AN ORAL hearing into plans to infill 52 acres of Dublin Bay was adjourned indefinitely yesterday after concern was expressed about the involvement of flooding specialists HR Wallingford.
Counsel for Dublin Port Paul Gardiner SC raised the possibility of an objective bias in the firm’s retention by An Bord Pleanála, as HR Wallingford had previously been retained by the promoters of a new port at Bremore in north Co Dublin.
Mr Gardiner said Bremore had been put forward as an alternative to Dublin Port’s infill plans, and described Bremore as “the only other game in town”.
After an adjournment during which An Bord Pleanála senior planning inspector Brendan Wyse asked all parties to consider their positions, Jarlath Fitzsimons for Dublin Port suggested that the hearing may be irrevocably compromised. However, the assertion was opposed by Donall O’Laoire for Dublin Bay Watch, and Clontarf Residents’ Association. He said he believed the hearing should continue. It was possible, he said, in cases where a potential conflict of interest occurred, to simply discount the evidence of the party concerned.
Ian Lumley for An Taisce – which is also opposing the infill plans – said it was surprised by the development, and had put a lot of work into the planning hearing. If the hearing were to start over, he said, An Taisce would be subject to considerable costs and he would like to apply for those to be covered. Mr Lumley proposed a compromise in that the board might hire new consultants and continue with the hearings.
Having heard from the parties, Mr Wyse said he had used the adjournment to consult with his board, and the decision had been taken to adjourn “indefinitely” to allow the board to consider the issues raised.
A number of parties sought clarity on the issue of costs and whether the planning application for the infill could still be considered live, but Mr Wyse said he was not in a position to go into those issues. He declared the hearing adjourned, and parties would be advised in writing of what would happen next.
The hearing, under An Bord Pleanála’s fast-track strategic infrastructure rules, was in its second week of hearing the application by the port company for planning permission for the controversial infill.
The port company had earlier told the inquiry that the infill was of strategic national importance, while opponents had argued it was to be sited within a Special Protected Area – an EU designated area for the protection of birds.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label dublin port. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dublin port. Show all posts
Friday, 11 September 2009
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Flood risk analysis requested in response to Dublin Bay infill plan
AN BORD Pleanála has requested an assessment of the flood risk to Clontarf seafront as well as the Liffey, Dodder and Tolka rivers, from proposals to infill 21 hectares (52 acres) of Dublin Bay.
Dublin Port Company is seeking permission for new deep-water berths at the northeastern part of Dublin Port.
In addition to the proposed infill, there would be additional dredging or other works on a further 17 hectares (43 acres) of the bay.
The proposal is being resisted by the campaign group Dublin Bay Watch, chaired by Clontarf based member of Dublin City Council Gerry Breen.
In its letter to the port company An Bord Pleanála specifically refers to flood dangers at Clontarf, drawing the port company’s attention to a storm water culvert along the Clontarf coastline “which is understood to be seriously impaired due to the absence of several of the outfall flap valves”. Flap valves are designed to prevent seawater rising through local drains.
The letter also refers to the “need for greater clarity in the determination of return period discharges for the rivers Liffey, Tolka and Dodder”.
In addition An Bord Pleanála has asked for “detailed analysis of longterm tidal trends with the bay as a result of increasing sea levels” and has also requested “more comprehensive explanation of the impact of climate change and how it is implemented within the modelling studies”.
The port company applied to the strategic infrastructure division of the planning board on September 8th last and the period for public submissions closed in October.
The port company has said the extra deep water berths are essential to the operation of the port which is at capacity. The company said this in turn has implications for the prosperity of the State, as the majority of goods imported and exported move through Dublin Port.
The deadline for the additional information is March 20th.
However, Mr Breen told The Irish Times the scale of the information required was a “clear” indication that An Bord Pleanála considered the information supplied by Dublin Port in support of its application to be inadequate.
“An Bord Pleanála has shown itself to be rigorous in assessing all proposals before it and this additional information request shows that the environmental impact statement submitted did not fulfil all the necessary requirements”.
Mr Breen said he was looking forward to an oral hearing proposed for May “that will allow members of the public who are worried about the infill to spell out their concerns”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin Port Company is seeking permission for new deep-water berths at the northeastern part of Dublin Port.
In addition to the proposed infill, there would be additional dredging or other works on a further 17 hectares (43 acres) of the bay.
The proposal is being resisted by the campaign group Dublin Bay Watch, chaired by Clontarf based member of Dublin City Council Gerry Breen.
