MINISTER FOR the Environment John Gormley plans to issue a policy directive to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the local authorities placing limits on the volumes of waste going for incineration.
In the meantime, they have been told that the Minister is “pressing ahead” with initiatives compatible with the overall objectives of his review of waste management policy, including an increase in the landfill levy and the introduction of a levy on incineration.
A circular letter issued last Friday by Michael Layde, principal officer for waste policy in the Department of the Environment, says local authorities should intensify efforts to promote home composting and other small-scale local composting initiatives.
They were also told to roll out brown bin collections, encourage access to waste streams for composting or anaerobic digestion, recycling and other processes high on the EU “waste hierarchy”, and promote segregated collection of commercial bio-waste.
These “interim actions” are intended to help meet the EU Landfill Directive targets while implementing commitments in the programme for government. “The Minister considers that they are in line with the policies emerging from the overall review,” the circular says.
It notes that the programme for government (agreed by Fianna Fáil and the Green Party in 2007) put an emphasis on moving away from the high reliance on incineration foreseen in national and regional waste management plans.
“In this regard, it is intended that there be an increased commitment to the use of alternative technologies, including those known as mechanical and biological treatment,” it says, adding that this was intended to minimise waste going to landfill or incineration.
The circular notes that a consultancy review of waste policy options is well advanced. This study should be concluded next month, with “policy proposals being brought to government shortly thereafter”.
The Minister has also initiated a strategic environmental assessment on proposed policy directions requiring the EPA and local authorities to “limit incineration capacity to ensure that waste is not drawn to incineration which could have been dealt with by recycling”.
The proposed directions would also tell them to “refrain from exercising their powers in such a way as to direct waste to landfill or incineration”.
The Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment, which opposes plans for an incinerator at Ringaskiddy, described the circular as very significant. “These clear moves away from incineration leave Indaver’s incinerator with no role to play in waste management,” it said in a statement.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Outgoing councillors may vote on rezoning
COUNCILLORS in Meath are due to meet today to debate and possibly vote on rezoning lands in the county – even though some of them were unsuccessful at the polls on Friday and no longer have a mandate for the next five years.
The plans are for Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin and dozens of submissions were made by members of the public and developers. The plans will form a blueprint for development between now and 2013. Under legislation, outgoing councillors hold office for seven days after polling. Therefore, those who may no longer have a mandate will be allowed to vote on land rezonings.
Labour Senator Dominic Hannigan says the situation “is far from ideal,” and has asked Minister for the Environment John Gormley “whether you have the power, as Minister, to request that this meeting be postponed until the new council is sworn in. If so, will you consider doing this?”
The council got 87 submissions on the Dunshaughlin area plan, including requests to rezone 484 hectares of land. One submission refers to 110 hectares, another to 200 hectares. There were 27 submissions on the Ashbourne plan.
If significant changes are proposed, the plans maybe put back on public display and the newly-elected county councillors would vote on them later this year.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The plans are for Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin and dozens of submissions were made by members of the public and developers. The plans will form a blueprint for development between now and 2013. Under legislation, outgoing councillors hold office for seven days after polling. Therefore, those who may no longer have a mandate will be allowed to vote on land rezonings.
Labour Senator Dominic Hannigan says the situation “is far from ideal,” and has asked Minister for the Environment John Gormley “whether you have the power, as Minister, to request that this meeting be postponed until the new council is sworn in. If so, will you consider doing this?”
The council got 87 submissions on the Dunshaughlin area plan, including requests to rezone 484 hectares of land. One submission refers to 110 hectares, another to 200 hectares. There were 27 submissions on the Ashbourne plan.
If significant changes are proposed, the plans maybe put back on public display and the newly-elected county councillors would vote on them later this year.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
No need for plant to burn waste, says TD
A SHIFT in Government policy toward waste reduction and recycling has bolstered the case against a proposed toxic waste incinerator to be built at Ringaskiddy, Cork, it was claimed by a Fine Gael TD at the public hearing yesterday.
An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing into the proposed incinerator reconvened in Cork yesterday following a three-week break.
Fine Gael east Cork TD David Stanton said that following the recent polls he was addressing the hearing as a member of the “country’s largest political party” which is committed to “waste management on the prevention and minimisation of waste and the provision of recycling facilities”.
Mr Stanton said there has been a change in national government policy since the incinerator planning process began in 2001, with focus on recycling taking precedence over the need for an incinerator to be built.
