While the NRA has already put the N11 upgrade on the long finger, they twisted the knife even more for south Wicklow commuters last week by declaring that they had no plans at all to even consider building Arklow's missing link' the long-awaited Lamberton interchange off the Arklow bypass.Despite fervent appeals from local councillors and traders for the interchange to be buil
While the NRA has already put the N11 upgrade on the long finger, they twisted the knife even more for south Wicklow commuters last week by declaring that they had no plans at all to even consider building Arklow's missing link' the long-awaited Lamberton interchange off the Arklow bypass.
Despite fervent appeals from local councillors and traders for the interchange to be built as part of the original Arklow bypass in 1999, the NRA chose not to construct it (but did design the road so it could be added later).
The link, which would be another exit and entrance point from the bypass to the Vale or Coolgreaney roads, would mean all traffic bound for west Arklow, Avoca and south-west Wicklow towns would no longer have to come through Arklow's town centre.
The town council recently enquired about the NRA's plans for the interchange, but received a dispiriting reply, which was read out at last week's meeting.
The NRA said the focus until 2015 would be initially be on the five main inter-urban routes between Dublin and Cork, Galway, Waterford, Belfast and Limerick. A host of N-roads around Ireland (but not the N11) were next in line for funding once the main routes were finished.
We regret that it's not possible to provide funding for the proposed interchange in the near future,' the letter read.
Cllr Nicky Kelly blamed both the NRA and the government for the shunting of Wicklow road projects.
The NRA is in collaboration with the government on this,' he said.
When the government's not lying, the NRA is.'
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label planning in wicklow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label planning in wicklow. Show all posts
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
NRA is not considering the addition of link road
While the NRA has already put the N11 upgrade on the long finger, they twisted the knife even more for south Wicklow commuters last week by declaring that they had no plans at all to even consider building Arklow's missing link' the long-awaited Lamberton interchange off the Arklow bypass.Despite fervent appeals from local councillors and traders for the interchange to be buil
While the NRA has already put the N11 upgrade on the long finger, they twisted the knife even more for south Wicklow commuters last week by declaring that they had no plans at all to even consider building Arklow's missing link' the long-awaited Lamberton interchange off the Arklow bypass.
Despite fervent appeals from local councillors and traders for the interchange to be built as part of the original Arklow bypass in 1999, the NRA chose not to construct it (but did design the road so it could be added later).
The link, which would be another exit and entrance point from the bypass to the Vale or Coolgreaney roads, would mean all traffic bound for west Arklow, Avoca and south-west Wicklow towns would no longer have to come through Arklow's town centre.
The town council recently enquired about the NRA's plans for the interchange, but received a dispiriting reply, which was read out at last week's meeting.
The NRA said the focus until 2015 would be initially be on the five main inter-urban routes between Dublin and Cork, Galway, Waterford, Belfast and Limerick. A host of N-roads around Ireland (but not the N11) were next in line for funding once the main routes were finished.
We regret that it's not possible to provide funding for the proposed interchange in the near future,' the letter read.
Cllr Nicky Kelly blamed both the NRA and the government for the shunting of Wicklow road projects.
The NRA is in collaboration with the government on this,' he said.
When the government's not lying, the NRA is.'
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
While the NRA has already put the N11 upgrade on the long finger, they twisted the knife even more for south Wicklow commuters last week by declaring that they had no plans at all to even consider building Arklow's missing link' the long-awaited Lamberton interchange off the Arklow bypass.
Despite fervent appeals from local councillors and traders for the interchange to be built as part of the original Arklow bypass in 1999, the NRA chose not to construct it (but did design the road so it could be added later).
The link, which would be another exit and entrance point from the bypass to the Vale or Coolgreaney roads, would mean all traffic bound for west Arklow, Avoca and south-west Wicklow towns would no longer have to come through Arklow's town centre.
The town council recently enquired about the NRA's plans for the interchange, but received a dispiriting reply, which was read out at last week's meeting.
The NRA said the focus until 2015 would be initially be on the five main inter-urban routes between Dublin and Cork, Galway, Waterford, Belfast and Limerick. A host of N-roads around Ireland (but not the N11) were next in line for funding once the main routes were finished.
We regret that it's not possible to provide funding for the proposed interchange in the near future,' the letter read.
Cllr Nicky Kelly blamed both the NRA and the government for the shunting of Wicklow road projects.
