DUBLIN’S IKEA store was allowed to open early after extensive lobbying of politicians by the company and the local council, files released under Freedom of Information legislation reveal.
It was only after Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and Minister of State Pat Carey were lobbied that the opposition of the National Roads Authority (NRA) to the early opening was overcome.
The NRA, which originally opposed the development because of the possible effects on traffic on the nearby M50, then withdrew its objection to the store opening before all the motorway works were completed.
Under the terms of the planning permission granted to Ikea in 2007, major upgrading works on the M50 were required to be completed before the shop could open. However, Ikea was ready to open long before these works were scheduled to be completed, prompting a flurry of lobbying on the issue.
Ikea wrote to Minister for Enterprise and Employment Mary Coughlan in September 2008 demanding that the NRA provide guaranteed completion dates for the works on the M50. It also complained of a lack of co-operation by the roads authority in revising or interpreting the conditions of its planning permission.
NRA chief executive Fred Barry firmly rebuffed the company’s claims in a response to the Minister the following month. In the letter, he accused Ikea of “trying to create an environment in which they will be allowed open before preconditions set out by An Bord Pleanála are fulfilled . . . Hence their attempts to persuade the media that the NRA is behind schedule, claims about lack of co-operation with regard to planning conditions, etc.”
Mr Barry refused to give Ikea the guaranteed completion date it sought, pointing out that the contractor carrying out the work had no obligation to meet such a date.
On December 1st, 2008, David O’Connor, Fingal county manager, told Mr Lenihan in a letter that the council wanted an opening in summer 2009 in preference to a later date.
He recommended that the roads contract be “managed” by improving capacity at the Ballymun interchange rather than waiting for the entire section of the M50 from Finglas to the M1 junction to be upgraded.
He also recommended against seeking a new planning permission to lift the planning condition because this would be liable to challenge and, therefore, delay.
He warned that a report by Ikea management to its parent board in Sweden had not “reflected well on their Irish experience”.
Mr O’Connor also briefed Minister of State Pat Carey in October 2008, warning that press attention would be drawn to the store if it lay completed but unopened as a result of planning conditions.
He claimed the NRA, in concentrating on the delivery of new motorway infrastructure, had lost sight of the fact that this investment was made to serve the economy of the nation.
The NRA position changed following this correspondence. On December 16th, 2008, Mr Barry wrote to Ikea manager Garry Deakin to say he appreciated that the company needed a specific opening date to allow for staff recruitment.
“In the circumstances, we commit that the NRA will not raise any objection to the Planning Authority (or elsewhere) to Ikea’s opening at any time after June 1st, 2009, even if all of the upgrade works at or around the Junction 4 are not complete.”
Ikea eventually opened in July this year. It claimed the delays cost the company €70 million in lost revenue.
All works on the M50 and Ballymun interchange will be completed next spring, according to the NRA.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label ikea planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ikea planning. Show all posts
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Ikea claims to have recruited 70% of local applicants
IKEA, the world's largest home-furnishing retailer, has given jobs at its new Ballymun superstore to more than two out of three local applicants, according to figures provided by a local community group. The store is due to open on 27 July despite ongoing problems with the local road network.
Figures supplied by the Ballymun Regeneration group show that of 98 Ballymun residents who did interviews with the retailer, 69 were successful and offered positions with the firm, a 70% success rate for the Ballymun applicants.
Ikea worked closely with many partners in developing a pre-employment training programme to assist 30 long-term unemployed and lone parents to train for and apply for Ikea positions. "From those who did the training course, there were 24 successful candidates who will be starting work on 27 July after being out of work for more than a year," said the Ballymun spokesperson.
A spokesman for Ikea said it expected between up to 2.7 million visitors to the superstore in the first year, despite traffic problems as the M50 is still undergoing a major expansion and work on the Ballymun interchange is still undergoing construction.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Figures supplied by the Ballymun Regeneration group show that of 98 Ballymun residents who did interviews with the retailer, 69 were successful and offered positions with the firm, a 70% success rate for the Ballymun applicants.