In its letter to the port company An Bord Pleanála specifically refers to flood dangers at Clontarf, drawing the port company’s attention to a storm water culvert along the Clontarf coastline “which is understood to be seriously impaired due to the absence of several of the outfall flap valves”. Flap valves are designed to prevent seawater rising through local drains.
The letter also refers to the “need for greater clarity in the determination of return period discharges for the rivers Liffey, Tolka and Dodder”.
In addition An Bord Pleanála has asked for “detailed analysis of longterm tidal trends with the bay as a result of increasing sea levels” and has also requested “more comprehensive explanation of the impact of climate change and how it is implemented within the modelling studies”.
The port company applied to the strategic infrastructure division of the planning board on September 8th last and the period for public submissions closed in October.
The port company has said the extra deep water berths are essential to the operation of the port which is at capacity. The company said this in turn has implications for the prosperity of the State, as the majority of goods imported and exported move through Dublin Port.
The deadline for the additional information is March 20th.
However, Mr Breen told The Irish Times the scale of the information required was a “clear” indication that An Bord Pleanála considered the information supplied by Dublin Port in support of its application to be inadequate.
“An Bord Pleanála has shown itself to be rigorous in assessing all proposals before it and this additional information request shows that the environmental impact statement submitted did not fulfil all the necessary requirements”.
Mr Breen said he was looking forward to an oral hearing proposed for May “that will allow members of the public who are worried about the infill to spell out their concerns”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Saturday, 1 November 2008
City officials will oppose plans to reclaim part of Dublin Bay
DUBLIN CITY management is to oppose Dublin Port Company’s plan to infill 21 hectares of Dublin Bay to expand its operations.
The port company has applied to An Bord Pleanála for permission to reclaim the land using the Strategic Infrastructure Act, the “fast-track” planning legislation which allows developers of major infrastructure projects to bypass local authority processes.
However, Dublin City Council will next week submit to An Bord Pleanála that the application is “premature”, without adequate justification, and could cause flooding.
In a report to be put before city councillors on Monday, assistant city manager Michael Stubbs says the proposal contravenes the city development plan and is premature, pending the outcome of studies from the Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport.
It also contravenes the council’s own Dublin Bay study, Mr Stubbs states.
“It is the opinion of the Planning Authority that the long term vision and potential of the Dublin Port area is that outlined in Option 7 of the Dublin Bay study – ie a full relocation of the port,” his report says.
The council has concerns in relation to the water, drainage, natural heritage, visual impact and transport effects of the development. Its drainage division in particular feels the proposal “will have significant impacts on flooding risk”, Mr Stubbs points out.
The city management does not need the imprimatur of councillors to lodge an objection with An Bord Pleanála. However, the submission is likely to find favour with the majority of councillors, who have already endorsed the council’s Dublin Bay study.
Councillors and local TDs including Finian McGrath are among more than 100 objectors who have made submissions to An Bord Pleanála on the application.
Fine Gael councillor and chair of Dublin Bay Watch Gerry Breen welcomed the council’s opposition to the development.
“This proposal in its various forms, going back some 40 years, is unwarranted and has more to do with vested interests achieving land gain and nothing to do with the core port activities,” he said.
In his own submission to An Bord Pleanála, Mr Breen said the port company claimed port capacity was reached in the 1970s. The tonnage shipped through has increased dramatically since then without causing problems, he said.
“The recent CSO figures show that the tonnage for the first six months of 2008 has declined versus 2007. This downward trend is unlikely to be reversed in the next few years.”
Mr Breen also pointed out that Minister for the Environment John Gormley was shortly to ratify an order designating the lands at issue as a Special Protection Area to protect wild birds.
Dublin Port Company said the increase was essential to ensure it can fulfil its statutory duty to handle port trade. Measures would be introduced to address possible negative impacts, it said.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The port company has applied to An Bord Pleanála for permission to reclaim the land using the Strategic Infrastructure Act, the “fast-track” planning legislation which allows developers of major infrastructure projects to bypass local authority processes.
However, Dublin City Council will next week submit to An Bord Pleanála that the application is “premature”, without adequate justification, and could cause flooding.
In a report to be put before city councillors on Monday, assistant city manager Michael Stubbs says the proposal contravenes the city development plan and is premature, pending the outcome of studies from the Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport.
It also contravenes the council’s own Dublin Bay study, Mr Stubbs states.
“It is the opinion of the Planning Authority that the long term vision and potential of the Dublin Port area is that outlined in Option 7 of the Dublin Bay study – ie a full relocation of the port,” his report says.
The council has concerns in relation to the water, drainage, natural heritage, visual impact and transport effects of the development. Its drainage division in particular feels the proposal “will have significant impacts on flooding risk”, Mr Stubbs points out.