The NRA is in collaboration with the government on this,' he said.
When the government's not lying, the NRA is.'
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
Kilpeddar interchange to open
We're on target as the project was not due to be finished until the second quarter of 2008.'
There is currently no right turn onto the N11 for motorists from Kilpeddar travelling south towards Wexford; they must first drive north to Kilmacanogue to change onto the southbound carriageway. Motorists turning right for Dublin face a similar problem.
The Kilpeddar interchange will link the Greystones Southern Access route to the N11, facilitating the movement of traffic to and from Delgany, Kilquade, Kilpeddar and Willow Grove. It will greatly reduce the number of vehicles travelling through Delgany on a daily basis.
The interchange was moved from its original planned location after land-filling activity was discovered in a disused gravel pit.
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
There is currently no right turn onto the N11 for motorists from Kilpeddar travelling south towards Wexford; they must first drive north to Kilmacanogue to change onto the southbound carriageway. Motorists turning right for Dublin face a similar problem.
The Kilpeddar interchange will link the Greystones Southern Access route to the N11, facilitating the movement of traffic to and from Delgany, Kilquade, Kilpeddar and Willow Grove. It will greatly reduce the number of vehicles travelling through Delgany on a daily basis.
The interchange was moved from its original planned location after land-filling activity was discovered in a disused gravel pit.
Wicklow People
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 22 June 2007
Wicklow quarry blasting blocked by residents
Residents of Ashford, Co Wicklow, are claiming a victory after gardaí refused to permit the use of explosives at a local quarry. Gardaí had previously facilitated the controlled use of explosives by O'Reilly Brothers (Wicklow) Ltd, at an unauthorised quarry at Ballylusk, by being present during blasting.
On these occasions, gardaí had asked neighbours to leave their properties while the blasts were taking place for safety.
When local residents received a letter from O'Reilly Brothers last week warning them of the planned use of explosives yesterday, they contacted gardaí to complain. Ballylusk quarry, they said, does not have planning permission and they asked if it was appropriate for gardaí to facilitate unauthorised activity.
They pointed out that, in 2003, An Bord Pleanála ruled work at the quarry was not an exempt activity and planning permission was required.
They said the ruling was upheld by the High Court in an unsuccessful action taken by O'Reilly Brothers last year.
Following the complaints, gardaí said they would not facilitate the blasting yesterday.
A spokesman for the Garda Press Office told The Irish Times a review of Garda co-operation had taken place following the High Court case.
Wicklow County Council is taking an enforcement case against the quarry operators and gardaí said they would be following the outcome closely.
Calls to O'Reilly Brothers Ltd were not returned yesterday. A spokesman for the company previously said it did not accept the quarry was an unauthorised development. He claimed it had been registered as a quarry by Wicklow County Council in 1994.
The spokesman said there had been continuous operation of the quarry since the late 1800s, predating the planning laws and obviating the need for formal planning permission.
The council did not return calls on the subject yesterday.
The locals refused to be named, partly because of an earlier agreement with the quarry owners, under which they accepted compensation for loss of amenity in return for a confidentiality clause.
Last December, Mr Justice John Quirke told O'Reilly Brothers Ltd that An Bord Pleanála had not erred when it ruled in July 2003 that the quarry was required to have planning permission.
He criticised Wicklow County Council's role in the affair, describing its documentation as "deplorable" and "rag-tag".
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
On these occasions, gardaí had asked neighbours to leave their properties while the blasts were taking place for safety.
When local residents received a letter from O'Reilly Brothers last week warning them of the planned use of explosives yesterday, they contacted gardaí to complain. Ballylusk quarry, they said, does not have planning permission and they asked if it was appropriate for gardaí to facilitate unauthorised activity.
They pointed out that, in 2003, An Bord Pleanála ruled work at the quarry was not an exempt activity and planning permission was required.
They said the ruling was upheld by the High Court in an unsuccessful action taken by O'Reilly Brothers last year.
Following the complaints, gardaí said they would not facilitate the blasting yesterday.
A spokesman for the Garda Press Office told The Irish Times a review of Garda co-operation had taken place following the High Court case.
Wicklow County Council is taking an enforcement case against the quarry operators and gardaí said they would be following the outcome closely.
Calls to O'Reilly Brothers Ltd were not returned yesterday. A spokesman for the company previously said it did not accept the quarry was an unauthorised development. He claimed it had been registered as a quarry by Wicklow County Council in 1994.
