A NORTH Mayo community group has called on two Green Party Government Ministers to suspend all civil engineering works by Shell E&P Ireland in the Pollathomas and Glengad coastal area until a "rigorous geological survey and examination" is conducted.
Pobal Chill Chomáin issued the request last evening to Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan and Minister for the Environment John Gormley. The community group was formed several months ago to back a compromise location for the Corrib gas refinery.
Its statement followed the arrest of 12 people, including Rossport Five member Willie Corduff, at Glengad yesterday during a protest. The 11 men and one woman were questioned in relation to alleged criminal trespass, and were released without charge shortly before 6pm, according to the Garda in Belmullet, Co Mayo.
Shell E&P Ireland said it suspended work at the location - site of its landfall for the Corrib gas pipeline - for four hours, due to health and safety concerns associated with the protest.
In a statement, Shell said that "all necessary permits and consents" were in place from the statutory authorities. It said that environmental management plans and construction method statements had been approved by the relevant departments, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service had "witnessed" yesterday's work at Glengad.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said that a foreshore licence had been issued, in consultation with the Department of the Environment.
The Department of Energy said the company had consents under section 40 of the Gas Act for construction of the pipeline, and phased consents for landfall works were issued on June 27th and 28th by the Minister Eamon Ryan.
The Department of the Environment said that while it was "not a consent authority for this project", it was "fully informed of the works that are proposed to take place this summer".
Gardaí are also investigating a complaint about video footage taken by Shell security personnel located at Glengad.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Mansfield's Dublin convention centre gets the go-ahead
AN BORD Pleanála ended a four-year planning battle yesterday by giving permission to developer Jim Mansfield to go ahead with his controversial €90 million convention centre at Citywest in Saggart, Co Dublin.
The planning appeals board over-ruled an objection by heritage group An Taisce and the recommendation of one of its own inspectors to give the green light to the centre.
It will have the capacity to house over 4,100 delegates and will cost between €70 million and €90 million to complete.
The centre is partly built, but has been caught in a tangle of planning permissions and objections since 2004, when South Dublin County Council (SDCC) originally gave the facility the go-ahead. In its ruling, the board states the centre meets a specific objective of SDCC's development plan, in that it is in line with existing land use for the site - it is home to a golf club and hotel - and because Dublin's Luas light rail network will be extended to Saggart.
The board also pointed out that Mr Mansfield last year cut the centre's capacity from 6,000 to 4,161.
"In deciding not to accept the inspector's recommendation to refuse permission, the board had particular regard to the improved public transport facilities and the scale of the facility in relation to existing development permitted on the site," Bord Pleanála states in its ruling.
SDCC originally gave permission for the facility in 2004, and no party objected within the five-week timespan allowed for this. However, An Taisce and rival developer Harry Crosbie subsequently objected and Bord Pleanála ruled that the local authority should have informed interested parties of its decision.
The board allowed their objections, and Mr Mansfield had to take the project back to the drawing board. His group got permission last November, but An Taisce objected on planning and traffic grounds in January. Mansfield Group is one of three developers with interests in the area who are paying €13 million each to cover the cost of extending the Luas to Saggart from Tallaght.
Mr Mansfield welcomed Bord Pleanála's decision yesterday. "It's a great pity that this project has been delayed so long at an estimated cost of €1 million a week to the local economy in south Dublin, but we are eager to move this development forward as quickly as possible," he said.
His estimate of the loss to the local economy is based on research showing that each conference delegate that travels to Ireland is worth about €1,500 to the economy.
Mr Mansfield added that the hotel has been turning away "significant amounts" of conference business because the group was unable to complete the centre. Mr Mansfield's other interests include Citywest Hotel and business park, Finnstown House Hotel, near Adamstown, Weston Aerodrome and Johnstown House in Co Kildare.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The planning appeals board over-ruled an objection by heritage group An Taisce and the recommendation of one of its own inspectors to give the green light to the centre.