The city management does not need the imprimatur of councillors to lodge an objection with An Bord Pleanála. However, the submission is likely to find favour with the majority of councillors, who have already endorsed the council’s Dublin Bay study.
Councillors and local TDs including Finian McGrath are among more than 100 objectors who have made submissions to An Bord Pleanála on the application.
Fine Gael councillor and chair of Dublin Bay Watch Gerry Breen welcomed the council’s opposition to the development.
“This proposal in its various forms, going back some 40 years, is unwarranted and has more to do with vested interests achieving land gain and nothing to do with the core port activities,” he said.
In his own submission to An Bord Pleanála, Mr Breen said the port company claimed port capacity was reached in the 1970s. The tonnage shipped through has increased dramatically since then without causing problems, he said.
“The recent CSO figures show that the tonnage for the first six months of 2008 has declined versus 2007. This downward trend is unlikely to be reversed in the next few years.”
Mr Breen also pointed out that Minister for the Environment John Gormley was shortly to ratify an order designating the lands at issue as a Special Protection Area to protect wild birds.
Dublin Port Company said the increase was essential to ensure it can fulfil its statutory duty to handle port trade. Measures would be introduced to address possible negative impacts, it said.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Port company again seeks infill permission
DUBLIN PORT Company is applying, for the third time, for planning permission to reclaim 21 hectares of Dublin Bay to expand its operations.
The Port Company which unsuccessfully sought permission in September 1999 and in March 2002, will this time apply directly to Bord Pleanála under the Strategic Infrastructure Act.
The application, which the Port Company claimed is in the national interest, comes in advance of the conclusion of three separate studies on the future use of the bay. It also comes in advance of the the final designation of most of the inner bay - including the 21 hectares - as a Special Protected Area (SPA), by Minister for Environment John Gormley.
News of the impending application, which is to be lodged by September 8th next, has provoked a strong reaction from politicians.
Dublin North Central TD Finian McGrath claimed he had a letter from the Taoiseach Mr Cowen, effectively promising that the infill would not go ahead.
Mr McGrath told The Irish Times he had been given a specific promise by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, in return for support for the Government, that the infill would not take place.
Mr McGrath added that this promise was confirmed in writing by Taoiseach Brian Cowen in recent weeks. "Mr Cowen wrote that anything in my agreement with Mr Ahern would be honoured as far as he was concerned", said Mr McGrath.
Clontarf area member of Dublin City Council Gerry Breen said he believed the application was a "final attempt" to infill the 21 hectares which front onto Clontarf Road. He said that the application would cost the State-owned Port Company €100,000 in Bord Pleanála fees alone, and he added that the timing of the application was "interesting", considering the the three studies on the future of the bay.
The end of this month marks the last date for submissions on Mr Gormley's proposed SPA designation which covers all of the inner bay area with the exception of the shipping channels in and out of the port.
The same week marks the start of public meetings on the future of the bay organised by the Dublin Regional Authority at the behest of Minister Gormley.
In addition, while September 8th marks the date by which the Dublin Port Company plans to lodge its application, it is also the final date for submissions on the Department of Transport report on the strategic future of Dublin Port.
Dublin City Council has said it too is pressing ahead with a strategic framework study following last year's public consultation which found 70 per cent of respondents wanted the port to be moved to another location.
However, a spokesman for the port company said it had completed an extensive planning application, including an environmental impact statement, which will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála.
The spokesman added that as the project had been designated "strategic infrastructure" by Bord Pleanála as far back as last year, the company was required by law to submit the application to Bord Pleanála and not to the planning authority. In relation to the timing of the application, the spokesman said the Dublin Port Company was charged with facilitating trade at the heart of Ireland's largest market.
"Ireland needs to be prepared to deal with the upturn when it comes by having sufficient port capacity . . . Therefore, the 21-hectare gateway expansion of the north port area will provide much needed additional capacity at Dublin port which is of strategic importance to the Irish economy and Ireland's capital city."
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Port Company which unsuccessfully sought permission in September 1999 and in March 2002, will this time apply directly to Bord Pleanála under the Strategic Infrastructure Act.
The application, which the Port Company claimed is in the national interest, comes in advance of the conclusion of three separate studies on the future use of the bay. It also comes in advance of the the final designation of most of the inner bay - including the 21 hectares - as a Special Protected Area (SPA), by Minister for Environment John Gormley.
News of the impending application, which is to be lodged by September 8th next, has provoked a strong reaction from politicians.
Dublin North Central TD Finian McGrath claimed he had a letter from the Taoiseach Mr Cowen, effectively promising that the infill would not go ahead.