The spokesman said there had been continuous operation of the quarry since the late 1800s, predating the planning laws and obviating the need for formal planning permission.
The council did not return calls on the subject yesterday.
The locals refused to be named, partly because of an earlier agreement with the quarry owners, under which they accepted compensation for loss of amenity in return for a confidentiality clause.
Last December, Mr Justice John Quirke told O'Reilly Brothers Ltd that An Bord Pleanála had not erred when it ruled in July 2003 that the quarry was required to have planning permission.
He criticised Wicklow County Council's role in the affair, describing its documentation as "deplorable" and "rag-tag".
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Monday, 14 May 2007
Residents baffled about why property remains vacant Empty house used as dumping ground
An empty house in the middle of a Rathnew housing estate has become a dumping ground, leaving residents baffled by its vacant status.
The house, number 25, is part of the council and affordable housing scheme at Drumkay and has been vacant for at least three years.
Now a build-up of illegally dumped rubbish and the overgrown nature of the garden is attracting rats, forcing neighbours of the house to keep their children indoors because of invading vermin.
The premises is one of the affordable houses included in the scheme but no one has yet to actually move into the home. Repeated efforts to get Wicklow County Council to clean up the garden belonging to the house and to repair a number of broken windows have fallen on deaf ears.
According to a spokesperson for the Drumkay Residents Association, 'this premises is causing all sorts of problems for everyone living in the estate. The garden is covered in all kinds of rubbish, including domestic waste, and has started attracting rats. A number of neighbours have seen them running around their back gardens and are afraid to let their children out to play in case they are bitten. The grass is also completely overgrown, and we think the rats are breeding there.'
The spokesperson added that the council have been contacted on a number of occasions, but so far to no avail. A series of broken windows were also reported by parents concerned that some local children may end up cutting themselves if they become curious and wander into the home.
'Its not only dangerous, but also an eye-sore. Its only a matter of time before it starts attracting all kinds of anti-social behaviour,' concluded the Drumkay Residents Association spokesperson.
When contacted by the Wicklow People, the Wicklow County Council housing department acknowledged that their had been difficulties over the sale of the house but said that talks are nearing completion and a sale is likely to take place soon.
Wicklow People
The house, number 25, is part of the council and affordable housing scheme at Drumkay and has been vacant for at least three years.
Now a build-up of illegally dumped rubbish and the overgrown nature of the garden is attracting rats, forcing neighbours of the house to keep their children indoors because of invading vermin.
The premises is one of the affordable houses included in the scheme but no one has yet to actually move into the home. Repeated efforts to get Wicklow County Council to clean up the garden belonging to the house and to repair a number of broken windows have fallen on deaf ears.
According to a spokesperson for the Drumkay Residents Association, 'this premises is causing all sorts of problems for everyone living in the estate. The garden is covered in all kinds of rubbish, including domestic waste, and has started attracting rats. A number of neighbours have seen them running around their back gardens and are afraid to let their children out to play in case they are bitten. The grass is also completely overgrown, and we think the rats are breeding there.'
The spokesperson added that the council have been contacted on a number of occasions, but so far to no avail. A series of broken windows were also reported by parents concerned that some local children may end up cutting themselves if they become curious and wander into the home.
'Its not only dangerous, but also an eye-sore. Its only a matter of time before it starts attracting all kinds of anti-social behaviour,' concluded the Drumkay Residents Association spokesperson.
When contacted by the Wicklow People, the Wicklow County Council housing department acknowledged that their had been difficulties over the sale of the house but said that talks are nearing completion and a sale is likely to take place soon.
Wicklow People
Thursday, 12 April 2007
Developer will reapply to build €2bn Bray complex
THE developers who want to build a €2bn residential and shopping centre in Bray, Co Wicklow, have said they intend to reapply for planning permission in the next year.
Pizarro Developments said that An Bord Pleanala's refusal of permission did not mean the plan would not go ahead. On Tuesday, the board refused permission for the ambitious development - which would "rival Dundrum shopping centre" in scale - until the road network was upgraded and flood protection works put in place. The company was granted planning permission last year by Bray Town Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to build the complex. Bray has a flooding problem and the developers agreed to pay for the flood protection "within reasonable limits". But a scheme is still at the design stage. A Pizarro spokesman said a fresh application would be lodged when the plans for the roads and flood protection were finalised.
