TENDERS ARE being sought for a “design and build” contract for the controversial children’s hospital on the Mater site in Dublin at least a month in advance of An Bord Pleanála’s decision on whether to grant planning permission for it.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday 30 December 2011
Concerns as Kilkenny scheme gets go-ahead
AN BORD Pleanála has granted planning permission for a new road and bridge crossing of the river Nore which its critics claim would be the death knell for the city’s medieval character.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday 16 December 2011
2,000 properties face takeover threat from DART Underground
UP to 2,000 businesses and homes will be forced to live with the threat of their properties being taken over by Iarnrod Eireann for the next seven years.
The state railway company was yesterday granted permission to build the DART Underground line, but has been given up to 2018 to formally tell owners along the route if their land will be needed to build the line. Normally, state agencies taking land under Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) are given 18 months to complete the transaction.
The decision of An Bord Pleanala to allow the railway company seven years to acquire the lands comes because the government has suspended all work on the project. This means that landowners will have difficulty selling or developing their properties until a decision is made on whether the €2bn project will go ahead. Experts last night said that having the threat of a CPO hanging over a property meant it was effectively "unsellable".
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
The state railway company was yesterday granted permission to build the DART Underground line, but has been given up to 2018 to formally tell owners along the route if their land will be needed to build the line. Normally, state agencies taking land under Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) are given 18 months to complete the transaction.
The decision of An Bord Pleanala to allow the railway company seven years to acquire the lands comes because the government has suspended all work on the project. This means that landowners will have difficulty selling or developing their properties until a decision is made on whether the €2bn project will go ahead. Experts last night said that having the threat of a CPO hanging over a property meant it was effectively "unsellable".
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Diageo to submit development plan for James's Gate
GUINNESS maker Diageo is ready to apply for planning permission for a €100m makeover of its iconic James's Gate Brewery. Diageo Ireland has been in talks with Dublin planning authorities and local councillors since the summer about how best to redevelop large sections of the huge St James's Gate site, known worldwide as the home of Guinness stout.
Diageo says it is now ready to submit a planning application for redevelopment of the north side of the site, between James's Street and Victoria Quay, following the talks. The plans are now at the planning stage with a formal planning application being made to Dublin authorities this week. The plans will go on public display tomorrow at the Dublin City Council offices at Wood Quay, just down the river from James's Gate.
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Diageo says it is now ready to submit a planning application for redevelopment of the north side of the site, between James's Street and Victoria Quay, following the talks. The plans are now at the planning stage with a formal planning application being made to Dublin authorities this week. The plans will go on public display tomorrow at the Dublin City Council offices at Wood Quay, just down the river from James's Gate.
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Red Hand chiefs bid to tackle rural depopulation problem
A special committee will be set up to examine the issues and come up with solutions.
School closures and planning restrictions are among the factors identified as important factors in the difficulties being experienced by some rural clubs.
"The committee will focus on our many clubs with dwindling numbers, in areas with schools proposed for closing and the added impact of PPS 21 (planning strategy) which has yet to be measured," said county chairman Ciaran McLaughlin.
Read the article @ The Examiner
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
School closures and planning restrictions are among the factors identified as important factors in the difficulties being experienced by some rural clubs.
"The committee will focus on our many clubs with dwindling numbers, in areas with schools proposed for closing and the added impact of PPS 21 (planning strategy) which has yet to be measured," said county chairman Ciaran McLaughlin.
Read the article @ The Examiner
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
AN BORD PLENEÁLA OVERTURNS CORK CITY COUNCIL DECISION FOR A SECOND TIME.
Planning authority says Gaeilscoil can proceed to development at the Tank Field.
An Bord Pleanala has overturned a Cork City Council decision for a second time and granted approval for the construction of a new Gaeilscoil, on the grounds of the Tank Field in Mayfield. The area in question is zoned as a sports field , and has been at the centre of a contentious argument for several years. The planning authority said it believed it wasn`t constrained in granting permission even though the City Council voted against approval last July because it considered the development would constitute a material contravention of the City Development Plan. Local residents say they`re concerned that An Bord Pleanala would overturn the decision of the local authority and that a campaign to preserve the Tank Field will be vigorously pursued.
Read the article @ www.cork96fm.ie
www.buckplanning.ie
An Bord Pleanala has overturned a Cork City Council decision for a second time and granted approval for the construction of a new Gaeilscoil, on the grounds of the Tank Field in Mayfield. The area in question is zoned as a sports field , and has been at the centre of a contentious argument for several years. The planning authority said it believed it wasn`t constrained in granting permission even though the City Council voted against approval last July because it considered the development would constitute a material contravention of the City Development Plan. Local residents say they`re concerned that An Bord Pleanala would overturn the decision of the local authority and that a campaign to preserve the Tank Field will be vigorously pursued.
Read the article @ www.cork96fm.ie
www.buckplanning.ie
New Information Added To Online Flood Maps
Online Flood Maps have been updated with information now available on areas across the north that may be affected by flooding from rivers, sea and now rainfall. The Strategic Flood Map also gives helpful information on the location of flood defences already in place to reduce risk and is intended to increase awareness among the general public, local authorities, utilities and other organisations about the risk of flooding. This is to enable them to be better prepared to take appropriate action to reduce the impact of flooding.
Read the article @ build.ie.
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Read the article @ build.ie.
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
DEADLINE FOR REPORT ON MERGED LIMERICK AUTHORITIES UNLIKELY TO BE MET
It's looking increasingly unlikely that a progress report into the merger of Limerick's two local authorities will be completed by the end of the year.
