GPO to face major alteration by Office of Public Works

Plans being drawn up by architects in the Office of Public Works (OPW) envisage demolishing part of the building to create a glazed courtyard to the rear, two-thirds the size of the Upper Yard of Dublin Castle.

The two existing courtyards within the GPO are "rather mean", according to a spokesman, so the plan is to demolish the cross-block between them and create a much more impressive civic space.

Beneath this courtyard, there would be a vast concourse - "something like the Louvre rather than Clery's basement" - which would be accessible from the front and sides of the building.

The concept being worked on is to retain the existing post office, but reconfigure it to create a processional route from the neoclassical portico on O'Connell Street to the courtyard and concourse.

"This could become the 'front room of the nation' within a building that's central to the foundation of the State," the OPW spokesman said. "It could even be used for presidential inaugurations."

Traditionally, presidents have been inaugurated in St Patrick's Hall at Dublin Castle, "with 500 people crammed in, so it would be lovely to have these ceremonies in a space that could accommodate 2,000".

The proposed concourse beneath the courtyard would be a large, column-free exhibition space similar to the central concourse of the Louvre museum, with roof lights above to flood it with natural light.

Apart from a 1916 museum, it would contain a philately museum and possibly also a museum of Dublin. A working group headed by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is examining the options.

The National Museum is advising on the content of the 1916 museum, which is likely to be broader than the Rising itself and its aftermath, but it is likely that professional exhibition designers will also be involved.

It is envisaged that shops would be installed at ground level, along the Prince's Street frontage of the building, to complement plans by Arnott's for a major redevelopment of this "back street" area.

The proposal to demolish the cross-block, which is located halfway between the front of the building and the GPO arcade, means that many of An Post's 1,000 staff will have to relocate to other offices.

However, the OPW spokesman emphasised that the GPO would continue to house the "headquarters function" of An Post as well as the post office, which dates from 1814 and was rebuilt in the 1920s.

The OPW's in-house design team is headed by assistant principal architect Michael Haugh, with Charles Moore as project architect, and overseen by commissioner David Byers, who is also an architect.

The sketch scheme they are preparing is expected to be presented to the Cabinet in May, with a view to getting approval to proceed to planning application stage and finish the building work by 2013.



Comment: This proposal, designed to "complement" plans by Arnotts for the creation of a huge Henry Street / Mary Street / Princes Street store, will involve a fundamental alteration of the GPO, one of Dublin's most famous and historic monuments.
In 2006, Arnotts unveiled its plans to "transform" the area of Dublin City Centre bounded by Henry Street, O’Connell Street, Abbey Street and Liffey Street. The area, branded as the "Northern Quarter," will be redeveloped into a new shopping and entertainment area complete with 47 new shops, 17 new cafes, restaurants and bars, 189 apartments and a 152 bed four star hotel.
The question is, why is the proposal to alter the GPO, being made at this point? Planning permission was granted for the Arnotts development, but was appealed to An Bord Pleanala by a number of parties, including An Post and An Taisce. The planning board has not yet announced its decision, but Arnotts seem to be confident that the proposals will be upheld.

In terms of the OPW's proposals for the GPO, the concept of a so-called 'processional way' through the existing structure into a new Dublin square, which will be carved out of the GPO's two existing courtyards should simply not be permitted. Historic buildings are protected structures and this type of invasive development should not be permitted.

Source:

© 2008 The Irish Times
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0324/1206144654457.html

Mayo County Councillors voted for Shell road on the 10th March, 2008

At a Mayo County Council (MCC) meeting on the 10th March 2008, councillors voted against the wishes of a considerable number of the local residents of the area to allow the widening of a road specifically for the use of Shell Oil.

The motion was carried by 17 votes to 3 to allow the council to accept €3m from Shell, Statoil & Marathon to widen and strengthen a road from the Corrib refinery gates directly to the proposed landfall site.

The first to speak in support of the motion was Cllr Johnny Mee (Labour) who spoke of the need to facilitate job creation in Mayo and said that the road should go ahead in the quickest possible time. He stated that “it must be hard on the industrialists” given all the objections that seem to be going in about everything. He proposed the motion that the road be given council planning permission.

MCC Director of Services Peter Hynes then gave a brief rundown on the 32 submissions (involving over 140 people) that had been received regarding the road expansion. He stated that 3 of the submissions were for the road, and of the remaining submissions, half were over individual property concerns and the other half were environmental or safety concerns. It should be noted that among the submissions was one that was signed by 111 people from the area, which raised questions on the purpose, lack of consultation, safety and environmental impact of the road.

