Older residents may remember the excitement of 1982, when Claremont Residents Association had five General Meetings in one year.
In 1981, the Association had approached the Corporation with a wish to have playing fields provided for our rapidly mushrooming teenage population. We had our eye on the 14 acres of derelict land between here and Hart's Corner (now Clareville Estate). Instead the Corporation officials told us they had plans prepared to build 106 houses on the land.
The land had previously belonged to Dublin Cemeteries Committee. Because of the shallow and damp nature of the land, it had been deemed unsuitable for graves. The Cemeteries Committee had let it to the Glasnevin Football Club, known as "The Diggers," but, on the outbreak of World War 2, it had been ceded to the Corporation for vegetable allotments. Around 1960, the allotments closed down and the possession of the land returned to the Cemeteries Committee. The cemetery contracted to sell the land to a builder, provided he could get planning permission. Planning permission was refused on the basis that the land was required for Active Open Space for the community. So, the cemetery sold the land to the Corporation. Now the Corporation proposed to build houses on the land, in a greater density than that proposed by the private builder, and with houses backing onto the Finglas Road.
At the 1981 Annual General Meeting of the Residents Association, motions were passed opposing the Corporation's plans and urging the Committee to form a Joint Action Group with other Residents Association of Glasnevin and Phibsboro to oppose the plan. This was done, and significant local opposition to the plan was aroused. Our TDs and local representatives were strongly canvassed and demonstrations with placards organised on the roadside adjoining the site.
Early in 1982 a difference arose between the Committee of the Residents Association and the Action Group, because the Action Group felt that a compromise with the Corporation, arranged by the Committee without consultation with the group, was not the best that could be achieved. A Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association was called, which backed the approach of the Action Group.
Next, the Action Group strongly canvassed the local representatives and came to the conclusion that a compromise was necessary, but drew up the terms of the compromise themselves. This compromise plan was accepted by another Extraordinary General Meeting. Notwithstanding their previous indication of agreement to the compromise, the Corporation officials now rejected the compromise and decided to proceed with their original plan. This was passed slyly at an August meeting of the City Council, when our supporting representatives were on holiday, and the Action Group had no members present in the public gallery.
Next, we had to arrange meetings, through Bertie Ahern, with Minister Ray Bourke in Leinster House. Ray Bourke put a limit of 60 houses on the site. An election followed soon after, with a change of government, and we were back in Leinster House meeting Minister Dick Spring. He was already familiar with the matter, as he had met the Action Group in Claremont Court during the election campaign, and he confirmed Ray Bourke's order.
With that introduction, you will find the following Minutes of the General Meetings to be quite interesting, as well as the report on the 14 Acre Site, published in the September 1982 (11 page) Newsletter.
Minutes
-1981 AnnuaI General Meeting
THE
1981 A.G.M. of
the
Clarernont
Residents
Association was held in St. Vincent's Sports Complex on 30/9/81 at 8.00
p.m. The agenda was adopted as proposed.
The
minutes of the previous AGM were read by the outgoing Secretary Emmet McMahon.
The minutes of the previous General Meeting were adopted as written.
The Chairman,
Mr P. Killeen then delivered his report.
A
note of thanks to the Chairman and Committee was proposed by Mr.
Lauri Hogan.
The
treasurer Mr. Bill Hyland then issued his report. After clarification of some
details queried by Mr. Hogan the report was accepted.
The Election of a new Committee was then undertaken.
Dr.
Oliver McHugh was nominated as Chairman by Mr. Ernmet McMahon, and seconded by Mr.
B. Hyland. There being no other candidates Dr. McHugb was declared elected.
John Sheill was nominated as Treasurer by B. Hyland and seconded by M.
Walsh and declared elected. The following Committee members were then
nominated: Derek Clements, Tony Jenkins, Julie Come, John Maye, Aine Sheehan,
Peter Fulton, Liam Fox, Conor McMahon and Helen Feeney.
A
proposal that the position of Secretary be referred to the discretion of the
new committee was proposed by Paul McSweeney and seconded by M. Walsh.
This proposal was accepted. A proposal that E. Fox be retained as auditor was
made by L. Hogan and
accepted. A further motion that the annual subscription be left at £5 was
proposed by B. Hyland and seconded by L. Hogan.
This proposal was adopted.
