admin

Landing slots at Heathrow are restricted

The airport has a capacity of 45m pax but is catering for 63m pax some including Willie Walsh would say badly.

The point is heathrow slots are a very scarce resource with carriers such as Delta prepared to pay top dollar for them and routes to Paris, Geneva, New York very lucrative. One has to wonder what Aer Lingus are doing as they are not serving either the shareholders or the national interest in this.

@phil wrote:

Overall though, I think well designed stations can become a symbol of pride for people, and are probably worth the extra investment

I think the expense is justified if it can be linked to above ground regeneration; Canada Water is a perfect example of this where a highly impressive station was built in an area that was very demographically challenged prior to the station opening.

In the context that developers are paying mega bucks in development contributions I very much doubt that they would welcome yellow pack finishes if the demand rational for their schemes are based largely on transport connectivity and the provision rationale based on regeneration led hope value.

yep Graham, thought just the same as i scrolled down through Morlan’s pics … though as you beat me to it, you’ll just have to take my word for it ! balconies are surprisingly discreet, sewn in to the floor plate. Overall, a good job.

Inspecting the elevation supplied shows not only the elevation of the proposed (6361/06) but also the elevation of a proposal contained within an entirely separate and earlier application at No 1+2 (5369/04 handled by different architects and applicant). An elevation must show main features of existing adjoining buildings. As the proposal for 1+2 Usher’s Island(5369/04) has not yet been constructed, clearly the elevation as submitted was misleading.

Mitchell pretty much get every major landscape design scheme in this country – O’connell street, Henry Street, Eyre square, Dun Laoghaire … there’s a big list. I’d say their collective noses were knocked out a little when Schwartz was commissioned to do Grand Canal Dock, as far as i know they were responsible for the scheme that immediately proceeded it.

An Bord Pleanala have not yet publicised fees for public submissions yet they have entertained and issued decisions relating to EIS. This is contempt for the public participation/consultation process.

Extract from 53 projects apply for fast-track planning approval by Olivia Kelly 2 Aug 07
“The planning board is currently agreeing fees for the new system with the Department of the Environment and is seeking to impose an application fee of between five and six figures. The fee for appealing against the projects has yet to be determined, but a final decision on all fees is due in the coming weeks. “ 2007 The Irish Times

An Bord Pleanala [Extract]
A Guide to Public Participation in Strategic Infrastructure Development
1. Is there a fee for making a submission to the Board?
The question of fees has yet to be determined. The current position should be checked with the Board before making a submission.

N.B. This draft guide is intended as an aid to the public participative process relating to applications to the Board for strategic infrastructure development. It will be updated particularly when the question of fees for making submissions or observations and requesting oral hearings has been determined.

Some Decisions Issued on SIDs by ABP
Sligo Borough Council
(#HD0001)
Case Type: LA road development EIS Direction
Description: Eastern Garvoge River Bridge and Approach Roads, Co. Sligo.
Decision: EIS required
Date lodged: 27-02-2007 Date signed: 28-06-2007

Ballina Town Council
(#HD0002)
Case Type: LA road development EIS Direction
Description: Pedestrian Bridge over the River Moy, Ballina, Co. Mayo.
Decision: EIS not required
Date lodged: 07-03-2007 Date signed: 12-07-2007

(#JD0002)
Case Type: LA Non-Road development – EIS Direction
Description: Construction of a new theatre, a riverside walk, a new Amenity Area, refurbishment of the existing Arts Centre, car park at Barrett Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo.
Decision: EIS not required
Date lodged: 08-03-2007 Date signed: 12-07-2007

Could those that have voted yes please come out of the closet & explain how they think the landing of several massive supporting structures along the entire length of the city quays can be justified for the sake of a gimmick.

These structures will:

Severly detract from several of the cities finest buildings, denigrating their true landmark status.
Destroy the integrity of the city quays; the relationship between quayside, river & its bridges.

I kinda like it on first look, now the demise of another georgian, particularly on the quays is another thing altogether… perhaps this is part of the upscaling for the heuston ‘gateway’.

With high rises popping up in all major suburbs & at stragegic gateway points, the concept of the doughnut city is perhaps becoming a reality.

An Bord Pleanala Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) Cases Week ended: 8th June 2007

Local Authority: Dublin City Council
Case reference: 29NPC0014
Case Type: Private Development S.37B consultations (Pre-App Consultation)
Description: Proposed Suas Cable Car Transport System to run from Heuston Gate area to Dublin Docklands providing a tourist facility along the River Liffey, Dublin City, Co. Dublin.
Category: Strategic Infrastructure Dev
Date lodged: 08-06-2007

Applicant
Type: Prosp. Applicant
Name: The Liffey Cable Car Company Ltd.

