APRIL 2006
NewsFour Free Community Newspaper serving Sandymount, Irishtown, Ringsend, Docklands, Ballsbridge and Donnybrook Web: www.news4.ie • E-mail: newsfourscs@eircom.net • Local Newsdesk: Phone 6673317
THE STADIUM– OVERSHADOWING THE COMMUNITY?
D
oes anyone realise the scale of the proposed redevelopment plans for Lansdowne Road Stadium? The computer-generated visualisation shown here may be eyecatching but can you imagine living underneath that huge projectory? A resident of OʼConnell Gardens told ʻNewsFourʼ: “People donʼt realise the scale of this project. Iʼm looking out at daylight at the moment but in three yearʼs time I wonʼt see the sunshine and the outlook will be dark.” If the new stadium were to be built to the current plans it would rise to 160ft, which is higher than Croke Park (115ft). Some would say this is unacceptable in the midst of a residential area. However, another resident felt there might be a danger that if they didnʼt build the stadium then the land would be sold to property developers and high rise apartments would be constructed. Itʼs not too late for these plans
to be modified and at the present time things are not going so well for Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company (LRSDC). For many months, local residents have been objecting to the proposed height of the new stadium and have made their feelings known to Dublin City Council, who have obviously been listening. After receiving the redevelopment plans to make Lansdowne Road a 50,000 seat stadium,
ON PAGES 20 to 21 James OʼDoherty takes us ʻStrolling Through The Yearsʼ in historic parts of Dublinʼs Liberties, including Marshʼs Library, above.
Dublin City Councilʼs planners have requested further information on no less than 43 points. In over 12 pages of text, DCC have requested clarification on such issues as size, landscape and ecology, traffic, noise control, fire prevention, water supply and waste management. LRSDC have six months to provide the further information required. Under issues relating to size, mass, shadowing and glare, DCC are requesting two further
perspective photomontages from the north end of Havelock Square and from the centre of OʼConnell Gardens, looking south from the front of Nos. 14/15 OʼConnell Gardens. They are also concerned about the durability of the proposed polycarbonate roof in relation to sunlight and UV radiation and how the roof will be cleaned and maintained. They require a noise analysis in relation to the effect of rain and hail.
With regard to ecological issues, DCC are concerned that any work carried out would not interfere with fish spawning in the Dodder and Swan rivers. The development company are also requested to analyse the impact on flora, fauna, otters and birds. Reasons have to be given for the removal of trees and a tree survey undertaken. Detailed work plans are being sought for the safe removal of all asbestos on the site and for the monitoring of dust levels during demolition and construction. There are also concerns regarding access for fire services. Other matters under consideration include noise nuisance, sanitation, the objection lodged by Wanderers RFC, the capacity of the proposed pedestrian underpass and the impact on the operation of the Dart. ʻNewsFourʼ readers can obtain a copy of the further information required by Dublin City Council planners from ʻNewsFourʼ, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.
DUBLIN CITY MOORINGS in the Docklands has been chosen as the home port for the inaugural Ireland Challenge which starts on 22nd April. 6 identical 72-foot yachts, each with a crew of 16, will race around Ireland non-stop over Easter.