Hotel at Chester House Under Appeal
(314-316 North Circular Road)
In August 2008 Dublin City Council granted planning permission for a 45 room hotel at 314-316 North Circular Road (Chester House). The permission was appealed to An Bord Pleanala and was due to be decided by 28 January. An Bord Pleanala inform us that they have extended that date until 2 March 2009. We will keep you informed of developments.
10 Storey Development at Smithfield Under Appeal
Dublin City Council has granted planning permission for a 10 Storey mixed use (retail and office) on Smithfield Square (Arran Quay Terrace, Coke Lane), despite a number of objections from local people. An appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanala and the case is due to be decided by 14 May.
Planning Application for Seven Storey Development on Lower Grangegorman
A planning application was lodged on 21 November for a seven storey mixed use (residential/retail) development on Lr Grangegorman, at the junction of Grangegorman Lr and Fitzwilliam Place. Residents from the area have a number of concerns about this development.
Dublin City Council requested the applicants to provide additional information on 20 January. The applicants have six months to respond to this request. We will keep you informed of developments.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Dublin City Council Proposals for O'Devaney Gardens & Domnick Street Regeneration Projects
The collapse of the five Public Private Partnerships between Bernard McNamara and Dublin City Council in May 2008 caused major distress to the residents of O’Devaney Gardens and the surrounding community.
Following the collapse of the projects, Dublin City Council set up a taskforce to examine the way forward to provide housing and community facilities at O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street.
In December 2008 the taskforce presented its preliminary reports which outlined a ten-year plan for the provision of social, affordable and private housing combined with community facilities and commercial facilities on both Dominick Street and O’Devaney Gardens sites.
The full proposals can be downloaded from the Dublin City Council website.
O’Devaney Gardens
The report proposes to build 500 housing units on the site with community centre, crèche facilities, commercial retail and a new public open space of 2,800 metres to act as a focal point for the wider community and assist in establishing a new village green.
Dublin City Council propose that the development will be carried out in three phases
Phase One 2009 – 2012
§ Phase 1 of Social & Affordable Housing development
§ Establish new street pattern & services
§ De-Tenant 2 additional blocks
Phase Two 2013 – 2014
§ Phase 2 of Social & Affordable Housing, Commercial
§ Development with Community Facilities & Rooftop Pitch
§ Establish new “village green” & playground
§ De-Tenant and demolish remaining blocks
Phase 3 2014 – 2018
Phase 3 of Affordable / Private Housing
Complete landscaping,& area upgrade
The proposals are at an early stage of development and will be subject to Government approval. We have insisted that residents of the surrounding community must be consulted along with the residents of O’Devaney Gardens on the redevelopment. Dublin City Council assures us that they will begin a process of engagement with all stakeholders. The full proposals can be downloaded from the Dublin City Council website.
Cllr Emer Costello is a member of the O’Devaney Gardens Regeneration Board and would welcome receiving your opinion on the proposals. Emer can be contacted at the above telephone number/email address or at our advice centre in the Community Centre Prussia Street, Mondays from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m.
Dominick Street
The report proposes to build 200 housing units on the site with community centre, crèche facilities, commercial retail and a New Public Open Space / plaza to be created along with two new streets improving connectivity, and access through site to Parnell Square. The full proposals can be downloaded from the Dublin City Council website (click on link)
Dublin City Council propose that the development will be carried out in three phases
Phase One 2009 – 2013
§ Develop 80 Social Housing units over ground floor Commercial/retail shop units
§ Basement car parking.
§ Establish new urban plaza and street to east side.
§ De-tenant northern end of site.
Phase 2: 2014 –2017
§ Develop Commercial site to Northeast corner with basement car-parking.
§ Mixed use development to North West side of site
§ Provision of community facilities,
§ private/affordable housing overground floor commercial units,
§ Basement car parking.
§ Establish new street to west side of Dominick Street
§ De-tenant South west corner of site.
Phase 3: 2014 –2016
§ Develop commercial / mixed use development to south east corner of site, to expand retail core, and link into existing retail environment
§ Complete urban plaza.
The proposals are at an early stage of development and will be subject to Government approval. We have insisted that residents the must be consulted at all stages of the development. Dublin City Council assures us that they will begin a process of engagement with all stakeholders.
