Harold's Cross

1. Planning:
   1. MG Motors: An Bord Pleanála upheld DCC’s decision to refuse permission for 43 apartments in six floors over a basement. In doing so they decided not to accept their own inspector’s recommendation to grant permission. The Board decided that the proposed development would not be of an acceptable density & scale in this location or would seriously injure the residential or general amenities of adjoining property. Click:HERE

1. Mount Argus Old Monastery: DCC has granted permission for an additional 21 units at the Homeless Family Hub. The conditions included a condition excluding the gate at Church Park Avenue and requiring the gate to be permanently closed and the fencing reinstated and made good. HCVCC and several residents associations are considering an appeal to ABP on the basis of the number and quality of the apartments, lack of open space and creating a new access from Mount Argus Avenue. Click: HERE

1. Kenilworth Motors: Following strenuous representations from local councillors and the Harold’s Cross Tidy Towns Team, the developers, Harte Property & Investment, eventually cleaned up the forecourt this week. The serious graffiti remains on the façade. 

1. Mount Argus Mill Apartments: Following a DCC Planning Enforcement Notice the railings that blocked access from the main boulevard to Mount Argus Church have been removed. A new Enforcement Notice has been issued requiring the removal of the recently installed pedestrian gates and bollards with a compliance date of the 28th of October 2020.

1. Classic Cinema: A submission to comply with the treatment of the footpath where it adjoins and crosses the vehicular entrance was lodged. Click: HERE There are many on-going building control issues with the developers showing scant regard for neighbours, parking in private lanes, truck & diggers movements at anti-social hours and dangerously damaging the footpath to name but a few of the issues that have been the subject of complaints to DCC and the Gardaí.

• 228 Harold’s Cross Road for sale. Click HERE

• Level 3 Halloween in Harold’s Cross: 
• The imaginative wizard Eoin Bairéad and his ever creative daughter Clíodhna have been haunting us to do something special for the VIP’s of Harold’s Cross who are banished from the traditional “trick-or-treat” excitement at Halloween 2020.

We’re asking you to don your most spooky thinking costume & come up with the most fiendish suggestions that will fit relatively easily into an on-line programme – song, story, dance, joke, poem, magic, trick or treat – that we could do locally but remotely via Zoom etc.

We’re hoping that we could schedule “planning” type events – like making decorations or recipes – on Saturday 24th and live events on Saturday 31st .

Please respond via email as required.

3. BusConnects – The NTA has published the New Dublin Area Bus Network. All the details are HERE

4. COVID-19: Unfortunately our Local Electoral Area – Kimmage-Rathmines is close to the top of the 14 day incidents of confirmed cases at 306 per 100,000 population (national average 116). Click HERE

5. Here’s an extract of local items from recent Council Meetings:

Traffic:

Councillor Daniel Ceitinn

To ask the Manager in relation to Aideen Drive, Terenure, Dublin 6.are there any plans to make this road a through road, can he look at installing traffic calming measures on this road and what steps can be taken to reduce the traffic flow?

Reply:

Dublin City Council have launched a scheme investigating areas that have issues with rat running through residential areas and other dangerous issues. These schemes are known as Neighbourhood Transport Schemes.

Aideen Drive, Mount Tallant Avenue have been listed, along with Larkfield Park andClareville Road as a neighbourhood scheme. It was assessed by an engineer and ranked number 2 for intervention in the South East Area.

The issue of making Aideen Drive a one-way system has to be carefully considered with all movements and how it may affect traffic movements on the surrounding roads. This road will be assessed as part of the overall neighbourhood scheme. Aideen Drive is a through road from its junction with Derravaragh Road and Neagh Road to its junction with Aideen Avenue. Aideen Drive has speed ramps already located to slow vehicles.

Social Housing:

Mount Argus (FOLD Voluntary Housing Agency)

It was expected that these units would be handed over in March following the completion of snagging works. However, due to Covid 19 restrictions work was halted on the site and only recommenced on May 18th. All units were handed over on June 30th. Selections and interviews have been completed and all units are now allocated. The units will be managed by FOLD VHA. The units consist of 4 x 1 beds, 8 x 2 beds and 1 x 3 beds.