It will have the capacity to house over 4,100 delegates and will cost between €70 million and €90 million to complete.
The centre is partly built, but has been caught in a tangle of planning permissions and objections since 2004, when South Dublin County Council (SDCC) originally gave the facility the go-ahead. In its ruling, the board states the centre meets a specific objective of SDCC's development plan, in that it is in line with existing land use for the site - it is home to a golf club and hotel - and because Dublin's Luas light rail network will be extended to Saggart.
The board also pointed out that Mr Mansfield last year cut the centre's capacity from 6,000 to 4,161.
"In deciding not to accept the inspector's recommendation to refuse permission, the board had particular regard to the improved public transport facilities and the scale of the facility in relation to existing development permitted on the site," Bord Pleanála states in its ruling.
SDCC originally gave permission for the facility in 2004, and no party objected within the five-week timespan allowed for this. However, An Taisce and rival developer Harry Crosbie subsequently objected and Bord Pleanála ruled that the local authority should have informed interested parties of its decision.
The board allowed their objections, and Mr Mansfield had to take the project back to the drawing board. His group got permission last November, but An Taisce objected on planning and traffic grounds in January. Mansfield Group is one of three developers with interests in the area who are paying €13 million each to cover the cost of extending the Luas to Saggart from Tallaght.
Mr Mansfield welcomed Bord Pleanála's decision yesterday. "It's a great pity that this project has been delayed so long at an estimated cost of €1 million a week to the local economy in south Dublin, but we are eager to move this development forward as quickly as possible," he said.
His estimate of the loss to the local economy is based on research showing that each conference delegate that travels to Ireland is worth about €1,500 to the economy.
Mr Mansfield added that the hotel has been turning away "significant amounts" of conference business because the group was unable to complete the centre. Mr Mansfield's other interests include Citywest Hotel and business park, Finnstown House Hotel, near Adamstown, Weston Aerodrome and Johnstown House in Co Kildare.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Public hearing on Ballsbridge tower scheme begins
A BORD Pleanála public hearing on a proposed high-rise scheme for the site of the former veterinary college in Ballsbridge, Dublin, which adjoins the Jurys/Berkeley Court site owned by developer Seán Dunne, begins today.
Dublin City Council granted planning permission last February to Kintene Ltd for the redevelopment of the college site, which includes plans for a 15-storey tower, despite receiving almost 90 objections from the public to the proposal.
Local councillors had also recommended that the planners not grant permission for the development on the grounds of its height, although its tallest structure is less than half the height of the 37-storey structure sought by Mr Dunne.
The Bord Pleanála hearing of 24 appeals against the council's decision, which will be held in the RDS from today, comes just days after the council said it was reviewing its high-rise strategy for the city, following an overwhelmingly negative response from the public.
The council, as the authority which originally gave permission for the college site, will be represented at the hearing, which is expected to last for at least a week.
However, it is more likely that its representatives will be defending the decision to approve the scheme, rather than reflecting any changed views in relation to high-rise buildings.
The 24 appellants are largely residents' associations, including: Ailesbury Road Residents' Association; the Shelbourne Road Residents' Group; and the Ringsend, Sandymount and Irishtown Environment Group.
An Taisce has also appealed, claiming the council contravened the city development plan by granting permission. It says the office and retail parts of the development are not allowed under current zoning rules and the 15-storey building would be "extremely imposing and would totally dominate the area".
Plans for the 40,000sq m site include shops, offices, an arts centre and 109 apartments.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin City Council granted planning permission last February to Kintene Ltd for the redevelopment of the college site, which includes plans for a 15-storey tower, despite receiving almost 90 objections from the public to the proposal.
Local councillors had also recommended that the planners not grant permission for the development on the grounds of its height, although its tallest structure is less than half the height of the 37-storey structure sought by Mr Dunne.
