Minutes of the Clane Area Meeting of 25th September 2001 in St. Mary’s, Naas
Present were: Councillors J. Reilly, M. Fitzpatrick, T. McEvoy & PJ Sheridan
Also present: S. Stokes Co. Secretary, K. Kelly, D. O’Connor, J. O’Neill, S. Donohoe, M. Foley
CL1/0901 – Confirmation of Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 10th July 2001 were adopted on the proposal of Cllr. Reilly, seconded by Cllr. Sheridan.
Matters Arising from the Minutes
Deputation from Allenwood Residents Association
Cllr. Reilly said a written response should have issued to the deputation following their meeting with the members in July. The County Secretary said it was usual to issue a report to the members first for their approval and then to send it on to the deputation.
Wheel bins for Carbury
Cllr. Reilly referred to the motion passed at the July meeting, which said that the environment overseer had been asked to examine the Old Court/Kishavana area of Carbury to ascertain if the wheel bin route could be extended there. He said the residents hadn’t heard anything and he asked if this could be followed up.
Prosperous GAA Club
Cllr. Sheridan referred to a reply he had received from Phil Hickey that there had been no correspondence from Prosperous GAA Club regarding compensation for the demolition of the handball alley. He said he had given the correspondence to Kevin Kelly and he asked him to follow it up.
Speed Limits
Pat Cleary reported that the Gardaí were still not in favour of extending the 40mph limit to Clongowes Wood College but they had agreed to monitor that situation. The 40mph speed limit from Edenderry to Derrinturn would be included in the next revision which was due for approval by the full Council the following Monday as would the 40mph limit past Blackhall Cross and the extension of the 30mph limit on the Carbury side of Allenwood. Cllr. McEvoy reiterated his request regarding the limit at Clongowes Wood and he was advised to talk to the Sergeant responsible, Michael Keevans. Cllr. Sheridan complimented the Area Engineer on the work done on the road at Newtown but said that it was now resulting in speeding there. Pat Cleary said that area was included in the list for Council approval.
Public Lighting
Sylvia Donohoe circulated a revised list of public lighting in the area. The list was approved with the following changes:
· Item 13 – additional lighting at Donadea Cross – check price as it seems excessive
· Item 20 – additional lighting to GAA field Kilcock – check development levies
· Item 23 – additional lighting from Mapletoft to school – defer
· Item 24 – additional lighting at Derymullen – defer
· Item 30 – 1 light at entrance to Ballyteague GAA hall – defer
· Item 34 – remove from list
CL2/0901 – Sealing of Documents
None
CL3/0901 – Planning Files
Pauric Byrne, Smithstown, Maynooth
Cllr Sheridan inquired as to why the son of an existing landowner was refused planning permission for a dormer bungalow and garage for domestic use and Kevin Kelly said it appeared to be unusual but he undertook to investigate.
01/89 – Michael Hanlon and 01/715 Christy Doran
Councillors Fitzpatrick and Sheridan referred to the stipulation on these developers to sign Section 38 agreements guaranteeing that the houses would be sold to local people and they said that the developers felt aggrieved. Kevin Kelly said that there was a greater focus on the Strategic Planning Guidelines now and they had statutory effect. He acknowledged that it was hard to be prescriptive as to what constituted local need and the planners were willing to look at anything which went some way to meeting the spirit of the SPGs. He suggested that these developers should consider replying as to how their developments met local needs and it would be given consideration.
01/1744 – Jimmy Mallon
Cllr Sheridan said that there were roads issues involved with this application now and Cllr. Fitzpatrick called for a meeting with everyone involved. Kevin Kelly said he would arrange a meeting if necessary and let the members know.
Alan Shaw, Kilcock
Cllr Sheridan said this developer was reluctant to apply for planning permission for a proposed nursing home in Kilcock without guidance. Kevin Kelly advised that he submit a site map and a brief outline of his proposals.