As part of a Dáil discussion, in reply to questions, Green Party leader John Gormley said that Government policy supports the principles of internationally recognised waste hierarchy that places emphasis on “prevention, reuse and recycling of waste while minimising reliance on landfill and incineration”.
“Meeting this obligation will entail doubling the existing level of diversion from landfill by 2010 and further increases in diversion in subsequent years. The programme also signalled a move away from mass-burn incineration towards alternative technologies.
“Undue emphasis on incineration as the cornerstone of waste management policy is detrimental to the development of alternative solutions,” Mr Gormley said.
Mr Stanton referred to the recent circular issued by Mr Gormley reiterating a policy move away from incineration toward alternative waste management solutions including “mechanical and biological treatment”.
Chairwoman of Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (Chase) Mary O’Leary presented a 16-page submission against the proposed Indaver incinerator.
“To have this monster in our harbour would always be a constant reminder that it is there 24/7 damaging our environment and health,” Ms O’Leary said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing into the proposed incinerator reconvened in Cork yesterday following a three-week break.
Fine Gael east Cork TD David Stanton said that following the recent polls he was addressing the hearing as a member of the “country’s largest political party” which is committed to “waste management on the prevention and minimisation of waste and the provision of recycling facilities”.
Mr Stanton said there has been a change in national government policy since the incinerator planning process began in 2001, with focus on recycling taking precedence over the need for an incinerator to be built.
As part of a Dáil discussion, in reply to questions, Green Party leader John Gormley said that Government policy supports the principles of internationally recognised waste hierarchy that places emphasis on “prevention, reuse and recycling of waste while minimising reliance on landfill and incineration”.
“Meeting this obligation will entail doubling the existing level of diversion from landfill by 2010 and further increases in diversion in subsequent years. The programme also signalled a move away from mass-burn incineration towards alternative technologies.
“Undue emphasis on incineration as the cornerstone of waste management policy is detrimental to the development of alternative solutions,” Mr Gormley said.
Mr Stanton referred to the recent circular issued by Mr Gormley reiterating a policy move away from incineration toward alternative waste management solutions including “mechanical and biological treatment”.
Chairwoman of Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (Chase) Mary O’Leary presented a 16-page submission against the proposed Indaver incinerator.
“To have this monster in our harbour would always be a constant reminder that it is there 24/7 damaging our environment and health,” Ms O’Leary said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Gormley gives green light to St Michael's Estate houses
MINISTER FOR the Environment John Gormley has approved funding for 32 new social units at St Michael’s Estate, Inchicore – more than one year after the collapse of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme for the complex.
Developer Bernard McNamara was to have built 165 social, 75 affordable and 480 private homes on the site of the dilapidated 1970s flat complex in Inchicore under a PPP deal with Dublin City Council.
The PPP for St Michael’s Estate, along with four others in similar estates in the north inner city, collapsed in May 2008. Attempts were made throughout last summer to rescue the schemes, but these proved unsuccessful.
Mr Gormley yesterday announced he had approved the council to spend €7.8 million on the first phase of development, which will allow them to build 32 social housing units on two acres. The council yesterday said it would be ready to break ground on their construction early next year.
The council formally terminated its relationship with Mr McNamara last August under a deal which saw the developer agree to pay €1.5 million compensation to the council, relinquish any claims on the lands and hand over any plans.
In return the council agreed not to sue Mr McNamara.
The council set up a task force to examine the five failed schemes at Dominick Street and Seán McDermott Street in the north inner city, O’Devaney Gardens, and Infirmary Road near the Phoenix Park, and St Michael’s Estate.
Last December it announced plans to rebuild the three largest – St Michael’s, O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street.
The smaller plots of land at Infirmary Road and Seán McDermott Street are not existing social housing complexes with residents needing rehousing and their redevelopment has been shelved.
St Michael’s Estate was the only scheme to have live planning permission, enabling the council to go directly for Government consent for its redevelopment.
Under the new plans, €36 million will be spent building 137 social and affordable units, a creche and community building on four acres of the 14-acre site. The council hopes the rest of the site will be privately developed at a later date.
It estimates that this private development could take place between 2015 and 2017.
The council said it also hoped to seek planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for the O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street sites early in the new year.
These schemes will be similar to St Michael’s Estate in that the social and affordable elements will be built first using public money and the remaining land will then be offered to the private market for residential and some commercial development.
The council plans to have 80 social apartments at Dominick Street and about 270 social and affordable homes at O’Devaney Gardens, 70 of which will be built in the first phase.