Implementation Committee Chairman Denis Brosnan had hoped the report might be ready for the Minister before Christmas after he described the October deadline as overly ambitious.
Detailed negotiations between officials of both councils on the one hand and politicians on the other are ongoing as the structure for the new merger authority is due to be finalised in 2012.
Read the article at www.live95fm.ie.
www.buckplanning.ie
Implementation Committee Chairman Denis Brosnan had hoped the report might be ready for the Minister before Christmas after he described the October deadline as overly ambitious.
Detailed negotiations between officials of both councils on the one hand and politicians on the other are ongoing as the structure for the new merger authority is due to be finalised in 2012.
Read the article at www.live95fm.ie.
www.buckplanning.ie
Galway GAA have abandoned plans for a training centre at Athenry
A plan for a GAA hurling training centre to be located near Athenry have been dropped.
The decision will see the Galway hurling board lose some €2.5 million which has already been spent on a site of over 100 acres.
To proceed, the project would cost further millions and would eventually, the GAA hoped, be worth €8 million.
Plans were submitted to the Council for planning permission and a grant was issued in 2008 for the facility.
To read the Irish Times article on which this summary is based, please click here.
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
The decision will see the Galway hurling board lose some €2.5 million which has already been spent on a site of over 100 acres.
To proceed, the project would cost further millions and would eventually, the GAA hoped, be worth €8 million.
Plans were submitted to the Council for planning permission and a grant was issued in 2008 for the facility.
To read the Irish Times article on which this summary is based, please click here.
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Residential quarter planned by Gerry Gannon
Developer Gerry Gannon has unveiled plans for a large residential neighbourhood at Oldtown in Swords, north Dublin. Gannon Properties has lodged the first of two planning applications with Fingal County Council for 469 homes, mostly three and four-bed units as well as two-bed starter houses. The site is on zoned lands between the northwestern edge of Swords and a new regional park planned by the council.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Lusk landfill will no longer proceed
The massive regional-scale landfill waste facility proposed near Lusk will no longer proceed. Fingal County Council has made the decision.
According to reports in the Irish Times, around €33m and 14 years have been spent to date by Fingal County Council on the project. Additional monies amounting to more than €45 million were due to be spent on land if the project proceeded.
The Council has quoted multiple reasons for the decision, but it is clear that national policy and competition are the main ones.
This could however be viewed as a victory for the local community which opposed for the project for 14 years until a planning decision to grant was issued in March 2011.
The Council's decision not to proceed will end many local landowners concerns over the uncertainty of the future use of their lands.
To read the Irish Times story on which this summary is based, please click here.
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
According to reports in the Irish Times, around €33m and 14 years have been spent to date by Fingal County Council on the project. Additional monies amounting to more than €45 million were due to be spent on land if the project proceeded.
The Council has quoted multiple reasons for the decision, but it is clear that national policy and competition are the main ones.
This could however be viewed as a victory for the local community which opposed for the project for 14 years until a planning decision to grant was issued in March 2011.
The Council's decision not to proceed will end many local landowners concerns over the uncertainty of the future use of their lands.
To read the Irish Times story on which this summary is based, please click here.
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
The DART Underground decision
An Bord Pleanála has decided, unanimously, to grant the DART Underground Railway Order
To read the full DART Underground decision, please click here.
Having read the details of the decision, my commiserations go to the residents of East Wall for whom little or no change appears to have been made to the Railway Order such that its impact on that community would be reduced.
There is a concern in the East Wall community that the Strategic Infrastructure Act 2006 has facilitated a situation whereby the concerns of objectors and observers were given a hearing and then dismissed in favour of the project's proposers - in the name of the 'common good'.
An almost identical decision would, it seems, have been made in the event no Third Party involvement had ever taken place.
I wonder whether if each part of the project had been assessed separately under the normal planning application procedure, would the project have eventually been passed in such an unaltered state. I doubt it.
This is no doubt a complicated project. It is no doubt an important project for the state. But the impacts of the project fall almost entirely on one community. If this is in the common good, then it fails to pass most definitions of the common good.
The common good is served when it is possible to make everyone better off without making anyone worse off. Within East Wall, if this project ever starts, life will be worse off for over ten years.
www.buckplanning.ie
To read the full DART Underground decision, please click here.
Having read the details of the decision, my commiserations go to the residents of East Wall for whom little or no change appears to have been made to the Railway Order such that its impact on that community would be reduced.
There is a concern in the East Wall community that the Strategic Infrastructure Act 2006 has facilitated a situation whereby the concerns of objectors and observers were given a hearing and then dismissed in favour of the project's proposers - in the name of the 'common good'.
An almost identical decision would, it seems, have been made in the event no Third Party involvement had ever taken place.
I wonder whether if each part of the project had been assessed separately under the normal planning application procedure, would the project have eventually been passed in such an unaltered state. I doubt it.
This is no doubt a complicated project. It is no doubt an important project for the state. But the impacts of the project fall almost entirely on one community. If this is in the common good, then it fails to pass most definitions of the common good.
The common good is served when it is possible to make everyone better off without making anyone worse off. Within East Wall, if this project ever starts, life will be worse off for over ten years.
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday 12 December 2011
Residents oppose demolition of buildings in Dunshaughlin
MORE THAN 800 residents of Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, are appealing against the county council’s decision to grant the demolition of three historic buildings in the town to make way for a new shopping centre.