The Bord Pleanála hearing of 24 appeals against the council's decision, which will be held in the RDS from today, comes just days after the council said it was reviewing its high-rise strategy for the city, following an overwhelmingly negative response from the public.
The council, as the authority which originally gave permission for the college site, will be represented at the hearing, which is expected to last for at least a week.
However, it is more likely that its representatives will be defending the decision to approve the scheme, rather than reflecting any changed views in relation to high-rise buildings.
The 24 appellants are largely residents' associations, including: Ailesbury Road Residents' Association; the Shelbourne Road Residents' Group; and the Ringsend, Sandymount and Irishtown Environment Group.
An Taisce has also appealed, claiming the council contravened the city development plan by granting permission. It says the office and retail parts of the development are not allowed under current zoning rules and the 15-storey building would be "extremely imposing and would totally dominate the area".
Plans for the 40,000sq m site include shops, offices, an arts centre and 109 apartments.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Buses should be allowed use Port Tunnel - report
Buses should be allowed to use the Port Tunnel in order to help tackle traffic congestion in the capital, according to a transport plan published today.
The new action plan for an efficient bus network for Dublin was published by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport.
The proposal aims to have 80 per cent of the city's commuters using the bus network by 2010, and includes expanding the quality bus corridor network, expanding the fleet by 350 buses and boosting links between the different transport systems, such as the Luas.
The committee found that there was a "lack of urgency and coordination" in tackling Dublin's congestion problems, and said there was a need for a "focused and determined approach" to delivering an efficient bus service for Dublin.
"Although there has been some progress over the last ten years the objectives set out in the short term action plan proposed by the Dublin Transport Office to the year 2000 have yet to be met," said the chairman of the Joint Committee, Frank Fahey.
"There appears to be a lack of urgency and coordination in the implementation of an action plan to tackle Dublin’s congestion problems, which need to be addressed immediately if we are serious about dealing with current traffic issues.”
The report recommended that high priority routes and cross city routes be designated to ensure reliable and efficient services, and that off peak frequency be increased using the existing fleet. It also said that buses should be allowed to use the Port Tunnel, and a bus gate - already recommended by the Dublin Transport Authority - be installed at College Green to facilitate a more free flowing bus service through the centre of the capital.
It is also seeking the construction of a temporary bridge beween Hawkins Street and Marlborough Street to speed up journey times, until a more permanent structure can be built.
“Traffic capacity of Dublin road network was reached 15 years ago. Today after unprecedented economic growth, the pressure on the network has increased by 300 per cent but little additional road capacity has been provided," said Mr Fahey.
"Therefore, it is more necessary now than ever that we encourage a greater number of Dublin’s commuters to use buses. This is especially relevant over the next five years before the light rail network is introduced throughout the city.”
Irishtimes.com
www.buckplanning.ie
The new action plan for an efficient bus network for Dublin was published by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport.
The proposal aims to have 80 per cent of the city's commuters using the bus network by 2010, and includes expanding the quality bus corridor network, expanding the fleet by 350 buses and boosting links between the different transport systems, such as the Luas.
The committee found that there was a "lack of urgency and coordination" in tackling Dublin's congestion problems, and said there was a need for a "focused and determined approach" to delivering an efficient bus service for Dublin.
"Although there has been some progress over the last ten years the objectives set out in the short term action plan proposed by the Dublin Transport Office to the year 2000 have yet to be met," said the chairman of the Joint Committee, Frank Fahey.
"There appears to be a lack of urgency and coordination in the implementation of an action plan to tackle Dublin’s congestion problems, which need to be addressed immediately if we are serious about dealing with current traffic issues.”
The report recommended that high priority routes and cross city routes be designated to ensure reliable and efficient services, and that off peak frequency be increased using the existing fleet. It also said that buses should be allowed to use the Port Tunnel, and a bus gate - already recommended by the Dublin Transport Authority - be installed at College Green to facilitate a more free flowing bus service through the centre of the capital.