Mr Hynes stated that the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Fisheries Board had addressed the environmental issues raised, while the individual property concerns could be dealt with as the project was going on. He also stated that this road was not “absolutely essential” to the Corrib Gas project and that the project could go ahead without the road upgrade. He stated that it was the council who convinced Shell that it would be preferable to upgrade the road rather than repair it.

The next councillor to speak was Cllr McGuinness (FG) who seconded Cllr Mees’ proposal “with gusto”. McGuinness spoke about how SEPIL (Shell Ireland) had initially handled the whole process badly by abusing people, trespassing on land and putting people into jail. However he said that "we [were] a Christian society", that the “perpetrators” had said they were wrong, and that "we should accept their act of contrition" as these things were in the past. He also stated that the Corrib Partners were now putting right these past wrongs.

Next to speak was Cllr Gerry Coyle (FG) from Belmullet, who spoke broadly in favour of the road but wanted it extended as far as Barr na Tra as at present “the road is totally for Shell”. He also stated that the pipeline or landfall facility had not yet received planning permission and so the road was pre-emptive. However he still subsequently voted for the road expansion. Three other councillors (including Cllrs McNamara & Holmes) spoke in favour of the road.

In the only speech in opposition to the motion Cllr Gerry Murray (SF) stated that he thought it very strange indeed to see “the Norwegian government funding roads in North West Mayo”. He also stated that, in order for Local Agenda 21 to be fully complied with, there should be proper consultation with the local people of the area. He said that while the people of Erris are pro-gas and pro-development, that the Shell spin is incorrectly characterising the concerns of the local people. He also stated that An Bord Pleanala Senior Planning Inspector Kevin Moore, who nobody could claim was anti-development, had initially found against the proposed Corrib Gas project. However it was only with the intervention of Bertie Ahern in favour of the resubmitted planning application that the project had been approved. Cllr Murray then called for the deal to be renegotiated, stating that while the “Norwegian government are stakeholders, our government are servant boys”.

Cllr Tim Quinn (FF) from Belmullet also spoke and stated that the number of submissions amazed him. He then put forward a motion to have the council delay its decision for a month in order for more consultation to be held with the local community as an act of good will and compromise. Cllr Chambers (FF) also spoke in favour of Cllr Quinn's motion saying that he didn’t think it was unfair to give another 4 weeks for consultation.

On this point Peter Hynes stated that he didn’t think a month's postponement would make any difference. He also said that his “understanding was that it [the funding for the road] might not be there” if there was a months delay, and that the delay could put the road project at risk. Mr Hynes also stated that he was offended with the assertion in some of the submissions that MCC would damage the environment and castigated what he called the “self appointed gurus” for their interference.

The vote then took place and was easily passed with only Cllrs Quinn, Murray and Chambers voting against.

Speaking after the meeting, local hostel owner Betty Schult stated that she "resented the previously public road being basically handed over to Shell for their personal use and using council workers as Shell subcontractors."
Mayo County Council's position now is that the funding for the road is coming from Shell and associates. However, this was not clearly stated at the outset. The source of the funding was not stated in any of MCC’s initial planning applications. The first place this was stated, was in Shell’s response to some of the submissions.

In response to one of the submissions Mayo County Council state “the regulations do not require the notice to state the source of the funding for a project”.

Peter Hynes also stated that they have been discussing the road expansion for nearly 12 months with Shell. The fact that the pipeline options were only publicly revealed in June 2007 indicates that council were discussing a road upgrade with Shell for a pipeline that not only had not gone through planning permission but for which the options had not been revealed to the public. The fact that not all of the pipeline route options in June went through Glengadserious questions about advance knowledge of the preferred pipeline route on behalf of Mayo Co. Council and Shell Oil.

The council also stated with regard to this application that they have “complied fully with the Aarhus Convention”. It appears that this may not be correct, as there is apparently little evidence of any dialogue with concerned people regarding this road.

It should be noted that last week over 100 people were let go from the Bellanaboy site. It seems that since Shell had their PR blitz about 2 weeks ago we are now into the decline phase of employment of Bellanaboy. Also according to a local councilor who made enquires, of the 25 long-term technical staff that are currently being trained only 2 are from the Erris region.

A gas explosion occurred recently at the Shell operated Bacton gas refinery in Norfolk, England. 46 workers were safely evacuated. This is one of the largest gas refineries in the UK, yet there were still only 46 workers on the refinery at the time of the explosion. The idea that has been put about by Shell and its advocates, that the Bellinaboy refinery will create substantial employment in the region, is a complete PR fabrication.