Mr McGrath told The Irish Times he had been given a specific promise by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, in return for support for the Government, that the infill would not take place.
Mr McGrath added that this promise was confirmed in writing by Taoiseach Brian Cowen in recent weeks. "Mr Cowen wrote that anything in my agreement with Mr Ahern would be honoured as far as he was concerned", said Mr McGrath.
Clontarf area member of Dublin City Council Gerry Breen said he believed the application was a "final attempt" to infill the 21 hectares which front onto Clontarf Road. He said that the application would cost the State-owned Port Company €100,000 in Bord Pleanála fees alone, and he added that the timing of the application was "interesting", considering the the three studies on the future of the bay.
The end of this month marks the last date for submissions on Mr Gormley's proposed SPA designation which covers all of the inner bay area with the exception of the shipping channels in and out of the port.
The same week marks the start of public meetings on the future of the bay organised by the Dublin Regional Authority at the behest of Minister Gormley.
In addition, while September 8th marks the date by which the Dublin Port Company plans to lodge its application, it is also the final date for submissions on the Department of Transport report on the strategic future of Dublin Port.
Dublin City Council has said it too is pressing ahead with a strategic framework study following last year's public consultation which found 70 per cent of respondents wanted the port to be moved to another location.
However, a spokesman for the port company said it had completed an extensive planning application, including an environmental impact statement, which will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála.
The spokesman added that as the project had been designated "strategic infrastructure" by Bord Pleanála as far back as last year, the company was required by law to submit the application to Bord Pleanála and not to the planning authority. In relation to the timing of the application, the spokesman said the Dublin Port Company was charged with facilitating trade at the heart of Ireland's largest market.
"Ireland needs to be prepared to deal with the upturn when it comes by having sufficient port capacity . . . Therefore, the 21-hectare gateway expansion of the north port area will provide much needed additional capacity at Dublin port which is of strategic importance to the Irish economy and Ireland's capital city."
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 29 August 2008
Massive expansion at Dublin Port planned
THE Dublin Port Company is to seek permission for a massive expansion of its operations which could see 52 acres of land reclaimed from the sea near Clontarf.
This morning, a formal application to infill the bay will be made to An Bord Pleanala under the Strategic Infrastructure Act despite two separate reports currently being compiled on the future of Dublin Bay and the port.
One from the Department of Transport will determine if the port should be moved to a new location, while a Dublin City Council document has already indicated that the port could be home to thousands of new homes, all close to public transport links.
Environment Minister John Gormley has also established a task force to outline the future of Dublin Bay, which will examine issues including the current location of the port, climate change and projected rises in sea levels.
Yesterday, the Port Company said the expansion was needed to provide additional capacity. Last year almost 31 million tonnes of freight and 1.3 milion passengers passed through the port, with profits at €29m, and the port company expects demand to increase over the coming years.
"This development will cater for greater demand as a result of the projected increases in population," a statement said. "Dublin Gateway will also provide deeper berths that will enable Dublin port to cater for the international trend towards larger, more efficient vessels that require deeper water to operate.
"The port is operating at near capacity and notwithstanding the current economic downturn Ireland needs to be prepared to deal with the upturn when it comes by having sufficient port capacity capable of handling the demands of an increasing population. The gateway project is also consistent with the National Ports Policy which states that ports are responsible for ensuring adequate in-time capacity to facilitate trade."
Permission for construction of a new quays along the southern and eastern edge of the 21-hectare site in the north bay near Clontarf will be sought, along with three new berths for ships.
A two-storey terminal, four 60-metre cranes and extension of the railway line to connect with the national network will also be built.
When the plans were first revealed they were heavily criticised by politicans, Dublin Bay Watch and environmentalists because of concerns about the impact the development would have on wildlife.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
This morning, a formal application to infill the bay will be made to An Bord Pleanala under the Strategic Infrastructure Act despite two separate reports currently being compiled on the future of Dublin Bay and the port.
One from the Department of Transport will determine if the port should be moved to a new location, while a Dublin City Council document has already indicated that the port could be home to thousands of new homes, all close to public transport links.
Environment Minister John Gormley has also established a task force to outline the future of Dublin Bay, which will examine issues including the current location of the port, climate change and projected rises in sea levels.
Yesterday, the Port Company said the expansion was needed to provide additional capacity. Last year almost 31 million tonnes of freight and 1.3 milion passengers passed through the port, with profits at €29m, and the port company expects demand to increase over the coming years.
"This development will cater for greater demand as a result of the projected increases in population," a statement said. "Dublin Gateway will also provide deeper berths that will enable Dublin port to cater for the international trend towards larger, more efficient vessels that require deeper water to operate.