Cllr Emer Costello is a member of the Dominick Street Regeneration Board and would welcome receiving your opinion on the proposals. Emer can be contacted at the above telephone number/email address or at our advice centre in the Community Centre Prussia Street, Mondays from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m.
Following the collapse of the projects, Dublin City Council set up a taskforce to examine the way forward to provide housing and community facilities at O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street.
In December 2008 the taskforce presented its preliminary reports which outlined a ten-year plan for the provision of social, affordable and private housing combined with community facilities and commercial facilities on both Dominick Street and O’Devaney Gardens sites.
The full proposals can be downloaded from the Dublin City Council website.
O’Devaney Gardens
The report proposes to build 500 housing units on the site with community centre, crèche facilities, commercial retail and a new public open space of 2,800 metres to act as a focal point for the wider community and assist in establishing a new village green.
Dublin City Council propose that the development will be carried out in three phases
Phase One 2009 – 2012
§ Phase 1 of Social & Affordable Housing development
§ Establish new street pattern & services
§ De-Tenant 2 additional blocks
Phase Two 2013 – 2014
§ Phase 2 of Social & Affordable Housing, Commercial
§ Development with Community Facilities & Rooftop Pitch
§ Establish new “village green” & playground
§ De-Tenant and demolish remaining blocks
Phase 3 2014 – 2018
Phase 3 of Affordable / Private Housing
Complete landscaping,& area upgrade
The proposals are at an early stage of development and will be subject to Government approval. We have insisted that residents of the surrounding community must be consulted along with the residents of O’Devaney Gardens on the redevelopment. Dublin City Council assures us that they will begin a process of engagement with all stakeholders. The full proposals can be downloaded from the Dublin City Council website.
Cllr Emer Costello is a member of the O’Devaney Gardens Regeneration Board and would welcome receiving your opinion on the proposals. Emer can be contacted at the above telephone number/email address or at our advice centre in the Community Centre Prussia Street, Mondays from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m.
Dominick Street
The report proposes to build 200 housing units on the site with community centre, crèche facilities, commercial retail and a New Public Open Space / plaza to be created along with two new streets improving connectivity, and access through site to Parnell Square. The full proposals can be downloaded from the Dublin City Council website (click on link)
Dublin City Council propose that the development will be carried out in three phases
Phase One 2009 – 2013
§ Develop 80 Social Housing units over ground floor Commercial/retail shop units
§ Basement car parking.
§ Establish new urban plaza and street to east side.
§ De-tenant northern end of site.
Phase 2: 2014 –2017
§ Develop Commercial site to Northeast corner with basement car-parking.
§ Mixed use development to North West side of site
§ Provision of community facilities,
§ private/affordable housing overground floor commercial units,
§ Basement car parking.
§ Establish new street to west side of Dominick Street
§ De-tenant South west corner of site.
Phase 3: 2014 –2016
§ Develop commercial / mixed use development to south east corner of site, to expand retail core, and link into existing retail environment
§ Complete urban plaza.
The proposals are at an early stage of development and will be subject to Government approval. We have insisted that residents the must be consulted at all stages of the development. Dublin City Council assures us that they will begin a process of engagement with all stakeholders.
Cllr Emer Costello is a member of the Dominick Street Regeneration Board and would welcome receiving your opinion on the proposals. Emer can be contacted at the above telephone number/email address or at our advice centre in the Community Centre Prussia Street, Mondays from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Smithfield Update
Dublin City Council has suspended Phase Two of Smithfield development from the capital works programme in 2009. This means that construction works on the area of Smithfield south of the LUAS Line and Arran Street will not be completed in the short term. We are continuing to push for improvements on the Square. We are assured that there are other minor works being planned to enhance the space.
We are also seeking increased community participation in events being organised in Smithfield.
We received the following report in relation to the management of the Smithfield Square. If you would like to comment on this, please contact us at the above contact details.
Report
Last summer improvement works were carried out on the existing green area behind the facility building. The existing trees were pruned, new paving, walkways and seating installed and a new Friday market has commenced in this area.
