liar’s’ clock mechanisms will also be replaced with a glass screen.
Church warden John Mustard said it would improve visibility into the intricate mechanisms.
A number of beautiful stained glass windows which are damaged will also be replaced.
Mr Mustard said attempts have been made to replace damaged panes in some of the windows, but church authorities experienced difficulties in matching glass colours.
“This work is being planned following lengthy consultations with city planners,” he said.
“We didn’t want to close the tower during July and August which are the busiest period for visitors.
“So we are hoping to start the work in September, once planning permission comes through.”
These latest developments are the final stages of a series of works which have been ongoing at the church for almost six years. Its stonework was cleaned last year, new safety rails were added to the bell tower and the gilded salmon-shaped weather vane, perched atop the tower, was re-gilded in 2004.
Shandon is open to visitors Monday to Saturday from 10am-4.30pm.
Steep public liability insurance means visitors are charged to ring the bells — €6 for adults and €5 for students and pensioners.
Irish Examiner
The Select Vestry of St Anne’s Shandon has applied for planning permission for a range of developments that will make the iconic building on the city’s northside more accessible as well as improving visitor facilities.
Christopher Southgate and Associates plan to open up an existing closed door for fire safety reasons and install a new wheelchair access lift into the protected structure.
But they also plan to install glass screens and educational displays right up through the bell tower.
Tourists and visitors will be able to climb the bell-ringing platform and read about the history of the 1722-built church all the way up.
A metal grill in the bell tower which protects the ‘Four Faced Liar’s’ clock mechanisms will also be replaced with a glass screen.
Church warden John Mustard said it would improve visibility into the intricate mechanisms.
A number of beautiful stained glass windows which are damaged will also be replaced.
Mr Mustard said attempts have been made to replace damaged panes in some of the windows, but church authorities experienced difficulties in matching glass colours.
“This work is being planned following lengthy consultations with city planners,” he said.
“We didn’t want to close the tower during July and August which are the busiest period for visitors.
“So we are hoping to start the work in September, once planning permission comes through.”
These latest developments are the final stages of a series of works which have been ongoing at the church for almost six years. Its stonework was cleaned last year, new safety rails were added to the bell tower and the gilded salmon-shaped weather vane, perched atop the tower, was re-gilded in 2004.
Shandon is open to visitors Monday to Saturday from 10am-4.30pm.
Steep public liability insurance means visitors are charged to ring the bells — €6 for adults and €5 for students and pensioners.
Irish Examiner
Sunday, 15 July 2007
Clash of the property titans snags €90m plan
BUSINESSMAN Jim Mansfield's ambitious plans to build a conference centre in west Dublin have been stymied - for the second time - by the Point Depot owner, Harry Crosbie, in the latest round of a high-stakes turf war between the two titans of development in the Dublin area.
Mr Mansfield, the controversial developer who has long harboured hopes of building a 6,000-seat convention centre beside his City West Hotel on the outskirts of Dublin, submitted scaled-back plans to the local authority in April in hope of his building getting the green light from the planners.
But Harry Crosbie, the entertainment entrepreneur whose consortium won the bid to build a conference facility in Dublin's docklands, is so far the sole objector to date to Mr Mansfield's plans.
Mr Crosbie, along with Treasury Holdings and CIE, won the contract to build the long-awaited national conference centre in Spencer Dock in April. However, Mr Crosbie's main concerns with the City West conference centre appear to be its potential as a concert venue.
In a submission to South Dublin County Council, consultants acting for Mr Crosbie's Point Exhibition Company refer to Mr Mansfield's "alleged" conference centre. They suggest that it is "clearly designed" for large scale concerts, rather than conferences - and say it can accommodate far more the 4,000 claimed in the planning application.
Sources close to the developer said Mr Mansfield was upset that his latest plans, said to be worth in the €70m-€90m region, have once again prompted objections from Mr Crosbie, whom he sees as a commercial rival.
They said the project had been scaled back to meet planners' concerns and that the issue of public transport to City West was resolved with plans to extend the Luas to Citywest and the widening of the N7.
Mr Mansfield declined to comment. Mr Crosbie could not be contacted by this newspaper.
The two men are amongst the wealthiest developers in the capital and both have been credited with rejuvenating their respective territories.
Jim Mansfield, who is worth an estimated €420m, built the biggest hotel complex in Ireland in west Dublin, although his developments have brought him into repeated conflict with the planning authorities.
Harry Crosbie, worth an estimated €315m, has spearheaded the development of the city's docklands through the Point Theatre, which he controls and where he plans to develop an €800m multi-function Point Village complex.
Mr Mansfield's latest plans have scaled back his Convention Centre from a 6,000-seater to a 4,000-seater, covering 7,500 square foot with huge 13 metre high ceilings. The project has been supported by numerous commercial companies, including the association of Irish conference organisers.
