THE opening of the state's first Ikea store could be held up for a year due to delays in the upgrade of the M50 motorway.
Under the Swedish store's planning conditions, it cannot be opened on the outskirts of Ballymun in Dublin until a crucial interchange is completed by the contractors working for the National Roads Authority.
The head of Ballymun Regeneration Limited, Ciaran Murray admitted yesterday that the opening of the €100m flatpack furniture store could be pushed from January 2009 to January 2010 as a result.
"There is certainly a concern there could be a significant time delay," he said.
An Bord Pleanala has insisted on the necessity of the Ballymun interchange upgrade due to fears that the huge traffic levels to Ikea -- 2.8m shoppers or 400 an hour -- could overwhelm the already gridlocked M50.
Costs
Mr Murray told the Dail's Public Accounts committee that Ikea had been lobbying the NRA to get the upgrade completed as quickly as possible.
The NRA had explained this would incur "significant extra costs" from the contractor, SIAC-Ferrovial, which is only obliged to complete the upgrade by mid-2010, said Mr Murray.
"At the moment it really is in the hands of the contractors," he said.
The Ballymun interchange is due to be upgraded as part of major works being undertaken on the M50 to add an extra lane in each direction along the length of the ring-road.
Fine Gael committee chairman Bernard Allen said he wanted to see the opening of Ikea, with its promise of 500 jobs for the disadvantaged area of Ballymun, speeded up.
The company is setting up training programmes and is hoping to fill at least 250 of the jobs from the local area.
In its first year of operation, Ikea will also be forced to close its store during the annual pre-Christmas "Operation Freeflow" traffic programme in Dublin.
Mr Murray also defended the fact that the cost of the Ballymun regeneration project has doubled to €942m and is now set to be delivered six years late.
He said it had been affected by factors such as planning delays, lack of underground mapping and problems in moving the area's 17,000 people to new houses.
The Department of Environment secretary general Geraldine Tallon, said that lessons had been learned for future regeneration projects -- such as carrying out better cost planning and risk assessments.
Michael Brennan Political Correspondent
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label ikea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ikea. Show all posts
Friday, 2 May 2008
M50 works holding up opening of first Ikea superstore
THE opening of the state's first Ikea store could be held up for a year due to delays in the upgrade of the M50 motorway.
Under the Swedish store's planning conditions, it cannot be opened on the outskirts of Ballymun in Dublin until a crucial interchange is completed by the contractors working for the National Roads Authority.
The head of Ballymun Regeneration Limited, Ciaran Murray admitted yesterday that the opening of the €100m flatpack furniture store could be pushed from January 2009 to January 2010 as a result.
"There is certainly a concern there could be a significant time delay," he said.
An Bord Pleanala has insisted on the necessity of the Ballymun interchange upgrade due to fears that the huge traffic levels to Ikea -- 2.8m shoppers or 400 an hour -- could overwhelm the already gridlocked M50.
Costs
Mr Murray told the Dail's Public Accounts committee that Ikea had been lobbying the NRA to get the upgrade completed as quickly as possible.
The NRA had explained this would incur "significant extra costs" from the contractor, SIAC-Ferrovial, which is only obliged to complete the upgrade by mid-2010, said Mr Murray.
"At the moment it really is in the hands of the contractors," he said.
The Ballymun interchange is due to be upgraded as part of major works being undertaken on the M50 to add an extra lane in each direction along the length of the ring-road.
Fine Gael committee chairman Bernard Allen said he wanted to see the opening of Ikea, with its promise of 500 jobs for the disadvantaged area of Ballymun, speeded up.
The company is setting up training programmes and is hoping to fill at least 250 of the jobs from the local area.
In its first year of operation, Ikea will also be forced to close its store during the annual pre-Christmas "Operation Freeflow" traffic programme in Dublin.
Mr Murray also defended the fact that the cost of the Ballymun regeneration project has doubled to €942m and is now set to be delivered six years late.
He said it had been affected by factors such as planning delays, lack of underground mapping and problems in moving the area's 17,000 people to new houses.
The Department of Environment secretary general Geraldine Tallon, said that lessons had been learned for future regeneration projects -- such as carrying out better cost planning and risk assessments.
Michael Brennan Political Correspondent
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Under the Swedish store's planning conditions, it cannot be opened on the outskirts of Ballymun in Dublin until a crucial interchange is completed by the contractors working for the National Roads Authority.
The head of Ballymun Regeneration Limited, Ciaran Murray admitted yesterday that the opening of the €100m flatpack furniture store could be pushed from January 2009 to January 2010 as a result.
