15 April 1999 Edition
Gasometer site concerns
BY TARA O LIATH
Sinn Féin representative for Dublin South East Inner City, Daithí Doolan, has expressed concern at news that a 22-acre site in Dublin has been sold for private development.
Originally constructed in the 1700s, Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin City has been connected with the gas manufacturing industry since the early 1800s. Semi-state body the Dublin Docklands Authority bought the 22-acre site from Bord Gais earlier this year and on14 April applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for a licence to begin the remediation process needed to develop the area.
The £12 million clean-up process at the demolished gasometer site, involving the excavation of 150,000 tonnes of earth and oil waste, requires the removal of oil-based pollutants and heavy metal left over from the manufacture of town gas. Environmental consultants Parkman will carry out a study as to how these are to be removed.
The main concern of local communities, however, is the future development of the site. While it could take up to two years before the remediation work is complete, contracts for development will be considered by autumn 2000.
Under the DDA's master plan, 20% of the residential units should be put aside for social and affordable housing, but according to local Sinn Féin representative Daithi Doolan, ``the 20% hasn't been agreed upon and as it stands it's not enough to solve the housing crisis in Dublin.
``There must be proper, inclusive consultation with regard to the development of this area, and so far, this has not been the case. I urge government bodies like Bord Gais to stop selling off their land for private development. This land belongs to the taxpayers and should be used for local authority housing and community development. Doolan believes this is an issue of accountability and democracy and points out that ``we are not against development, but only with the community's needs as its cornerstone''.
Sinn Féin representative for Dublin South East Inner City, Daithí Doolan, has expressed concern at news that a 22-acre site in Dublin has been sold for private development.
Originally constructed in the 1700s, Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin City has been connected with the gas manufacturing industry since the early 1800s. Semi-state body the Dublin Docklands Authority bought the 22-acre site from Bord Gais earlier this year and on14 April applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for a licence to begin the remediation process needed to develop the area.
The £12 million clean-up process at the demolished gasometer site, involving the excavation of 150,000 tonnes of earth and oil waste, requires the removal of oil-based pollutants and heavy metal left over from the manufacture of town gas. Environmental consultants Parkman will carry out a study as to how these are to be removed.
The main concern of local communities, however, is the future development of the site. While it could take up to two years before the remediation work is complete, contracts for development will be considered by autumn 2000.
Under the DDA's master plan, 20% of the residential units should be put aside for social and affordable housing, but according to local Sinn Féin representative Daithi Doolan, ``the 20% hasn't been agreed upon and as it stands it's not enough to solve the housing crisis in Dublin.
``There must be proper, inclusive consultation with regard to the development of this area, and so far, this has not been the case. I urge government bodies like Bord Gais to stop selling off their land for private development. This land belongs to the taxpayers and should be used for local authority housing and community development. Doolan believes this is an issue of accountability and democracy and points out that ``we are not against development, but only with the community's needs as its cornerstone''.