Ikea worked closely with many partners in developing a pre-employment training programme to assist 30 long-term unemployed and lone parents to train for and apply for Ikea positions. "From those who did the training course, there were 24 successful candidates who will be starting work on 27 July after being out of work for more than a year," said the Ballymun spokesperson.
A spokesman for Ikea said it expected between up to 2.7 million visitors to the superstore in the first year, despite traffic problems as the M50 is still undergoing a major expansion and work on the Ballymun interchange is still undergoing construction.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Saturday, 13 June 2009
New IKEA will open on time next month, store boss insists
THE manager of a new Ikea store which will employ 500 people has expressed confidence that it will open on time next month.
The Swedish furniture shop cannot open for business until routes around its north Dublin site are upgraded, and the National Roads Authority (NRA) admitted this week that it would be a "surprise" if the work was completed by the July 27 opening date.
But store manager Garry Deakin told the Irish Independent yesterday that "all parties were aware" of the opening date agreed last January, and that he shared the confidence of Fingal County Council -- which is responsible for ensuring the network is complete -- that the work would be done on time.
"We agreed the opening date of July 27 when in discussions in early January," Mr Deakin said.
"All parties are aware of it. I understand the difficulties they have because on their timeline they would like Ikea to wait for a 28-day notice period and they would say, 'from 28 days tomorrow it will be done'. But Ikea needs a seven-month lead-in time to recruit 500 people and develop them.
Dilemma
"So we've always had this dilemma. The last thing anyone wanted, including the Roads Authority, was for Ikea to remain closed for another five months [after a notice period].
"I met with both parties last week, and I'm confident that Ikea will open its doors at 11am on July 27."
The off-ramps from the M50 near the Ballymun interchange of the M50 are still under construction, and there is substantial roadworks yet to be completed around the massive store.
A 'town hall' meeting held in the store yesterday, and attended by EU Commission vice president Margot Wallstrom, showcased that the inside of the store is almost complete.
However, a number of approach roads remain closed off.
"What we don't want and what won't be good for the island is if the consumer is thinking, 'Is Ikea opening or not'?" Mr Deakin said.
"Ikea would have been happy to see the Dublin store opening on the same day as the Belfast store 18 months ago, but it wasn't possible."
A batch of 160 staff is due to begin next Monday, another 160 the following Wednesday, and another 80 the following Monday as induction begins in earnest at the store.
And those who have taken the trip to the Belfast store will feel immediately at home in the new venue, which is slightly bigger at 31,800 sqm, but has an almost identical layout.
"Worldwide, once you are inside an Ikea store you don't know which part of the world you're in," Mr Deakin said.
"Once we are open, you will think we are in Belfast. But having said that, we will have different room sets -- the latest ones worldwide."
There will be about 55 'rooms' set out on the second floor, featuring in the region of 9,500 Ikea products which can be collected by customers on the first floor. Ground floor is parking.
Jason O'Brien
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The Swedish furniture shop cannot open for business until routes around its north Dublin site are upgraded, and the National Roads Authority (NRA) admitted this week that it would be a "surprise" if the work was completed by the July 27 opening date.
But store manager Garry Deakin told the Irish Independent yesterday that "all parties were aware" of the opening date agreed last January, and that he shared the confidence of Fingal County Council -- which is responsible for ensuring the network is complete -- that the work would be done on time.
"We agreed the opening date of July 27 when in discussions in early January," Mr Deakin said.
"All parties are aware of it. I understand the difficulties they have because on their timeline they would like Ikea to wait for a 28-day notice period and they would say, 'from 28 days tomorrow it will be done'. But Ikea needs a seven-month lead-in time to recruit 500 people and develop them.
Dilemma
"So we've always had this dilemma. The last thing anyone wanted, including the Roads Authority, was for Ikea to remain closed for another five months [after a notice period].
