CABRA FARM DEVELOPMENT
A planning application was lodged with the City Council prior to Christmas for a nursing home to be built on the Cabra Farm site. This is across from our local Garda station. The Council recently granted permission subject to a number of conditions. I objected to aspects of this application on the grounds of height, negative impact upon the local community and on traffic management. I will be submitting a further objection to An Bord Pleanala on the same grounds.
It is my understanding that the deadline for submissions to An Bord Pleanala is Monday April 12th. When you are submitting an observation to An Bord Pleanala, please remember to quote the City Council’s Planning Reference number 3435/09. A submission can only be made if you have made objections to Dublin City Council. Councillor Mary O’Shea and I will continue to support local residents in relation to this development and to do what we can to ensure that proper planning standards are maintained in the Navan Road area.
ST. VINCENT’S SWIMMING POOL, NAVAN ROAD
I recently attended a public meeting in St. Vincent’s on the Navan Road in relation to the challenges facing the swimming pool. Unfortunately, it is closed at the moment. For the pool to re-open €950,000 will have to be found to upgrade the facilities. I am following up with the Department of Culture, Sport and
Tourism to establish whether any grants or other funds can be made available to help with this situation. I will also contact the National Lottery, the dormant accounts fund and Dublin City Council to ascertain what support can be given. I will do everything I can to support the re-opening of this local pool
DRAFT DUBLIN CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2011 – 2017
Councillor Mary O’Shea and I recently held a public meeting on the proposed new City Development Plan and the impact on the Navan Road community. There is clear concern over the increased limits for the height and density of new local developments. This is particularly in light of the number of currently unoccupied properties within the city and the amount of additional development that is now taking place. Councillor O’Shea will be drafting amendments in relation to these points.
If you have any questions about the Draft Development Plan or are interested in amendments made to certain sections of it, please get in touch with one of us.
NAVAN ROAD POLICING FORUM
Local residents have agreed to the establishing of a Policing Forum for the Navan Road area. This is a very welcome initiative. I have been involved in Policing Forums that have been set up in other parts of Dublin Central. They work extremely well as Gardai and the local community develop a closer relationship so that issues are dealt with in an efficient manner. As members of the local Joint Policing Committee, Councillor Mary O’Shea and I will liaise with the Gardai and the City Council to ensure that this forum is up and running as quickly as possible. If there are any anti-social behaviour issues or other criminal related matters of concern to you, please get in touch with me and I’ll raise them with the local Community Policing Unit.
ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
Councillor Mary O’Shea and I have repeatedly raised with the City Council the need for road improvement works to take place near Ashington Park. We are still waiting on the Minister for Transport to make funds available for the upgrade of Blackhorse Avenue. I questioned him this week about the need for these funds and I’ll keep you updated on his response once the information is made available to me.