St. Pancras, Mount Tallant

3 x 1 bed units and 4 x 2 bed units will be acquired in this new development and handover was expected by the end of Q1, 2020. However, due to Covid 19 restrictions work was halted on the site and only recommenced on May 18th. Snagging works are almost completed and it is expected that the units will be handed over in the next few weeks. These units will be managed directly by DCC rather than an Approved Housing Body.

Q.2 Councillor Tara Deacy

A large number of residents have contacted me individually asking that a yellow box be installed at Larkfield Grove/Clareville Road junction. There is an increased volume of traffic on the Clareville Road/Larkfield Park in the evenings for about 90 minutes & 60 minutes in the mornings. The traffic queues going back from the lights at the Kimmage /Sundrive crossroads means cars are blocking the exit/entry to our street. Although most motorists are very kind, the majority are just parked there for 5 minutes blocking the residents out/in on the road.

A yellow box junction would clear a path in/out of our street similar to the one further up on Larkfield Park. Can this be put in place for the residents?

Reply:

The area engineer attended Larkfield Grove and Claveville Road on Wednesday 26th August 2020. From 4.30pm to 5.30pm the traffic was free flowing both inbound and outbound on Larkfield Park and Clareville Road. There were no issues with vehicles blocking Larkfield Grove. At this time the area engineer is unable to recommend a yellow box at Larkfield Grove/Clareville Road junction.

The area engineer is aware that schools are re-opening, and will monitor this location. If traffic is seen to block Larkfield Grove the area engineer will address and recommend appropriate measures.

6. Local artists Eoin Mac Lochlainn (creative painter) and his nephew Pearse McGloughlin (songwriter & artist) have both been busy during the pandemic.

Eoin’s latest exhibition “Covid Eyes” opens today Sunday October 11^th at the Olivier Cornet Gallery and runs until October 25^th. It is a collection of images of eyes that Eoin posted on his BLOG every fortnight over the summer. A version of the exhibition is available on-line HERE. To book your visit Click: HERE

Pearse & Nocturne’s latest album “The Rest” was launched on October 14^th. He is planning a real, live show in The Workman’s Club in Dublin on November 1st to mark the release of the album. They will be joined by two special guests Colm Keegan, the writer and poet and singer and songwriter Leila Jane. Tickets for that show are available  HERE

7. Congratulations to the winners of the Heritage Credit Union Third Level Scholarship Award Programme. Click HERE

8. The recent 50th Anniversary of the death of master uilleann piper and uilleann pipe-maker Leo Rowsome (born in Harold’s Cross in 1903) was extensively covered in the media. Click HERE, HERE andHERE

9. The planet MARS is at it’s biggest & brightest this week as it makes its closest visit to us (38.5m miles) for another 15 years. See: HERE. DID Electrical has a spectacular offer of a starter telescope, binoculars & microscope kit for just €49.99. Click: HERE

10. Here’s contact details for our Kimmage-Rathmines Councillors:

Deirdre Conroy (FF) deirdre.conroy@dublincity.ie / 086 280 5413

Carolyn Moore (GP) carolyn.moore@dublincity.ie/ 087 645 2800

Tara Deacy (Soc D) tara.deacy@dublincity.ie / 087 938 9904

Pat Dunne (I4C) pat.dunne1@dublincity.ie / 087 776 4422

Anne Feeney (FG) anne.feeney@dublincity.ie / 087 295 5256

Mary Freehill (Lab) marycfreehill@gmail.com / 086 812 6378

12. Many more FREE EVENTS in Dublin this week HERE

These new releases are Ideal reading during the current Pandemic.

The first is : THE LIBERTIES IN DUBLIN – Steps, Stones and Stories. Available here. 

The second has just been launched : SONGS AND STRINGS – An Odyssey Through Music. Available here. This book will be of particular interest to those that like Music, as well mystery, gothic, and detective stories! There is also an inbuilt quiz in the story that will attract many an enquiring reader, particularly those that like Crosswords.

HX Stay @ Home Festival 2021 is on from Saturday the 8th of May to Sunday the 16th of May 2021

We are currently planning it so please watch this space.