It is also seeking the construction of a temporary bridge beween Hawkins Street and Marlborough Street to speed up journey times, until a more permanent structure can be built.
“Traffic capacity of Dublin road network was reached 15 years ago. Today after unprecedented economic growth, the pressure on the network has increased by 300 per cent but little additional road capacity has been provided," said Mr Fahey.
"Therefore, it is more necessary now than ever that we encourage a greater number of Dublin’s commuters to use buses. This is especially relevant over the next five years before the light rail network is introduced throughout the city.”
Irishtimes.com
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Incinerator plan raises pollution and traffic fears
AN INCINERATOR which is proposed for the Rathcoole area of south Co Dublin has become the subject of significant protest and criticism among local residents.
An application was lodged with An Bord Pleanála last May by a US company, Energy Answers International.
It is seeking permission to construct the facility at a place known locally as Behan's Quarry, close to the main Naas Road/N7 motorway.
The planning application comes under the Strategic Infrastructure Bill 2006 which enables the fast-tracking of planning applications for projects deemed to be of a particular infrastructural significance, and as such bypasses any requirement to go through the local council's planning procedure.
The proposal has met with criticism from South Dublin County Council, and was strongly opposed at last week's council meeting, according to Cllr John Hannon (FF), who said there was a broad cross-party objection to the proposal.
Martin Judge from the council's planning department said they have undertaken a study of the likely effects of the incinerator, and the subsequent report unequivocally advised against any support for such a facility.
He said "the council has submitted objections to the planning application on the basis that the proposal does not comply with the Dublin regional waste management plan, and also because of concerns over the expected traffic problems which will be generated by the facility".
Local objections in Rathcoole are being led by a group called Rathcoole Against Incinerator Dioxins (Raid), which has held a series of public meetings in the area in the past few weeks.
Liam McDermott, secretary of Raid, said "our information is that the emissions likely to come out of this facility represent a danger to thousands of people in the surrounding area when the prevailing wind distributes them".
He said "the local environment for miles around will be polluted consistently for years".
"It should be considered that this area includes an equine industry worth in excess of €1 billion per year, as well as the Poulaphouca reservoir which in only six miles away from the site," he said.
Ted Walsh, one of the leading horse trainers in Ireland, has his business located within four miles of the proposed incinerator site, and has also objected strongly to the planning application.
He said an incinerator in that location, with the winds blowing in every direction, is likely to spread ash across the countryside and affect the quality of grazing for horses.
"Obviously, the effects on people is the most important thing, but Kildare is a great county for horses, with studs and farms that have produced Grand National and Gold Cup winners, and to have something like this built a few miles up the road would be a disaster."
Gerry O'Sullivan of Energy Answers International said the proposed facility was of huge importance and "would be capable of handling 365,000 tonnes of residual municipal waste per year, and would produce enough energy to power over 43,000 homes in the Dublin area".
He said Energy Answers International believed there was no basis to concerns over a significant increase in traffic in the area.
"The facility would be constructed within the quarry site, selected as the most appropriate location because it is close to existing waste-management infrastructure and transport routes," he said.
"It will have a dedicated exit from the N7, and as far as we are concerned there are no significant implications for local traffic in the area."
Mr O'Sullivan said "Energy Answers International has an open office on this matter, and is happy to discuss the matter and allay any concerns".
Tomorrow is the last day for objections to the planning permission application with An Bord Pleanála.
A final decision is expected towards the end of this year.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
An application was lodged with An Bord Pleanála last May by a US company, Energy Answers International.
It is seeking permission to construct the facility at a place known locally as Behan's Quarry, close to the main Naas Road/N7 motorway.
The planning application comes under the Strategic Infrastructure Bill 2006 which enables the fast-tracking of planning applications for projects deemed to be of a particular infrastructural significance, and as such bypasses any requirement to go through the local council's planning procedure.
