Petition – Cherry Orchard Point LDA plan

To: An Bord Pleanála

64 Marlborough Street, D1

From: Residents of Cedarbrook and like-minded parties

Case: 318607

We strongly oppose the granting of planning permission for the proposed development and its potential impact on our community. Our concerns, voiced with sincerity and rooted in the wellbeing of our community seem to be falling on deaf ears in the face of this planning process. It is imperative that these concerns are acknowledged and thoroughly addressed in the planning process to ensure a sustainable and harmonious integration of any new development within the community.

Right to Light

Rights to Light in Republic of Ireland states that “A right to light is the right to access light through windows, skylights or other apertures without obstruction by the owner of another property due to its height.”

The proposed structure of multi-storey and high rise buildings will directly block sunlight from the properties facing the proposed developments due its height.

Blocking the sunlight will increase long standing issues with humidity and mould build ups in our apartments. In conjunction, there are also individuals suffering with heavy depression to whom daylight and sunlight are of particular importance:

·       Our request is for two-storey houses as opposed to high-rise buildings as a solution to accommodate growth while preserving our community's character. 

·       We oppose the construction of high-rise buildings and would like to have a maximum of two-storey building, similar to the new development built on Cloverhill Road or Cherry Orchard, opposite St. Ulan’s School

·       Blocking and Obstruction of light for properties facing the new development will substantially reduce their Building Energy Rating and force them to use excessive levels of heating and artificial light. This will disproportionately affect people both financially and from a mental health point of view.

·       We would like to see the technical report of the “Right to Light” survey which has been undertaken.

Childcare

There is a need for more schools and kindergartens for the children, who already live in the area. At present the spaces are insufficient to serve the current needs.

·       We strongly advocate for another primary and a new secondary school to be built to accommodate the children in the area.

Crime / Anti-Social Issues

As residents of Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10, we are deeply concerned about the future of our community. We live in an area that already has a significant scale of social housing - nearly 20% in Cedarbrook alone. Our community is grappling with issues such as criminal activities, drug dealing, and anti-social behaviour whilst not having a strong Gardai presence within the area. Increasing the density of housing will only exacerbate these problems:

·       We request a higher Gardai presence in the area and the opening of a new Cherry Orchard Garda Station prior to the building work commencing.

Traffic Congestion

We are located close to the M50 and as such all adjacent roads to Cedarbrook (Cedarbrook Avenue, Cloverhill Road and Station Road) suffer from high volume traffic, noise pollution, and environmental degradation. This is not just at peak hours but consistently throughout the day. Any further development must be mindful of these existing challenges and incorporate sustainable solutions:

·       We urge for infrastructure to be put in place before any additional development is undertaken. 

·       A new M50 (exit 8) to be opened prior the building project starts.

·       With a high presence of Children already living in the area, we need additional Traffic Calming Measures to be put in place to slow down traffic in and around Cedarbrook area.

·       The through road to Cherry Orchard Hospital (By the Community Garden Centre) to be opened.

Health and Safety

As all roads in the estate (In particular Cedar Brook Walk and Cedar Brook Place) are owned by Cherry Orchard Avenue Management Company CLG, we would like to receive a Health and Safety Study in conjunction with details of Risk Assessments carried out prior the commencement of the project to establish:

·        Confirmation that access routes to and from the construction site will be independent of Cedarbrook roads, specifically those already mentioned in this paragraph and no truck or commercial vehicles should be going through the estate at any point.

·       Emergency services and Fire safety is another concern. The fire brigade and ambulance services must review the proposals in light of the equipment available to them and their access needs. We would like visibility of this report.

Project Management and Contacts

As this is due to be a long standing project (with multiple stages), which will specifically impact all residents within the area, we would request that proper channels are established to deal with all issues ranging from day to day inconveniences to more extreme events. Specifically:

·       The measures that will be in place to prevent “Dust, Noise, Anti-Social Behaviour over the lifespan of the project. 

·       The findings of any Environmental Impact Study taken before the project begins and when will this be made available?

·       The establishment of a community engagement individual who can liaise with the residents of Cedarbrook.

·       Details of who the Project Manager is and how we contact them?

·       Information of where the Project Site Office is going to be located. 

·       Details of how we contact: D.C.C appointed Road Works Control Inspectors.

·       Detailed explanation of what Direction/Control Ballyfermot Civic Office will have on this Project?

·       The name of the Company who has the Tender to begin Construction.

·       Information regarding how changes to the above personnel be communicated as the project moves within its own lifecycle and from phase to phase.

Public Transport

Public transport within the area is extremely lacking in terms of connections to neighbouring areas and facilities. We would specifically request that:

·       The public transport network must be improved prior to adding additional housing. Presently there is no direct connection from Cedarbrook/Park West to Liffey Valley shopping centre and other key neighbouring areas.

·       Train connections are increased as the existing schedule to and from the City Centre is extremely restricted in the evening at the weekend.

·       The Luas line is extended from Long Mile Road over to Park West/ Cedarbrook and then on to Liffey Valley to improve connectivity and reduce high volume traffic.

Residential Privacy

Presently Cedarbrook has issues with illegal dumping of rubbish by individuals who do not reside here. Also, there is a long standing issue of the estate being used as a shortcut by cars passing through. There can be reasonable assumption that these issues will increase significantly once the new development is under construction and built. Our concerns are:

·       We aim to prevent Cedarbrook Walk from turning into a thoroughfare for external traffic. We will seek to maintain it as a private road to our estate.

·       We suggest a gated entry system for Cedarbrook at both exits to keep the estate safe from speeding cars and increased dumping. We would request that Dublin City Council support any future application for planning permission regarding this request.

Commercial Units within the new Development

As we understand the present situation, the plan is for commercial outlets to be sold at the end of construction and according to market forces.

·       We have significant concerns over this plan, as it will leave empty commercial spaces, reminiscent of the previous situation in ParkWest when these spaces had to revert to housing.

·       We need commitments from Dublin City Council that the community will have a veto on what commercial enterprises can operate, we have no desire to see business that will bring no community substance to the area such as vape shops, off licenses, phone shops etc.

·       We would like assurances that the retail space will be used for businesses such as cafes and green grocers etc. 

·       Vacant property should be offered to local groups at peppercorn rent for community projects such as libraries and meeting spaces.

·       At least one commercial property should be managed permanently by Dublin City Council and offered for shared use to local groups.

Please join us in urging local authorities to consider these concerns before proceeding with any further development plans - sign this petition today!