"The port is operating at near capacity and notwithstanding the current economic downturn Ireland needs to be prepared to deal with the upturn when it comes by having sufficient port capacity capable of handling the demands of an increasing population. The gateway project is also consistent with the National Ports Policy which states that ports are responsible for ensuring adequate in-time capacity to facilitate trade."
Permission for construction of a new quays along the southern and eastern edge of the 21-hectare site in the north bay near Clontarf will be sought, along with three new berths for ships.
A two-storey terminal, four 60-metre cranes and extension of the railway line to connect with the national network will also be built.
When the plans were first revealed they were heavily criticised by politicans, Dublin Bay Watch and environmentalists because of concerns about the impact the development would have on wildlife.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 25 August 2008
Developer Carroll plans 15-storey tower at Dublin Port
PROPERTY developer Liam Carroll has submitted plans for a 15-storey tower block as part of a redevelopment project on East Road near Dublin Port.
The tower is part of a four-building scheme which will see the construction of almost 60,500 square metres of office accommodation – more than the combined proposed Ballsbridge high-rise developments of Ray Grehan and Seán Dunne.
Besides offices, the 15-storey tower will include shops and cafes on the ground floor as well as a rooftop restaurant which will feature a balcony offering views over the city.
The scheme will be located on a 5.48-acre site acquired by Carroll in 2006 which includes the former Cookes Bakery, owned by chef Johnny Cooke before it went into examinership in 2006 and was bought out by the McCambridge Bakery Group.
Under Carroll's plans, the tower will be surrounded by three smaller buildings ranging in height from four to eight storeys, one of which will house a 165-bed hotel. The other two buildings will consist almost entirely of offices.
The four blocks will share a two-storey underground car park with 770 parking spaces along with parking for over 420 bicycles. Access to the development will be from the East Road.
Despite the ongoing property slowdown and concerns about oversupply in the Dublin office market, Carroll has proceeded with plans for several high-profile developments, including plans to replace Dublin department store Frawley's with offices and apartments.
It is understand that Carroll has around €1bn in finance at the moment, having securitised his future rental incomes using two banks, one of which was Bank of Scotland (Ireland), last year.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
The tower is part of a four-building scheme which will see the construction of almost 60,500 square metres of office accommodation – more than the combined proposed Ballsbridge high-rise developments of Ray Grehan and Seán Dunne.
Besides offices, the 15-storey tower will include shops and cafes on the ground floor as well as a rooftop restaurant which will feature a balcony offering views over the city.
The scheme will be located on a 5.48-acre site acquired by Carroll in 2006 which includes the former Cookes Bakery, owned by chef Johnny Cooke before it went into examinership in 2006 and was bought out by the McCambridge Bakery Group.
Under Carroll's plans, the tower will be surrounded by three smaller buildings ranging in height from four to eight storeys, one of which will house a 165-bed hotel. The other two buildings will consist almost entirely of offices.
The four blocks will share a two-storey underground car park with 770 parking spaces along with parking for over 420 bicycles. Access to the development will be from the East Road.
Despite the ongoing property slowdown and concerns about oversupply in the Dublin office market, Carroll has proceeded with plans for several high-profile developments, including plans to replace Dublin department store Frawley's with offices and apartments.
It is understand that Carroll has around €1bn in finance at the moment, having securitised his future rental incomes using two banks, one of which was Bank of Scotland (Ireland), last year.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Developer Carroll plans 15-storey tower at Dublin Port
PROPERTY developer Liam Carroll has submitted plans for a 15-storey tower block as part of a redevelopment project on East Road near Dublin Port.
The tower is part of a four-building scheme which will see the construction of almost 60,500 square metres of office accommodation – more than the combined proposed Ballsbridge high-rise developments of Ray Grehan and Seán Dunne.
Besides offices, the 15-storey tower will include shops and cafes on the ground floor as well as a rooftop restaurant which will feature a balcony offering views over the city.
The scheme will be located on a 5.48-acre site acquired by Carroll in 2006 which includes the former Cookes Bakery, owned by chef Johnny Cooke before it went into examinership in 2006 and was bought out by the McCambridge Bakery Group.
Under Carroll's plans, the tower will be surrounded by three smaller buildings ranging in height from four to eight storeys, one of which will house a 165-bed hotel. The other two buildings will consist almost entirely of offices.
The four blocks will share a two-storey underground car park with 770 parking spaces along with parking for over 420 bicycles. Access to the development will be from the East Road.