Building work on both these schemes is unlikely to take place before 2011.
A sixth regeneration PPP, this time between Bennett Developments Ltd and the council, collapsed last December. The future of Croke Villas, a 1960s block of 79 flats off the Ballybough Road, is still being determined by the council’s housing taskforce.
John Bissett, a member of the St Michael’s Estate community regeneration team, said the go-ahead for the redevelopment had been long awaited, but was welcome.
“I think it’s important to recognise good news when you get it and the residents are delighted that something is happening after 10 years. We just want to make sure it actually begins now and this isn’t another false dawn and I would like to remind Mr Gormley today that this is just two acres of a 14 acre site and ultimately we need whole site development.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Developer Bernard McNamara was to have built 165 social, 75 affordable and 480 private homes on the site of the dilapidated 1970s flat complex in Inchicore under a PPP deal with Dublin City Council.
The PPP for St Michael’s Estate, along with four others in similar estates in the north inner city, collapsed in May 2008. Attempts were made throughout last summer to rescue the schemes, but these proved unsuccessful.
Mr Gormley yesterday announced he had approved the council to spend €7.8 million on the first phase of development, which will allow them to build 32 social housing units on two acres. The council yesterday said it would be ready to break ground on their construction early next year.
The council formally terminated its relationship with Mr McNamara last August under a deal which saw the developer agree to pay €1.5 million compensation to the council, relinquish any claims on the lands and hand over any plans.
In return the council agreed not to sue Mr McNamara.
The council set up a task force to examine the five failed schemes at Dominick Street and Seán McDermott Street in the north inner city, O’Devaney Gardens, and Infirmary Road near the Phoenix Park, and St Michael’s Estate.
Last December it announced plans to rebuild the three largest – St Michael’s, O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street.
The smaller plots of land at Infirmary Road and Seán McDermott Street are not existing social housing complexes with residents needing rehousing and their redevelopment has been shelved.
St Michael’s Estate was the only scheme to have live planning permission, enabling the council to go directly for Government consent for its redevelopment.
Under the new plans, €36 million will be spent building 137 social and affordable units, a creche and community building on four acres of the 14-acre site. The council hopes the rest of the site will be privately developed at a later date.
It estimates that this private development could take place between 2015 and 2017.
The council said it also hoped to seek planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for the O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street sites early in the new year.
These schemes will be similar to St Michael’s Estate in that the social and affordable elements will be built first using public money and the remaining land will then be offered to the private market for residential and some commercial development.
The council plans to have 80 social apartments at Dominick Street and about 270 social and affordable homes at O’Devaney Gardens, 70 of which will be built in the first phase.
Building work on both these schemes is unlikely to take place before 2011.
A sixth regeneration PPP, this time between Bennett Developments Ltd and the council, collapsed last December. The future of Croke Villas, a 1960s block of 79 flats off the Ballybough Road, is still being determined by the council’s housing taskforce.
John Bissett, a member of the St Michael’s Estate community regeneration team, said the go-ahead for the redevelopment had been long awaited, but was welcome.
“I think it’s important to recognise good news when you get it and the residents are delighted that something is happening after 10 years. We just want to make sure it actually begins now and this isn’t another false dawn and I would like to remind Mr Gormley today that this is just two acres of a 14 acre site and ultimately we need whole site development.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Gas explosion fears raised at hearing
SHELL EP Ireland consultants have conceded that safe shelter in the event of a rupture and explosion has not yet been identified for residents living close to the proposed Corrib gas onshore pipeline.
The consultants also told the An Bord Pleanála oral hearing in north Mayo yesterday that houses within 230 metres of the pipeline could “burn spontaneously” from heat radiation if gas in the pipe was at full pressure.
The Shell team involving Shell, RPS, JP Kenny and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) was responding to a series of questions on safety scenarios put to its members by An Bord Pleanála’s pipeline expert, Nigel Wright.
Mr Wright, a consultant and former British Gas engineer, is one of two experts retained by An Bord Pleanála for the oral hearing into the modified onshore route for the pipeline.
Residents would have just 30 seconds to escape from thermal radiation if gas within the pipe was at full pressure, the team acknowledged in response to Mr Wright’s examination.
Houses within 171m would be at risk if the gas pressure was at 144 bar – the pressure level agreed by the developers after a State-commissioned safety review – the Shell team admitted when it was put to them in questions.
Both 171m and 230m are greater than the minimum separation distance of 140m from houses allowed for in the pipeline route, Mr Wright observed.