But John Spain, consultants to Mr Crosbie's company, suggest that if Mr Mansfield does get planning permission for his conference centre, he should be required to give an undertaking that he won't hold concerts there or accommodate more than 4,000 people.
Irish Independent
Mr Mansfield, the controversial developer who has long harboured hopes of building a 6,000-seat convention centre beside his City West Hotel on the outskirts of Dublin, submitted scaled-back plans to the local authority in April in hope of his building getting the green light from the planners.
But Harry Crosbie, the entertainment entrepreneur whose consortium won the bid to build a conference facility in Dublin's docklands, is so far the sole objector to date to Mr Mansfield's plans.
Mr Crosbie, along with Treasury Holdings and CIE, won the contract to build the long-awaited national conference centre in Spencer Dock in April. However, Mr Crosbie's main concerns with the City West conference centre appear to be its potential as a concert venue.
In a submission to South Dublin County Council, consultants acting for Mr Crosbie's Point Exhibition Company refer to Mr Mansfield's "alleged" conference centre. They suggest that it is "clearly designed" for large scale concerts, rather than conferences - and say it can accommodate far more the 4,000 claimed in the planning application.
Sources close to the developer said Mr Mansfield was upset that his latest plans, said to be worth in the €70m-€90m region, have once again prompted objections from Mr Crosbie, whom he sees as a commercial rival.
They said the project had been scaled back to meet planners' concerns and that the issue of public transport to City West was resolved with plans to extend the Luas to Citywest and the widening of the N7.
Mr Mansfield declined to comment. Mr Crosbie could not be contacted by this newspaper.
The two men are amongst the wealthiest developers in the capital and both have been credited with rejuvenating their respective territories.
Jim Mansfield, who is worth an estimated €420m, built the biggest hotel complex in Ireland in west Dublin, although his developments have brought him into repeated conflict with the planning authorities.
Harry Crosbie, worth an estimated €315m, has spearheaded the development of the city's docklands through the Point Theatre, which he controls and where he plans to develop an €800m multi-function Point Village complex.
Mr Mansfield's latest plans have scaled back his Convention Centre from a 6,000-seater to a 4,000-seater, covering 7,500 square foot with huge 13 metre high ceilings. The project has been supported by numerous commercial companies, including the association of Irish conference organisers.
But John Spain, consultants to Mr Crosbie's company, suggest that if Mr Mansfield does get planning permission for his conference centre, he should be required to give an undertaking that he won't hold concerts there or accommodate more than 4,000 people.
Irish Independent
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
Cancer survivor among residents opposing mobile phone mast proposal
A WOMAN who fought breast cancer through 18 chemotherapy treatments
has joined opposition to the siting of a mobile phone mast near her home
owing to concerns that the mast could pose a health hazard.
Hutchinson 3G wants to erect the mast near Clonlara on the outskirts of
Limerick.
Kay Broderick, who has fought cancer, said: “All the studies on these things
might not show they are dangerous but they haven’t shown they aren’t
dangerous either. I don’t think it is safe.”
She said she was just one of many locals opposed to the mast.
Clare County Council has sought additional information from the mast
company about the mast.
Ms Broderick said: “I think everyone around here objected to it. This mast
would be fairly tall.
“There’s another person on our road who is also recovering from cancer and I
don’t think anyone wants to be living underneath it.”
She also claimed that the planning site notice was also located too far from
the roadway to read it.
Another local resident David McCullogh said that locals hadreceived very little
information about the proposed mast and were worried about it.
He said: “We are primarily against it because we have health and safety
concerns.
“We just don’t know enough about it.”
Local councillor Pascal Fitzgerald said masts were springing up all over the
area without proper consultation.
Mr Fitzgerald said: “I don’t like the way the companies are going about it. I
walk that road all the time and I wouldn’t have known about the proposal
except that one resident spotted it and called me."
Jimmy Woulfe
© Irish Examiner
has joined opposition to the siting of a mobile phone mast near her home
owing to concerns that the mast could pose a health hazard.
Hutchinson 3G wants to erect the mast near Clonlara on the outskirts of
Limerick.
Kay Broderick, who has fought cancer, said: “All the studies on these things
might not show they are dangerous but they haven’t shown they aren’t
dangerous either. I don’t think it is safe.”
She said she was just one of many locals opposed to the mast.
Clare County Council has sought additional information from the mast
company about the mast.
Ms Broderick said: “I think everyone around here objected to it. This mast
would be fairly tall.
“There’s another person on our road who is also recovering from cancer and I
don’t think anyone wants to be living underneath it.”
She also claimed that the planning site notice was also located too far from
the roadway to read it.
Another local resident David McCullogh said that locals hadreceived very little
information about the proposed mast and were worried about it.
He said: “We are primarily against it because we have health and safety
concerns.