The Parks Department have also provided a number of planted tubs to green the North King Street end of the plaza. The City Council is currently identifying possible interventions on the main space including lighting, planting and events infrastructure. Some of these works will go ahead in later in 2009 and 2010 as there is available funding for this
There is an existing system of local consultation in relation to events. Where possible information meetings are held regarding events and representatives of the various communities and interested parties are invited to these meetings where presentations are made or appropriate documentation circulated.
Organisers themselves would, depending on the nature of the event have a certain responsibility to liaise with residents or businesses in the direct vicinity of the event in order to ensure that any potentially negative impact would be identified and minimised as far as possible.
In our current Call for Proposals process for the running of events there is a requirement for community benefit in the local and civic context for all events supported by Dublin City Council and through this process the local communities can get involved in participation and possibly other aspects of the event. This has been the practice since the introduction of the process 3 years ago. We are examining ways of formalising a consultation group representative of all the stakeholders to enable a structural approach to the issues of community consultation
We are also seeking increased community participation in events being organised in Smithfield.
We received the following report in relation to the management of the Smithfield Square. If you would like to comment on this, please contact us at the above contact details.
Report
Last summer improvement works were carried out on the existing green area behind the facility building. The existing trees were pruned, new paving, walkways and seating installed and a new Friday market has commenced in this area.
The Parks Department have also provided a number of planted tubs to green the North King Street end of the plaza. The City Council is currently identifying possible interventions on the main space including lighting, planting and events infrastructure. Some of these works will go ahead in later in 2009 and 2010 as there is available funding for this
There is an existing system of local consultation in relation to events. Where possible information meetings are held regarding events and representatives of the various communities and interested parties are invited to these meetings where presentations are made or appropriate documentation circulated.
Organisers themselves would, depending on the nature of the event have a certain responsibility to liaise with residents or businesses in the direct vicinity of the event in order to ensure that any potentially negative impact would be identified and minimised as far as possible.
In our current Call for Proposals process for the running of events there is a requirement for community benefit in the local and civic context for all events supported by Dublin City Council and through this process the local communities can get involved in participation and possibly other aspects of the event. This has been the practice since the introduction of the process 3 years ago. We are examining ways of formalising a consultation group representative of all the stakeholders to enable a structural approach to the issues of community consultation
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Time to Reclaim the Essence of Republicanism for Labour
I proposed the following motion which was adopted unanimously at Conference in Kilkenny on 30 November 2008.
That Conference agrees to establish a Centenary Commission consisting of members of the Labour party and the Trade Union Movement to draw up plans to commemorate the role of organised labour in the founding of the Labour party in 1912, in the Great Lock Out of 1913 and in the Easter Rising of 1916.
Live video by Ustream
Next year, 2009, SIPTU will celebrate its centenary the foundation of the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union in 1909, the Labour Party will celebrate its centenary n 2012, while in 2013 we will commemorate the centenary of the suffering of the thousands of Dublin workers in the 1913 Lockout. 2016 will see the centenary of the 1916 Rising and other centenary years will follow including the first Dail, the the War of Independence and the disastrous Civil War.
The foundation of the ITGWU in 1909 laid the foundations for organised labour in Ireland based on the values of solidarity, liberty and equality
It soon became clear to Connolly and Larkin after the establishment of the ITGWU that a political wing of the Trade Union Movement was not just desirable, but was absolutely essential if the aims and objectives of the Labour Movement were ever to be achieved. And so the Labour Party was born in Clonmel in 1912 with Larkin proposing the motion and Connolly seconding.
In joining the struggle for Irish Independence, the founding fathers of the Labour Party believed not just in an independent Ireland, but in an Ireland that was firmly rooted in the principles of an equal and fair society It was the vision of Connolly and Larkin that shaped the beliefs and values of set out in the 1916 Proclamation which in affirming the Irish Republic “guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and all of its parts, cherishing all of the children of the nation equally”.
For Larkin the Labour Party and the Trade Union movement were one and the same – “the cause of Labour is the cause of Ireland”
Similarly, for Connolly republicanism and socialism were completely complementary, and the Irish socialist was in reality the true Irish patriot.