The “assumption is that there will be shelter”, Mr Wright was told by the Corrib project team.
Mr Wright confirmed with the Shell team yesterday that this pipeline was unique.
He asked why the onshore pipeline beyond the landfall had been designed for 345 bar when it had been agreed to limit pressure to 144 bar onshore.
Mr Wright was told by a team representative that this was “appropriate to prudent design”.
The integrity management system also allowed for small leaks past valves in the network, the Shell team said.
The Shell team also acknowledged that the controversial practice of gas flaring would be used if pressure crept up in the system, in response to a leakage scenario outlined by Mr Wright.
Mr Wright asked the developers why a recommendation in the Advantica safety report on use of an isolation joint at the landvalve installation at Glengad was not being applied
A Shell representative said that such joints created “inherent weaknesses”.
Mr Wright questioned the developers on the security of the beach valve, and why potential damage in a terrorist attack had been excluded from the quantified risk assessment (QRA) submitted.
Shell responded that including this information was “not part of a normal QRA”.
Mr Wright referred to evidence given last week by former Army bomb disposal expert Comdt Patrick Boyle, representing community group Pobal Chill Chomáin.
Comdt Boyle had outlined the impact of the July 2004 gas pipeline explosion in Ghislenghien, Belgium, in which 24 people died and more than 120 people were injured.
Mr Wright also questioned the team on frequency of accidents.
Last week Desmond Branigan, of DB Marine Research and Associates, told the hearing that Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit had recorded 1,200 deaths in the past decade (to 2008) as a result of pipeline fractures in 58 countries.
Questioned on State responsibility for the safety of staff at the land valve installation, the team said a document would be sent to the Health and Safety Authority.
The hearing, chaired by Martin Nolan, continues today.
It is expected to run into next week.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The consultants also told the An Bord Pleanála oral hearing in north Mayo yesterday that houses within 230 metres of the pipeline could “burn spontaneously” from heat radiation if gas in the pipe was at full pressure.
The Shell team involving Shell, RPS, JP Kenny and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) was responding to a series of questions on safety scenarios put to its members by An Bord Pleanála’s pipeline expert, Nigel Wright.
Mr Wright, a consultant and former British Gas engineer, is one of two experts retained by An Bord Pleanála for the oral hearing into the modified onshore route for the pipeline.
Residents would have just 30 seconds to escape from thermal radiation if gas within the pipe was at full pressure, the team acknowledged in response to Mr Wright’s examination.
Houses within 171m would be at risk if the gas pressure was at 144 bar – the pressure level agreed by the developers after a State-commissioned safety review – the Shell team admitted when it was put to them in questions.
Both 171m and 230m are greater than the minimum separation distance of 140m from houses allowed for in the pipeline route, Mr Wright observed.
The “assumption is that there will be shelter”, Mr Wright was told by the Corrib project team.
Mr Wright confirmed with the Shell team yesterday that this pipeline was unique.
He asked why the onshore pipeline beyond the landfall had been designed for 345 bar when it had been agreed to limit pressure to 144 bar onshore.
Mr Wright was told by a team representative that this was “appropriate to prudent design”.
The integrity management system also allowed for small leaks past valves in the network, the Shell team said.
The Shell team also acknowledged that the controversial practice of gas flaring would be used if pressure crept up in the system, in response to a leakage scenario outlined by Mr Wright.
Mr Wright asked the developers why a recommendation in the Advantica safety report on use of an isolation joint at the landvalve installation at Glengad was not being applied
A Shell representative said that such joints created “inherent weaknesses”.
Mr Wright questioned the developers on the security of the beach valve, and why potential damage in a terrorist attack had been excluded from the quantified risk assessment (QRA) submitted.
Shell responded that including this information was “not part of a normal QRA”.
Mr Wright referred to evidence given last week by former Army bomb disposal expert Comdt Patrick Boyle, representing community group Pobal Chill Chomáin.
Comdt Boyle had outlined the impact of the July 2004 gas pipeline explosion in Ghislenghien, Belgium, in which 24 people died and more than 120 people were injured.
Mr Wright also questioned the team on frequency of accidents.
Last week Desmond Branigan, of DB Marine Research and Associates, told the hearing that Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit had recorded 1,200 deaths in the past decade (to 2008) as a result of pipeline fractures in 58 countries.
Questioned on State responsibility for the safety of staff at the land valve installation, the team said a document would be sent to the Health and Safety Authority.
