McC
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Marx, what if you go into every pub you come accross, thereby not passing it – don’t you think that’s what Joyce meant?
Some of my thoughts on the subject:
I rented very happily for years as house prices soared around me. As soon as I made the decision to get married my thoughts turned to owning my own home. Had we been able to get security of tenure, which is possible in almost every other country in Europe, I believe, we would have continued to rent.
Why own if you could rent economically a quality premises that you could call “home” for all intents and purposes? Renting does not have to be the same price as a mortgage. Currently low interest rates and increased rents since the last (lamentable) Bacon Report make it so at the moment. Therefore I firmly believe sorting out legislation in relation to renting and encouraging a class of professional landlords is key to solving the housing crisis. Reduce demand, lower the price.
However, there is something in the Irish psyche which makes people crave ownership and eshue long-term tenancy. It’s catch 22 – tenants are transient, therefore don’t invest in quality apartments, therefore no tenants would contemplate renting on a long term basis. I believe we’re a long way from the German or Dutch model of understanding the concept of never owning one’s own home.
I work in one of those aforementioned architects’ practices employed to do planning permissions for developers. I’ve become wholy demoralised recently as I realise that our scope of work amounts to little more than draughtmanship. I’m ready and willing to pack in the private sector and join any local authority that will have me. I want to feel that my lifeswork will contribute to the solution rather than the problem – still got that naivite I guess.
Sorry about the length of this (& spelling errors) but I’ve three more thoughts: Despite being an architect involved with many housing and apartment schemes and fairly well versed in the solutions required (eg. high-density, shared-ownership, 20% social etc.), when it came to buying my own home I wouldn’t touch new build with a barge pole for the following reasons –
poor standard of usually unsuprevised construction;
too small for the price;
if affordable ususally in areas with no infrastructure;
would have to move again within three years which is not a good idea in the current market.
The house I’m lucky enough to call my own will do me for at least 10 years – enough time for just about anything to happen to the housing market.The development of “Sustainable housing” in this country is crucial i.e. houses people can live in all their lives and that are easily adapted to their changing needs and in areas with social mix – not all rows of three-beds together and avoiding “contamination” (estate agent phrase – depressing isn’t it?) from two-beds or any adjacent social housing schemes.
Last point: I have visited apartment complexes in The Netherlands where you neighbour could own his own apt. or have subsidised rent or be on social and you wouldn’t know nor would you care. We are a long way from understanding this in Ireland too.
Right, enough messing and back to the topic in hand please!
At the begining of this forum Barry Doyle noted that 14th of April was the last date for objections. Has a decision been made by now – have there been any appeals – what is the current planning status.
And Sen. Norris, if you’re watching, I’d be interested in hearing your version of the backround to the gates as many contributors here seem to want to speak for you.I can understand the need for traffic calming with the internet superhighway whooshing through one’s drawing room.
Are you serious Anna?
My main problem with the background is that it distracts one – not just from reading the content of the site but from the REAL debate in this forum. So I mention the background again with trepidation and only to implore:
Please Richard, just change it – it does nothing for nobody!I think Richard clarifies where the Frascati spelling comes from on his site http://www.frescati.homepage.com
That’s why I’m glad Richard set up his site (and advertised its existance here) because I had never heard anything about it before (only moved to Dublin 12 years ago). Memory seems to last a while, judging from some of the input here, it’s impetus that seems to die away. Please not it’s happening again – ref: Carton Estate!!
Good on you Rory W!
In the light of recently establishing Mr. O’Callaghan’s business interest (ref: recent postings in Archers’ forum) I’d like to call for a boycott of his hotels.
(Sorry for harping back to the Archers’ debacle but it’s like history has repeated itself.)Wouldn’t it be a good idea to compile a list of either
a)all properties owned by O’Callaghan or Sherborough Securities Ltd. (difficult if there’s a number of “paper” companies) or
b)owners of all listed properties.
It seems obvious that this guy is one to watch out for in the future.Hang on, is that the same O’Callaghan of O’Callaghan Hotels? as in The Alexander,the Mont Clare and more importantly The Davenport Hotel which was formerly a Masonic Hall (I think) but which definately had a listed interior which burned down one night leaving only the shell which was then converted into The Davenport??
The plot thickens!!!In fact eh!… I did. David W, you seem to be missing my point somewhat. It was after reading and learning of the fate of Frescati house in the light of the recent discussion about Archers that I wondered that no systems had changed in order to prevent something like this happening again. In each of these cases the law i.e. planning permsission protecting these buildings from demolition was simply ignored? And when a building has been demolished its already too late!
You mention Wood Quay, then there’s also Hume Street. Neither the law nor public opinion doesn’t seem to matter one whit. What lessons do you feel can be / have been learned – big business wins, money talks I suggest.
