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CONTROVERSIAL PLANS FOR a major residential development in a north Dublin park have been scaled back by the developer.
The plans for the north-west corner of St Anne’s Park in Raheny were announced last year but locals have objected on various grounds including that the land is not zoned for housing.
The initial plans by IMG Planning on behalf of Crekav Landbank Investments would have seen 381 new housing units of various types and sizes built on the site.
Revised plans submitted to Dublin City Council now show that this been reduced by 25 units to 356, a 6.6% reduction on the previous proposal.
The plans would now see 86 new houses and 270 apartments built on the site.
A number of other alterations to the plans have also been made. These include moving the proposed apartment blocks closer to Harmonstown Dart Station, to within 500m of the station.
Some of the objections had cited increased traffic problems because of the development.
Other alterations include altering designs for some of the terraced and detached houses to make them three-storey duplex and therefore reducing the overall area used.
The development is controversial partly because the site sits within the parkland area than includes St Anne’s Park but is in fact privately owned.
The site in question encompasses playing pitches that were owned by the Vincentian secondary school St Paul’s College but were sold to developers.
The pitches are alongside the main avenue running through St Anne’s Park and border some other Dublin City Council-owned pitches in the park.
The pitches have been fenced off in recent years but are still used by local sports teams. Some of the objections to the development have been based on concerns that the teams would lose facilities as a result of the proposals.
The development includes plans for a dedicated all-weather flood-lit sports field for the school but local politicians have argued that the wider community would not have full access to these facilities.
A number of politicians have objected to the development, arguing that the land in question is not specifically zoned for residential housing.
Under the Dublin City Council Development Plan, the land is zoned as Z15 meaning that it is zoned for “institutional and community” use rather than Z1 for “sustainable residential neighbourhoods”.
Under the Z15 zoning, “residential development is open for consideration” but politicians argue that the plans go beyond what would be appropriate.
In his letter to Dublin City Council, for example, councillor Naoise Ó Múirí argues that under the Z15 zoning homes can only be built “to ensure ongoing effective use of institutional lands”.
He gives the examples of increased student accommodation in DCU or residential facilities in a nursing home.
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Am sick to death of people buying dogs. Go to a shelter and adopt. I’ve never bought a dog and have always had fabulous family pets for years and years. Ban breeding until the adoption centres are emptied.
@Ali123: Impossible to adopt at a shelter. They all require no other dogs, no kids and so on. No wonder only few people are adopting. It’s near impossible.
@Alex: … And your personal details before you’ve even seen the dog. We used to adopt pre loved dogs but no more, too many covid puppies or “emotional supports” crippled by their owners.
@Alex: Only for certain breeds and you probably shouldn’t be trying to adopt those with young kids..
@Rochelle Hart: not true. I had to try about five shelters which wouldn’t let me adopt any dogs, didn’t matter what breed purely because I lived in the countryside and had no fencing around 100 % of my boundary. Apparently shelters only want people who live in estates
@Alex: smack on
Ireland is one of the MOST UNFRIENDLY countries in the EU for pets !!! On top of it animal rights and animal cruelty is shocking, everywhere and goes unpunished! – I often see kids with puppies as toys ! I have 3 dogs and they are our family !
@Flora Baes: dogs are well … dogs. I don’t get this ‘family’ stuff.
People in the rental market should automatically be allowed pets! Every ad is no smoking, no pets. Then they keep the deposit. That’s just how Ireland runs!
@Chutes: Is it no smoking within the walls of the house/ apartment..
Fair enough..
@Chutes: So #any deposit held must be justified and explained to the Tenancy Board…and the Tenancy Board favours the tenant but tries to reach a fair conclusion…conclusion is the operative word…
It is counterproductive when these rehoming centres charge more than buying from the adverts for sale. The non negotiable donations on top of the removing fees are a joke.
@Sickof thisshit: how much are we talking? It’s a good cause though as it looks after the other dogs and cats right.
@Sickof thisshit: They need the money as they couldn’t operate otherwise, despite all the volunteers who give their time. I would urge anyone to adopt from a shelter rather than buy from a breeder
@Basildon Joe: holy moly Joe, we’re on the same page! Though you’re no more from Basildon than I am from Barking
@Kevin Kerr: fair play kev, have to take care of gods creatures. Left Essex a long time ago
@Basildon Joe: 250 to cover costs ,fair.+ 100 mandatory donations. It’s not encouraging..
@Basildon Joe: nice one Joe
@Basildon Joe: Average €100
@Sickof thisshit: the shelters charge a more than fair cost to cover vaccinations, chipping and spaying. Dogs may also have needed vet attention for illnesses, fleas etc. The only reason “breeders” can charge less is because the mother dog and puppies never get seen by a vet…. and they’ve numerous breeding females getting no break in puppy production. If you can’t afford the 200 – 300 to adopt a dog then don’t buy one anywhere else or you’re supporting puppy farms.
@Sickof thisshit: the shelter where I got mine only asked for a donation there was no set price.
I wish could adopt another dog… I just don’t have the space. My present dog would love a playmate and doggie friend.☹️
Looking at the age and profile of people walking dogs are they a substitute for babies?
On a serious note I live close to two primary schools and the amount of dog poo on the footpaths is disgusting. This is not so noticeable in the summer but come the darker mornings and evenings it is a daily occurrence.
@Vincent Alexander: Nothing as vile as pet owners allowing their pets to foul footh paths which are used by children and all citizens who have a right not to walk in dog squirt..so man up all you dog lovers and scoop the squirt into the nearest bin..Thank you
Vet fees are just too much to pay these days even if the dog is already neutered and vaccinated by the shelter. There is the yearly checkup and random health incidents during which vets invariably find some other condition to add to the fees . Then there’s the cost of flea and worm treatment . It’s just too expensive to keep a pet these days. If they had a system of ensuring that the shelter pay for the health checks etc I’m sure more people would take pets on
@Angela Doe: just get pet insurance and most vet costs are covered
@Angela Doe: so true my own rescue dog who is not well at the moment and vet said xrays circa € 1200. Jesus no wonder the rescue centres are packed
@Margaret Deacon: on our experience we tried that with our cats and when we needed it there were so many caveats such the age of the cats and the type of care they needed so it was a waste of money
Shelters make it incredibly difficult to adopt, the DSPCA make people jump through an insane amount of hoops, rules, checks etc, way over the top
@Ciara: They have to ensure as much as possible that the adopted animals don’t land back in the shelter or in another one.
@socheallaigh: How?
If I “borrowed” my brother’s house for the home check, how does their rules prevent the dig from being returned?
If you’re not prepared to spend time looking after a dog, just get a cat. Feed it well, let it inside a bit (warm itself when it’s cold) ; otherwise, just leave it live it’s own life. Very affectionat animals once you’re friends with them.
@offside again: cats don’t have friends, they have servants!
@offside again: What do you mean ‘let it inside a bit to warm its self when it’s cold’? A cat feels the cold and wet just like a dog. It’s you can have a warm bed for a cat, then don’t have one! My girls are in every night, sleeping on the sofa. They are part of our family!
@Angie O Donnell: If you can’t have a warm bed.
@Angie O Donnell: my cat has a place for himself to sleep in the shed next door where he is safe from the really wild ones that roam around now and again.
@offside again: and without a doubt, he goes roaming himself.
I’ll visit and see if they have anything nice. If it’s meant to be a connection will be made.
@Basildon Joe: Is the one eyed, three legged mongrel called lucky in with a shot or are people only looking at them with curiosity and bewilderment.
@Charles Mc Carthy: Will consider the ropey ones if they don’t piss everywhere
have your say