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/86638

Source (With thanks): by Rudiger

Hundreds protest against Second Planned Co Meath incinerator

On Friday, 7 March 2008, at least 400 people marched through the village of Nobber in Co Meath this afternoon to protest over plans by a local rendering company to build an incinerator in the factory.

College Proteins says the biomass combined heat and power plant would burn animal waste, which currently has to be exported.

It would generate enough electricity for around 4,000 and they say it would be safe and environmentally beneficial as it could replace oil created electricity.


However, residents in the area are opposed to the plans. They say it will damage their health as well as the environment.

The project has been deemed nationally important and the company can apply directly to An Bord Pleanála for planning permission.

College Proteins expect to apply to An Bord Pleanala next month with a final decision due later this year.

In fact, there has been growing concern in Nobber since An Bord Pleanála`s ruling that an incinerator proposed by local rendering plant College Proteins qualifies as a Special Infrastructural Developments Scheme (SIDS) project, placing it outside the rulings of Meath County Council planners.

The combined heat and power (CHP) plant proposal is the second attempt by the firm to operate an incinerator there, where there is currently a workforce of over 70. The firm`s detailed plan will bypass Meath County Council`s planning department and will be lodged directly with An Bord Pleanala, whose inspectors will scrutinise any objections lodged.

The Bord Pleanála ruling was made on 18th January and signed by board member Brian Hunt, endorsing its inspector`s recommendation. The animal products rendering plant made its submission for inclusion in the new SIDS scheme on 23rd August last for “pre-application consultation”.
SIDS is aimed at “fast-tracking” major infrastructural schemes and the firm`s prospective application sought the go-ahead to burn 105,000 tonnes annually of raw material - half of it bone meal and the remainder organic liquid material. It proposes to source this material from existing animal rendering plants and the agri-food sector in general.

Councillor Eugene Cassidy described An Bord Pleanála`s ruling as a disappointment. He said local householders had made clear their opposition to the firm`s proposal three years ago to burn meat and bone meal at a well-attended public meeting. Nobber householders remained opposed to the incinerator proposal and were now likely to draft submissions to An Bord Pleanála setting out their objections, added Colr Cassidy. There were some locals working in the plant but most staff were from outside the area, he added. He expected that locals would now examine their options as to how best to challenge the application.

Nobber TD Shane McEntee said about the Nobber incinerator: “We cannot have two incinerators in Meath.”
This is a reference to the Carrenstown incinerator in the Boyne Valley and on the edge of the designated Boyne Valley World Heritage Site, which has already been grangted planning permission by the planning board and which will burn up to 200,000 tonnes of material a year.

Mr. McEntee said he would be contacting Environment Minister John Gormley to clarify statements he made earlier about the number of incinerators he would allow. Licences were already in place for incinerating similar waste materials in Edenderry and Kinnegad, the Nobber deputy said. The College Proteins proposal was “a big project and one that the minister will have to address”.

Posters have been appearing around Nobber this week and a public meeting will be held next week in the village hall as organisers examine the papers exchanged by College Proteins and Bord Pleanála during the SIDS determination.
The company`s previous attempt to secure planning permission for a combined meat and bone meal incinerator resulted in a packed meeting in the same hall where resident after resident made clear their opposition, citing health grounds in particular.

The firm has been in operation at its College Road site since 1989 and has received an award for its energy efficient practices there. However, residents in the locality and on the Kingscourt Road have complained of odours from the plant and the spreading of offal on lands in the district, which strengthened local opposition to any expansion of its operations.

Sources:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0307/nobber.html?rss

€4bn Cork Docklands scheme to replace existing port

Plans for a new quarter on 400 acres in Cork's Docklands are gathering pace with some developers expecting to be on-site in 2010.

With a resident population of 20,000 - as well as 650,321sq m (7 million sq ft) of non-residential development and the provision of up to 25,000 jobs - the new Cork Docklands will be, as City Manager Joe Gavin puts it, the size of "a sizeable Irish town".

The Docklands comprises 400 acres of land extending down to Páirc Uí Chaoimh with 4kms of waterfront all within a 20-minute walk from City Hall. The massive regeneration programme - which will cost in the region of €4 billion to €5 billion according to Gavin, and will take about 15 years to fully complete - proposes a vibrant mixed-use quarter which will be an easterly extension of the city centre.

Since the Docklands Strategic Study was launched in 2002, there has been significant interest generated in the Docklands which has seen property values in the area rise significantly in the past five years.

Gavin, who has been a major force in the city's revival over the past seven years since he took up the reins as city manager, says that the Docklands development will necessitate the building of new infrastructure, including two new bridges in Cork;(one at Water Street and the other at the Skew Bridge connecting the Docklands to the Lower Glanmire Road).