Last March Cusack Homes sought permission from Meath County Council for the development which includes a 4,239 sq m anchor retail unit, five smaller shops, two offices and 323 parking spaces on a site off Main Street.
The application sought permission for the demolition of a boundary wall but did not seek the demolition of any buildings.
However, last April the council sought revisions from the developer following concerns about traffic safety related to the proposed entrance off Main Street to the development.
Last September the applicants submitted proposals to allow for a changed entrance which included the demolition of mid- to late-19th century buildings including an old industrial building, dating from the 1860s, listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
The revisions also include the demolition of two late 19th century houses known locally as Gogan’s home and pub.
The houses were in use until recently and while one is currently vacant the other is still occupied by an estate agent’s firm.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Last March Cusack Homes sought permission from Meath County Council for the development which includes a 4,239 sq m anchor retail unit, five smaller shops, two offices and 323 parking spaces on a site off Main Street.
The application sought permission for the demolition of a boundary wall but did not seek the demolition of any buildings.
However, last April the council sought revisions from the developer following concerns about traffic safety related to the proposed entrance off Main Street to the development.
Last September the applicants submitted proposals to allow for a changed entrance which included the demolition of mid- to late-19th century buildings including an old industrial building, dating from the 1860s, listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
The revisions also include the demolition of two late 19th century houses known locally as Gogan’s home and pub.
The houses were in use until recently and while one is currently vacant the other is still occupied by an estate agent’s firm.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Friday 9 December 2011
Cosgrave challenges corruption charges
THE SUPREME COURT has begun hearing an appeal by former Fine Gael TD Liam Cosgrave aimed at halting his criminal trial in connection with alleged corrupt payments concerning land rezonings in Co Dublin.
Mr Cosgrave and businessman James Kennedy are separately seeking orders to stop their trials over alleged corrupt payments in relation to rezoning of lands in Carrickmines owned by Jackson Way Properties in 1992 and the successful rezoning of part of these lands in 1997.
Mr Cosgrave, Merrion Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin, has denied charges of receiving sums in June 1992; on December 23rd, 1997, at Buswells Hotel, Dublin; and on October 30th, 1997, at the Davenport Hotel in Dublin.
Mr Kennedy, Cormorant Wharf, Queensway Quay, Gibraltar, has also denied 16 charges of making corrupt payments to politicians relating to rezoning motions voted on by Dublin County Council and Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown concerning land in Carrickmines.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Mr Cosgrave and businessman James Kennedy are separately seeking orders to stop their trials over alleged corrupt payments in relation to rezoning of lands in Carrickmines owned by Jackson Way Properties in 1992 and the successful rezoning of part of these lands in 1997.
Mr Cosgrave, Merrion Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin, has denied charges of receiving sums in June 1992; on December 23rd, 1997, at Buswells Hotel, Dublin; and on October 30th, 1997, at the Davenport Hotel in Dublin.
Mr Kennedy, Cormorant Wharf, Queensway Quay, Gibraltar, has also denied 16 charges of making corrupt payments to politicians relating to rezoning motions voted on by Dublin County Council and Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown concerning land in Carrickmines.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Cosgrave challenges corruption charges
THE SUPREME COURT has begun hearing an appeal by former Fine Gael TD Liam Cosgrave aimed at halting his criminal trial in connection with alleged corrupt payments concerning land rezonings in Co Dublin.
Mr Cosgrave and businessman James Kennedy are separately seeking orders to stop their trials over alleged corrupt payments in relation to rezoning of lands in Carrickmines owned by Jackson Way Properties in 1992 and the successful rezoning of part of these lands in 1997.
Mr Cosgrave, Merrion Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin, has denied charges of receiving sums in June 1992; on December 23rd, 1997, at Buswells Hotel, Dublin; and on October 30th, 1997, at the Davenport Hotel in Dublin.
Mr Kennedy, Cormorant Wharf, Queensway Quay, Gibraltar, has also denied 16 charges of making corrupt payments to politicians relating to rezoning motions voted on by Dublin County Council and Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown concerning land in Carrickmines.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Mr Cosgrave and businessman James Kennedy are separately seeking orders to stop their trials over alleged corrupt payments in relation to rezoning of lands in Carrickmines owned by Jackson Way Properties in 1992 and the successful rezoning of part of these lands in 1997.
Mr Cosgrave, Merrion Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin, has denied charges of receiving sums in June 1992; on December 23rd, 1997, at Buswells Hotel, Dublin; and on October 30th, 1997, at the Davenport Hotel in Dublin.
Mr Kennedy, Cormorant Wharf, Queensway Quay, Gibraltar, has also denied 16 charges of making corrupt payments to politicians relating to rezoning motions voted on by Dublin County Council and Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown concerning land in Carrickmines.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
HSE appeals decision on removal of statue
THE HSE South has appealed a decision by Killarney Town Council refusing permission to remove a 1930s Christian statue from the roof of the town’s community hospital.
The health executive has paid fees of €4,500 to lodge the appeal with An Bord Pleanála against the council decision. It has also engaged leading heritage and planning consultants in its bid to overturn the town council decision.
The sudden removal of the large red and white statue of Christ from over the central front door of the hospital in March 2010 provoked furore locally and has already been before An Bord Pleanála by way of referral.
The bishop of Kerry, the Killarney Soroptimists and others have publicly questioned health and safety reasons put forward by the HSE. At one stage there was a threat of a march on the hospital.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
The health executive has paid fees of €4,500 to lodge the appeal with An Bord Pleanála against the council decision. It has also engaged leading heritage and planning consultants in its bid to overturn the town council decision.