EIS required: No

Status: Case is due to be decided by 26-10-2007

Daring plan inspired by London Eye
The proposal for cable cars along the Liffey is a sensational example of lateral thinking,
writes Frank McDonald Feb 06

For decades, Dublin has been divided by the River Liffey, with the northside and the southside glowering at each other over its murky depths. But now there is a daring plan to celebrate the river, bringing the two sides together in a quite remarkable way.

The proposal to run cable cars over the river between Heuston Station and North Wall Quay, just west of Spencer Dock, is designed as a tourist attraction rather than a transport service.

But like all bright ideas, it is a sensational example of lateral thinking. Developer Barry Boland, of Beaux Walk Properties Ltd, has been working on it for a year and earlier this week presented it to senior Dublin City Council officials, including city manager John Fitzgerald. Their response, not surprisingly, was enthusiastic.

It was inspired by the success of the London Eye, which generated some £60 million (€88.28 million) in revenue last year, according to Mr Boland. His cable car project would also be run as a commercial enterprise, but its thrill-seekers would be “going somewhere”.

The plan has its challenging aspects – not least the installation of four giant “towers” along the river to support the cable lines. But as conceived by architects McGarry Ní Éanaigh and engineers Roughan O’Donovan, these are light and elegant structures.

Both firms have good track records. McGarry Ní Éanaigh designed the lighting masts in Smithfield, as well as the highly successful Liffey Boardwalk, while Roughan O’Donovan designed the Luas bridge in Dundrum and the Boyne bridge outside Drogheda.

One of the principal objectives in the project, fully costed at €52 million by quantity surveyors Bruce Shaw, was to minimise the visual impact of the support structures. This has been done by limiting them to four, instead of cluttering up the riverscape.

Two of the steel towers – at the end of Marlborough Street and in front of the Civic Offices at Wood Quay – would be 85m high, while the other two – west of Watling Street bridge and Custom House Quay – would rise to a height of 55m.

With some 2,000 juggernaut trucks expected to vanish from the quays after the port tunnel opens later this year, Dublin City Council is about to start work on a new framework plan for the river – and the cable car proposal could become its most exciting element.

Chief planner Dick Gleeson and city architect Jim Barrett are certainly enthusiastic about the plan, which they see as a dynamic way of stitching the city together along the spine of its main river – though, obviously, it still has to go through the planning process.

Mr Boland cites figures showing that Dublin had 5.8 million visitors last year, with an average stay of 4½ days. But he says all of the city’s attractions are static, including the Guinness Storehouse, through which 740,000 trooped up to its Gravity Bar.

One of the terminals would be located within the Guinness Brewery on Victoria Quay, a short walk from Heuston Station; the other just west of the planned Calatrava bridge, some 50m from the site of the national conference centre at Spencer Dock.

Two new pedestrian bridges are being “thrown in free gratis”, as Mr Boland says. One would be located on the axis of Marlborough Street and Hawkins Street, providing an obviously needed link, while the other would span between Ormond Quay and Wood Quay.

Swiss manufacturer Doppelmayr Garaventa, which makes most of the world’s cable cars, are so enthusiastic about the project that they are going to invest in it. Mr Boland is banking on the likelihood that Dubliners and visitors to the city will be equally electrified.

(c) The Irish Times

Details of Application: SD07A/0569
Date Received:16/07/2007
Applicant:John O’ Connor , Molesworth Place
Location:Site of former Esso Service Station at junction of Greenhills Road and Main Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Proposed Development:Construction of mixed retail / residential developments of 32 no. apartments and 654 sq.m retail on 4 floors over basement car park as follows: 13 no. 3 bedroom apartments, 10 no. 2 bedroom apartments, and 9 no 1 bedroom apartments, on ground, first, second, and third floors with projecting balconies at first and second floor, and 3 no. ground floor retail units; (245 sq.m); (205 sq.m); and (204 sq.m) as modification/extension to and incorporating parts of site of approved development under construction Reg. Ref. no. SD04A/0731 with vehicular parking access through approved development under construction.
Decision Due:09/09/2007

Here is the site location Plan http://www.sdublincoco.ie/339321.pdf

Deadline for Submissions is Sun 19th August 2007