LETTERS
The Irish Times Tuesday, March 21, 2000
Regeneration of Ballymun
Sir, The Spencer Dock development is proposed for about 50 acres, while the regeneration of Ballymun is proposed for 585 acres at least. The local residents in both cases are very concerned about the long term effects which will be produced as a result.
There are 20,000 people in Ballymun who will be affected. The current density in Ballymun is 26 dwellings per hectare and the density after regeneration will be in excess of 81 per hectare in the latest planning application made by Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL), which is a company fully owned by Dublin Corporation.
It is hard to understand why An Bord Pleanala decided to have an oral hearing on the Spencer Dock development and to have none on the three appeals in Ballymun, especially in the light of at least another 35 planning application to be made in the future.
The media are full of reports on the Dock while there is not a single one on Ballymun. Can someone explain the difference? Yours etc., Robert Guillemot.
The Irish Times, Wednesday, March 22, 2000
Ballymun Regeneration
Sir, It appears from reports that Green Properties have been appointed to develop the new business and technology park proposed for ballymun.
This has come as a great surprise and shock to many people, in particular the residents of Ballymun. Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) are required by their company articles to consult and agree with the residents of Ballymun. Indeed they have apparently won awards for their consultation process. Yet surprisingly BRL has published none of their famous newsletters regarding the appointment of Green Properties. And worse, they did not consult with us about the development of the proposed Business and Technology Park.
We do want the park. Indeed it is the corner-stone of the redevelopment that has a total value of about �1 billion. However the 'park' will be spread over more than 100 acres along the M50 effectively eradicating all the football pitches and green spaces used by Ballymun residents. Only a small proportion of these will be replaced. Whether these recreational areas will be local depends on BRL producing detailed plans for the whole area. This it has failed to do since submitting individual plans smaller than two hectares conveniently avoids European directives on environmental appraisals (as opposed to environmental statements). There has been no consultation with the Ballymun residents about these issues.
Furthermore, Green Properties was reported as not having the required 20 acres to replace the playing fields as required by BRL itself. Could BRL or somebody explain why a company that fails to meet key criteria is given a contract while other bidders who meet the criteria were refused the contact? (contract)
Yours etc., Peter Lydon
(italicised spelling correction mine)
The Northside People, March 22, 2000
Ballymun 'gateway' getting taller
Dear Editor, I would like to refer to an item in your paper last December regarding the 'Gateway to Ballymun'. In your article, it was clearly stated that this gateway was to feature two eight storey apartment buildings, each consisting of four duplex apartment to be targeted at students from DCU.
However recent planning applications submitted for this particular site reveal that the intention is to build one nine storey tower and one 11 storey matching tower on the other side of the main road - and in addition a four storey and a six storey block with ancillary accommodation and facilities.
In view of the fact that there are already two matching blocks of 15 storeys at the entrance to Ballymun estate, it seems ridiculous to repeat the same again, especially when it has been so often claimed that high rise has failed in Ballymun.
More importantly, it overlooks or ignores the original object of the Ballymun Regenerationprogramme, which was to 'improve the living circumstances of the residents' of the estate. This was to be a priority and to even consider, much less plan, building accommodation for students before one house or apartment for the people resident in the estate is an insult to the long suffering tenants who have been promised so much but recieved so little. It's another case of profit before people.
yours sincerely, Alex Sproule
The Northside People, March 22, 2000
Where will the pitches go?
Dear Editor, I am writing regarding the redevelopment of Ballymun and particularly about the technological park. Very few people know about this part of the project, simply because the Ballymun RegenerationLimited (BRL) and Lisney have been secretive about it.
This 'park' will be spread on more thana hundred acres along the M50, effectively erdaicating all the football pitches and the green space. There has been no consultation with the Ballymun residents, but then there never was about the new housing aspect of the project either.
GreenProperty Co. has allledgely been chosen to develop this site, but this company does not have the 20 acres to replace the playing fields within five kilometres, as required by BRL.
What is going on? Why would a company not fulfilling the requirements be given the contract while other bidders who have 20 acres have been refused the contract?
Furthermore, why should the last patch of Dubln's green belt be sold to private developers? This land is public and is owned by Dublin Corporation whose primary duty is to look after the poorest in society - not to allow private developers to get richer.
Ballymun people, this is your land.
Yours sincerely, Robert Guillemot.
The Northside People, April 5, 2000
No Proper Consultation
Dear Editor, the recent CAP report merely puts into writing what the residents of Ballymun are saying privately - that is, the regeneration of Ballymun is being steamrollered without proper consultation.
We want the regeneration of Ballymun, but we want it for the people. We want proper housing. But what we are getting is the sale of community land to private developers.
And many who think they are getting houses willa ctually get new flats. We have 37 playing pitches in Ballymun at the moment. After regeneration we will have 12, but even that is not certain. We have nearly 5,000 children under the age of 14 but only 12 playgrounds are being planned.
It's time for Ballymun people to protest yet again about the disregard Dublin Corporation and BRL are treating us with. It will be too late after 'regeneration'. More information can be found at http://www.geocities.com/newballymun or contact Ballymun New Century Development Group at c/o 1 Sillogue Road, Ballymun, Dublin 11.
Yours sincerely, Peter Lydon
Saturday, May 6th, 2000.
Email from Mr. Martin Murphy, resident of Clarke Tower containing, apparently, comments by residents of Clarke Tower. It clearly shows the lack of proper information regarding the regeneration being put about. This is symptomatic of the absence of information which has been sought by residents but which has not been provided.
Mr. Murphy words are in plain type while our reply is in italics. Please note that Ballymun New Century Development Group wishes to allow all voices to be heard in the regeneration process, including those that dissent from our views. Click Here.
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