1. Harold’s Cross Village Community Council AGM : The AGM of the HCVCC takes place on-line via Zoom at 8pm on Monday, September 7^th. To register your attendance Click HERE

2. Planning:
   1. Kenilworth Motors: The opportunity for public submissions toABP has elapsed. The HCVCC submission is attached. The report of City Chief Executive is due for submission by September 9^th. Councillors have requested that a draft be circulated to them in advance of that date in order to ensure that the contributions they made at the briefing meeting on July 31^st are included in his report. The recording of that meeting and associated slide presentation are available to view HERE. An Bord Pleanála inform me that third party submissions are not available on their website. They say “All submissions can be viewed in both the Board (sic) and planning authority’s office”. So much for minimising travel ! Some recent press coverage Click HERE and HERE

2. Mount Argus Mill Apartments: Following a DCC Planning Enforcement Order the railings that blocked access from the main boulevard to Mount Argus Church have been removed. As there are specific areas within the apartment complex that are designated Public Open Spaces the “Residents Only” signs should not inhibit access to these areas. (See scout’s community café below).

2. Shamrock Villas : Permission to demolish the shell of a cottage and replace it with parking space for three cars has been refused. The reasons for the refusal are interesting : “it is considered that the proposed development would constitute an inefficient use of finite urban land ……. and encourage commuting by private car and would set an undesirable precedent for similar such developments.”

2. Recent planning activity is Here.

3. McGarry’s Pub is for Sale: Click HERE & HERE

4. See Superstar Dermot Kennedy in Harold’s Cross ! Click HERE & HERE

5. Mount Argus Scouts Coffee Afternoons: Mount Argus Scouts have opened a community café at weekends. It opens 12-4pm Saturday and Sunday just behind the new apartments in Mount Argus.

6. Good luck & best wishes to all the young VIPs who are returning to our local schools in these strange times – Harold’s Cross National School, Saint Clare’s Primary School, Scoil Mológa, Harold’s Cross ET National School and Harold’s Cross ET Secondary School – not forgetting their loving parents and dedicated teachers and school staff !

7. Here’s a link for contact details for our Kimmage-Rathmines Councillors:

8. Many more FREE EVENTS in Dublin this week HERE

You are invited to take part in the South East Area Local Neighbourhood Awards  2020.

The 2020 City Neighbourhoods Competition in its traditional format is not going ahead this year, and there will be no Citywide Croke Park event.

However, on a more positive note , the South East Area is going ahead with its own local Neighbourhood awards for 2020. 

Entries are open to residential groups, businesses and schools but the categories will be open to interpretation depending on your contributions as groups or individuals  to your neighbourhood  in 2020, so don’t forget to  mention any initiatives or projects on your form in Section 5 and tell us how you have been getting on in your community.

Entries can include photographs, collages, presentations, stories etc. as judging will be affected by social distancing and other Covid19 restrictions. In some cases there will be site visits by the judges.

Dublin Community Clean- Up Day did not take place as planned,  but many clean-ups went ahead as part of  National Spring Clean week , and since , within the guidelines and restrictions in place. If you organised any community clean-up/event  in recent months please let us know about that too.

Completed entry forms can be sent to the Dublin City Council South East Area office,  Public Domain Section,  Block 2 Floor 4,  Civic Offices, Wood Quay,  Dublin 8, in an envelope marked  South East Area Local Neighbourhood Awards 2020.

Entries can also be submitted by email to  southeast@dublincity.ie.  

The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 17th August 2020. 

If you require further information e-mail  southeast@dublincity.ie. 

Kenilworth Motors: Details of the Build-To-Rent, Shared Living, Strategic Housing Development with 201 Bed Spaces in a part five storey building – are available HERE.

The Architectural Report includes a Masterplan (Page 33) that describes an intent to construct a further three blocks having demolished the buildings immediately to the North (Harold’s Cross side) adjoining the back gardens of houses on Kenilworth Park and Clareville Road. This “is contingent on land assembly into the future across a number of property portfolios.”

As this is a Strategic Housing Development (SHD), lodged directly with An Bord Pleanála, a statutory presentation to our City Councillors took place on July 31st. The recorded meetings are usually archived and should be available.