The sudden removal of the large red and white statue of Christ from over the central front door of the hospital in March 2010 provoked furore locally and has already been before An Bord Pleanála by way of referral.
The bishop of Kerry, the Killarney Soroptimists and others have publicly questioned health and safety reasons put forward by the HSE. At one stage there was a threat of a march on the hospital.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Developer's controversial Achill structure praised as 'genius'
The Stonehenge-like structure built on Achill Island by controversial developer Joe McNamara has been praised as 'genius' and a piece of public art.
Mr McNamara is due to return to the High Court today over the unauthorised development. But a local politician, who visited the site several times last week, feels it would be a "terrible" decision to tear it down.
Mayo County Council currently has the matter before the High Court, but Cllr Michael McLaughlin (FG) believes it could become a major tourist attraction.
"People will travel from all over to see it and I think it could be one of the major tourist attractions in the west of Ireland. If left it will still be standing strong in 5,000 years and will continue to pose questions and generate debate, that's what good art does.
"It is public art in my opinion. There's a fine line sometimes between genius and madness but I certainly think this is genius."
Joe McNamara, known as the 'Anglo Avenger' after a series of high-profile protests against Anglo Irish Bank, was released from jail on Monday night after spending the weekend there.
He was found in contempt of court last Friday by Judge Roderick Murphy for ignoring two injunctions served by a Mayo County Council planning officer to stop work on the structure the weekend before last.
The structure, the purpose for which remains unclear, was erected without planning permission between November 25 and 27.
Cllr McLaughlin, a member of Westport Town Council, the nearest large town to Achill Island, argues that while planning was clearly breached, the structure is worthy of an exception.
"I know there are planning breaches and, by the letter of the law, it should come down. But I think an exception should be made," he said.
"First of all, from an engineering point of view, it is a fantastic piece of work. He did it all himself and I wouldn't say it is even one quarter inch out of place and he got it built in one weekend.
Last Friday Judge Murphy told McNamara that he will be invited to 'purge his contempt' at today's court sitting and 'deal with the matter of what appears to be an unlawful development'.
It is understood that McNamara is preparing to apply for retention planning permission for the development.
Edwin McGreal
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Mr McNamara is due to return to the High Court today over the unauthorised development. But a local politician, who visited the site several times last week, feels it would be a "terrible" decision to tear it down.
Mayo County Council currently has the matter before the High Court, but Cllr Michael McLaughlin (FG) believes it could become a major tourist attraction.
"People will travel from all over to see it and I think it could be one of the major tourist attractions in the west of Ireland. If left it will still be standing strong in 5,000 years and will continue to pose questions and generate debate, that's what good art does.
"It is public art in my opinion. There's a fine line sometimes between genius and madness but I certainly think this is genius."
Joe McNamara, known as the 'Anglo Avenger' after a series of high-profile protests against Anglo Irish Bank, was released from jail on Monday night after spending the weekend there.
He was found in contempt of court last Friday by Judge Roderick Murphy for ignoring two injunctions served by a Mayo County Council planning officer to stop work on the structure the weekend before last.
The structure, the purpose for which remains unclear, was erected without planning permission between November 25 and 27.
Cllr McLaughlin, a member of Westport Town Council, the nearest large town to Achill Island, argues that while planning was clearly breached, the structure is worthy of an exception.
"I know there are planning breaches and, by the letter of the law, it should come down. But I think an exception should be made," he said.
"First of all, from an engineering point of view, it is a fantastic piece of work. He did it all himself and I wouldn't say it is even one quarter inch out of place and he got it built in one weekend.
Last Friday Judge Murphy told McNamara that he will be invited to 'purge his contempt' at today's court sitting and 'deal with the matter of what appears to be an unlawful development'.
It is understood that McNamara is preparing to apply for retention planning permission for the development.
Edwin McGreal
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Businessman told to halt demolition of listed mansion
A HONG Kong-based businessman has been ordered to stop demolition works at the 17th century listed Georgian house that inspired the paintings of a leading artist.
Local residents in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, were dumbfounded when they noticed that part of the back of the stunning Kilmurry House had been knocked down. It is the home where celebrated Irish artist Mildred Anne Butler, who was born in 1858 and died in 1941, lived for most of her life.
The property dates to 1690 when a Colonel Bushe built a seat on lands granted to him under the Cromwellian settlement. In the late 1800s the estate was bought by Ms Butler's father, Major Henry Butler of the renowned Anglo-Irish Butlers of Ormonde dynasty of Kilkenny Castle.
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Local residents in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, were dumbfounded when they noticed that part of the back of the stunning Kilmurry House had been knocked down. It is the home where celebrated Irish artist Mildred Anne Butler, who was born in 1858 and died in 1941, lived for most of her life.
The property dates to 1690 when a Colonel Bushe built a seat on lands granted to him under the Cromwellian settlement. In the late 1800s the estate was bought by Ms Butler's father, Major Henry Butler of the renowned Anglo-Irish Butlers of Ormonde dynasty of Kilkenny Castle.
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Businessman told to halt demolition of listed mansion
A HONG Kong-based businessman has been ordered to stop demolition works at the 17th century listed Georgian house that inspired the paintings of a leading artist.
Local residents in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, were dumbfounded when they noticed that part of the back of the stunning Kilmurry House had been knocked down. It is the home where celebrated Irish artist Mildred Anne Butler, who was born in 1858 and died in 1941, lived for most of her life.
