Objecting to building on a green space (1 Viewer)

[rettucs]

The local county council here in Kilkenny are planning to build houses on a green space close to where I live. Basically, its a green in the middle of a suburban housing estate and they are planning on rezoning 6% of it for housing.

The green is generally very busy and gets great use from young and old people alike. Dog walkers and kids playing ball, in particular.

The housing is social housing (old people and disabled families), which is badly needed, but equally, green space should be preserved in urban and suburban areas. There is a lot of space quite close to here, as well as a lot of derelict buildings that would be a better location. However, I assume the county council don't own that land, hence opting for the lazy option.

The design of the housing isn't even suitable for its intended purpose. For example, the houses do not have vehicular access and people are instead expected to park in a car park at the end of the road.

A few of the residents here want to object to the loss of the green space but we need to have a solid argument to do so. I have some ideas but I'm holding off until I get a copy of the final plans before getting a bit of a campaign going.

Has anyone here ever been involved in anything like that? If so, how did it go?

And to my old friend @thumpedgp, any advice for yer aul pal Scutts?

 

[egg_]

Just fyi it's unlikely an ecologist is gonna be any help to you here - urban green spaces seldom have much biodiversity unless they're not used much by people

 

[rettucs]

Was involved in a years long campaign to get our kids primary school built, and the headaches with fighting the council and the Department over the planning permission were insane. What made all the difference was getting a town planner on board. With a lot of experience in local area planning she was able to zero in on the plans with a laser focus to make points An Bord Pleanala could only agree with. This was action in favour of a plan that had been rejected many times over some years, but I imagine the same diligence in reverse is what's needed.

is a Town Planner someone who works for the council? Or, like an architect with a specific type of expertise?

 

[rettucs]

Just fyi it's unlikely an ecologist is gonna be any help to you here - urban green spaces seldom have much biodiversity unless they're not used much by people

I've contacted a crowd to ask them about the birds nesting in the trees to be cleared, as well as the hedgerow being home to several hedgehogs.

I won't hold my breath but everything is getting included

 

[dudley]

is a Town Planner someone who works for the council? Or, like an architect with a specific type of expertise?

It can be both, it's a specific career, many work for local authorities, but there are plenty of consultants and private firms out there.
Irish Planning Institute have a directory

 

[rettucs]

It can be both, it's a specific career, many work for local authorities, but there are plenty of consultants and private firms out there.
Irish Planning Institute have a directory

thank you

 

[egg_]

I've contacted a crowd to ask them about the birds nesting in the trees to be cleared, as well as the hedgerow being home to several hedgehogs.

I won't hold my breath but everything is getting included

My parents and their neighbours had objected to development on a field in front of their house which had been unused for 20 years and had basically been rewilded ... and then during the winter when you're allowed cut hedgerows the developers came in and bulldozed the entire thing in a day. And now the building work is going ahead

 

[shitepipe]

is a Town Planner someone who works for the council? Or, like an architect with a specific type of expertise?

It is a specific expertise. More likely to come from a geography background than design background.

But on the original point- one of the reasons it would be more appropriate to build close to existing developments is that that services are already in existance- electrical water, sewage etc, and possibly public transport, schools, play areas etc. As well as having an existing community infrastructure. So it is better use of infrastructure to intensify rather than expand.

Not knowing anything about the actual development i don't know if this is the case- but it is something that might be considered beneficial. ..

 

[rettucs]

My parents and their neighbours had objected to development on a field in front of their house which had been unused for 20 years and had basically been rewilded ... and then during the winter when you're allowed cut hedgerows the developers came in and bulldozed the entire thing in a day. And now the building work is going ahead

I'm resigned to that happening. But if I don't fight it I'll have regrets, so I'll do what I can while I can.

sorry to hear that btw.

 

[rettucs]

It is a specific expertise. More likely to come from a geography background than design background.

But on the original point- one of the reasons it would be more appropriate to build close to existing developments is that that services are already in existance- electrical water, sewage etc, and possibly public transport, schools, play areas etc. As well as having an existing community infrastructure. So it is better use of infrastructure to intensify rather than expand.

Not knowing anything about the actual development i don't know if this is the case- but it is something that might be considered beneficial. ..

so, the detail as I have it so far

- they are building 2 houses for families with children with disabilities
- they are building 4 houses for 'older people'
- the older people will come from within the community and will be 'encouraged' to downsize from their current home
- There will be no road access to the houses. There will be a car park, then a footpath from there to each of the homes
- in terms of the design being unsuitable
- the green space can have some anti-social behaviour on it at night time. The people there will be sitting ducks for anything that might happen
- the lack of vehicular access. meaning old folks have to walk in inclement weather. Access for emergency services, etc
- then, of course the loss of the green space. The space in question was previously ear-marked for installing an outdoor gym
- the green is an access route for hundreds of school-kids to 2 schools adjacent. The schools also heavily use the green space when whether permits.

 

[shitepipe]

so, the detail as I have it so far

- they are building 2 houses for families with children with disabilities
- they are building 4 houses for 'older people'
- the older people will come from within the community and will be 'encouraged' to downsize from their current home
- There will be no road access to the houses. There will be a car park, then a footpath from there to each of the homes
- in terms of the design being unsuitable
- the green space can have some anti-social behaviour on it at night time. The people there will be sitting ducks for anything that might happen
- the lack of vehicular access. meaning old folks have to walk in inclement weather. Access for emergency services, etc
- then, of course the loss of the green space. The space in question was previously ear-marked for installing an outdoor gym
- the green is an access route for hundreds of school-kids to 2 schools adjacent. The schools also heavily use the green space when whether permits.

TBH it sounds like a good idea but bad execution. You would imagine direct car access would be necessary.
Problematic public spaces can be helped by having more activity and passive surveillance. But difficult to know without seeing the drawings.
Sorry- i know I'm not helping you here

 

[rettucs]

TBH it sounds like a good idea but bad execution. You would imagine direct car access would be necessary.
Problematic public spaces can be helped by having more activity and passive surveillance. But difficult to know without seeing the drawings.
Sorry- i know I'm not helping you here

nah, you definitely are. It all helps.

I asked about the lack of vehicular access. They said they couldn't provide it as they would lose too much green space. That suggested to me that they probably wouldn't get the project approved if they tried to include it, while also acknowledging not having it as being a problem.

And I tend to agree about it being a good idea/bad execution. But again, they could still build the houses and preserve the green space. Our feeling is that this is an easy option for them because they already own the land. Easy options cause laziness and I detect a lot of that.

 

[ann post]

How to support or object to a planning application with a local authority

It is possible for anyone to support or object to a planning application with a local authority. Find out how to make a submission or observation.

www.citizensinformation.ie

 

[Cormcolash]

thanks @thumpedgp, this is actually really helpful

TRAITOR!!!

 

[Cormcolash]

jaysus, this thread is gold

NIMBY

 

[Cormcolash]

Scutter hates old and disabled people, you heard it here first

 

[Cormcolash]

Show the council this thread

 

[Cormcolash]

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[rettucs]

NIMBY

NO PRODS IN MY BACK YARD

NPIMBY