“We just don’t know enough about it.”
Local councillor Pascal Fitzgerald said masts were springing up all over the
area without proper consultation.
Mr Fitzgerald said: “I don’t like the way the companies are going about it. I
walk that road all the time and I wouldn’t have known about the proposal
except that one resident spotted it and called me."
Jimmy Woulfe
© Irish Examiner
Protesters picket County Hall as Meteor defies council over phone mast
MORE than 50 people who held a protest outside County Hall yesterday
heard that Cork County Council is to take a mobile phone company to court to
force it to remove a controversial mast.
Carrying placards which asked the local authority to protect its people, the
protesters said they were deeply concerned about the continuing operation of
the Meteor mobile phone mast at New Square, in Mitchelstown.
While health concerns were their major priority, the protesters added that
many of them had been unable to receive RTÉ TV signals since the mast
became operational at the end of last January.
The mast is placed on Mrs Quinn’s charity shop.
Sheila Corbett, a mother of three young girls, is fearful for her children’s
health. One of her girls held a placard stating she couldn’t see Dora or Barney
because of Meteor.
“My grandmother lives in the area. She’s terribly worried about her health and
has no TV reception,” Diarmuid Mullins said.
Deputy Ned O’Keeffe, who attended the protest, said: “I’m here objecting to
this mast on health and safety grounds.”
Standing orders were suspended to discuss the issue.
Cllrs Kevin O’Keeffe and Frank O’Flynn explained that, on June 5, officials
decided the mast needed planning permission and Cork County Council
issued an enforcement order.
Meteor has applied for retention, but, it was stated yesterday that this
application isn’t valid.
Cllr Liam O’Doherty said: “They [Meteor] could take this to An Bord Pleanála
and that could take 12 to 15 months. The least residents can expect it to have
the mast turned off.”ഊCounty manager Martin Riordan said officials were preparing to take Meteor
to court because the company hadn’t complied with the enforcement order
issued in Mitchelstown.
Sean O’Riordan
© Irish Examiner
heard that Cork County Council is to take a mobile phone company to court to
force it to remove a controversial mast.
Carrying placards which asked the local authority to protect its people, the
protesters said they were deeply concerned about the continuing operation of
the Meteor mobile phone mast at New Square, in Mitchelstown.
While health concerns were their major priority, the protesters added that
many of them had been unable to receive RTÉ TV signals since the mast
became operational at the end of last January.
The mast is placed on Mrs Quinn’s charity shop.
Sheila Corbett, a mother of three young girls, is fearful for her children’s
health. One of her girls held a placard stating she couldn’t see Dora or Barney
because of Meteor.
“My grandmother lives in the area. She’s terribly worried about her health and
has no TV reception,” Diarmuid Mullins said.
Deputy Ned O’Keeffe, who attended the protest, said: “I’m here objecting to
this mast on health and safety grounds.”
Standing orders were suspended to discuss the issue.
Cllrs Kevin O’Keeffe and Frank O’Flynn explained that, on June 5, officials
decided the mast needed planning permission and Cork County Council
issued an enforcement order.
Meteor has applied for retention, but, it was stated yesterday that this
application isn’t valid.
Cllr Liam O’Doherty said: “They [Meteor] could take this to An Bord Pleanála
and that could take 12 to 15 months. The least residents can expect it to have
the mast turned off.”ഊCounty manager Martin Riordan said officials were preparing to take Meteor
to court because the company hadn’t complied with the enforcement order
issued in Mitchelstown.
Sean O’Riordan
© Irish Examiner
40% of planning refusals ‘spurious’
NEARLY 40% of all planning applications are being rendered invalid, often for
exceptionally “spurious” reasons, it has been claimed.
In one case, a site notice was the wrong colour while, in a separate matter,
the word “dimension” was not written in drawings submitted.
Some of the petty issues have been highlighted by the Royal Institute of
Architects in Ireland (RIAI) which also noted that, in a specific application, the
fee was not submitted even though the fee had been paid electronically, with
proof available. In another it was because a site notice was the wrong colour.
The RIAI said, in many cases, applicants are being faced with long delays and
large bills to resubmit applications when the nature of the application
deficiency could have been easily dealt with at over-the-counter level.
RIAI president James Pike said, since the passage of the 2001 Planning Act,
the validation system of checking planning applications for compliance with
submission requirements was introduced to ensure better quality applications.
“However, in reality, the validation process has proven to be more time
consuming and expensive for many applicants and the local authorities than
the actual planning permission process itself.
“Some local authorities such as Limerick, Dublin, Waterford and Galway cities
routinely invalidate 40% of all applications.ഊ“Each of the Republic’s 34 planning authorities, although working to the same
legislation, use different planning application forms, thus creating obvious
problems for applicants and their agents. The RIAI is calling for the use of the
national planning application form, unamended, by all local authorities.”