The proposal has met with criticism from South Dublin County Council, and was strongly opposed at last week's council meeting, according to Cllr John Hannon (FF), who said there was a broad cross-party objection to the proposal.
Martin Judge from the council's planning department said they have undertaken a study of the likely effects of the incinerator, and the subsequent report unequivocally advised against any support for such a facility.
He said "the council has submitted objections to the planning application on the basis that the proposal does not comply with the Dublin regional waste management plan, and also because of concerns over the expected traffic problems which will be generated by the facility".
Local objections in Rathcoole are being led by a group called Rathcoole Against Incinerator Dioxins (Raid), which has held a series of public meetings in the area in the past few weeks.
Liam McDermott, secretary of Raid, said "our information is that the emissions likely to come out of this facility represent a danger to thousands of people in the surrounding area when the prevailing wind distributes them".
He said "the local environment for miles around will be polluted consistently for years".
"It should be considered that this area includes an equine industry worth in excess of €1 billion per year, as well as the Poulaphouca reservoir which in only six miles away from the site," he said.
Ted Walsh, one of the leading horse trainers in Ireland, has his business located within four miles of the proposed incinerator site, and has also objected strongly to the planning application.
He said an incinerator in that location, with the winds blowing in every direction, is likely to spread ash across the countryside and affect the quality of grazing for horses.
"Obviously, the effects on people is the most important thing, but Kildare is a great county for horses, with studs and farms that have produced Grand National and Gold Cup winners, and to have something like this built a few miles up the road would be a disaster."
Gerry O'Sullivan of Energy Answers International said the proposed facility was of huge importance and "would be capable of handling 365,000 tonnes of residual municipal waste per year, and would produce enough energy to power over 43,000 homes in the Dublin area".
He said Energy Answers International believed there was no basis to concerns over a significant increase in traffic in the area.
"The facility would be constructed within the quarry site, selected as the most appropriate location because it is close to existing waste-management infrastructure and transport routes," he said.
"It will have a dedicated exit from the N7, and as far as we are concerned there are no significant implications for local traffic in the area."
Mr O'Sullivan said "Energy Answers International has an open office on this matter, and is happy to discuss the matter and allay any concerns".
Tomorrow is the last day for objections to the planning permission application with An Bord Pleanála.
A final decision is expected towards the end of this year.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Council approves plans for Adamstown town centre
SOUTH DUBLIN County Council has approved plans for the development of a €1.2 billion town centre for Adamstown, south of Lucan, which is billed by developers Castlethorn Construction as "Ireland's first 21st century town".
At 154,000 sq metres (1.66 million sq ft), Adamstown Central is one of the largest mixed-use schemes in the history of the State, with a full range of retail, com-munity, civic and commercial facilities for an anticipated population of 30,000.
The new town centre would have 60 retail units including restaurants, cafes and bars, a nine-screen cinema, health centre, inter-church place of worship, leisure centre and swimming pool, as well as a library, enterprise centre and several civic squares.
The scheme, which also includes 600 apartments, has been designed by seven architectural practices supported by 55 other consultants, including landscape architects, engineers, colourists, lighting designers and wind and movement consultants.
The seven architectural practices involved are DMOD, Grafton Architects, Henry J Lyons, HKR, O'Donnell + Tuomey, OMP and London-based Metropolitan Workshop. The idea behind having so many was to give the town centre real diversity.
Once the tendering process is complete, Castlethorn estimates that up to 1,000 jobs would be created during the construction of Adamstown Central, and that it would also lead to the creation of more than 2,500 new jobs in and around the town centre.
The developers said leasing of the retail element of the scheme was "bucking current market trends", with anchor retail and leisure tenants lined up two years in advance of scheduled completion dates.
Details of tenant contracts are to be announced later.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
At 154,000 sq metres (1.66 million sq ft), Adamstown Central is one of the largest mixed-use schemes in the history of the State, with a full range of retail, com-munity, civic and commercial facilities for an anticipated population of 30,000.