Ireland without her people is nothing to me, and the man who is bubbling over with love and enthusiasm for ‘Ireland’, and can yet… witness all the wrong and the suffering, the shame and the degradation wrought upon the people of Ireland…… , without burning to end it, is, in my opinion, a fraud and a liar in his heart”
Connolly gave up his life for the cause of Labour and the cause of Ireland. Each year The Labour Party and SIPTU combine each May to commemorate the execution of James Connolly at Arbour Hill and pay tribute to the man whose vision still defines our very existence.
In 1918 Labour acting in the national interest stood aside and so was prevented from leading the political agenda to fulfil the goals of the Proclamation. Unfortunately, the vision enunciated in the Proclamation did not survive the War of Independence or the Civil War. Instea dthe republican ideals of Tone, Pearse and Connolly were lost in the clamour of bitterness and recrimination of civil war politics..
The Labour Party today still strives to achieve the ideals of Connolly and Larkin and the Proclamation. The Ireland of today at the turn of the 21st Century faces many of the same political challenges Irish people faced at the turn of the 20th Century. Financial markets in turmoil, unscrupulous employers using the current economic vulnerabilities to exploit workers, antipathy and opposition towards organised labour and the trade union movement, and shady wealthy figures exploiting fears by finding convenient targets and scapegoats. Yet the main difference between today and the early 20th Centuryis that it is not the British Government that has brought us to this point but an Irish Government whose main Party has the audacity to claim to be a Republican Party.
It is time to reclaim the essence of Republicanism for Labour
The Labour Party is indeed the child of the Trade Union movement, and while it has been argued that perhaps the Party has come “of age” and should break the umbilical cord there is no way that we can ever or should ever lose sight of our trade union origins and roots.
In 2006 under the excellent stewardship of Liz McManus the Labour Party and SIPTU joined forces to celebrate the role of the Labour Movement around the events leading up to the 1916 rising in the very successful Liberty Project.
This motion seeks to build on the success of the Liberty Project and calls on the Party to establish a centenary commission to celebrate the inextricable links between the Trade Union Movement and the Labour Party.
I commend the motion.
That Conference agrees to establish a Centenary Commission consisting of members of the Labour party and the Trade Union Movement to draw up plans to commemorate the role of organised labour in the founding of the Labour party in 1912, in the Great Lock Out of 1913 and in the Easter Rising of 1916.
Live video by Ustream
Next year, 2009, SIPTU will celebrate its centenary the foundation of the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union in 1909, the Labour Party will celebrate its centenary n 2012, while in 2013 we will commemorate the centenary of the suffering of the thousands of Dublin workers in the 1913 Lockout. 2016 will see the centenary of the 1916 Rising and other centenary years will follow including the first Dail, the the War of Independence and the disastrous Civil War.
The foundation of the ITGWU in 1909 laid the foundations for organised labour in Ireland based on the values of solidarity, liberty and equality
It soon became clear to Connolly and Larkin after the establishment of the ITGWU that a political wing of the Trade Union Movement was not just desirable, but was absolutely essential if the aims and objectives of the Labour Movement were ever to be achieved. And so the Labour Party was born in Clonmel in 1912 with Larkin proposing the motion and Connolly seconding.
In joining the struggle for Irish Independence, the founding fathers of the Labour Party believed not just in an independent Ireland, but in an Ireland that was firmly rooted in the principles of an equal and fair society It was the vision of Connolly and Larkin that shaped the beliefs and values of set out in the 1916 Proclamation which in affirming the Irish Republic “guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and all of its parts, cherishing all of the children of the nation equally”.
For Larkin the Labour Party and the Trade Union movement were one and the same – “the cause of Labour is the cause of Ireland”
Similarly, for Connolly republicanism and socialism were completely complementary, and the Irish socialist was in reality the true Irish patriot.
Ireland without her people is nothing to me, and the man who is bubbling over with love and enthusiasm for ‘Ireland’, and can yet… witness all the wrong and the suffering, the shame and the degradation wrought upon the people of Ireland…… , without burning to end it, is, in my opinion, a fraud and a liar in his heart”
Connolly gave up his life for the cause of Labour and the cause of Ireland. Each year The Labour Party and SIPTU combine each May to commemorate the execution of James Connolly at Arbour Hill and pay tribute to the man whose vision still defines our very existence.
