Occasional News – September 2021

Planning :  The main developments since the last update are :

·       New Schools at the Greyhound Stadium:  Dublin City Council’s (DCC) decision to grant permission for a new car-free educational campus has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) by local residents who are concerned regarding proximity and overlooking to their homes and the suitability of Grosvenor Lane as a safe primary access route for several hundred school pupils.

The development consists of a 2 storey, 16 classroom Primary School with a 2 classroom Special Educational Needs Unit and a General Purpose Hall. The development also includes a 4 storey, 1,000 pupil Post Primary School and a 4 classroom Special Educational Needs Unit, a P.E Hall and General Purpose Hall and all ancillary teacher and pupil facilities.

Also included are hard and soft play areas, a sensory garden multipurpose outdoor seating, dining and event space, new entrance gates at Harold’s Cross Road and two pedestrian gates off Grosvenor Lane. Click: HERE

·       Rear of Mount Argus Church & Old Monastery : A date for DCC’s enforcement challenge through the courts to remove the unauthorised access gate at Church Park has not yet been set. The gate continues to be used.

DCC’s decision to refuse permission for 8 apartments at the back of the cemetery facing on to Church Park Way has been appealed to ABP. Click: HERE

DCC has requested significant further information regarding the proposal to construct a 22 apartment building at the rear of the Old Monastery with access from Mount Argus Avenue. Click: HERE

·       Michael Grant Motors : The application for 38 build-to-rent apartments adjacent to Peggy Kelly’s and the new schools was refused by DCC. The developers have appealed submitting both the original and an alternative design to ABP. Click: HERE

·       Former Kenilworth Motors : DCC requested substantial further information regarding the proposal for 52 Build-to-Rent Apartments in up to 5 storeys. This information has recently been submitted.

The forecourt is currently set up for temporary occupation by contemporary artists : https://www.kambogram.com with the forecourt set up with seats, tables, coffee & pizza facilities. Click: HERE

·       Mount Argus Mill Apartments : An Bord Pleanála has postponed a decision to rule on the unauthorised railings and gates until further notice. Click: HERE

·       DD O’Brien & Co – Flooring, 126-128 Harold’s Cross Road: The developers have submitted a new application seeking to add a 6th storey with 6 more units – bringing the total to 40. Click: HERE

·       Saint Clare’s Avenue : (Near Siopa Linn) An application for 2 x 2 storey blocks with 5 apartments. Click: HERE

·       The Old Bakery Store : Retention for two single storey flat roofed extensions containing storage/food preparation area & new toilets with rear access from Shamrock Villas. Click : HERE

·       Saint Clare’s Convent : The decision by An Bord Pleanála on 15th February 2021 to grant permission for an additional 25 apartments is the subject of a Judicial Review. Click: HERE

2.     Record of Protected Structures: 152 Harold’s Cross Road (Hall of Lights / Big Bogey / 18th Century Yeomanry Barracks / National School at the entrance to Mount Jerome Cemetery) to the register was accepted at the September Council Meeting.

3.     Creative Writing : An amazing opportunity to explore the creative ideas lurking in your subconscious !

Would you like to develop your creative writing skills?

Are you keen to explore your local environment and its heritage?

During this free six week course you will work online with Harold’s Cross Writer-in-Residence Amanda Bell to look at your locality with new eyes, studying how writers have created a sense of place, and working with prompts related to Harold’s Cross through the ages.

A showcase of the outcome of the Spring class featured in the HX Stay-at-Home Festival in May. Click: HERE

4.     Ranelagh Arts Festival : The splendid world-class programme-of-events runs from 16th to 26th September ! All Welcome. Click: HERE and HERE

5.     Arsonist Arrested : A number of cars and private properties in the area have recently been the victims of an arsonist. On a Friday night in August four cars in the area were set alight within an hour of each other. Happily through the good work of An Garda Síochána with the assistance of residents CCTV cameras a suspected culprit was identified and arrested. Click: HERE

6.     A reminder that 39 superb videos of  The 2021 HX Stay @ Home (Almost) Virtual Community Festival events are available. Just click on the word “Link” beside each event on the Festival Home Page.

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

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

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

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