The
meeting then turned its attention to the question of the 14 acres. A motion
that a special meeting be called to discuss the question of the 14 acres site was
proposed by Eugene Hughes and seconded by Manus O'Riordan. This motion was
defeated by 33 votes to 23. A discussion then followed in which conflicting
views were expressed. A motion that the situation be left as it was, and that
the new committee act in a manner consistent with that of the outgoing
committee was proposed by Paul McSweeney. After further discussion this motion
was withdrawn on the basis that it was unnecessary to amend the original motion
relating to the site viz: "That the Association seeks the development of
the site between Claremont Court and Tower View Cottages as public open space
with playing fields, and opposes the use of any part of the site for parking of
heavy vehicles."
A
number of motions relating to other topics were then discussed. Teresa Killeen
proposed a motion that a Festival should be held, preferably in early July, and
this motion was adopted, A further motion of thanks to the committee and, in
particular, the Killeens was proposed by Maire Mhic Mhathuna and this was adopted.
A proposal by Marjorie Chawke that a joint committee of Residents Associations
be formed, if feasible, with a view to harmonising an approach on the 14 acre
site was agreed to.
A
discussion on a barbecue-cum-fireworks evening for
Halowe'en night resulted in agreement on a controlled activity
on that evening.
The
meeting concluded at 10.30 p.m.
Minutes
-Extraordinary General Meeting 5 March 1982
Minutes Extraordinary General
Meeting 25th March 1982
A SPECIAL General Meeting of Claremont Residents Association was held at St Vincent's School Canteen on Thursday 25th
March 1982. The meeting had been convened to discuss Dublin Corporations plan
for the 14 acre cemetery site adjoining Claremont Estate.
Seventy-three
were represented at the meeting. Proceedings commenced at
8.45 p.m.
The Treasurer
opened the meeting and thanked those present for attending. He explained the
purpose of the meeting and the reason he was in the chair. He said it was his
intention to have the views of as many members as possible and to get a clear
directive from the Association on the action they wished to be taken at this
time. He then went on to give the chronology of Dublin Corporations actions
since 1974 with regard to the 14 acre site,. followed by a brief but detailed
account of more recent developments in the matter. He explained about the
setting up of the Joint Action Group for the 14 acre site at a General Meeting
of Glasnevin and Districts Residents on 23 October 1981.
There
followed a long discussion on the options open to the Association and the
Corporations long-term plan for the Glasnevin area. Then Mr. P. Killeen
proposed a resolution which was seconded by Mr. D. Sewell, Resolution: "That
the plan now passed by the Housing Committee be rejected."
Voting was on
the register i.e., one vote per household. The resolution was carried by 57 votes
to 8. There were a number of abstentions.
Further
discussion then took place which led to the following resolution being proposed
by Mr. D. Sewell and was seconded by Mr T. O'Leary: Resolution: "That
from now on. all matters relating to the 14 acre site. be dealt with by the
Joint Action Group."
an amendment
was proposed by Mr M. Brophy and seconded by Mr. B. Hyland
to the effect: "That no compromise be agreed by the
J.A.G. without first coming back to C1aremont Residents Association."
The
resolution with amendment was carried by 56 votes to 2 with some abstentions.
There then followed some further discussion which resulted in a resolution
being proposed by Mr P. Killeen and seconded by Mr E McMahon: Resolution: "That
no compromise should be negotiated by the J.A.G. that does not include a full
size soccer pitch."
This
resolution was defeated by 29 votes to 18, there being a large number of
abstentions.
After further
discussion the meeting was adjourned at 11.15 p.m.
Minutes
-Extraordinary General Meetings 28/4/82 and31/4/82
Minutes
Extraordinary Meeting 31/4/82
THE
CHAIRMAN briefly went through the minutes of previous general meeting.
The
meeting between the Corporation and Joint Action Group was outlined, suggesting as
a result a possible compromise plan.
J.
Sheil proposed the motion that the
compromise plan outlined in the newsletter be accepted.
He
said that of the local politicians only G. Colley fully supported the whole
area being retained for open space. The others were in favour of a compromise.
He felt that if a compromise plan was not put forward, the Corporation would go
ahead with their own plans regardless. He thought that of the maximum 50 houses
in the plan about 20 would be for the disabled.
Mr
E Hughes spoke against the motion, while a number of people spoke in favour of
it including B.
Meehan, J McLoughlin,
C.McMahon, B.Hyland and B.Loughlan,
The
motion was carried by 65 votes to 8. With the permission of the meeting, Mr E.
