Ireland round-up: New-look marine planning regime surfaces; Fast-track approval for South Dublin housing

New-look Irish marine planning regime surfaces

Irish ministers have announced moves to establish a fully integrated marine planning regime as the administration publishes a draft policy statement.

The Planner

Mixed fortunes for fast-track schemes in Dublin, Waterford and Wexford

Mixed fortunes for fast-track residential schemes determined by An Bord Pleanála this week:

• approval for 291-unit residential complex on a premium Blackrock site in south Dublin, previously owned by a Catholic religious order, and also a student accommodation project providing 257 bed spaces on Parnell Street, Dublin 1;
• proposals for 324 new homes on Williamstown Road, Grants town in County Waterford refused and;
• 296 new homes on the site of a former mushroom business at Gorey in County Wexford to go ahead.

Irish Independent and An Bord Pleanála

Smoky coal problem blights country towns

An internal report by the Environmental Protection Agency has revealed that people living in rural towns where smoky coal is still used face concentrations of harmful air pollutants that can be more than double those recorded in Dublin.

Irish Times

Rathcoole aparthotel blocked

An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for an aparthotel intended to accommodate short-term contract workers at Rathcoole, County Dublin, originally turned down by South Dublin County Council.

Irish Times

East Coast Greenway attracts Wicklow’s backing

More than 15,000 people have now added their names to the petition calling for a new East Coast Greenway connecting Wicklow town, Kilcoole, Newcastle and Greystones.

Irish Independent

Cliffs of Moher masterplan move

Clare County Council is putting out to tender proposals for a new masterplan to rejuvenate facilities at the country's most popular natural visitor attraction, the Cliffs of Moher, visited by 1.5 million tourists annually.

Irish Independent

Probe into damaged Cavan hill fort

The National Monuments Service is investigating a report of serious damage to a unique 3,000-year-old ‘vitrified’ hill fort close to Cavan.

Irish Examiner

New Ross museum project from JFK Trust

The JFK Trust has submitted a change of use application to Wexford County Council to convert a shop at The Quay, New Ross, into a museum and visitors centre at a cost of about €5 million.

Irish Independent

EIB agrees €50 million loan for Cork infrastructure

The European Investment Bank has approved a €50 million loan to Cork County Council to be used for infrastructure projects and the upgrade of cultural facilities.

Irish Independent

Fibre optic link project ruffles feathers in north Dublin

A plan for a landing station at Loughshinny in north Dublin for a major new transatlantic fibre optic cable, backed by Google and Facebook, is facing local opposition.

Irish Independent