Despite the ongoing property slowdown and concerns about oversupply in the Dublin office market, Carroll has proceeded with plans for several high-profile developments, including plans to replace Dublin department store Frawley's with offices and apartments.
It is understand that Carroll has around €1bn in finance at the moment, having securitised his future rental incomes using two banks, one of which was Bank of Scotland (Ireland), last year.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
The tower is part of a four-building scheme which will see the construction of almost 60,500 square metres of office accommodation – more than the combined proposed Ballsbridge high-rise developments of Ray Grehan and Seán Dunne.
Besides offices, the 15-storey tower will include shops and cafes on the ground floor as well as a rooftop restaurant which will feature a balcony offering views over the city.
The scheme will be located on a 5.48-acre site acquired by Carroll in 2006 which includes the former Cookes Bakery, owned by chef Johnny Cooke before it went into examinership in 2006 and was bought out by the McCambridge Bakery Group.
Under Carroll's plans, the tower will be surrounded by three smaller buildings ranging in height from four to eight storeys, one of which will house a 165-bed hotel. The other two buildings will consist almost entirely of offices.
The four blocks will share a two-storey underground car park with 770 parking spaces along with parking for over 420 bicycles. Access to the development will be from the East Road.
Despite the ongoing property slowdown and concerns about oversupply in the Dublin office market, Carroll has proceeded with plans for several high-profile developments, including plans to replace Dublin department store Frawley's with offices and apartments.
It is understand that Carroll has around €1bn in finance at the moment, having securitised his future rental incomes using two banks, one of which was Bank of Scotland (Ireland), last year.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 30 May 2008
Taskforce to look at port relocation
Minister for the Environment John Gormley has announced the establishment of a taskforce to advise on the future of Dublin Bay with a mandate that includes "removing" Dublin Port and seeking "sustainable redevelopment" of its 650-acre land area.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Bull Island site offered in port expansion plan
DUBLIN PORT Company has said it will transfer full ownership of its portion of Bull Island to Dublin City Council and give the council more than €1 million towards the island’s protection and development, if planning permission is granted for the expansion of Dublin Port.
The company is seeking to fill in 21 hectares of Dublin Bay to expand port facilities and intends shortly to make a planning application for the project to An Bord Pleanála. The expansion has been planned for more than 25 years, but has been consistently opposed by residents in the north bay area and by city councillors.
Last year the project was accepted for consideration under the new “fast-track” planning process, which allows applications for major infrastructural projects to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála, bypassing the normal local authority planning stage.
If the company applies to the planning board within the next two months, it can expect a decision before the end of this year.
Although the application will no longer be adjudicated on by the council, the company is offering to transfer its 10.75-acre holding on Bull Island to the council and to fund a €200,000 environmental, recreational and amenity study of the island. It also says it will provide €100,000 a year for 10 years for the provision of facilities and services identified in the study.
The company last night wrote to councillors, local residents and community groups to outline the plans to transfer the lands and has asked interested parties to submit their views on the proposals by May 21st.
Under the Strategic Infrastructure Act, which introduced “fast-track” planning, An Bord Pleanála can order applicants to fund community gain projects as a condition to granting permission.
Dublin Port Company is advancing the land transfer as a community gain project in its application. However, it could be ordered by the board to provide additional or alternative funds.
Despite the offer of the substantial land bank, which includes the recently refurbished bridge that provides access to the Royal Dublin golf club and Dollymount strand, the company is still likely to see its expansion plans opposed.
A study commissioned by the council on the future of Dublin Bay proposed relocating the port to a new site outside the city. It emerged last month that three-quarters of respondents to the public-consultation phase of the study said they favoured port relocation.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley is due to make an order extending the Dublin Bay special protection area, an EU designation intended to protect wild birds, by almost 30 per cent – an area which would most likely encompass the lands earmarked by the port for development.
The expansion would involve new quays along the southern and eastern edge of the 21-hectare site in the north bay. Three new berths for roll-on roll-off ferries would be provided on the southern quay, while a fourth berth for load-on, load-off ferries would be provided on the eastern quay.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The company is seeking to fill in 21 hectares of Dublin Bay to expand port facilities and intends shortly to make a planning application for the project to An Bord Pleanála. The expansion has been planned for more than 25 years, but has been consistently opposed by residents in the north bay area and by city councillors.
Last year the project was accepted for consideration under the new “fast-track” planning process, which allows applications for major infrastructural projects to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála, bypassing the normal local authority planning stage.
If the company applies to the planning board within the next two months, it can expect a decision before the end of this year.