The property dates to 1690 when a Colonel Bushe built a seat on lands granted to him under the Cromwellian settlement. In the late 1800s the estate was bought by Ms Butler's father, Major Henry Butler of the renowned Anglo-Irish Butlers of Ormonde dynasty of Kilkenny Castle.
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Local residents in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, were dumbfounded when they noticed that part of the back of the stunning Kilmurry House had been knocked down. It is the home where celebrated Irish artist Mildred Anne Butler, who was born in 1858 and died in 1941, lived for most of her life.
The property dates to 1690 when a Colonel Bushe built a seat on lands granted to him under the Cromwellian settlement. In the late 1800s the estate was bought by Ms Butler's father, Major Henry Butler of the renowned Anglo-Irish Butlers of Ormonde dynasty of Kilkenny Castle.
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Tuesday 6 December 2011
Developer jailed over 'Stonehenge' on Achill
PROPERTY DEVELOPER Joe McNamara has been jailed until Tuesday by a High Court judge for contempt of an order to stop building a “Stonehenge-like structure” which he intends to be a “place of reflection” on Achill Island.
Mr McNamara, who was acquitted earlier this year after he drove a cement mixer with the words “toxic bank” at the gates of Leinster House, was asked by Mayo County Council’s planning officers last week to stop the unauthorised works in Achill, but he continued with the project.
The council then brought proceedings against Mr McNamara (41), Achill Island, Co Mayo, and Salthill, Co Galway, and secured orders on November 26th last requiring him to stop the works.
It claimed works continued after he was served with those orders and that it then initiated proceedings for attachment and committal of Mr McNamara.
After hearing from the sides yesterday, Mr Justice Roderick Murphy found Mr McNamara had continued work on the structure, an outer ring of large columns with tapping stones placed on top, despite being served with the order to cease those works.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Mr McNamara, who was acquitted earlier this year after he drove a cement mixer with the words “toxic bank” at the gates of Leinster House, was asked by Mayo County Council’s planning officers last week to stop the unauthorised works in Achill, but he continued with the project.
The council then brought proceedings against Mr McNamara (41), Achill Island, Co Mayo, and Salthill, Co Galway, and secured orders on November 26th last requiring him to stop the works.
It claimed works continued after he was served with those orders and that it then initiated proceedings for attachment and committal of Mr McNamara.
After hearing from the sides yesterday, Mr Justice Roderick Murphy found Mr McNamara had continued work on the structure, an outer ring of large columns with tapping stones placed on top, despite being served with the order to cease those works.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Still not too late to stop Mater hospital madness
HEALTH CUTS “hurt the old, the sick and the handicapped”, said the infamous Fianna Fáil slogan in 1987. And now we’re facing another batch, which will result in the closure of up to 4,000 public nursing-home beds, the imposition of a €50 annual levy on medical cards and new charges for home help.
The Department of Health has been forensically examining every budget line for further cuts in an already ramshackle health service. Yet at the same time, it plans to forge ahead with the proposed children’s hospital on the Dublin Mater site at an acknowledged cost of €650 million, and probably a lot more.
While other extravagant, boom-era boondoggle schemes such as Metro North are being cancelled, the hospital is to proceed. Indeed, Minister for Health Dr James Reilly’s recent statement that enabling works would start next year and construction in 2013 blithely assumed An Bord Pleanála approval for this contentious project.
The Government’s decision to proceed is all the more surprising given that former hospital development board chairman Philip Lynch – forced to resign more than a year ago after he queried the suitability of the site – branded the location as “a political decision, a northside job. I’ve no doubt in the world about it”.
The decision was made with unseemly haste in June 2006 “behind closed doors and signed off as government policy by the cabinet without any participation from the public, child health professionals or our elected representatives”, as Dr Roisín Healy, of the New Children’s Hospital Alliance, told An Bord Pleanála’s recent oral hearing.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
The Department of Health has been forensically examining every budget line for further cuts in an already ramshackle health service. Yet at the same time, it plans to forge ahead with the proposed children’s hospital on the Dublin Mater site at an acknowledged cost of €650 million, and probably a lot more.
While other extravagant, boom-era boondoggle schemes such as Metro North are being cancelled, the hospital is to proceed. Indeed, Minister for Health Dr James Reilly’s recent statement that enabling works would start next year and construction in 2013 blithely assumed An Bord Pleanála approval for this contentious project.
The Government’s decision to proceed is all the more surprising given that former hospital development board chairman Philip Lynch – forced to resign more than a year ago after he queried the suitability of the site – branded the location as “a political decision, a northside job. I’ve no doubt in the world about it”.
The decision was made with unseemly haste in June 2006 “behind closed doors and signed off as government policy by the cabinet without any participation from the public, child health professionals or our elected representatives”, as Dr Roisín Healy, of the New Children’s Hospital Alliance, told An Bord Pleanála’s recent oral hearing.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Opposition by residents leads council to shelve Clontarf flood defence plans
PLANS FOR flood defences of up to 2.17m (7ft) in height to protect Clontarf from the sea have been scrapped by Dublin city councillors following opposition from local residents.
Councillors of all parties voted last night to reject the council management proposals for building a barrier along the promenade in Clontarf to protect homes and businesses from inundation by the sea.
The area was hit by an “extreme tidal event” in February 2002 and a less severe one in October 2004, both of which caused damage to homes and businesses.
The council has had planning permission from An Bord Pleanála to build flood defences up to 2.75m high since 2008. However, when it announced two months ago that it planned to begin construction early next year a campaign against the move began.