"I met with both parties last week, and I'm confident that Ikea will open its doors at 11am on July 27."
The off-ramps from the M50 near the Ballymun interchange of the M50 are still under construction, and there is substantial roadworks yet to be completed around the massive store.
A 'town hall' meeting held in the store yesterday, and attended by EU Commission vice president Margot Wallstrom, showcased that the inside of the store is almost complete.
However, a number of approach roads remain closed off.
"What we don't want and what won't be good for the island is if the consumer is thinking, 'Is Ikea opening or not'?" Mr Deakin said.
"Ikea would have been happy to see the Dublin store opening on the same day as the Belfast store 18 months ago, but it wasn't possible."
A batch of 160 staff is due to begin next Monday, another 160 the following Wednesday, and another 80 the following Monday as induction begins in earnest at the store.
And those who have taken the trip to the Belfast store will feel immediately at home in the new venue, which is slightly bigger at 31,800 sqm, but has an almost identical layout.
"Worldwide, once you are inside an Ikea store you don't know which part of the world you're in," Mr Deakin said.
"Once we are open, you will think we are in Belfast. But having said that, we will have different room sets -- the latest ones worldwide."
There will be about 55 'rooms' set out on the second floor, featuring in the region of 9,500 Ikea products which can be collected by customers on the first floor. Ground floor is parking.
Jason O'Brien
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Roadway hitch threatens to scupper IKEA store opening
FEARS are growing that a new IKEA store -- which will employ 500 people -- will not be able to open on time next month.
The Swedish furniture shop cannot open for business until routes around its north Dublin site are upgraded, but the National Roads Authority (NRA) admitted yesterday it would be a "surprise" if the work was completed by the July 27 opening date.
The off-ramps from the M50 near the Ballymun interchange of the M50 are still under construction, with substantial road works yet to be completed around the massive store -- despite the looming six-week deadline.
However, Fingal County Council, which is responsible for ensuring the network is complete, said yesterday it was confident the works would be completed to allow the store open next month.
Only "minor matters" remained to be addressed, it insisted.
IKEA was not available for comment yesterday, but has previously criticised the delay in completing the roads.
It claims it has lost tens of millions of euro in lost sales, adding that the store was finished last November.
Despite intensive lobbying by IKEA to speed up works, the NRA has repeatedly said its timetable for the works would not be changed to facilitate the company.
An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the 30,500 square metre store in June 2007, but on condition it could only open when upgrading works on the motorway and construction of local roads were complete.
HASH(0x1737750)
Concerns
Yesterday, a spokesman for the NRA said it had concerns about the road network.
"Hopefully, this will come to fruition, but the NRA is still concerned about the traffic impacts," he said.
"It would be a pleasant surprise if it was ready by July. The contractor is not obliged to have works completed on that section until December this year."
Informed sources have said the network is unlikely to be finished until September or October, which will also result in delays in 500 people taking up employment. It would take a "concerted effort" to get works complete by July, the source added.
However, a Fingal County Council statement said: "We are satisfied that substantial compliance with planning conditions is complete or nearing completion and that road/traffic improvement works in the vicinity of the IKEA site in Ballymun, required by condition under the planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanala, will be completed at the time of IKEA opening.
"Minor outstanding matters are the subject of current and ongoing discussions with the relevant parties and are progressing satisfactorily.
"We envisage all required works will be completed by the IKEA opening date."
IKEA opened its first Irish store in Belfast in December 2007 and has said it would consider opening a third branch in Ireland, depending on the success of the Dublin and Belfast outlets.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Roadway hitch threatens to scupper IKEA store opening
FEARS are growing that a new IKEA store -- which will employ 500 people -- will not be able to open on time next month.
The Swedish furniture shop cannot open for business until routes around its north Dublin site are upgraded, but the National Roads Authority (NRA) admitted yesterday it would be a "surprise" if the work was completed by the July 27 opening date.