99/2165 – Richard & Helen Browne
Cllr. Reilly referred to previous discussions at the May and July meetings about this application. He said that issues regarding ownership etc. had been clarified at those meetings with the planners present but there was still no conclusion. He asked that this application be dealt with urgently and brought to a speedy conclusion.
01/820 – Sean & Frances Harris
Cllr. Fitzpatrick referred to the withdrawal by these developers of their application for 11 houses at Kilmeague but he said they were prepared to reduce the number of houses if the Council would look favourably on that proposal. Kevin Kelly said he would discuss this matter with the planners and establish what is allowable.
CL4/0901 – Deputations
None
CL5/0901 – Kilcock Celtic FC – Pitch Allocation
Cllr. Sheridan referred to the request from Kilcock FC for a pitch to be allocated to them at Bawnogues. The County Secretary said that the final use of the land at Bawnogues had not yet been determined but the intention was to allocate it for general use. The members agreed with Cllr. Sheridan’s proposal that they table a recommendation to the full Council viz. “That the Clane Area Committee recommends that Kilcock Football Club get an allocation of land at Bawnogues”
CL6/0901 – Kilcock & District Community Council Correspondence
The County Secretary referred to correspondence from Kilcock & District Community Council seeking to enter into a formal understanding between themselves, Meath and Kildare County Councils and enclosing a draft memorandum of understanding for the Council’s approval, which covered three issues viz. (1) Bawnogues Lane, (2) Integrated Area Development Plan of the Square, (3) Kilcock and its Environs. Cllr. Sheridan pointed out that there were representatives from Kilcock on the Strategic Policy Committees and the County Development Board at which fora they had adequate opportunity to make representations. Cllr. Reilly said he resented the implication that the Council was doing nothing for Kilcock. Cllr. McEvoy suggested that the Committee should enter into positive dialogue with them. The members agreed to seek the view of senior Council officials on the Community Council’s proposals before making any decision.
CL7/0901 – Children’s Playgrounds
Deferred
CL8/0901 – Multi Annual Road Works Programme 2002 – 2005
Des O’Connor reported that the DOE&LG had asked all County Councils to review their original road works programme. There was no change in the financial allocation to each county. The revised programme had been submitted to the DOE&LG at the end of July with changes proposed by the members incorporated in it. The members asked for a copy of the revised plan for Clane.
CL9/0901 – Presentation by Community & Enterprise Dept.
Deferred.
CL10/0901 – Report on Sewage Plant, Coill Dubh Village
Michael O’Leary SE reported that he had applied to the DOE&LG under the Strategic Land Initiative for approval for the sewage plant and had received same with two conditions. He had written to the developer MDY Ltd. and didn’t envisage any problem. He was awaiting a reply. He expected the work to be complete in 12 to 18 months.
CL11/0901 – Election of Cathaoirleach
Cllr. Sheridan proposed Cllr. Fitzpatrick as the next Cathaoirleach of the committee and Cllr. Reilly seconded him. Cllr. Reilly, the outgoing Cathaoirleach, thanked the members and officials for their co-operation during the year.
CL12/0901 – EIS for Development of Groundwater at Robertstown
John Murphy SE introduced Gerry Cronin and Jim Oliver from Nicholas O’Dwyer consultants who wished to discuss the EIS for the groundwater abstraction from the Robertstown Gravel Aquifer. They circulated information on existing water sources, future demand, future sources, technical issues relating to the Robertstown Aquifer, key project tasks and milestones and the elements of the EIS.
John Murphy explained that they were seeking approval to develop the well fields to their full potential. At the moment the well fields provide more than is required so all the water won’t be abstracted from the beginning but there will be future capacity after they are developed. In reply to a question from Cllr. Fitzpatrick he said that the proposed landfill two miles away will have to prove that there will be no negative effect on the well fields from its development. Cllr. Sheridan thanked the consultants for working so fast on this project and he inquired about the need for CPOs. John Murphy said that public consultation was part of the EIS process and they had good agreements in place with local landowners.