Residents and business associations, who did not appeal to An Bord Pleanála before the scheme was approved in July 2008, said there had been inadequate public consultation at the time. They added they were unaware of the proposed heights of the development until last October.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Councillors of all parties voted last night to reject the council management proposals for building a barrier along the promenade in Clontarf to protect homes and businesses from inundation by the sea.
The area was hit by an “extreme tidal event” in February 2002 and a less severe one in October 2004, both of which caused damage to homes and businesses.
The council has had planning permission from An Bord Pleanála to build flood defences up to 2.75m high since 2008. However, when it announced two months ago that it planned to begin construction early next year a campaign against the move began.
Residents and business associations, who did not appeal to An Bord Pleanála before the scheme was approved in July 2008, said there had been inadequate public consultation at the time. They added they were unaware of the proposed heights of the development until last October.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
500 homes at risk as council rejects flood defence scheme
MORE than 500 homes will remain at risk of flooding for the foreseeable future after Dublin city councillors last night rejected plans to build a defence scheme.
In a unanimous decision, councillors threw out plans to build the defences along a 3km stretch of the coastline, meaning the northside suburb of Clontarf will remain unprotected from storms and high tides.
The council had secured funding of €4.3m to erect grass mounds between the promenade and road stretching from Alfie Byrne Road to the Woodenbridge. But the height of the mounds caused controversy, with residents claiming they would block views of the sea.
Some 83pc of the defences were to be under 1.5 metres, the council said, reaching a maximum height of 2.17 metres near the old Clontarf baths.
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
In a unanimous decision, councillors threw out plans to build the defences along a 3km stretch of the coastline, meaning the northside suburb of Clontarf will remain unprotected from storms and high tides.
The council had secured funding of €4.3m to erect grass mounds between the promenade and road stretching from Alfie Byrne Road to the Woodenbridge. But the height of the mounds caused controversy, with residents claiming they would block views of the sea.
Some 83pc of the defences were to be under 1.5 metres, the council said, reaching a maximum height of 2.17 metres near the old Clontarf baths.
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Sisk and Park need NAMA for marina
JOHN Sisk and Son Ltd and Park Developments have indicated they need the support of NAMA to finish off the €300m Greystones marina project in Co Wicklow.
The loans given to Sisk and Park were transferred over to NAMA in November 2010, but there has been no official indication yet from NAMA whether it wants to support the second phase of the development, which includes a medical centre, apartments and clubhouses for harbour users.
"The directors expect that ultimately NAMA will provide ongoing funding facilities to allow for completion of the development,'' the builders said. Wicklow County Council is also a partner in the project.
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
The loans given to Sisk and Park were transferred over to NAMA in November 2010, but there has been no official indication yet from NAMA whether it wants to support the second phase of the development, which includes a medical centre, apartments and clubhouses for harbour users.
"The directors expect that ultimately NAMA will provide ongoing funding facilities to allow for completion of the development,'' the builders said. Wicklow County Council is also a partner in the project.
Read the article @ The Irish Independent
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Saving historic heart of our towns
HIGH streets and town centres throughout Ireland have come to look the same in recent years, with regular department stores and the brash brand names of largely overseas multiples increasingly dominating the streetscape.
The result is that many cities and urban areas have lost their individual identities. Often, the only saving grace is some old or historical building that stands out because it is so different to the glass, steel and plastic facades of today. The venerable landmarks are usually officially ‘listed’ for preservation, whilst some simply escape the rush to modernisation.
However, there’s evidence that places which are retaining their historic environments are doing better economically. We’re told there is something in the human psyche that makes people enjoy being in historic environments. Sounds like a no-brainer, though obviously not to many commercial developers who ran riot during the boom years.
But, just think for a moment of how a town such as Clonakilty, in west Cork, can make the most of its built heritage, or why Adare, Co Limerick, always seems packed with tourists and coaches. The prime reason surely is that both are lovely places in which to be, enhanced by a deep sense of tradition and atmosphere.
The east Cork town of Youghal, famous for its built and natural heritage, sees a heritage-led regeneration plan as compensating in some way for huge losses in local manufacturing in the past decade.
Read the article @ The Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The result is that many cities and urban areas have lost their individual identities. Often, the only saving grace is some old or historical building that stands out because it is so different to the glass, steel and plastic facades of today. The venerable landmarks are usually officially ‘listed’ for preservation, whilst some simply escape the rush to modernisation.
However, there’s evidence that places which are retaining their historic environments are doing better economically. We’re told there is something in the human psyche that makes people enjoy being in historic environments. Sounds like a no-brainer, though obviously not to many commercial developers who ran riot during the boom years.
But, just think for a moment of how a town such as Clonakilty, in west Cork, can make the most of its built heritage, or why Adare, Co Limerick, always seems packed with tourists and coaches. The prime reason surely is that both are lovely places in which to be, enhanced by a deep sense of tradition and atmosphere.
The east Cork town of Youghal, famous for its built and natural heritage, sees a heritage-led regeneration plan as compensating in some way for huge losses in local manufacturing in the past decade.
Read the article @ The Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Glanbia plans major new manufacturing plant
Food group Glanbia is seeking sites in Leinster to build a greenfield dairy manufacturing plant, according to a weekend report.
It may invest more than 50m euros in the facility, the Sunday Times says, which is hoped to come on stream when milk production quotas come to an end in 2015.
It says a decision on whether to build the facility on a 100 acre greenfield site is expected in the second quarter of next year.