He said the RIAI also wanted the Government to ensure all local authorities
validate planning applications at the counter in the planning department.
“While the majority of council are invalidating large proportions of planning
applications, some councils— notably counties Galway, Sligo, Wexford and
Louth — invalidate only between zero and 8% of applications,” said Mr Pike.
“The reason for such an extraordinary variance is that those authorities with
low numbers validate applications on the spot — namely at the counter in the
planning department. This at-the-counter process allows the applicant to deal
with any problems arising in their application immediately and to resubmit
within a day or so. Such a simple process ends the problem of large-scale
invalidation and ends the massive waste of scarce resources involved in
applicants having to reapply and local authorities having to reconsider
applications.”
The RIAI said: “The delays in the present system are very costly for
individuals and the public purse.”
Stephen Rogers
© Irish Examiner
exceptionally “spurious” reasons, it has been claimed.
In one case, a site notice was the wrong colour while, in a separate matter,
the word “dimension” was not written in drawings submitted.
Some of the petty issues have been highlighted by the Royal Institute of
Architects in Ireland (RIAI) which also noted that, in a specific application, the
fee was not submitted even though the fee had been paid electronically, with
proof available. In another it was because a site notice was the wrong colour.
The RIAI said, in many cases, applicants are being faced with long delays and
large bills to resubmit applications when the nature of the application
deficiency could have been easily dealt with at over-the-counter level.
RIAI president James Pike said, since the passage of the 2001 Planning Act,
the validation system of checking planning applications for compliance with
submission requirements was introduced to ensure better quality applications.
“However, in reality, the validation process has proven to be more time
consuming and expensive for many applicants and the local authorities than
the actual planning permission process itself.
“Some local authorities such as Limerick, Dublin, Waterford and Galway cities
routinely invalidate 40% of all applications.ഊ“Each of the Republic’s 34 planning authorities, although working to the same
legislation, use different planning application forms, thus creating obvious
problems for applicants and their agents. The RIAI is calling for the use of the
national planning application form, unamended, by all local authorities.”
He said the RIAI also wanted the Government to ensure all local authorities
validate planning applications at the counter in the planning department.
“While the majority of council are invalidating large proportions of planning
applications, some councils— notably counties Galway, Sligo, Wexford and
Louth — invalidate only between zero and 8% of applications,” said Mr Pike.
“The reason for such an extraordinary variance is that those authorities with
low numbers validate applications on the spot — namely at the counter in the
planning department. This at-the-counter process allows the applicant to deal
with any problems arising in their application immediately and to resubmit
within a day or so. Such a simple process ends the problem of large-scale
invalidation and ends the massive waste of scarce resources involved in
applicants having to reapply and local authorities having to reconsider
applications.”
The RIAI said: “The delays in the present system are very costly for
individuals and the public purse.”
Stephen Rogers
© Irish Examiner
Thursday, 19 April 2007
Football star seeks luxury Irish home
FORMER Irish soccer international Gary Kelly has applied for permission to build a state-of-the-art family home in his native Co Louth.
The planning application has strengthened rumours that he may looking towards retiring in the near future.
The 32-year-old Leeds United full back has lodged an application to build a four-bedroom house with a total floor area of 534 square metres - just over 5,700 square feet.
It is proposed for a 3.5 acre field near Clogherhead, some eight miles north of his home town of Drogheda.
The proposed house, which has a large glass atrium at the front, includes four double bedrooms, a large dining room, a sun room and a gym.
The footballer is well known for his charity work and was the moving force behind the Drogheda-based Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre, which provides free support services to cancer patients.
He also donated part of his testimonial to cancer charity.
However, he may face some obstacles in getting permission because the county council has strict criteria for one-off houses in rural areas.
The site is in the southern part of the county, which the county development plan says has seen an increase in the number of planning applications.
The plan also says that "the scale and size of the dwellings being sought for planning permission has increased also."
Irish Independent
The planning application has strengthened rumours that he may looking towards retiring in the near future.
The 32-year-old Leeds United full back has lodged an application to build a four-bedroom house with a total floor area of 534 square metres - just over 5,700 square feet.
It is proposed for a 3.5 acre field near Clogherhead, some eight miles north of his home town of Drogheda.
The proposed house, which has a large glass atrium at the front, includes four double bedrooms, a large dining room, a sun room and a gym.
The footballer is well known for his charity work and was the moving force behind the Drogheda-based Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre, which provides free support services to cancer patients.
He also donated part of his testimonial to cancer charity.
However, he may face some obstacles in getting permission because the county council has strict criteria for one-off houses in rural areas.
The site is in the southern part of the county, which the county development plan says has seen an increase in the number of planning applications.
The plan also says that "the scale and size of the dwellings being sought for planning permission has increased also."
Irish Independent
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