In 1918 Labour acting in the national interest stood aside and so was prevented from leading the political agenda to fulfil the goals of the Proclamation. Unfortunately, the vision enunciated in the Proclamation did not survive the War of Independence or the Civil War. Instea dthe republican ideals of Tone, Pearse and Connolly were lost in the clamour of bitterness and recrimination of civil war politics..
The Labour Party today still strives to achieve the ideals of Connolly and Larkin and the Proclamation. The Ireland of today at the turn of the 21st Century faces many of the same political challenges Irish people faced at the turn of the 20th Century. Financial markets in turmoil, unscrupulous employers using the current economic vulnerabilities to exploit workers, antipathy and opposition towards organised labour and the trade union movement, and shady wealthy figures exploiting fears by finding convenient targets and scapegoats. Yet the main difference between today and the early 20th Centuryis that it is not the British Government that has brought us to this point but an Irish Government whose main Party has the audacity to claim to be a Republican Party.
It is time to reclaim the essence of Republicanism for Labour
The Labour Party is indeed the child of the Trade Union movement, and while it has been argued that perhaps the Party has come “of age” and should break the umbilical cord there is no way that we can ever or should ever lose sight of our trade union origins and roots.
In 2006 under the excellent stewardship of Liz McManus the Labour Party and SIPTU joined forces to celebrate the role of the Labour Movement around the events leading up to the 1916 rising in the very successful Liberty Project.
This motion seeks to build on the success of the Liberty Project and calls on the Party to establish a centenary commission to celebrate the inextricable links between the Trade Union Movement and the Labour Party.
I commend the motion.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Protection of National Monument Must be Paramount in the Development of the Carlton Site
The City Council agreed tonight to dispose of 24/25 Moore Street subject to a number of conditions. The disposal was agreed almost unanimously.
I had requested that we defer making a decision at the City Council meeting on 3rd November as additional information had been submitted on the planning application. I hadn't time to study that information prior to the Council meeting and I felt that we should have time to consider the impact of the additional information on the National Monument. I proposed that the revised plans be brought back to the Area Committee before a final decision was made on the disposal.
This happened last Tuesday, and I was certainly glad of the opportunity to see the revised proposals. I do believe that the revised proposal is a major improvement on the initial application and the impact of the development on Moore Street has been minimised. (I was the only councillor to make a detailed submission on the initial application).
The protection of the National Monument (14-17 Moore Street) has to be central to any development of the site, and I am reassured by the revised plans. Ultimately the Minister for the Enviroment will have to give his approval to any work that is carried out on the National Monument. The current state of 16 Moore Street is of concern to me and I am conscious that the only way the National Monument can only be properly restored is within the context of the redevelopment of the Carlton site. The development of a museum/interpretative centre at 16 Moore Street is part of the proposed development. I am anxious to see that this is put in place and managed by a State Agency or combination of State Agencies - such as a partnership between DCC and the OPW and/or the National Museum.
I do believe that it is essential for the City that the Carlton Site be developed - it was to be the major site of the O'Connell Street Integrated Area Plan and unfortunately we are now in a position where that Monitoring Committee has concluded its work and no development has commenced on this site. The development of this site will bring about much needed economic regeneration to the North Inner City and will ensure that this area of North Dublin will take its place as the retail core of the City Centre. It is also essential for the regeneration of Moore Street. One of the main concerns Councillors had on the Central Area Committee was that the concerns of the Moore Street Traders were addressed prior to any disposal. The development will bring much needed jobs both in the construction phase and the operational phase and we will be looking for the local community to be employed.
The model of the three Integrated Area Plans (IAP) in the North Inner City - the O'Connell Street IAP, Historic Area Rejuvenation Project (HARP) which takes in the Markets and Smithfield area and the North East Inner City IAP - provided a very beneficial experience to business and residential communites in those areas and the learning from those IAPs should not be lost. The monitoring committees for the IAPs comrprised all the areas' stakeholders including local residents, community organisations, business, trade union and state agencies(e.g. OPW) and provided the basis for an integrated approach to the development of the areas.