The paper says sites owned by NAMA are among those the food group is looking at.
The plant will be designed to tap into a different catchment of dairy farmers than its current facility at Ballyragget in Co Kilkenny.
The new plant will produce milk and value added products such as yoghurts and cheeses.
Read the article @ businessworld.ie
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
It may invest more than 50m euros in the facility, the Sunday Times says, which is hoped to come on stream when milk production quotas come to an end in 2015.
It says a decision on whether to build the facility on a 100 acre greenfield site is expected in the second quarter of next year.
The paper says sites owned by NAMA are among those the food group is looking at.
The plant will be designed to tap into a different catchment of dairy farmers than its current facility at Ballyragget in Co Kilkenny.
The new plant will produce milk and value added products such as yoghurts and cheeses.
Read the article @ businessworld.ie
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
EirGrid starts challenge against Laois plan to lay power lines underground
EirGrid has brought a High Court challenge against Laois County Council's policy that all future power lines over 400kv going through the county must be put underground.
In its proceedings EirGrid Plc claims the policy, adopted by the Council last October, make it impossible for the semi state to fulfil its function to develop, maintain and operate a safe secure, economic and reliable electricity transmission system in the county.
Today the court heard that EirGrid, which has operated Ireland's electricity transmission system since 2006, has major concerns in regards to the cost and environmental implications involved if all lines over 400kv in Co Laois have to be put underground.
In its proceedings, the company argues the Council erred in law by adopting the policy, which it claims is contrary and inconsistent with a number of national plans policies, strategies including the National spatial strategy, regional planning guidelines and the objectives of the County Development Plan.
The policy is included as part of the Laois County Development Plan for 2011-2017.
Read the article @ The Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
In its proceedings EirGrid Plc claims the policy, adopted by the Council last October, make it impossible for the semi state to fulfil its function to develop, maintain and operate a safe secure, economic and reliable electricity transmission system in the county.
Today the court heard that EirGrid, which has operated Ireland's electricity transmission system since 2006, has major concerns in regards to the cost and environmental implications involved if all lines over 400kv in Co Laois have to be put underground.
In its proceedings, the company argues the Council erred in law by adopting the policy, which it claims is contrary and inconsistent with a number of national plans policies, strategies including the National spatial strategy, regional planning guidelines and the objectives of the County Development Plan.
The policy is included as part of the Laois County Development Plan for 2011-2017.
Read the article @ The Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Over 100 more properties listed on Nama website
THE SPAWELL leisure centre in Templeogue, Dublin 16, an office building in the Gasworks in Belfast and the Vantage Business Park site near London are amongst 105 new properties listed by Nama on its website yesterday.
The majority of properties – 58 – named are in Northern Ireland and include an office building in the Gasworks in Belfast as well as a number of pubs.
Thirty-eight properties are in the south of Ireland, and nine are in London. In Dublin, pubs on Dawson Street, Mount Street Lower and South Great George’s Street are in receivership but none is yet for sale.
The new information includes all properties which were subject to enforcement action by October 31st. These include 57 to which receivers were appointed during October; receivers had already been appointed to 48 other properties prior to acquisition of the loans by Nama in October.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
The majority of properties – 58 – named are in Northern Ireland and include an office building in the Gasworks in Belfast as well as a number of pubs.
Thirty-eight properties are in the south of Ireland, and nine are in London. In Dublin, pubs on Dawson Street, Mount Street Lower and South Great George’s Street are in receivership but none is yet for sale.
The new information includes all properties which were subject to enforcement action by October 31st. These include 57 to which receivers were appointed during October; receivers had already been appointed to 48 other properties prior to acquisition of the loans by Nama in October.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Opposition grows to Dublin sewage plant
OPPOSITION IS mounting across north Co Dublin to plans for a new €500 million regional sewage plant to serve up to 700,000 people in Dublin city and county, as well as parts of Meath and Kildare.
Nine sites, all in Fingal, have been selected as potential locations for the plant, which would be second in size only to the Ringsend sewage works.
The closing date for public submissions on the proposed locations is tomorrow. Reclaim Fingal, an alliance of opposition groups from each of the targeted communities, said it intended to present about 10,000 submissions against the proposal to Fingal County Council.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Nine sites, all in Fingal, have been selected as potential locations for the plant, which would be second in size only to the Ringsend sewage works.
The closing date for public submissions on the proposed locations is tomorrow. Reclaim Fingal, an alliance of opposition groups from each of the targeted communities, said it intended to present about 10,000 submissions against the proposal to Fingal County Council.
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Retail space guidelines introduced, says Hogan
MINISTER FOR the Environment Phil Hogan has insisted draft guidelines to relax the floor space limits on retail premises in Dublin and other major cities have been introduced in negotiation with the EU-IMF troika.
Fianna Fáil environment spokesman Niall Collins had called on the Minister to acknowledge that the EU-IMF deal “did not specifically provide for an increase in that cap” on floor space.
“It provided for a study,” he said, warning that any change in the regulations to allow more space for retail premises “would squeeze the smaller retailers in town centres”.
Mr Hogan said: “When the EU and IMF ask you to carry out a study, they do so with a particular purpose in mind.”
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Fianna Fáil environment spokesman Niall Collins had called on the Minister to acknowledge that the EU-IMF deal “did not specifically provide for an increase in that cap” on floor space.
“It provided for a study,” he said, warning that any change in the regulations to allow more space for retail premises “would squeeze the smaller retailers in town centres”.
