Page 1- Page 2                          NEW BALLYMUN HOUSING                  

The most visible part of the regeneration programme is the construction of the new housing.  Many people are looking forward to moving out of the flats. It's hard when you are a few or more flights up to supervise your children  at play and to ensure they are safe.  A house would be alovely thing to have.  And a decent garden (if you get one) in which your children will play.  But there are two issues here.

ISSUE 1
Is it necessary to take down ALL the flats?  Do some people want to stay in the flats?  If so, who?  What are the effects of keeping some of the flats?
ISSUE 2
How much of a real say do people have in the design of their new homes?  Will the rooms be the same size as those in the flats as promised?  If you live in a one bedroom flat with a baby, will you get a two bedroom house?  Will you get an apartment when you really want a house?

ISSUE 1:   THE FLATS
           There are many people who would like to stay in the flats.  This is NOT our opinion, it is their wish. Many are single people.  But there are also families who are happy to stay in the flats. These people have a right to a say in the regeneration process.  . 

BRL's own work states that the flat are structurally sound.  This means (at the very least) they are NOT going to suddenly fall down.  And at most, it means there is NO REASON TO DEMOLISH them other than that houses are generally better for families.  So if some one wants to stay in a flat, shouldn't they be allowed to do so.

           If some flats were left standing, some work would have to be done to improve the weather- proofing on them. Keeping some of the flats would still SAVE A LOT OF MONEY.  This money could be used to build better Child Care Facilities, Neighbourhood Centres, Youth Clubs and other badly needed services and amenities in Ballymun.  Some of the flats could be left for use by Community Groups.
As it is, BRL will tear down the Towers but build 2 new ones on the Main Street.
Some flats could be converted into high class apartments by the private developers -certainly no private developer would tear them down altogether. In one development in Galway, a private developer renovated flats into apartments having struck a deal with the local authority to provide housing for the residents.

          But BRL are going to take down ALL of the flats.  It even appears that Plunkett Tower and Balbutcher Lane may not survive the regeneration, eventhough they were only refurbished a few years ago at the cost of millions of pounds. 
BRL should stick to the wishes of those people who want to stay in a flat.  And the Housing Task Force should make sure that this is what BRL does.  Afterall, doesn't the Housing Task Force represent the wishes of the community?  Write to the Housing Task Force and BRL and tell them what you want.  Send us a copy of your letter and we will ensure BRL and the Housing Task Force know what you want.  If we know what you really want, we can represent you better.
         

ISSUE 2:  THE NEW HOUSING
Let's be very clear here. 
Ballymun New Century Development Group wants the new housing built
The people of Ballymun who have for so long suffered from the lack of proper maintainance, and who have children to rear, HAVE A RIGHT TO PROPER HOUSING. We want to see BRL and Dublin Corporation live up to their promises and responsibilities.  The houses must be built and properly serviced (see Flooding and Sewerage).  But what kind of houses are BRL building?  How big are they?  Are they all 2 Storey houses, or will families be living above each other in 3, 4, 5 storey housing?  Do Ballymun people really want fancy, competition-winning designs or ordinary decent housing like everyone else in the country?

HOUSING PLANS
At a design meeting in December 1999, BRL stated that every couple with children would get a 3 Bedroom House at a minimum.  Since then BRL have stated that the minimum is now a 2 bedroom house.  So already, people are being given less than they originally thought.

BRL has already submitted many housing plans for planning permission before Ballymun people agreed to whatever design changes were made at the 'design public meetings'. 
One design committee member we spoke to said that they asked for PVC windows but now they find they are getting wooden windows.  The issue here isn't the windows,
it's BRL ignoring the express wishes of the people.
(
see Consultation)
One housing plan is for the 'Stonehenge Site' or 'Monos' on the hill opposite the Junior Comprehensive School.  This plan includes building 2 Towers.  One tower will be 9 Storeys high, the other will be 11 Storeys high.  BRL is tearing down the towers and is replacing them with more towers!!!!!! These will be for students. 
There will be 46 Houses and 105 Apartments.  Who knows what these will look like when finished.  70% of the units will be private.  Some of the land will be sold to private developers.  They can, if they want, re-apply for planning permission and build bigger apartment blocks because it will be THEIR land, not BRLs or the Dublin Corporations.
As for housing densities, click here- and see Page 2

NEW HOUSES OR NEW FLATS?
Some people may think they are going to get a new house, when in fact they may get a new flat.  So they will move from one flat to another.  Why should agree to the plans?  They shouldn't, except that they may have been led to believe they are getting a house

HOW MANY HOUSES WILL BE BUILT?
BRL plans to build 2820 units to replace the flats.  This will be made up of new houses and new flats.
So far BRL plans that there will be at least an additional 1200 privately developed houses.
or 42% of the total number
This figure could rise.
And DCU students could be housed BEFORE  Ballymun people.  Who should come first?
The sale of land to private developers will generate huge profits for BRL and Dublin Corporation.
Who knows what will happen to this money.
It should be put back into Ballymun to provide the services we don't have at the moment.

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