The new town centre would have 60 retail units including restaurants, cafes and bars, a nine-screen cinema, health centre, inter-church place of worship, leisure centre and swimming pool, as well as a library, enterprise centre and several civic squares.
The scheme, which also includes 600 apartments, has been designed by seven architectural practices supported by 55 other consultants, including landscape architects, engineers, colourists, lighting designers and wind and movement consultants.
The seven architectural practices involved are DMOD, Grafton Architects, Henry J Lyons, HKR, O'Donnell + Tuomey, OMP and London-based Metropolitan Workshop. The idea behind having so many was to give the town centre real diversity.
Once the tendering process is complete, Castlethorn estimates that up to 1,000 jobs would be created during the construction of Adamstown Central, and that it would also lead to the creation of more than 2,500 new jobs in and around the town centre.
The developers said leasing of the retail element of the scheme was "bucking current market trends", with anchor retail and leisure tenants lined up two years in advance of scheduled completion dates.
Details of tenant contracts are to be announced later.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
New grants for energy efficient homes unveiled
Developers are being encouraged to build energy efficient, low carbon housing through a new grant scheme designed to help fund their construction.
The Low Carbon Homes Programme will give capital grants for homes that meet certain criteria including maximising solar heat gain and heat recovery, minimising heat loss through insulation and ventilation control, and that use smart metering and other technologies to manage electricity demand.
The eligible housing will also provide heating by using renewable energy technologies, such as solar hot water and pellet fuel stoves, and generate their own electricity through micro wind, hydro power or other approved means. Homes must also have a Building Energy Rating (BER) of A2 or better for each unit.
Grants, which will be administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland, will amount to up to 40 per cent of eligible expenditure in the projects. The scheme has funding of €9 million up to the end of 2011.
There has been an increasing move towards energy efficient housing in recent years. New building regulations adopted in 2007 set out mandatory higher energy efficiency and emissions standards, which were a 40 per cent improvement on the 2005 Building Regulations. There are proposals to increase this figure to 60 per cent in 2010.
Unveiling the scheme, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, said the recently adopted regulations placed Ireland among the best in Europe in terms of energy efficient new housing.
"However, the threat of climate change and the impacts of rising oil, gas and electricity prices mean that we must aim for the very highest efficiency standards possible, while tackling the carbon emissions from our electricity use in the home," he said.
"These will be houses where energy waste is minimised and where heat is produced and electricity generated on site. This is the housing of the future."
Irishtimes.com
www.buckplanning.ie
The Low Carbon Homes Programme will give capital grants for homes that meet certain criteria including maximising solar heat gain and heat recovery, minimising heat loss through insulation and ventilation control, and that use smart metering and other technologies to manage electricity demand.
The eligible housing will also provide heating by using renewable energy technologies, such as solar hot water and pellet fuel stoves, and generate their own electricity through micro wind, hydro power or other approved means. Homes must also have a Building Energy Rating (BER) of A2 or better for each unit.
Grants, which will be administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland, will amount to up to 40 per cent of eligible expenditure in the projects. The scheme has funding of €9 million up to the end of 2011.
There has been an increasing move towards energy efficient housing in recent years. New building regulations adopted in 2007 set out mandatory higher energy efficiency and emissions standards, which were a 40 per cent improvement on the 2005 Building Regulations. There are proposals to increase this figure to 60 per cent in 2010.
Unveiling the scheme, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, said the recently adopted regulations placed Ireland among the best in Europe in terms of energy efficient new housing.
"However, the threat of climate change and the impacts of rising oil, gas and electricity prices mean that we must aim for the very highest efficiency standards possible, while tackling the carbon emissions from our electricity use in the home," he said.
"These will be houses where energy waste is minimised and where heat is produced and electricity generated on site. This is the housing of the future."
Irishtimes.com
www.buckplanning.ie
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