PAUL MELIA
Irish Independent
Pizarro Developments said that An Bord Pleanala's refusal of permission did not mean the plan would not go ahead. On Tuesday, the board refused permission for the ambitious development - which would "rival Dundrum shopping centre" in scale - until the road network was upgraded and flood protection works put in place. The company was granted planning permission last year by Bray Town Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to build the complex. Bray has a flooding problem and the developers agreed to pay for the flood protection "within reasonable limits". But a scheme is still at the design stage. A Pizarro spokesman said a fresh application would be lodged when the plans for the roads and flood protection were finalised.
PAUL MELIA
Irish Independent
Sunday, 8 April 2007
Newtown firm gets green light for new factory
A Newtownmountkennedy-based factory which exports goods around the world has been given the green light for a new facility by Wicklow County Council.
In what was termed a historic iote, the 24 councillors were unanimous in their agreement to approie the material contraiention of the Newtown local area plan to grant planning permission to Castlebrook Furniture and Design for the construction of a 7370 square metre factory at Moneycarroll/Trudder, Newtown.
Senior executiie officer, Lorraine Gallagher, told Monday's council meeting that the county manager had recommended that the application be granted subject to 25 conditions.
The material contraiention was proposed by Cllr Andrew Doyle who reminded members that almost two years ago when they were considering the county deielopment plan it was recommended that Castlebrook pursue this line with the council. He said that in an era of decline for the manufacturing industry, councillors should pass the motion.
Supporting the motion, Cllr Nicky Kelly said that it was unfortunate that it took so long to come before the council giien the lack of sustainable jobs in the county.
He added the caieat that he was looking forward to seeing a material contraiention on the agenda for Abwood, the nearby timber shed company. 'Then the hypocrisy will end,' he predicted.
Cllr Syliester Bourke said that it was iery important that small business got a fair start eien if they began as unauthorised deielopments. Many successful businesses started out in someone's back yard, he said.
Cllr Pat Casey said that councillors were always speaking of using rural agricultural buildings and this was a success story which started in a farmyard but was now exporting goods as far afield as Dubai and employed 65 people.
Planning director, Des O'Brien, explained that all the employment zoned land in Newtown had been used up which made it possible to rezone the land in question. One of the conditions of the planning was that the old buildings and the land iniolied in the unauthorised deielopment would be returned to agricultural use, he added.
Wicklow People
In what was termed a historic iote, the 24 councillors were unanimous in their agreement to approie the material contraiention of the Newtown local area plan to grant planning permission to Castlebrook Furniture and Design for the construction of a 7370 square metre factory at Moneycarroll/Trudder, Newtown.
Senior executiie officer, Lorraine Gallagher, told Monday's council meeting that the county manager had recommended that the application be granted subject to 25 conditions.
The material contraiention was proposed by Cllr Andrew Doyle who reminded members that almost two years ago when they were considering the county deielopment plan it was recommended that Castlebrook pursue this line with the council. He said that in an era of decline for the manufacturing industry, councillors should pass the motion.
Supporting the motion, Cllr Nicky Kelly said that it was unfortunate that it took so long to come before the council giien the lack of sustainable jobs in the county.
He added the caieat that he was looking forward to seeing a material contraiention on the agenda for Abwood, the nearby timber shed company. 'Then the hypocrisy will end,' he predicted.
Cllr Syliester Bourke said that it was iery important that small business got a fair start eien if they began as unauthorised deielopments. Many successful businesses started out in someone's back yard, he said.
Cllr Pat Casey said that councillors were always speaking of using rural agricultural buildings and this was a success story which started in a farmyard but was now exporting goods as far afield as Dubai and employed 65 people.
Planning director, Des O'Brien, explained that all the employment zoned land in Newtown had been used up which made it possible to rezone the land in question. One of the conditions of the planning was that the old buildings and the land iniolied in the unauthorised deielopment would be returned to agricultural use, he added.
Wicklow People
Monday, 26 February 2007
Wicklow County Council pre-planning
The debate this week in the Wicklow People over the quality of planning applications is an old one. The quality of planning applications - or lack thereof - has long been a bone of contention among planners, both in the public and in the private sectors. How to improve planning applications requires clients to only hire Irish Planning Institute or RIAI members.
