Information Letter Re Clonsilla

A Brief Note on Some Local Issues from Cllr Michael O’Donovan

· Clonsilla One-Way System:
I have had many complaints about the one-way system on a section of the Clonsilla road near Molloy’s Wine Store. People feel that it is causing unnecessary car journeys and causing hold-ups at Coolmine. We now have a plan on display to go back to a two-way system. My own instinct is to support a change to a two-way system, but I would be glad to hear your views. If you would like a copy of the map showing the changes, please phone or email me.

· Beechpark Estate, Clonsilla
The Council’s Parks Department has started work on a children’s playground in Beechpark Estate (just over the tracks at Clonsilla Station). Work has also started on laying out some sports pitches. We have a plan to restore the historic walled Shakleton Gardens, but this will take time.

· Cutbacks:
Word is coming through of local schools losing teachers and classroom assistants. We are also getting reports of threats to some of the services at Connolly Hospital. It is my strong view that schoolchildren and hospital patients should not suffer because of a crisis caused by the banks and by speculators. We will be campaigning on these issues. More news to follow………..

· Planning Matters:
The planning application by LA Vista Ltd for a large apartment block on the triangular site between the Clonsilla Road and Mount Symon was withdrawn due to problems with the site notice. The developers have now applied again, and I have again submitted an objection as requested by local residents. I will keep you posted.

· A Sunday stroll?
Fingal’s Parks Department has opened an excellent walking trail from St Catherines Park (behind Westmanstown) down into the Liffey Valley at Lucan. Call or email me if you would like a location map



Yours sincerely,
Cllr. Michael O’Donovan – Local Councillor, Clonsilla area

Information Letter to Residents of Clonsilla

To: Residents of Clonsilla

26 Jan 09

Dear Friends,

A brief note on some local issues.

· Traffic Matters: I have been pressing the Council’s Director of Transportation to put on public display proposals to change the one-way section of the Clonsilla Road to a two-way system. I believe that, given the opportunity, local residents will want this section opened up to motor traffic. The present situation means that motorists wishing to access Blanchardstown Village from the Clonsilla area end up in jams at the Ongar Road or at the roundabout near Coolmine Community School. I’ll keep you informed of developments.
· Trees along Clonsilla Road: A number of residents contacted me to express concern about some work being done on trees in the Village area and I have kept regularly in touch with our Parks Department on the issue. Whatever work needed to be done appears to have been done sensitively. Some good thinning out has also been done on the treed area near the entrance to Porters Gate.
· Planning matters: I recently called a public meeting (in the Clonsilla Inn) in relation to a planning application to develop shops and apartments on the site near Mount Symon, to the west of the link road between Clonsilla Road and Ongar Road. The overwhelming majority of residents were opposed to the proposal because of the height (up to 5 storeys) and the density of the proposal.

I am supporting local residents on this issue and a copy of my objection in included overleaf.

If you wish to contact me on these or any other issues, please feel free to contact me on 087-2207798 or email michael.odonovan@fingalcoco.ie

Yours sincerely


____________________________
Cllr Michael O’Donovan (Labour)
Local Councillor – Clonsilla area


As a member of the Blanchardstown Local DrugsTask Force, can I remind you of the Confidential “Dial to Stop Drug Dealing” phone number:-
1800 - 220220

Refusal of Planning Permission for ALDI Proposal

Permission has been refused by An Bord Pleanala for the ALDI proposal to build a supermarket and multi-story apartment block in the centre of Clonsilla Village, across from the entrance to Castlefield.

The Board supporting the earlier refusal by Fingal Council, stated that the proposal was in conflict with the recently completed Planning Strategy for Clonsilla. The Board also supports the Councils’ view that this site should be a village centre style “civic area adjoining the Royal Canal.”

We must be practical here. ALDI still own the site. (Apparently they paid about €7 million for it!). They will clearly want to apply again to develop it, but they must do so in a way that is sympathetic to the existing village and must consult with local residents and public representatives.

I consider this decision to be a victory for good planning and for the community, and I particularly thank those who attended our public meetings and who signed the petition.

If you would like to contact me on this or any other issue, feel free to call me on 087-2207798 or by e-mail to michael.odonovan@fingalcoco.ie.



Cllr Michael O’Donovan
Local Councillor, Clonsilla Area

Hansfield/Dunboyne Rail Line

GREEN LIGHT FOR HANSFIELD/DUNBOYNE RAIL LINE, but LOCAL COUNCILLOR WARNS OF "SLIPPAGE" IN TIMESCALE


An Bord Pleanala has signed the rail order for the re-opening of the first phase of the Clonsilla to Navan rail line. This was the first planning approval granted under the new system by which major infrastructural projects are fast-tracked through the system.

Dublin 15 public representatives welcomed the news, but Labour’s Michael O’Donovan called for the actual construction work to be fast-tracked.

"This is good news for Dublin 15 and particularly for residents of the Ongar/Castaheany area, and indeed for future residents of the planned new villages of Hansfield and Barnhill. We need now to keep up the momentum. The timeline for completion of the first 7.5km of track has already slipped from 2009 to 2010.

There are two other initiatives needed to get best use from this rail spur. We need a good feeder bus service from the various surrounding estates to the new Hansfield station and we need the integrated ticket system to be up and running so that commuters can switch from bus to rail and back to bus or Luas at no extra cost.

We also need the promised park and ride facility on the Navan Road to be in place and operational when the trains start running. This park and ride is planned to hold 1,200 cars and could make a real contribution to easing gridlock on the Navan Road".


Cllr Michael O’Donovan

Consultants Working on Plan for Clonsilla Village

Following a period of public consultation, consultants are now working on the first draft of the Urban Strategy Plan which will shape the future of Clonsilla Village. A number of local organisations and some individual residents have already made submissions, and local councillors have met with the consultants. The views of local residents were also aired at a well-attended meeting in the Clonsilla Inn organised by Joan Burton T.D. and Cllr Michael O’Donovan.

Michael O’Donovan says: "There are a number of points on which there is, I think, general agreement. The existing trees and hedgerows need to be maintained, and planting carried out. We want to hold on to the sense of being in a village, so if there is to be new construction, we want it "village style", not high density and high rise.

A number of key infill sites are crucial:-
The Old School and the lands linked to it along the canal
The Clonsilla Inn site, including the large car park to the rear
3The Aldi site
The Canal bank

The planners are looking at the idea of an Ongar Village type development as a possibility for the ALDI site. This might have some merit.

The lands of Beechpark/Shackleton Gardens are outside the study area, but if the Council takes over all or part of these lands, Clonsilla residents will benefit".

Labour wants to remind residents that they can still influence the final shape of the plan by contacting their local councillors.

Michael says: "The official period for consultation is over, but this plan will have to come back before the Council, and local councillors will have their say. We will bring the views of local residents to the table and we are anxious to get those views at any time."

You can contact Michael at 087-2207798 or michael.odonovan@fingalcoco.ie or Joan at 6184006