"There is certainly a concern there could be a significant time delay," he said.
An Bord Pleanala has insisted on the necessity of the Ballymun interchange upgrade due to fears that the huge traffic levels to Ikea -- 2.8m shoppers or 400 an hour -- could overwhelm the already gridlocked M50.
Costs
Mr Murray told the Dail's Public Accounts committee that Ikea had been lobbying the NRA to get the upgrade completed as quickly as possible.
The NRA had explained this would incur "significant extra costs" from the contractor, SIAC-Ferrovial, which is only obliged to complete the upgrade by mid-2010, said Mr Murray.
"At the moment it really is in the hands of the contractors," he said.
The Ballymun interchange is due to be upgraded as part of major works being undertaken on the M50 to add an extra lane in each direction along the length of the ring-road.
Fine Gael committee chairman Bernard Allen said he wanted to see the opening of Ikea, with its promise of 500 jobs for the disadvantaged area of Ballymun, speeded up.
The company is setting up training programmes and is hoping to fill at least 250 of the jobs from the local area.
In its first year of operation, Ikea will also be forced to close its store during the annual pre-Christmas "Operation Freeflow" traffic programme in Dublin.
Mr Murray also defended the fact that the cost of the Ballymun regeneration project has doubled to €942m and is now set to be delivered six years late.
He said it had been affected by factors such as planning delays, lack of underground mapping and problems in moving the area's 17,000 people to new houses.
The Department of Environment secretary general Geraldine Tallon, said that lessons had been learned for future regeneration projects -- such as carrying out better cost planning and risk assessments.
Michael Brennan Political Correspondent
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
IKEA - Planning Inspector's recommendation
Having reviewed all material associated with this appeal, Senior Planning Inspector, Keith Sargeant, came to the following conclusions:
1. The proposed development would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience, subject to prior to trading, completion of the relevant section of the approved M50 upgrade and compliance with conditions relating to certain local road improvements, increased car parking subject to future review and certain ‘demand management’ interventions in the car parking and store opening/closing arrangements.
2. The proposed development would not be a source of significant adverse retail impact and would otherwise comply with the provisions of officially published Retail Planning Guidelines 2005 including, subject to compliance with road infrastructure/traffic management conditions, paragraph 84d of the said Guidelines.
3. Having regard to the submission for the planning authority that development of the scale and nature proposed, as presented in the context of paragraphs 84a-e of Retail Planning Guidelines 2005, would at most be one of very few such developments, nationally, the proposed development would not create a precedent for inappropriate out-of-town type retail developments in Ireland. It will always be the responsibility of national government to monitor the operation of retail guidelines and review them as appropriate in the public interest over time.
The following recommendation was made:
Grant permission subject to conditions having regard to the following reasons and considerations.
Having regard to the zoning and other provisions of the North Ballymun Local Area Plan, and the provision of Retail Planning Guidelines published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2005 entitled “Retail Planning – Guidelines for Planning Authority”, and to the mitigation measures proposed in the Environmental Impact Statement (as amended) submitted with the planning application, it is considered that, subject to compliance with the following conditions, the proposed development would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience, would not adversely affect the retail hierarchy of the area and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
The most onerous condition placed on this grant of planning permission was:
Prior to the first occupation or use of the proposed development for trading, the following improvements to the Ballymun Interchange shall have been fully completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority:-
(a)the works proposed in the M50 Motorway Upgrade Scheme 2004 for the Ballymun Interchange, as approved by An Bord Pleanála under reference number 06D.ER.2034, including the modifications relating to that Interchange (modification number 1(1) refers),
(b)the two-lane flare on the eastbound M50 off-ramp shall be at least 150 metres,
(c)the two-lane flare on the southbound R108 approach to the roundabout shall be at least 50 metres, and
(d)the two-lane flare on the westbound M50 off-ramp shall be at least 150 metres.
Reason: To avoid serious traffic congestion and in the interest of the convenience and safety of road users.
Other conditions attached to the grant are significant, including upgrades of other roads, a home delivery service, restricted opening hours, etc.
To read the full decision go to: www.pleanala.ie/IKEA.html
Brendan Buck
1. The proposed development would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience, subject to prior to trading, completion of the relevant section of the approved M50 upgrade and compliance with conditions relating to certain local road improvements, increased car parking subject to future review and certain ‘demand management’ interventions in the car parking and store opening/closing arrangements.