The Wicklow People article follows up on recent moves to regulate those who undertake planning applications. This debate raises a number of issues, but from a planner's perspective, the most important is that those who wish to make a planning application obntain advice before they do so. This advice needs to cover:
1.Whether the proposed development has any chance of obtaining planning permission. Remember, an agent may really want your work and will tell you what you want to hear to get it.
2. Who is the best agent to hire for any given planning application? For example, if it is for engineering works requiring planning permission use an engineer. An architect is not always the only possible agent. Get the best agent for your job. If you need advice contact a planning consultant such as bps (0404-66060)
3. Review the cost of a range of agents and remember that the lowest cost agent is the lowest cost for a reason.
But, in the end, the person who needs a planning application must choose the agent which best meets their needs and more often than not this will involve taking cost into account, with some architects simply too expensive for many people.
It is the issue of cost which is at the root of the concerns of Des O'Brien and Padraig Smith in this week's Wicklow People. The fact is that many people choose the cheapest option for making their planning application, which can often mean hiring an unqualified person who may be undertaking a 'nixer' to work on your behalf. This person may have limited experience and no insurance or professional qualifications. Padraig and Des are right that if such agents were not used the quality of planning applications would rise, but they do not detail why they think it is that people use those who produce poor planning applications.
I entirely understand these reasons. But it is a clear case of caveat Emptor - buyer beware - as such agents who work for low cost and produce poor quality work are unlikely to turn any work away. In other words, they will encourage you to make a plannign application in order that they can make money from the work. A professional architect or planner (members of the RIAI or Irish Planning Institute)will tell you whether it is worth spending any money at all.
As planning consultants, bps suggests that those who need a planning application made contact us prior to help answer the above questions. We'll advise on:
1. Whether planning permission is required.
2. The chances of obtaining planning permission given the planning policies for any given site. If you have no chance, we tell you.
3. The best options for having your planning application produced.
We answer all of the pre-preplanning questions, so that it is often not necessary to ask Wicklow or any other County Council for a pre-planning meeting. Just give us a call on 0404-66060.
The wider issue of the number of applications which are invalidated or refused is a much longer debate. It is about how Planning Authority's interact with the public and with those who produce plans and planning applications. This issue continues to be debated at national planning policy level.
The Wicklow People article follows up on recent moves to regulate those who undertake planning applications. This debate raises a number of issues, but from a planner's perspective, the most important is that those who wish to make a planning application obntain advice before they do so. This advice needs to cover:
1.Whether the proposed development has any chance of obtaining planning permission. Remember, an agent may really want your work and will tell you what you want to hear to get it.
2. Who is the best agent to hire for any given planning application? For example, if it is for engineering works requiring planning permission use an engineer. An architect is not always the only possible agent. Get the best agent for your job. If you need advice contact a planning consultant such as bps (0404-66060)
3. Review the cost of a range of agents and remember that the lowest cost agent is the lowest cost for a reason.
But, in the end, the person who needs a planning application must choose the agent which best meets their needs and more often than not this will involve taking cost into account, with some architects simply too expensive for many people.
It is the issue of cost which is at the root of the concerns of Des O'Brien and Padraig Smith in this week's Wicklow People. The fact is that many people choose the cheapest option for making their planning application, which can often mean hiring an unqualified person who may be undertaking a 'nixer' to work on your behalf. This person may have limited experience and no insurance or professional qualifications. Padraig and Des are right that if such agents were not used the quality of planning applications would rise, but they do not detail why they think it is that people use those who produce poor planning applications.
I entirely understand these reasons. But it is a clear case of caveat Emptor - buyer beware - as such agents who work for low cost and produce poor quality work are unlikely to turn any work away. In other words, they will encourage you to make a plannign application in order that they can make money from the work. A professional architect or planner (members of the RIAI or Irish Planning Institute)will tell you whether it is worth spending any money at all.
As planning consultants, bps suggests that those who need a planning application made contact us prior to help answer the above questions. We'll advise on:
1. Whether planning permission is required.
2. The chances of obtaining planning permission given the planning policies for any given site. If you have no chance, we tell you.
3. The best options for having your planning application produced.
We answer all of the pre-preplanning questions, so that it is often not necessary to ask Wicklow or any other County Council for a pre-planning meeting. Just give us a call on 0404-66060.
The wider issue of the number of applications which are invalidated or refused is a much longer debate. It is about how Planning Authority's interact with the public and with those who produce plans and planning applications. This issue continues to be debated at national planning policy level.
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