Planning , Environment and Neighbourhood Watch

 

Planning

Planning applications are listed weekly by the City Planning Office for public scrutiny and any member of the public is at liberty to request their own weekly planning list from Dublin City Council. It is also a legal requirement to post a public notice on the building or site to which the planning application refers.

In some instances appeals may be taken to An Bord Pleanála.

Further resources about planning in Dublin

More information about planning and the planning application process is available at the Dublin City Council website.

Particularly useful is this page where the details of any current or past planning application can be searched.

Planning applications approved by the council may still be appealed to An Bord Pleanála. Details of this process and of individual appeals can be found at the An Bord Pleanála website.

The latest Dublin City Council Development Plan is here. (With thanks to Dublin City Council)

 

 

 

 

Environment

Trees enhance Dublin City as a place to live, work and visit. Within the City, trees clean the air, provide natural flood defences, mask noise and promote a general sense of well-being.

Dublin City Council has produced a draft tree strategy that sets out a vision for the management of public trees according to a long term plan. It also aims to identify opportunities for new tree planting to ensure a sustainable and balanced urban tree canopy. In addition the Tree Strategy will seek to create a greater awareness of, and appreciation for the value of urban trees within the community, local authority and other relevant agencies.

The Strategy comprises three main sections.

  1. Trees in Dublin City – A review of the city’s Treescape, the importance of urban trees, their current management and a review of existing data on the urban tree population.
  2. Tree Policy – A description of the general and specific policies Dublin City Council has regarding trees and tree work.
  3. Action Plan – A framework to implement the tree policy, setting out appropriate objectives and associated actions, responsibilities and target dates

 The consultation period for this strategy has now passed but you can read the strategy here.

 

 

 

You can help to combat environmental problems and criminal activity by bringing such problems to the attention of Dublin City Council and the Gardaí.

Problems such as graffiti, litter, broken pavements, inconsiderate parking, traffic, and anti-social behaviour generally can be dealt with  by liaising with the appropriate organisation.

The Harolds Cross Village Community makes representations to the City Council, on behalf of residents, on issues such as pedestrian safety, bus lanes, cycle lanes, quality bus corridors, etc. We are also keen advocates of the national Tidy Towns and Dublin City Neighbourhoods Competitions.

Should you have any concerns about any aspect of the environment in Harolds Cross, please contact us. The matter will then be taken up with the relevant section of the City Council or local gardai as appropriate.

 

Reporting problems to the Council

It is also possible to report a wide array of problems (such as pot holes, abandoned vehicles, damaged street furniture etc) directly to the City Council using their Online Self Service Portal.

 

Street Cleaning

Dublin City Council now publish a schedule for street cleaning in the city. The main roads are swept daily, with intervals rising to once a quarter for some residential roads. You can check the anticipated cleaning date of your road on their website here.

 

 

 

Crime and Security

We are fortunate that Harolds Cross has a crime rate below the national average, but we shouldn’t be any less vigilant because of that. The gardai in Rathmines have asked us to highlight the following:

 

Cold Callers – One recurring issue in this area  is that of “cold callers” to the home – somebody calling at the door either offering a service such as tree pruning or roof maintenance, or posing as representatives of an official body such as the ESB. While any genuine callers will have identification, make sure you examine this carefully – if you have any concerns, close the door and call the organisation concerned using the number in the directory (not from their id). Check if there is a vehicle with the organisation’s livery parked nearby. Only let anyone you do not know into the house when you are satisfied they are bona fide.

Fishing through letterbox – A growing problem is when householders leave keys on their hall table overnight and thieves use a fishing rod with hook and/or magnet through the letterbox to pick the keys up and subsequently use to enter the house at night. Do not leave your keys on display, even if the front door is locked!

Theft of garden tools – Also a growing problem, often from unlocked garden sheds, but also when left unattended while working in the garden. These tools are also useful to burglars to break into houses so are especially vulnerable.

 

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch is a crime prevention and community safety programme for urban areas. It operates as a partnership between An Garda Síochána and the public. It works on the basis that every member of a community can help to improve the quality of life in the area by keeping a look out for neighbours and reporting suspicious activities to the Gardaí.

More details on Neighbourhood Watch and how to set one up in your street can be seen at the garda website here, or by enquiring at any garda station.

 

 

If in doubt, call 999!

If you see anything suspicious, do not delay – call 999 or 112. Rathmines Garda station is 01-666 6700.

The local Community Gardaí for our area are  Brendan O’Byrne  and  Gerry Hogarty, both based at Rathmines Garda station. They are willing to discuss any aspect of crime prevention or personal security should you have any concerns or queries in this area.