2. The proposed development would not be a source of significant adverse retail impact and would otherwise comply with the provisions of officially published Retail Planning Guidelines 2005 including, subject to compliance with road infrastructure/traffic management conditions, paragraph 84d of the said Guidelines.
3. Having regard to the submission for the planning authority that development of the scale and nature proposed, as presented in the context of paragraphs 84a-e of Retail Planning Guidelines 2005, would at most be one of very few such developments, nationally, the proposed development would not create a precedent for inappropriate out-of-town type retail developments in Ireland. It will always be the responsibility of national government to monitor the operation of retail guidelines and review them as appropriate in the public interest over time.
The following recommendation was made:
Grant permission subject to conditions having regard to the following reasons and considerations.
Having regard to the zoning and other provisions of the North Ballymun Local Area Plan, and the provision of Retail Planning Guidelines published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2005 entitled “Retail Planning – Guidelines for Planning Authority”, and to the mitigation measures proposed in the Environmental Impact Statement (as amended) submitted with the planning application, it is considered that, subject to compliance with the following conditions, the proposed development would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience, would not adversely affect the retail hierarchy of the area and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
The most onerous condition placed on this grant of planning permission was:
Prior to the first occupation or use of the proposed development for trading, the following improvements to the Ballymun Interchange shall have been fully completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority:-
(a)the works proposed in the M50 Motorway Upgrade Scheme 2004 for the Ballymun Interchange, as approved by An Bord Pleanála under reference number 06D.ER.2034, including the modifications relating to that Interchange (modification number 1(1) refers),
(b)the two-lane flare on the eastbound M50 off-ramp shall be at least 150 metres,
(c)the two-lane flare on the southbound R108 approach to the roundabout shall be at least 50 metres, and
(d)the two-lane flare on the westbound M50 off-ramp shall be at least 150 metres.
Reason: To avoid serious traffic congestion and in the interest of the convenience and safety of road users.
Other conditions attached to the grant are significant, including upgrades of other roads, a home delivery service, restricted opening hours, etc.
To read the full decision go to: www.pleanala.ie/IKEA.html
Brendan Buck
Dublin gets its first IKEA - with conditions
An Bord Pleanála has given the green light to the Swedish furniture giant IKEA to build a superstore at Ballymun in Dublin.
In its decision, An Bord Pleanála said the new shop would not overload the M50 junction because of 30 conditions it is attaching to the planning permission.
IKEA can begin the construction of the building, however it is not allowed to open for business until the M50 upgrade has been completed, according to conditions set by An Bord Pleanála.
Advertisement
The planning board stipulated that IKEA can not open before 11am. It also ruled out 'browse time' in which shoppers can inspect goods before tills open.
Under the conditions IKEA must ensure that there is a shuttle bus service to Ballymun.
Fingal County Council granted planning permission last October, but it was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by seven parties, including the National Roads Authority (NRA).
The NRA said it had serious concerns as the shop could cause substantial queuing on the M50 and disrupt its upgrade plans.
The concerns over traffic flows were supported by Treasury Holdings, Tesco Ireland, Green Party TD Eamon Ryan and others.
IKEA has stores in 34 countries, however the Government's restrictions on floor space in Ireland prevented the company from locating here.
When these rules were changed, IKEA proposed building a 30,000sq m shop to house its flat-pack furniture in the Ballymun regeneration zone and create 500 jobs.
Meanwhile, the company is moving ahead with its plans for the construction of a 29,000sq m outlet on the outskirts of Belfast.
The superstore is set to open in December and will employ 400 people.
RTE
In its decision, An Bord Pleanála said the new shop would not overload the M50 junction because of 30 conditions it is attaching to the planning permission.
IKEA can begin the construction of the building, however it is not allowed to open for business until the M50 upgrade has been completed, according to conditions set by An Bord Pleanála.
Advertisement
The planning board stipulated that IKEA can not open before 11am. It also ruled out 'browse time' in which shoppers can inspect goods before tills open.
Under the conditions IKEA must ensure that there is a shuttle bus service to Ballymun.
Fingal County Council granted planning permission last October, but it was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by seven parties, including the National Roads Authority (NRA).
The NRA said it had serious concerns as the shop could cause substantial queuing on the M50 and disrupt its upgrade plans.
The concerns over traffic flows were supported by Treasury Holdings, Tesco Ireland, Green Party TD Eamon Ryan and others.
IKEA has stores in 34 countries, however the Government's restrictions on floor space in Ireland prevented the company from locating here.
When these rules were changed, IKEA proposed building a 30,000sq m shop to house its flat-pack furniture in the Ballymun regeneration zone and create 500 jobs.