Mr Hogan said: “When the EU and IMF ask you to carry out a study, they do so with a particular purpose in mind.”
Read the article @ The Irish Times
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
‘Local retail centre’ shot down in councillors’ unanimous vote
PLANS for a "local retail centre" in Cork’s western suburbs have been shot down after councillors voted unanimously against rezoning.
All 27 councillors who attended Monday night’s council meeting voted against the recommendation of planners to rezone the site off the Melbourne Road to facilitate the development.
The project at a site near the Rossbrook estate and the former Tennis Village faced opposition from RGDATA and local business owners.
Several local shop owners at the meeting applauded after the vote.
The issue came before councillors after planners assessed a planning application by Melbourne Management, associated with developers Michael and John O’Flynn, to change uses of eight business, enterprise and light industrial units at the former Melbourne Business Centre, to provide a 4,500 square-foot local retail centre, with off-licence and four other shops.
It is understood that TescoExpress was lined up as the intended anchor for the larger unit of the proposed retail centre.
The project was aimed at serving the large CIT student catchment in the area and its extensive purpose-built student accommodation.
Read the article @ The Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
All 27 councillors who attended Monday night’s council meeting voted against the recommendation of planners to rezone the site off the Melbourne Road to facilitate the development.
The project at a site near the Rossbrook estate and the former Tennis Village faced opposition from RGDATA and local business owners.
Several local shop owners at the meeting applauded after the vote.
The issue came before councillors after planners assessed a planning application by Melbourne Management, associated with developers Michael and John O’Flynn, to change uses of eight business, enterprise and light industrial units at the former Melbourne Business Centre, to provide a 4,500 square-foot local retail centre, with off-licence and four other shops.
It is understood that TescoExpress was lined up as the intended anchor for the larger unit of the proposed retail centre.
The project was aimed at serving the large CIT student catchment in the area and its extensive purpose-built student accommodation.
Read the article @ The Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
‘Local retail centre’ shot down in councillors’ unanimous vote
PLANS for a "local retail centre" in Cork’s western suburbs have been shot down after councillors voted unanimously against rezoning.
All 27 councillors who attended Monday night’s council meeting voted against the recommendation of planners to rezone the site off the Melbourne Road to facilitate the development.
The project at a site near the Rossbrook estate and the former Tennis Village faced opposition from RGDATA and local business owners.
Several local shop owners at the meeting applauded after the vote.
The issue came before councillors after planners assessed a planning application by Melbourne Management, associated with developers Michael and John O’Flynn, to change uses of eight business, enterprise and light industrial units at the former Melbourne Business Centre, to provide a 4,500 square-foot local retail centre, with off-licence and four other shops.
It is understood that TescoExpress was lined up as the intended anchor for the larger unit of the proposed retail centre.
The project was aimed at serving the large CIT student catchment in the area and its extensive purpose-built student accommodation.
Read the article @ The Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
All 27 councillors who attended Monday night’s council meeting voted against the recommendation of planners to rezone the site off the Melbourne Road to facilitate the development.
The project at a site near the Rossbrook estate and the former Tennis Village faced opposition from RGDATA and local business owners.
Several local shop owners at the meeting applauded after the vote.
The issue came before councillors after planners assessed a planning application by Melbourne Management, associated with developers Michael and John O’Flynn, to change uses of eight business, enterprise and light industrial units at the former Melbourne Business Centre, to provide a 4,500 square-foot local retail centre, with off-licence and four other shops.
It is understood that TescoExpress was lined up as the intended anchor for the larger unit of the proposed retail centre.
The project was aimed at serving the large CIT student catchment in the area and its extensive purpose-built student accommodation.
Read the article @ The Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Clash over medical centre
A GROUP of Killarney pharmacists has lodged yet another objection to a local GP-led healthcare centre.
An appeal has been submitted to An Bord Pleanála by pharmacists opposing the change of use of two blocks at the Killarney Primary Care Centre (KPCC) for a medical centre and the subdivision of a ground floor unit to accommodate a pharmacy/café and medical centre.
GPs claimed yesterday that planning objections will stop the roll-out of additional healthcare facilities planned for the KPCC, at the Reeks Gateway.
One of the GPs, Dr Gary Stack, said: "We view this latest development as an attempt by vested interests to thwart the provision of modern-day medical care.
"Due to time considerations in the planning process, it will now be a minimum of another four months before we can progress our plans to add essential services like an x-ray unit, physiotherapy, podiatry and occupational therapy, as well as facilities for visiting consultants."
KPCC employs 59 people at the one-stop premises, which combines five GP practices and a pharmacy and caters for an estimated 25,000 patients.
Read the article @ The Irish Examiner
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
An appeal has been submitted to An Bord Pleanála by pharmacists opposing the change of use of two blocks at the Killarney Primary Care Centre (KPCC) for a medical centre and the subdivision of a ground floor unit to accommodate a pharmacy/café and medical centre.
GPs claimed yesterday that planning objections will stop the roll-out of additional healthcare facilities planned for the KPCC, at the Reeks Gateway.
One of the GPs, Dr Gary Stack, said: "We view this latest development as an attempt by vested interests to thwart the provision of modern-day medical care.
"Due to time considerations in the planning process, it will now be a minimum of another four months before we can progress our plans to add essential services like an x-ray unit, physiotherapy, podiatry and occupational therapy, as well as facilities for visiting consultants."
KPCC employs 59 people at the one-stop premises, which combines five GP practices and a pharmacy and caters for an estimated 25,000 patients.
Read the article @ The Irish Examiner
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
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