The off-ramps from the M50 near the Ballymun interchange of the M50 are still under construction, with substantial road works yet to be completed around the massive store -- despite the looming six-week deadline.
However, Fingal County Council, which is responsible for ensuring the network is complete, said yesterday it was confident the works would be completed to allow the store open next month.
Only "minor matters" remained to be addressed, it insisted.
IKEA was not available for comment yesterday, but has previously criticised the delay in completing the roads.
It claims it has lost tens of millions of euro in lost sales, adding that the store was finished last November.
Despite intensive lobbying by IKEA to speed up works, the NRA has repeatedly said its timetable for the works would not be changed to facilitate the company.
An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the 30,500 square metre store in June 2007, but on condition it could only open when upgrading works on the motorway and construction of local roads were complete.
HASH(0x1737750)
Concerns
Yesterday, a spokesman for the NRA said it had concerns about the road network.
"Hopefully, this will come to fruition, but the NRA is still concerned about the traffic impacts," he said.
"It would be a pleasant surprise if it was ready by July. The contractor is not obliged to have works completed on that section until December this year."
Informed sources have said the network is unlikely to be finished until September or October, which will also result in delays in 500 people taking up employment. It would take a "concerted effort" to get works complete by July, the source added.
However, a Fingal County Council statement said: "We are satisfied that substantial compliance with planning conditions is complete or nearing completion and that road/traffic improvement works in the vicinity of the IKEA site in Ballymun, required by condition under the planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanala, will be completed at the time of IKEA opening.
"Minor outstanding matters are the subject of current and ongoing discussions with the relevant parties and are progressing satisfactorily.
"We envisage all required works will be completed by the IKEA opening date."
IKEA opened its first Irish store in Belfast in December 2007 and has said it would consider opening a third branch in Ireland, depending on the success of the Dublin and Belfast outlets.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The Swedish furniture shop cannot open for business until routes around its north Dublin site are upgraded, but the National Roads Authority (NRA) admitted yesterday it would be a "surprise" if the work was completed by the July 27 opening date.
The off-ramps from the M50 near the Ballymun interchange of the M50 are still under construction, with substantial road works yet to be completed around the massive store -- despite the looming six-week deadline.
However, Fingal County Council, which is responsible for ensuring the network is complete, said yesterday it was confident the works would be completed to allow the store open next month.
Only "minor matters" remained to be addressed, it insisted.
IKEA was not available for comment yesterday, but has previously criticised the delay in completing the roads.
It claims it has lost tens of millions of euro in lost sales, adding that the store was finished last November.
Despite intensive lobbying by IKEA to speed up works, the NRA has repeatedly said its timetable for the works would not be changed to facilitate the company.
An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the 30,500 square metre store in June 2007, but on condition it could only open when upgrading works on the motorway and construction of local roads were complete.
HASH(0x1737750)
Concerns
Yesterday, a spokesman for the NRA said it had concerns about the road network.
"Hopefully, this will come to fruition, but the NRA is still concerned about the traffic impacts," he said.
"It would be a pleasant surprise if it was ready by July. The contractor is not obliged to have works completed on that section until December this year."
Informed sources have said the network is unlikely to be finished until September or October, which will also result in delays in 500 people taking up employment. It would take a "concerted effort" to get works complete by July, the source added.
However, a Fingal County Council statement said: "We are satisfied that substantial compliance with planning conditions is complete or nearing completion and that road/traffic improvement works in the vicinity of the IKEA site in Ballymun, required by condition under the planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanala, will be completed at the time of IKEA opening.
"Minor outstanding matters are the subject of current and ongoing discussions with the relevant parties and are progressing satisfactorily.
"We envisage all required works will be completed by the IKEA opening date."
IKEA opened its first Irish store in Belfast in December 2007 and has said it would consider opening a third branch in Ireland, depending on the success of the Dublin and Belfast outlets.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
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