An Bord Pleanala grant permission to demolish legion hall and build on green space

Legion Hall, Killester, photo courtesy Patrick Hugh Lynch M.Lit

An Bord Pleanala have now given the go ahead for developing and building on the green space in Killester.  The development involves demolishing the old Legion  Hall, known locally as the Judo Hall, and the loss of considerable green open space, and building a commercial creche.

The astonishing aspect of this planning decision is that the area is zoned amenity, we have adequate childcare in Killester, and a similar application was turned down earlier last year.  Another feature of this area is that there are established rights of way across the green space.

For full details on the planning history see planning application no 3841/10, Site at Middle Third Terrace, and Abbeyfield, Killester, Dublin 5.  This site has been the focus of much planning activity for a number of years now, residents want to keep the green space in the between Middle Third and Abbeyfield, and argue that the zoning for the area should not allow a development of this type and scale.

Legion Hall and green, winter 2011. Photo: Fionuala Lennon.

The green is at the centre of a garden village development, build in the 1920s, for soldiers returned from the First World War and their families.   The hall is believed to be the last remaining British Legion Hall in the Republic of Ireland.

Patrick Hugh Lynch completed academic research into the lives of First World War soldiers when they returned to Ireland, and his research documents the history of the housing development.  The local residents association, Killester Garden Village Residents’ Association contains more historical information.

As a City Councillor I tabled an amendment to the City Council’s Development Plan in 2004,  in recognition of the historical importance of the housing development which was built by the Soldiers and Sailors Land Trust for First World War soldiers and their families, the area known as The Demesne, Middle Third and Abbeyfield is listed as a residential conservation area in Dublin City Council’s Development Plan 2005-2011.

Public Meeting on Dublin Bay

Dear Resident,

I wish to invite you to a public meeting which will address the proposed expansion of Dublin Port and the consequences this will have for Dublin Bay. This is in advance of the consultation day which Dublin Port Company have arranged for Clontarf Rugby Club on April 28^th.

This issue is a matter of huge concern for many residents in the area and that is why it is crucial that the community discuss our intended response.

Speakers:

• Cllr. Dermot Lacey (Chair of the Dublin Bay Task Force)
• Bronwen Maher (Labour Party and environmental activist)
• Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (Dublin North Central)

Chair:

• Cllr Jane Horgan-Jones (Councillor, Clontarf Ward)

The meeting will take place on Tuesday 26^th April in St. Anthony’s Hall in Clontarf at 8 p.m.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Regards,

Aodhán

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD

Why are fairer societies also better at protecting the natural environment?

Why is it that some of the more equal societies are also better at looking after the environment?  Is it equality in itself that brings a greater care for environmental protection, or it is the other way around?  Do strong environmental policies by their very nature necessitate political and societal reforms that bring about a fairer distribution of resources?

The authors of ‘Spirit Level’, Richard Wilkinson & Kate Pickett, highlighted the links between equality and environmental sustainability.  Although their evidence focused on a narrow area of activity, if one looks at EU measurements on compliance it is noticeable how the equal societies identified by Wilkinson and Pickett are also good at implementing EU policy on the environment.  This theme of social justice and environment policies is developed by George Monbiot.  In his article ‘Cold Hearted’ he alerts readers to fuel poverty in the UK and makes a strong case for the need for ‘perfect synergy’ between climate change and social justice policies.