2.     Murphy & Gunn WORKSHOP site: (Across the road from the Sales Showrooms) is for sale. Agents Knight Frank state that Ferreira Architects have produced a Feasibility Study for the site which provides for either 25 no. Build-to-Sell apartments and duplexes or 31 Build-to-Rent apartments and duplexes all with surface cars (S.P.P.). The site would also be suitable for a townhouse scheme (S.P.P.). Click: HERE

3.     HX Grow Project : The HXGROW continues to go from strength to strength and has over 80 local members. The Project Plan has recently been shared with Dublin City Council and next steps are eagerly awaited. Local resident, Peadar Lynch, a key member of the HXGrow project was featured in The Echo this week – Click HERE. Just reply to this email for further information. If you would like to join the WhatsApp Group Click HERE.

4.  Many more FREE EVENTS in Dublin this week HERE…

Dublin City Council has Refused permission for 38 apartments at 146-156 Harold’s Cross Road (Hall of Lights – opposite Noshington) for the following reasons:

·       The failure to retain at least the façade of 148-150 Harold’s Cross Road which are considered to be of historical, archaeological and architectural significance.

·       Over development of the site

·       Would provide a poor standard of residential accommodation for future occupiers

·       An unacceptable impact on the amenity of neighbouring occupiers by virtue of creating an overbearing effect, overlooking and loss of daylight and sunlight to occupiers of the Gate Lodge and Gandon Close

·       Overspill parking on the local road network, endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard and would set an undesirable precedent

Hopefully, the developers will come back with a proposal providing sustainable, quality living accommodation.

1. Planning activity.

·        A company called AAI Kenilworth Ltd has applied to An Bord Pleanála for a Build-To-Rent, Shared Living, Strategic Housing Development with 201 Bed Spaces in a part five storey building. The project managers are www.harte.ie.

·        The first tranche of an eventual 70 families has moved into the two wings of the old Mount Argus Monastery that were granted Exempted Development status (0369/19). The building has been leased by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and is operated under the management of the Salvation Army. This is independent of the current application to expand the other two wings to add capacity for an additional 21 families.

·        This application 2559/20 has been reviewed and the planners have requested significant further information including omitting the use of an unauthorised access gate from Church Park Avenue without planning permission. It also severely challenges the provision of adequate open space to accommodate the proposed number of families. The creation of a new access gate for residents and service traffic from Mount Argus Avenue also requires justification / clarification. More info HERE.

Full list of developments in Harolds Cross HERE.

2.  The amazing talent of the children who entered the HX Stay @ Home Festival Art Competition can be viewed HERE and HERE. Don’t miss this special treat !

3.  Documentation regarding the July 13^th South East Area Committee Meeting is HERE 

4.  Our Lady’s Hospice has launched “Little Flower of Life” campaign in memory of loved ones lost. Details HERE and HERE.

5.  HX Grow Project : The HXGROW project emerged from the Harold’s Cross Age Friendly Village initiative as a social capital building strategy based on a simple idea: That every household in the community has a window box; a balcony; a container; a raised bed; a back yard; a front garden; a back garden; … where plants can be grown for food or for pleasure. The project has excelled in the COVID-19 emergency as residents get to grow plants, share wisdom and expertise and support each other through success and failure while implementing social distancing protocols. With Dublin City Council and Harold’s Cross Community Village Council, planning is now underway to create the ‘HUB’ to support the growing community of growers. The HUB will provide a central facility to grow plants for community growers to grow on to harvest; provide a living archive of heritage apple and fruit trees to help restore the orchard tradition to Harold’s Cross; be a knowledge centre to support urban agriculture; build capacity to cook, conserve and enjoy fresh produce. Just reply to this email for further information. If you would like to join the WhatsApp Group Click HERE.

6.  Contact details for our Kimmage-Rathmines Councillors here.

7.  Many more FREE EVENTS in Dublin this week HERE

What’s Open during Lockdown

Here’s an updated list of what’s open in the Harold’s Cross Area right now. This has been updated since the start of Phase 1 Openings on May 18th. It includes Names, Adresses, Phone numbers and websites and opening times of the businesses that are open.