The hearing, chaired by Martin Nolan, continues today.
It is expected to run into next week.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Farmers battle it out for estate
LAST WEEK’S sale of the Castle Annaghs estate in south Co Kilkenny for €6.075 million – almost €10 million less than the original €16 million asking price – “reflects the realities of the market” according to the auctioneer.
Anne Carton, of New Ross firm PN OGorman, said the price of about €11,000 per acre for the land “reflects the realities of the market” and recalled auctions a few years ago “when men in hard hats were bidding €30,000 to €40,000 per acre”.
The 929sq m (10,000sq ft) Georgian house on 550 acres of agricultural land with two miles of River Barrow frontage was initially offered for sale by tender in spring last year for €16 million. A sale was agreed to an Irish dairy farmer for a rumoured €9.2 million last summer but the deal fell apart. The subsequent banking crisis, economic downturn and collapse in property prices resulted in the owner reducing the price by an extraordinary €8.5 million.
The AMV ahead of last Friday’s public auction was just €7.5 million but, in the end, not even that figure was achieved. The successful bid of just over €6 million represents a 75 per cent drop from the original asking price.
Bidders from as far afield as Donegal and Cork had crowded into the packed sale room at the Mount Brandon Hotel in New Ross.
Anne Carton launched proceedings by noting the good weather and promising the many farmers present that she’d have them “out by 4 o’clock to get back to the silage” but the sale dragged on for half-an-hour longer.
No member of the wealthy German family, the Jebens, who own the estate through a Liechtenstein-registered company, Catanga, was present.
The opening bid of €3 million was made by a north Tipperary farmer who later confirmed to The Irish Times that his “limit was €5 million”. The auction advanced slowly and the hammer eventually came down at 4.25pm when a Donegal farmer was finally outbid by Liam Sheily from west Cork. The dairy farmer said “it was a big price to pay” before he left the room to call his family and sign the sale documents.
Ms Carton later confirmed that “all the bidders were farmers” which “proves that there’s still a future in farming”. A number of local farmers who own land adjoining the estate had attended the sale as observers. One said he “would love to have bought it but would need to have won the Lotto”. However, he was “pleased” that it had been bought by an Irish farmer.
The new owner inherits a large EU Single Farm Payment entitlement which comes with the land as well as an annual milk quota of 174,000 gallons.
The Jebens, who live in Hamburg and bought the property for just £60,000 in 1962, were said to be “delighted” by the sale. They never lived on the estate, which was run by a farm manager, but frequently visited during the summer months.
In 2007, a planning application to convert the house into a hotel and construct 75 apartments, 30 detached houses and a golf course on the estate was rejected by An Bord Pleanála despite having earlier been approved by Kilkenny County Council.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Anne Carton, of New Ross firm PN OGorman, said the price of about €11,000 per acre for the land “reflects the realities of the market” and recalled auctions a few years ago “when men in hard hats were bidding €30,000 to €40,000 per acre”.
The 929sq m (10,000sq ft) Georgian house on 550 acres of agricultural land with two miles of River Barrow frontage was initially offered for sale by tender in spring last year for €16 million. A sale was agreed to an Irish dairy farmer for a rumoured €9.2 million last summer but the deal fell apart. The subsequent banking crisis, economic downturn and collapse in property prices resulted in the owner reducing the price by an extraordinary €8.5 million.
The AMV ahead of last Friday’s public auction was just €7.5 million but, in the end, not even that figure was achieved. The successful bid of just over €6 million represents a 75 per cent drop from the original asking price.
Bidders from as far afield as Donegal and Cork had crowded into the packed sale room at the Mount Brandon Hotel in New Ross.
Anne Carton launched proceedings by noting the good weather and promising the many farmers present that she’d have them “out by 4 o’clock to get back to the silage” but the sale dragged on for half-an-hour longer.
No member of the wealthy German family, the Jebens, who own the estate through a Liechtenstein-registered company, Catanga, was present.
The opening bid of €3 million was made by a north Tipperary farmer who later confirmed to The Irish Times that his “limit was €5 million”. The auction advanced slowly and the hammer eventually came down at 4.25pm when a Donegal farmer was finally outbid by Liam Sheily from west Cork. The dairy farmer said “it was a big price to pay” before he left the room to call his family and sign the sale documents.
Ms Carton later confirmed that “all the bidders were farmers” which “proves that there’s still a future in farming”. A number of local farmers who own land adjoining the estate had attended the sale as observers. One said he “would love to have bought it but would need to have won the Lotto”. However, he was “pleased” that it had been bought by an Irish farmer.