I believe that it is a huge pity that the three IAPs have been wound up at a time when three major developments will be taking place in the vicinty of these IAPs - the Carlton Site, the Northern Quarter (Arnotts) and the Markets Framework Plan. I proposed that we should look at setting up some kind of monitoring structure to look at the devleopment of these three sites along the lines of the Monitoring Committees so that we could continue to have an integrated approach to the regeneration of the Inner City and not lose the learning of the last ten years of the IAPs. If we could set up such a structure then we could examine involving the Save 16 Committee as one of the stakeholders in such a committee.
I also believe that it is a pity that the local community will not benefit from the Community Gain Fund as the tax incentives with the IAPs have now ceased so too has the Community Gain Fund. For that reason I proposed this evening that we should ring-fence part of the €12 million from the sale of the land for the local community and that we should look at ring-fencing some of the development levies for the site for the local community.
The manager agreed to refer these issus back to the area committee. I will continue to pursue these proposals.
I had requested that we defer making a decision at the City Council meeting on 3rd November as additional information had been submitted on the planning application. I hadn't time to study that information prior to the Council meeting and I felt that we should have time to consider the impact of the additional information on the National Monument. I proposed that the revised plans be brought back to the Area Committee before a final decision was made on the disposal.
This happened last Tuesday, and I was certainly glad of the opportunity to see the revised proposals. I do believe that the revised proposal is a major improvement on the initial application and the impact of the development on Moore Street has been minimised. (I was the only councillor to make a detailed submission on the initial application).
The protection of the National Monument (14-17 Moore Street) has to be central to any development of the site, and I am reassured by the revised plans. Ultimately the Minister for the Enviroment will have to give his approval to any work that is carried out on the National Monument. The current state of 16 Moore Street is of concern to me and I am conscious that the only way the National Monument can only be properly restored is within the context of the redevelopment of the Carlton site. The development of a museum/interpretative centre at 16 Moore Street is part of the proposed development. I am anxious to see that this is put in place and managed by a State Agency or combination of State Agencies - such as a partnership between DCC and the OPW and/or the National Museum.
I do believe that it is essential for the City that the Carlton Site be developed - it was to be the major site of the O'Connell Street Integrated Area Plan and unfortunately we are now in a position where that Monitoring Committee has concluded its work and no development has commenced on this site. The development of this site will bring about much needed economic regeneration to the North Inner City and will ensure that this area of North Dublin will take its place as the retail core of the City Centre. It is also essential for the regeneration of Moore Street. One of the main concerns Councillors had on the Central Area Committee was that the concerns of the Moore Street Traders were addressed prior to any disposal. The development will bring much needed jobs both in the construction phase and the operational phase and we will be looking for the local community to be employed.
The model of the three Integrated Area Plans (IAP) in the North Inner City - the O'Connell Street IAP, Historic Area Rejuvenation Project (HARP) which takes in the Markets and Smithfield area and the North East Inner City IAP - provided a very beneficial experience to business and residential communites in those areas and the learning from those IAPs should not be lost. The monitoring committees for the IAPs comrprised all the areas' stakeholders including local residents, community organisations, business, trade union and state agencies(e.g. OPW) and provided the basis for an integrated approach to the development of the areas.
I believe that it is a huge pity that the three IAPs have been wound up at a time when three major developments will be taking place in the vicinty of these IAPs - the Carlton Site, the Northern Quarter (Arnotts) and the Markets Framework Plan. I proposed that we should look at setting up some kind of monitoring structure to look at the devleopment of these three sites along the lines of the Monitoring Committees so that we could continue to have an integrated approach to the regeneration of the Inner City and not lose the learning of the last ten years of the IAPs. If we could set up such a structure then we could examine involving the Save 16 Committee as one of the stakeholders in such a committee.
I also believe that it is a pity that the local community will not benefit from the Community Gain Fund as the tax incentives with the IAPs have now ceased so too has the Community Gain Fund. For that reason I proposed this evening that we should ring-fence part of the €12 million from the sale of the land for the local community and that we should look at ring-fencing some of the development levies for the site for the local community.
The manager agreed to refer these issus back to the area committee. I will continue to pursue these proposals.
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