Meanwhile, the company is moving ahead with its plans for the construction of a 29,000sq m outlet on the outskirts of Belfast.
The superstore is set to open in December and will employ 400 people.
RTE
Thursday, 29 March 2007
Ikea could be left on shelf for year till M50 upgraded
A Bord Pleanála inspector has warned that the Ikea outlet planned for Ballymun in Dublin could become a "white elephant" that would lie idle for a year or more pending the M50's upgrade.
Keith Sargeant, who conducted the week-long planning appeal hearing on the proposed development, was referring to a condition in the planning permission granted by Fingal County Council which prevents Ikea from opening before the motorway capacity is increased.
The council's condition states the M50 upgrade at the Ballymun interchange junction, or works that would produce equivalent improvements, must be completed before Ikea can open.
The National Roads Authority (NRA) has said that the upgrade will not be completed until 2009 and that any change to the "highly complex contract" with the contractors building the road that would allow alternative work at the junction would be very unlikely. If planning permission was granted for the development it would be ready to open by August 2008, Ikea has said.
Mr Sargeant said: "Ikea could spend a fortune getting a store ready to open and could be left sitting with a white elephant ... I'm not worried about Ikea's financial situation but I do want people to face up to reality," Mr Sargeant said. The council had not made it clear who would be responsible for the improvement works.
Seán McGrath, a senior council engineer, said it had allowed a "degree of flexibility" when writing the condition, so Ikea could negotiate with the motorway contractor for completion of the improvement works.
Hugh Creegan of the NRA, which opposes the proposed Ikea siting, said the NRA awarded the works contract and he did not see how changes could be made.
The hearing concluded yesterday. An Bord Pleanála is likely to deliver its decision by July.
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
Keith Sargeant, who conducted the week-long planning appeal hearing on the proposed development, was referring to a condition in the planning permission granted by Fingal County Council which prevents Ikea from opening before the motorway capacity is increased.
The council's condition states the M50 upgrade at the Ballymun interchange junction, or works that would produce equivalent improvements, must be completed before Ikea can open.
The National Roads Authority (NRA) has said that the upgrade will not be completed until 2009 and that any change to the "highly complex contract" with the contractors building the road that would allow alternative work at the junction would be very unlikely. If planning permission was granted for the development it would be ready to open by August 2008, Ikea has said.
Mr Sargeant said: "Ikea could spend a fortune getting a store ready to open and could be left sitting with a white elephant ... I'm not worried about Ikea's financial situation but I do want people to face up to reality," Mr Sargeant said. The council had not made it clear who would be responsible for the improvement works.
Seán McGrath, a senior council engineer, said it had allowed a "degree of flexibility" when writing the condition, so Ikea could negotiate with the motorway contractor for completion of the improvement works.
Hugh Creegan of the NRA, which opposes the proposed Ikea siting, said the NRA awarded the works contract and he did not see how changes could be made.
The hearing concluded yesterday. An Bord Pleanála is likely to deliver its decision by July.
Olivia Kelly
© 2007 The Irish Times
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Ikea oral hearing underway
The Ikea oral hearing is underway. Ikea’s plans to open up shop just off the M50 in north Dublin (well, at Ballymun) are being put to the test from today.
Objectors include the National Roads Authority and the Green Party.
In October, Fingal County Council granted planning permission, with more than two dozen conditions, for the Swedish furniture giant to open the massive outlet in Ballymun.
If it gets the go ahead the investment in the local area, one in much need of regeneration, would be worth €150m and create 500 jobs. However, there are quesitons as to whether any of these jobs would go to people from Ballymun.
It has been contested on the grounds that it would compound the problems already faced by motorists on the gridlocked M50. Ballymun Regeneration and Ikea consider the current upgrade of the M50 to be enough to meet the predicted traffic growth. The reality is more likely to be "if you build it they will come" with both the M50 and all roads to Ikea - from across the country - clogged even after the upgrade.
The NRA was one of seven parties to appeal against the initial decision to grant planning permission stating there were serious concerns about the knock-on effect the store would have on the M50.
The body believes the guaranteed high number of shoppers trying to get to the outlet will lead to tailbacks and traffic jams backing on to the motorway.
Treasury Holdings, which is redeveloping the old Ballymun shopping centre, has said Ikea could have a significant negative impact on the road network.
Objectors include the National Roads Authority and the Green Party.
In October, Fingal County Council granted planning permission, with more than two dozen conditions, for the Swedish furniture giant to open the massive outlet in Ballymun.