The new owner inherits a large EU Single Farm Payment entitlement which comes with the land as well as an annual milk quota of 174,000 gallons.
The Jebens, who live in Hamburg and bought the property for just £60,000 in 1962, were said to be “delighted” by the sale. They never lived on the estate, which was run by a farm manager, but frequently visited during the summer months.
In 2007, a planning application to convert the house into a hotel and construct 75 apartments, 30 detached houses and a golf course on the estate was rejected by An Bord Pleanála despite having earlier been approved by Kilkenny County Council.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Permission for housing given near Castletown House
KILDARE COUNTY Council has granted planning permission for a housing development at Donaghcumper Demesne, opposite Castletown House, in Co Kildare.
In granting the application for 91 bungalows, the council imposed a number of conditions, including a stipulation that no rear gardens are to face Castletown House.
The proposed estate would be visible from the upper floors of Castletown House – described as Ireland’s most important stately home – as well as from its avenue of lime trees.
The Irish Georgian Society had warned the proposed development presented “the biggest threat” to the setting of Castletown House, since it was saved by Desmond and Mariga Guinness 40 years ago.
The society said it was “gravely concerned” at the proposal.
The planning application was one of two lodged by Devondale Ltd in March 2008. The second for a high-rise mixed development was withdrawn by the council earlier this year.
The site which surrounds the protected Donaghcumper House is elevated and on the opposite bank of the Liffey to Castletown House.
Dating from the 1720s, Castletown is the earliest Palladian house in Ireland and is of acknowledged international significance. Appreciation of the house is said to be greatly enhanced by the survival of its parkland setting, described as one of the finest created landscapes of its type here.
The house was designed for speaker William Connolly by Edward Lovett Pearce, architect of the old Parliament House (now Bank of Ireland) on College Green. It remained in the hands of the Connolly-Carews until 1965, when it was sold to developers.
Desmond and Mariga found the house empty with its doors wide open, they bought the property and set about restoring it.
Donaghcumper Demesne was recently listed by Kildare County Council on the basis of its national importance.
However, former North Kildare TD Catherine Murphy has challenged the council’s assertion that the development was in line with “proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.
Ms Murphy said the terminology was irreconcilable with the decision to list both Castletown and Donaghcumper for preservation. She also cited “the fact that the development is within the Liffey Valley and the large sums currently being expended on Castletown House through the Office of Public Works”.
Ms Murphy said she would be one of a number of local groups and individuals to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála.
“This planning application would not have arisen in the first instance had the land not been rezoned in July 2000” she said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
In granting the application for 91 bungalows, the council imposed a number of conditions, including a stipulation that no rear gardens are to face Castletown House.
The proposed estate would be visible from the upper floors of Castletown House – described as Ireland’s most important stately home – as well as from its avenue of lime trees.
The Irish Georgian Society had warned the proposed development presented “the biggest threat” to the setting of Castletown House, since it was saved by Desmond and Mariga Guinness 40 years ago.
The society said it was “gravely concerned” at the proposal.
The planning application was one of two lodged by Devondale Ltd in March 2008. The second for a high-rise mixed development was withdrawn by the council earlier this year.
The site which surrounds the protected Donaghcumper House is elevated and on the opposite bank of the Liffey to Castletown House.
Dating from the 1720s, Castletown is the earliest Palladian house in Ireland and is of acknowledged international significance. Appreciation of the house is said to be greatly enhanced by the survival of its parkland setting, described as one of the finest created landscapes of its type here.
The house was designed for speaker William Connolly by Edward Lovett Pearce, architect of the old Parliament House (now Bank of Ireland) on College Green. It remained in the hands of the Connolly-Carews until 1965, when it was sold to developers.
Desmond and Mariga found the house empty with its doors wide open, they bought the property and set about restoring it.
Donaghcumper Demesne was recently listed by Kildare County Council on the basis of its national importance.
However, former North Kildare TD Catherine Murphy has challenged the council’s assertion that the development was in line with “proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.
Ms Murphy said the terminology was irreconcilable with the decision to list both Castletown and Donaghcumper for preservation. She also cited “the fact that the development is within the Liffey Valley and the large sums currently being expended on Castletown House through the Office of Public Works”.
Ms Murphy said she would be one of a number of local groups and individuals to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála.
“This planning application would not have arisen in the first instance had the land not been rezoned in July 2000” she said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
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