Stoneybatter Matters – January 2024

STANLEY STREET HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The existing Maintenance Department for Dublin Fire Brigade is set to be relocated away from its current home off Brunswick Street. Dublin City Council, has therefore, prepared indicative plans for public housing on the site. Currently, the potential for 174 new homes is being examined; 107 one bedroom apartments, 34 two-bedroom and 33 three-bedroom homes, of which 9 units will be duplex apartments. The indicative building heights will range between three and six stories. The Housing Department intends submitting a Part 8 planning application for the project in the first half of this year. An informal public consultation will be launched shortly, once further detailed design works are completed. Officials have also indicated to me that some on-site investigative works took place in the Autumn. They are aware of a risk of contamination, with the possibility of asbestos being on site. I am currently waiting on a report arising from those investigative works and will share that information with you when it becomes available. If you have any questions or queries arising from the details outlined above, please get in touch with me at RayMcAdam@gmail.com.

BIKE BUNKER INITIATIVE

There continues to be much interest in the Bike Bunkers among Stoneybatter householders. So many people registered their interest but failed to receive any reply, update or indication of what was happening with the initiative from the City Council. Throughout 2023, I worked to get to the bottom of what happened and help secure a plan that could enable a permanent scheme to be established and availed of by Dubliners. In September, the City Council finally agreed a plan to expand the Bike Bunkers scheme over the next three years, with at least 300 bike bunkers to be deployed. A minimum of €1.5m has been allocated by the City Council and officials are in the process of finalising tender documents to select a contractor who will run the scheme on their behalf. The procurement process will begin by Easter. If you would like more detailed information on the review of the initial trial and the reports considered by Councillors in September, please email me at RayMcAdam@gmail.com and I will share that information with you.

ARE YOU RENTING? CLAIM YOUR RENTERS TAX CREDIT!

If you pay rent, you may qualify for the Rent Tax Credit. You can claim the tax credit for rent payments you made in 2022 or 2023 by making an income tax return. You can also claim the tax credit for payments made in 2024 if you are a PAYE taxpayer. The Rent Tax Credit will be available for the years 2022 to 2025. The maximum credit per individual is €750 and it is €1500 for a couple. The scheme has also been extended to allow parents claim the tax credit should they be paying for their child’s college accommodation. If you want more information on this scheme, please WhatsApp or Email me.

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PRUSSIA STREET LARGE SCALE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL Prior to Christmas, I notified householders along Prussia Street and adjoining streets with details of a possible Large Scale Residential Development planning proposal along Prussia Street. In early December, I became aware that pre-planning consultations had taken place between City Council Planning staff and Lyonshall Ltd regarding development proposals for the existing buildings between 57 and 61 Prussia Street. The proposal, as currently presented, though not formally lodged, would see the demolition of the buildings on site and construct a 373-bedspace student accommodation. I stress, no formal planning application has yet to be submitted. I wanted to make you aware that an application may be lodged in the coming weeks. I understand the landowners will seek permission to construct two development blocks that would range in height of between four and five storeys. As no formal application for planning permission has been lodged with the Planning Department, no documentation is available. Those details will be publicly available on the planning section of the Dublin City Council website when a formal application is lodged. AS YOUR local Councillor, I will make sure to share those details when they are available to me.

O’DEVANEY GARDENS REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE

As co-Chair of the O’Devaney Gardens Community Consultative Forum, I wanted to share with you some information as to the programme of work being undertaken within the O’Devaney Gardens and to keep you informed as to what further works are expected to take place over the next four to six weeks. There are two specific updates to share. Firstly, the latest with the enabling works contract that are being undertaken by HML. The second relates to the start of major construction which will be managed and delivered by SISK.

• ENABLING WORKS PROGRAMME
• The completion of works to deliver the new footpath linking Montpelier Close and Montpelier Avenue are running behind schedule.
• The realignment of the work from the existing T-junction southwards towards Montpelier Park and Montpelier Gardens is progressing but it will be February before they are expected to be concluded.
• MAJOR CONSTRUCTION WORK PROGRAMME

SISK has been selected by Bartra to undertake the major construction works on site. The initial phase of construction work will focus on the area nearest Ross Street, Ashford Street and Thor Place. As a result, 368 apartments in 5 development blocks, 11 houses, a creche and four retail units will be built. I have provided below an update on the works planned across January and February:

HOW CAN WE FURTHER ENHANCE THE GRANGEGORMAN BRING CENTRE?

My campaign last year to prevent the closure of the Grangegorman Bring Centre is moving into a new phase. Given that Dublin City Council accepted the argument I made on retaining the facility, my focus is shifting to consider to how it is that we can further improve the existing level of service provided there. Dublin City Council, last year, undertook a public survey seeking views on its recycling infrastructure. 1000 submissions were received. Some of the findings provide food for thought. Firstly, Grangegorman was the second most used Bring Centre in the entire city. Between 11am and 1pm was the most popular time, across the city, for a visit at 28%. Saturday was the most popular day (45%) for use. 78% of Bring Centre users get there by car, 26% walk there and 17% cycle. While officials consider potential actions to enhance existing services, I wanted to get your views as to how you think Dublin City Council can further improve service levels at the Grangegorman facility. So, I’d welcome your thoughts on the existing hours of operation, are there other services you would like to see provided, how we can encourage more households use the facility or any other suggestion you may have. Please email me at RayMcAdam@gmail.com your thoughts. I will be meeting with the new Chief Executive of Dublin City Council before the end of January, so if you can share your feedback with me before then, I would be grateful.

CROPPIES ACRE PARK

The Pandemic reiterated just how important our public parks and green spaces truly are. In Stoneybatter, we have Halliday Square, Thor Place, Billy Edwards Park, not to mention Grangegorman and the Phoenix Park. The Croppies Acre Park is also on our doorstep. I remember using it so often during the early months of the pandemic, when our little boy was very little and thinking that it can be so much more inviting. Since 2022, I have asked the Parks Department of Dublin City Council to look at what improvements can be made to the Croppies Acre Park and to prepare a plan to implement those changes. I am pleased to report that the Parks Department is now examining how the existing layout of the park can be upgraded and I expect further details to be shared with me in the coming weeks. When those details are available to me, I will circulate the proposals being prepared by the Parks Department and gauge your feedback on the matter.