If it gets the go ahead the investment in the local area, one in much need of regeneration, would be worth €150m and create 500 jobs. However, there are quesitons as to whether any of these jobs would go to people from Ballymun.
It has been contested on the grounds that it would compound the problems already faced by motorists on the gridlocked M50. Ballymun Regeneration and Ikea consider the current upgrade of the M50 to be enough to meet the predicted traffic growth. The reality is more likely to be "if you build it they will come" with both the M50 and all roads to Ikea - from across the country - clogged even after the upgrade.
The NRA was one of seven parties to appeal against the initial decision to grant planning permission stating there were serious concerns about the knock-on effect the store would have on the M50.
The body believes the guaranteed high number of shoppers trying to get to the outlet will lead to tailbacks and traffic jams backing on to the motorway.
Treasury Holdings, which is redeveloping the old Ballymun shopping centre, has said Ikea could have a significant negative impact on the road network.
Friday, 19 January 2007
Planning hearing over Ikea welcomed
Paul Melia in the Indo' tells us that AN BORD Pleanala is to hold a public hearing on plans to open an Ikea store in Dublin.
The move comes after six parties objected to Fingal County Council granting planning permission for the 30,000 sq m store last October, with 14 of the 32 planning conditions relating to transport and traffic and concerns the store would cause congestion in the Ballymun area. The hearing is expected in March.
"I welcome the oral hearing as it will allow a public forum where the planning and development issues involved can be addressed," Transport spokesman Eamon Ryan TD - one of the objectors - said.
Traffic
"Our concern all along has not been the introduction of an Ikea store, but the traffic and gridlock that has developed on the back of bad planning policies.
"A hearing will allow Ikea to make its case and it's difficult to see how they will answer the criticisms raised by the NRA that this project will bring further traffic to the already congested M50 motorway," he said. Other objectors to the planning permission include Treasury Holdings and the National Roads Authority. The case was due to be decided by early March, but will be deferred pending the public hearing.
The move comes after six parties objected to Fingal County Council granting planning permission for the 30,000 sq m store last October, with 14 of the 32 planning conditions relating to transport and traffic and concerns the store would cause congestion in the Ballymun area. The hearing is expected in March.
"I welcome the oral hearing as it will allow a public forum where the planning and development issues involved can be addressed," Transport spokesman Eamon Ryan TD - one of the objectors - said.
Traffic
"Our concern all along has not been the introduction of an Ikea store, but the traffic and gridlock that has developed on the back of bad planning policies.
"A hearing will allow Ikea to make its case and it's difficult to see how they will answer the criticisms raised by the NRA that this project will bring further traffic to the already congested M50 motorway," he said. Other objectors to the planning permission include Treasury Holdings and the National Roads Authority. The case was due to be decided by early March, but will be deferred pending the public hearing.
Thursday, 28 December 2006
Ikea comes to Ireland
In case anyone didn't hear over Christmas, planning permission has been granted for Ireland's first IKEA store - in Belfast
IKEA is definitely coming to Ireland.
Planning permission's been granted for the Swedish lifestyle store's first outlet, in Belfast.
It looks like Belfast has beaten Dublin to it for Ireland's first branch of IKEA, the store for style conscious homeowners.
While a planning application is still pending for an outlet in Ballymun, the British government's granted approval for a store at Holywood Exchange in County Down, on the shores of Belfast Lough.
At 29,000 square metres it'll be one of the biggest retail warehouses in the North and will lead to the creation of five hundred jobs.
Northern Secretary Peter Hain's hailed IKEA's coming as great news with construction starting next month for a grand opening next November.
Plans for a slightly smaller store at Ballymun in north Dublin have yet to receive planning consent, creating the prospect of a cross-border pilgrimage by IKEA worshippers everywhere.
IKEA is definitely coming to Ireland.
Planning permission's been granted for the Swedish lifestyle store's first outlet, in Belfast.
It looks like Belfast has beaten Dublin to it for Ireland's first branch of IKEA, the store for style conscious homeowners.
While a planning application is still pending for an outlet in Ballymun, the British government's granted approval for a store at Holywood Exchange in County Down, on the shores of Belfast Lough.
At 29,000 square metres it'll be one of the biggest retail warehouses in the North and will lead to the creation of five hundred jobs.
Northern Secretary Peter Hain's hailed IKEA's coming as great news with construction starting next month for a grand opening next November.
Plans for a slightly smaller store at Ballymun in north Dublin have yet to receive planning consent, creating the prospect of a cross-border pilgrimage by IKEA worshippers everywhere.
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