Although the application will no longer be adjudicated on by the council, the company is offering to transfer its 10.75-acre holding on Bull Island to the council and to fund a €200,000 environmental, recreational and amenity study of the island. It also says it will provide €100,000 a year for 10 years for the provision of facilities and services identified in the study.
The company last night wrote to councillors, local residents and community groups to outline the plans to transfer the lands and has asked interested parties to submit their views on the proposals by May 21st.
Under the Strategic Infrastructure Act, which introduced “fast-track” planning, An Bord Pleanála can order applicants to fund community gain projects as a condition to granting permission.
Dublin Port Company is advancing the land transfer as a community gain project in its application. However, it could be ordered by the board to provide additional or alternative funds.
Despite the offer of the substantial land bank, which includes the recently refurbished bridge that provides access to the Royal Dublin golf club and Dollymount strand, the company is still likely to see its expansion plans opposed.
A study commissioned by the council on the future of Dublin Bay proposed relocating the port to a new site outside the city. It emerged last month that three-quarters of respondents to the public-consultation phase of the study said they favoured port relocation.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley is due to make an order extending the Dublin Bay special protection area, an EU designation intended to protect wild birds, by almost 30 per cent – an area which would most likely encompass the lands earmarked by the port for development.
The expansion would involve new quays along the southern and eastern edge of the 21-hectare site in the north bay. Three new berths for roll-on roll-off ferries would be provided on the southern quay, while a fourth berth for load-on, load-off ferries would be provided on the eastern quay.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Saturday, 26 April 2008
Plan to move Dublin Port meets wide approval
THREE-QUARTERS of respondents to a Dublin City Council study on the future of Dublin Bay have said that they want Dublin Port moved out of the city to an alternative location on the east coast, while just over 6 per cent said that the port should stay.
Some 400 submissions were made to the council on its plan, which proposed relocation of the port and development of a new "city quarter" on port lands.
The plan, which also considers the environmental issues surrounding the future of the bay, was released to public consultation last year. The report on the submissions received has now been published by the council.
The report, by consultants CDM, found that the "overwhelming majority" of respondents favoured relocating the port. The following were suggested as possible locations: Drogheda, Co Louth; Bremore near Balbriggan in north Co Dublin; Greenore, Co Louth; and Arklow, Co Wicklow.
Just 26 respondents were against moving the port. Of these, 20 were members of the public or residents' associations, and two were yacht/boat clubs. The remaining objectors were Dublin Port Company (DPC), Ecocem (a tenant on port lands), Tommy Broughan, Labour's transport and marine spokesman, Labour TD Ruairí Quinn and Fianna Fáil senator Ivor Callely.
The report is critical of the port company's response to the study. It says that while the company commissioned several reports in response to it, "very few new facts were presented" and the potential benefits put forward were not addressed by the submission.
The report also notes that the port company claimed an identical-sized land bank to what it currently owns in Dublin Bay would need to be acquired before the port could be relocated.
In its submission, Dublin Port Company said that moving would increase travel times and costs and would damage Ireland's attractiveness as a business location. The Harbours Act 1946 stated that the DPC had the right to revoke property rights given to tenants only if the land was needed for port-related uses, it said. It claimed that the €750 million spent on the Dublin Port Tunnel would be largely wasted if it was not used by port traffic.
The council's study said that relocation of the port would be the best option for the future of the area in terms of housing and social needs, the local and national economy and the environment. Relocation would also be the best option for the efficiency of port operations and for the growth of its market in exports and imports.
Under the relocation proposal almost 260 hectares of port land would be redeveloped, providing 28,000 new housing units, 1.19 million sq m (12.8 million sq ft) of office space and 300,000 sq m (3.23 million sq ft) of retail space. The entire project would be completed in 25 years.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Some 400 submissions were made to the council on its plan, which proposed relocation of the port and development of a new "city quarter" on port lands.
The plan, which also considers the environmental issues surrounding the future of the bay, was released to public consultation last year. The report on the submissions received has now been published by the council.
The report, by consultants CDM, found that the "overwhelming majority" of respondents favoured relocating the port. The following were suggested as possible locations: Drogheda, Co Louth; Bremore near Balbriggan in north Co Dublin; Greenore, Co Louth; and Arklow, Co Wicklow.
Just 26 respondents were against moving the port. Of these, 20 were members of the public or residents' associations, and two were yacht/boat clubs. The remaining objectors were Dublin Port Company (DPC), Ecocem (a tenant on port lands), Tommy Broughan, Labour's transport and marine spokesman, Labour TD Ruairí Quinn and Fianna Fáil senator Ivor Callely.
The report is critical of the port company's response to the study. It says that while the company commissioned several reports in response to it, "very few new facts were presented" and the potential benefits put forward were not addressed by the submission.