According to the City Manager:

"We have taken a policy decision that these bridges will be opening bridges so that the maritime traffic to the heart of the city continues into the future. There are plans to move the main port to Ringaskiddy in the future so there will not be as much commercial and quayside activity in the Docklands as there is at the moment."

The city council has purchased through CPO the 22-acre Cork Showground site on the east end of the Docklands for the development of a large amenity park called Marina Park for the city, which should also greatly facilitate the development, providing the prospective residents with a new state - funded park.

"We are hoping to see a mixture of retail, residential, leisure and educational use in the Docklands over the coming years. The area is privately owned by less than a dozen people who we have been working with closely over the last couple of years," according to the City Manager.

He has set up a special Docklands development team headed up by director of services, Pat Ledwidge, who has been working closely with all of these interested parties to prepare a master plan for the area.

Due to the scale of the development, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern also recently announced the establishment of a Cork Docklands National Forum to co-ordinate responses at Government level and support Cork City Council in the implementation of its plans.

A planning application is due to be lodged in July for the first stage of this project at the Docklands on a 30-acre site near Páirc Uí Chaoimh - the single largest development ever in the city.

The joint venture involving Howard Holdings and Tedcastles Oil will see the development of some 213,677sq m (2.3 million sq ft) of office, residential and retail space along with a 200-bedroom hotel in Cork Docklands.

Howard Holdings has already built the Clarion Hotel and office development at Lapp's Quay, one of the first new developments on the edge of the Docklands, as well as the Web Works at Albert Quay beside City Hall in conjunction with the Cork City Council and Enterprise Ireland.

The chief executive of Howard Holdings, Greg Coughlan, who are undertaking the development, says he hopes that the project will have started this time next year, with the first phase of the seven-year €2 billion project completed in 2011. He is proposing to build two 20-storey towers and a number of lower rise buildings as part of the high density development that he says is going to be "like a mini city".

"We have been working very closely with the council on this over the last five years, it hasn't just come out of the woodwork. It involves colossal infrastructure. There's a new local area plan for the south Docklands coming out at the end of May and I believe this will incorporate a lot of our own vision for the area," he comments.

Mr. Gavin stated that the council will need a lot of support from Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, as well as the private sector, in securing the target of 25,000 jobs for the area.

He adds the relevant factor: "We would really like to attract the third-level educational institutions into the area and, towards that end, we will be recommending to the Government that they allow tax breaks or direct funding for such new developments."

Speaking of the buildings themselves: "Generally speaking, the buildings will be six to seven storeys high with room for occasional taller buildings. The Elysian building beside City Hall is currently the tallest building in Ireland at 17 storeys.

"We are currently looking at preparing guidelines for tall buildings in Cork so whether or not there will be more this high remains to be seen," he says.

Greg Coughlan said his firm has engaged London-based architecture firm, Foster and Partners - which is involved in the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site in New York - to work on the project. Work is to begin at the end of next year.

Coughlan said the biggest objection to the development of the docklands was the relocation of the Port of Cork and the vacation of the two Seveso sites - the Topaz and Gouldings' sites in Centre Park Road.

The Port of Cork is demanding a €60-€65 million relocation package to leave the city centre quays, but Mr Coughlan said it needed to vacate quickly for the docklands project to move forward. He said that all parties involved needed to sit down together and work out a solution. He did not rule out Howard Holdings contributing to the relocation costs for the port.

Meanwhile, the council has made a submission to government seeking the designation of the docklands for "targeted" tax incentives in the December budget.

The incentives sought include tax breaks for relocating the Seveso sites, incentives for dealing with contaminated land, incentives for attracting foreign investment, the provision of public infrastructure by the private sector, grant aid for owner occupiers and tax breaks to provide premises for biopharma, IT, financial services and third and fourth level R&D interests.


Comment:

There are many questions that could be asked concerning a development of this scale: whether Cork is able to support a development of this size; the height of the proposed buildings; the use of public land for the benefit of private corporations and the use of taxpayers' money to subsidise this vast proposal; and perhaps the most important of all, the future of Cork Port itself, which it is blandly proposed should simply move to Ringaskiddy.

The principal question is whether this will actually happen, in a time when cutbacks are already starting to be made in Government services, or whether Cork Port itself will simply be closed or downsized in the event of the redevelopment of Cork Docklands.


Sources:

http://www.corkdocklands.ie/?reloaded

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/commercialproperty/2007/0509/1178623486371.html

http://www.archiseek.com/content/showthread.php?t=5039

http://www.howardpropertyplc.com/hh/index2.htm

http://buckplanning.blogspot.com/2007/10/plans-ready-for-2bn-cork-docklands.html