CL13/0901 – Councillors Questions
Councillor Fitzpatrick
(i) What recent action has Council taken in regard to semi-detached house at Staplestown (previously discussed at area meeting)?
The County Secretary reported that the health board had dealt with the problem with the rats. The matter was now with Planning Section as it was a derelict site.
(ii) What is the current position regarding Courtown Park, Kilcock re taking in charge remainder of estate and the problem with sewerage drains?
Michael O’Leary Se reported that there was a problem with the pumping station. The developer had been asked to sort it out. The Council will then request a video survey of the pipes and if they are in order the estate will be taken in charge. There has been no reply from the Developer yet. The members asked for a written report.
(iii) Could County Engineer give a time scale for completion of road reinstatements in Ballyteague and Allenwood areas – started last year? Also update on the progress by Road Design on improvements to Skew Bridge, Allenwood and Hendy’s Bridge, Ballyteague?
John O’Neill AE reported that most of the roads had been reinstated. The members seek a report from Road Design on Skew Bridge and Hendy’s Bridge.
(iv) When is it expected to have link road at Littletown opened and how is it expected to deal with the existing road?
John O’Neill AE reported that work on the link road at Littletown was going ahead. The Council had agreed to pay legal fees. There was no decision on what to do with the existing road – it could be officially closed or bollards could be installed.
(v) Highfield Park Residents Association, Kilcock – correspondence
John O’Neill said he had carried out some repairs to roads and paths with money from the discretionary grants but it was piecemeal. Cllr. Sheridan said he had allocated some money from his discretionary grants and he would appreciate if the other members would do the same. All of Cllr. Reilly’s grant money had been allocated but Councillors Fitzpatrick and McEvoy allocated £2,000 each.
(vi) When will a submission for phase 2 of Allenwood Sewerage Scheme be submitted to the DOE?
Michael O’Leary reported that approval had been received for phase 1 only and approval for phase 2 would be sought later.
(vii) Will this Committee give its unanimous support to the Full Council to have the invalid road at Ballyteague taken-in-charge?
The members agreed to recommend that the invalid road at Ballyteague be taken in charge.
(viii)Has this Council any proposals to prevent flooding of Charlie’s’ cottage at Kilmurray, Clane.
John O’Neill reported that he intended to raise the kerbs in that location. The members asked that he write to them informing them of same.
(ix) What is the current position regarding the dysfunctional chimney at 705 Ashgrove, Carbury.
A report from Housing Section said that a survey was carried out on this chimney in October 1998. A guidance note was sent to the tenant regarding burning fuel, which produces less tar. An engineer spoke to the tenant in May 2000 and the tenant stated that he had followed the advice from the guidance note and had no further problems with the chimney. No further complaints had been made to date. Cllr. Fitzpatrick said the tenant was still having problems and it was agreed to refer the matter back to housing
CL14/0901 - Notice of Motion – Cllr. Tony McEvoy
“That a report might be produced on the possibility of closing the pedestrian access between Hillview Estate in Clane and the Kilcock opposite the Woods Centre.
The location is a venue for loitering, littering, incursion into the adjoining garden and vandalism to trees, intimidation and other abuses.”
Cllr. Sheridan said that not all the residents were in favour of closing the pedestrian access. The motion was adopted however and the County Secretary pointed out that residents could make representations during the public consultation process.
Cl15/0901 - Notice of Motion – Cllr. Tony McEvoy
“That a report might be produced on the prospects of connecting a number of houses along the course of the sewer line which was laid from Kilcock out to Courtown”
Michael O’Leary said that there was no sewer beyond the motorway bridge and he advised that the residents look for a group scheme.
CL16/0901 - Notice of Motion – Cllr. M. Fitzpatrick
“That houses outside Coill Dubh village on the Brockagh Road be connected to Coill Dubh sewerage scheme when it is being upgraded.”