The report also notes that the port company claimed an identical-sized land bank to what it currently owns in Dublin Bay would need to be acquired before the port could be relocated.
In its submission, Dublin Port Company said that moving would increase travel times and costs and would damage Ireland's attractiveness as a business location. The Harbours Act 1946 stated that the DPC had the right to revoke property rights given to tenants only if the land was needed for port-related uses, it said. It claimed that the €750 million spent on the Dublin Port Tunnel would be largely wasted if it was not used by port traffic.
The council's study said that relocation of the port would be the best option for the future of the area in terms of housing and social needs, the local and national economy and the environment. Relocation would also be the best option for the efficiency of port operations and for the growth of its market in exports and imports.
Under the relocation proposal almost 260 hectares of port land would be redeveloped, providing 28,000 new housing units, 1.19 million sq m (12.8 million sq ft) of office space and 300,000 sq m (3.23 million sq ft) of retail space. The entire project would be completed in 25 years.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
Dublin Port's expansion plan to be fast-tracked
An Bord Pleanála has ruled that Dublin Port Company's plan to infill 21 hectares of the bay represents strategic infrastructural development and should be heard under its fast-track process for projects of national importance.
The ruling, which was opposed by the campaign group Dublin Bay Watch, is a major boost for the port company which claims it is rapidly reaching capacity.
Involved in the development is the construction of new quays along the southern and eastern edge of the 21-hectare site in the north bay near Clontarf promenade.
Three new berths for roll-on, roll-off ferries would be provided on the southern quay, while a fourth berth for load-on, load-off ferries would be provided on the eastern quay.
The development also envisages ancillary surface storage and dockland circulation areas.
However, the company told An Bord Pleanála this configuration may change to avoid a potential designation of the northern part of the plan as a special protected area (SPA) for birds, by the Department of the Environment.
Submissions and observations critical of the plan were received from Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus; Dublin Bay Watch; Clontarf residents' Association and Independent TD Finian McGrath.
An Bord Pleanála documentation also notes that the Department of the Environment reported that Ireland had been brought to the European Court of Justice for allegedly not implementing the requirements of the EU birds directive. The papers note that part of the EU case was that the SPA designations had not been put in place in certain locations.
The department indicated it was likely based on the opinion of the advocate general that Ireland would have to extend the earlier SPA designations in Dublin "to include the proposed development area".
In response the company told the board it believed the SPA affected only 4.5 hectares of the proposed 21-hectare infill and that the development could be reconfigured at planning permission stage.
Clontarf councillor Gerry Breen (FG), who is also chairman of Dublin Bay Watch, said a "huge question" remained about whether the infill was needed at all. "There is about 10 million tonnes of cargo destined for the new port at Bremore near Drogheda in its first year of operation, and it is probably about five years before the Dublin Bay extension would be up and running. By that time it would not be needed."
Tim O'Brien
The Irish Times
The ruling, which was opposed by the campaign group Dublin Bay Watch, is a major boost for the port company which claims it is rapidly reaching capacity.
Involved in the development is the construction of new quays along the southern and eastern edge of the 21-hectare site in the north bay near Clontarf promenade.
Three new berths for roll-on, roll-off ferries would be provided on the southern quay, while a fourth berth for load-on, load-off ferries would be provided on the eastern quay.
The development also envisages ancillary surface storage and dockland circulation areas.
However, the company told An Bord Pleanála this configuration may change to avoid a potential designation of the northern part of the plan as a special protected area (SPA) for birds, by the Department of the Environment.
Submissions and observations critical of the plan were received from Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus; Dublin Bay Watch; Clontarf residents' Association and Independent TD Finian McGrath.
An Bord Pleanála documentation also notes that the Department of the Environment reported that Ireland had been brought to the European Court of Justice for allegedly not implementing the requirements of the EU birds directive. The papers note that part of the EU case was that the SPA designations had not been put in place in certain locations.
The department indicated it was likely based on the opinion of the advocate general that Ireland would have to extend the earlier SPA designations in Dublin "to include the proposed development area".
In response the company told the board it believed the SPA affected only 4.5 hectares of the proposed 21-hectare infill and that the development could be reconfigured at planning permission stage.
Clontarf councillor Gerry Breen (FG), who is also chairman of Dublin Bay Watch, said a "huge question" remained about whether the infill was needed at all. "There is about 10 million tonnes of cargo destined for the new port at Bremore near Drogheda in its first year of operation, and it is probably about five years before the Dublin Bay extension would be up and running. By that time it would not be needed."
Tim O'Brien
The Irish Times
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)