Fox presented a brief statement concerning a proposed development on the
Estate, A number of others spoke in support including P. M. Sweeney, P. McCann,
S. O'Connor, T. Cooke and R. Bromwell.
Some worries
were expressed about the car park.
E. McMahon
suggested that Charleville L.T .C. be supported in
their efforts to purchase that portion of the land immediately backing on to
Claremont for the purpose of an enlarged tennis club.
Following a short discussion the
Chairman terminated the meeting.
A third
Extraordinary General Meeting was convened by the Executive Committee on 28
April 1982 on receipt by the Chairman on 21 Apri11982 of the necessary
requisition in that behalf signed by the required number of registered members. The
purpose of the meeting as requisitioned was to consider the position arising
from a proposed commercial development on the Estate for which planning
permission had been obtained,
The meeting
was held at St Vincent's School Sports Complex and ... residents attended
representing ... households.
The
proceedings were opened by the Secretary, who took the chair in the unavoidable
absence of the Chairman, who attended later. After an extensive discussion the
Meeting unanimously decided to establish a special subcommittee to deal with
this matter. The following members, on indicating their willingness to serve,
were then appointed to the sub-committee, which was permitted to select its own
officers. Sub-committee:
Jim
Doyle, Pat Donohoe, Nicholas Carolan, Lauri Hogan, Jim Stewart, Bob Loughan, Eddie Fox.
This concluded the business of the meeting which was then terminated by the Chairman.
Extraordinary General Meeting on Tuesday 8th June 1982
AT A sub committee meeting held on Tuesday 25th May 1982 it was resolved that an Extraordinary General Meeting should be called to up-date and report to C.R.A. and Residents on progress relating to the proposed development on the estate. Prior to commencement of EG.M., the Chairman of C.R.A. received a letter from the solicitor of the resident concerned in the proposed development, thus the sub committee found themselves in a "Sub Judice" situation and could not therefore hold an open discussion on relevant points relating to the proposed development. Under these circumstances the sub committee replied, to the best of their ability, on questions and points raised from members present Up to date report from sub committee re: Proposed Commercial Development on Claremont Estate, Glasnevin -WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
Further
to our Sub-Committee election having received a Mandate from the Residents to
investigate the above development, work and investigations
have progressed satisfactorily to-date.and we would like to take this
opportunity to thank the C.R.A. and Residents for the enormous support we have
received.
It is interesting to note that work has
not commenced on the proposed development, but a further application has been
lodged by the developer in connection
with the proposed development in relation to the Site.
The Sub-Committee are presently investigating the significance of this further and will deal with the matter as it arises.
14 ACRE SITE BESIDE CEMETERY
In October '81 a Joint Action Group for Playing Fields in Glasnevin was formed by the residents of the Glasnevin area, to press for the development ofthe above site as public open spaCe with playing fields. The site is owned by the Corporation which plans to develop 1OY.! acres mainly for housing. The "Joint Action Group" after numerous meetings with Dublin Corporation otlicials, public representatives, and local residents associations, fonnulated a compromise proposal for this site. This compromise plan was agreed by the majority of the associations in the Joint Action Group and it basically consisted of:
(1) Provision for 40 to
50 houses.
(2) Provision for one Public Playing
Field.
(3) Provigion for on-site car parking.
(4) Provision for amenity park with some tennis courts.
The plan is
still with the Dept. of the Environment and the Joint Action Group has written
to the Minister outlining its objections to the Corporations plan to build on
this site. A meeting is being arranged with the Minister for the Environment
and his officials to urge them to cancel the Corporations latest plan in favour ofour
compromise proposal. The following course of action has been decided on by the
Joint Action Group:
(I) To form a limited company called the
"Glasnevin Combined Residents AssociaLion Ltd", this
has recently been done.
(2) To open a separate
Bank Account and to start a campaign requesting funds.
(3) To meet all
the 5 local T.D.'s and to urge them to fully
support our compromise proposal.
It should be noted that Mr Tony Gregory T .D. has not supported out compromise plan. We would urgently request that all those people who support our campaign should write to their local T.D.'s stating their support for the Joint Action Group compromise proposals. This is most important as this action will illustrate to the politicians once again the streng(h of feeling there is in the locality concerning this issue.
(4) To issue a petition to be signed by
those who support our campaign.
(Included in the September 1982 Newsletter.
No comments:
Post a Comment