-Donnacha-

This image seems to be the standard for new apartment developments in Dublin- 13-ish-storey ‘landmark’ block, surrounded by mediocre fiveish-storey ones. Santry Cross, Belgard Square, even Charlotte Quay.
My problem with these is that they do nothing to address the higher densities we need. After all, a slender 14-storey building is just two small seven storey blocks on top of each other. Adding an extra floor or two over the low-rise element of all these would achieve higher densities than the inclusion of the towers, at a much cheaper cost I’m sure.

Looking at the photos and considering the development in the location it is going to be in I would have to say a big NO to the Crow’s Nest plan. If it does go ahead, trying to get in and out of the development in a car would be close to impossible considering the volume of traffice that uses the Carrigrohane Straight.

Also, thinking about it’s location in terms of height, lets say if it did go ahead, you would have a building 50 metres in height and then the Victoria Mills student accomodation and then the County Hall giving a total imbalance of height. At least with the County Hall the concourse area with the new building seens roughly the same height as the Victoria Mills student accomodation. Granted though it suddenly gets a hell of a lot taller. It still fits in well and I think the redeveloped County Hall will look fantastic when it is finished.

I love projects that have the same ideas like the Water Street and the Eglington Street projects but I think a fine line has to be drawn as to where these buildings should be built and I really don’t think the Crows Nest is a suitable location. Besides if I had my way, all those appartment complexes in the area should be knocked down. They really don’t complement the area at all. They all look as if they have be thrown together, which is a shame. And that’s my opinion on that.

notjim, I remember reading a description a few years ago of the walkway. I think I rcall it is to be elevated, so probably more slender and less obtrusive than one fears (the grahpic in the presentation is’nt great, is it). Thats all I can remember sorry. Pier D is designed for Low Cost Airlines, so I guess travelators are’nt important to Michael O leary et al, but I expect there will be such along the straight part of the pier of course.

they are giving up the one competitive advantage they have over Ryanair

Perhaps not. If they held on for a year with frequent flights, they could well end up losing a lot of money on the route. By reacting immediately, they keep some form of foot hold in Cork, but one they can hold onto for a long period of time. If Ryanair want to persist, they can, but their predatory move has already been counter acted, and negated to an extent.

Is there any role for the aviation regulator in this?

Thanks Lex, thought so.

As for Marino point, how old is it? If the machinery/gen sets are getting on, it may be cheaper to close it, rather than compete with new (private) plants like this. Specially as gas prices go up.

@PDLL wrote:

My last theory is slightly more speculative and open to criticism. I would suggest that the Irish have a natural deficit in their ability to plan things of any sort in the medium to long term. Why? I think most would agree that our natural environment plays an important role in the way society shapes itself and functions. As a major element of our natural environment, we cannot underestimate the role that weather plays on the human mind (consider seasonal disorders, depression, headaches caused by atmospheric pressure etc). It seems logical to suggest that living for centuries in an extremely inconsistent climate which varies not from week to week but from our to hour will inevitably have an effect on the way we think and ultimately on the way we plan and co-ordinate our activities. Pschologically it must have an effect if endlessly we plan our outdoor activities according to short periods of climactic consistency – e.g. we can go to the beach in the morning, but it may or may not rain in 1 hour. This type of narrow confinement of the way we plan and structure our daily lives must play a part in how we plan cognitively other more major parts of our lives. It seems like an odd contention, but I am personally convinced that it has some role to play in our collective thought processes as a nation. Speculation, I know, but possibly of interest.

If anything I would argue the contrary: Irish weather is very mild by comparison with other countries. There was also a theory floating around that harsh winters etc. led more to forward planning (as one has to plan ahead for stores, and preferrably as a social group) and some have suggested it as a reason for the particular types of totalitarian regimes in more northern countries compared to southern countries (Nazism in Germany with harsh winters compared to Fascism in Italy). I am personally not entirely convinced by either of these theories though.

anyone know the location of the rezoned midleton lands discussed earlier in the context of castelands – i know its south of the N25 (?) but how close are the lands to the ‘ballinacurra’ roundabout – its a terrible planning decision to encourage large scale development south of the road – and it apparently was pushed by a number of councillors as well as maurice moloney – the key thing was that the developers promise to fund a flyover – how come the logic of land use zoning has been corrupted so much that underfunded local authorities are effectively bribed by private interests to provide infrastructure that the state should be providing?

btw – does anyone think that the sean mhuileann (?) development in blackpool looks CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP – pure 1990s tax-incentive red brick underwhelming designs – probably will be redeveloped in 10-15 years – almost as bad as the other development on commons road – cannot remember the name (advertised as dreamland)

@Radioactiveman wrote:

CCC have also refused permission for James Ronayne’s 3 storey retail (3 units) and apartment (8) building on Thomas Davis Street, Blackpool. The report found that the proposed development would result in “over-development of the site (and) would produce a living environment of low amenity value.”

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This place is quickly turning into the shopping channel 🙁

A bit rich considering they sold him the bloody site…. Noel Riordan stricks again!!!

@Graham Hickey wrote:

Yep – the cladding is in an appalling condition now too.

Actually thats not the Aer Lingus Head Office Building (HOB) but I think is (or was) known as the Technical Building or something like that. The HOB is the buidling directly in front of you as you exit the main car park in front the original Airport Hotel. If I remember correctly the Technical Builsing was refurbished sometime in the 90s so the cladding here obviously has not stood the test of time terribly well.

Spencer Dock is a suburban business park, it wouldn’t look out of place on the outskirts of some provincial US city. It’s a pure waste.
The DDA has destroyed this opportunity to redefine the city for the 21st Century. What I don’t understand is why this was not greeted with the outcry and horror and dark mutterings from the Taoiseach that Kevin Roche’s scheme was.
I do think the docklands needs to be much higher density if it’s to create the critical mass of population needed to support the kind of shops, restaurants etc that would turn it into a lively urban quarter. I think the area would have to generate its own activity and buzz before you get people venturing what is a fair distance outside the established city centre.The low-rise extended IFSC is a bleak, soulless case in point.
Two towers plonked on the waterfront is lip-service to providing some skyline interest for this terrible scheme.