Waterford Alliance for Sustainable Inner City Development.

mad man

From this weeks Munster Express.

Meeting on city centre shopping centre plans

The Waterford Alliance for Sustainable Inner City Development has commenced its “consultation process” on the development of the Michael Street, Alexander Street, Stephens Street, New Street and Castle Street area.


At a public meeting in the Old Manor School on Monday evening, the campaign group committed itself to engaging in dialogue with local residents, businesses, schools and community and voluntary organisations.

“There is an urgent need for widespread consultation over the future development of our area,” says alliance committee member and local resident Una Ryan. “We understand that KRM Construction Partnership are currently preparing a second planning application. We want to make sure that all issues of concern to local residents and businesses, and indeed the wider public of Waterford, will be considered in advance of this application. KRM did not consult adequately over their first application. We will not tolerate such a poor attitude again”.


Concern was expressed at Monday’s meeting over the impact a new shopping centre could have on the quality of life of Inner City residents. Overshadowing and overlooking, traffic congestion and parking, and noise and air pollution will have to be seriously addressed by the developers if there was to be any chance of their plans being acceptable.

The potential impact on small businesses, especially on Michael Street, John Street and New Street, is especially serious, and there is a danger that the construction work will force some shops to close down for good. The meeting also expressed support for the residents of Railway Square who are seeking to ensure that one of the prime retail units at the new development opposite their homes will not be turned into a fast-food restaurant.


“We were very heartened by the turnout at our meeting,” Una Ryan says. “The local residents are the real experts on living in the Inner City. We are determined that their expertise will not be ignored when it comes to any future planning applications in our area”.
Despite the personal pleas by the City Engineer Conn Murray and the outgoing Mayor Hilary Quinlan, the WASICD are still determined to scupper any new development in the former St Stephens Brewery site. The sheer scale of arrogance by these people is evident in the last paragraph of this piece.

Having no democratic mandate or qualifications they make the audacious claim of having 'expertise' in the area. The situation now seems to be that despite the democtaric rezoning of the site and threat to Waterford that has been outlined by the real experts, any new developments will be dragged through every last bureaucratic hurdle.I would not be surprised if you saw this going through the courts like the North Quays.

The type of rhethoric we have seen so far has included misinformation that all the residents of New St. were opposed to rezoning.The fact is it was just one.

This is the latest lie that WASCID has expertise in what is best for the city.So far the only expert that has lended her name to WASCID is Dr. Catherine Swift.The afore mentioned doctor is an expert in archaology.period.Also Dr. Colman Etchingham who is a Historian at NUI Maynooth.Also not a town planner.

The question is can anything be done to counteract these people.Contrary to what they are saying these activities are an afront to democracy,prosperity and sustainable development. Apart from a sock full of pool balls as suggested by a previous poster,I am personally at a loss.Incidently I do not condone violence or intimidation regardless of how tempting it is.

However I do believe that these people who have been encouraged by a person with a name similar to Bernard McCan't are incapable of acknowledging that they may actually wrong.I think their aim is win regardless of the costs.I thinks this should be a grave concern to everyone in Waterford.

I am trying to organise an online think tank in opposition to these arseholes.

All suggestions would be welcome.

merlante

Catherine Swift is just a local nutcase. Like Brendan McCann, all of these people have a distinct look of crazy off them. You wouldn't let them mind your kids, so don't let them "look after" your city!

Good arguments become secondary when you've got yourself a mob, as they have. "Sustainable development alliance" indeed. Might as well have picked "sensible choice alliance". They have some nerve claiming the middle ground on this!

All I can say is, where's the rest of Waterford?

mad man

merlante wrote:

Catherine Swift is just a local nutcase.

I'm curious.My knowledge of her is only in regard to Bernard McCan'ts group and the fact that she is involved in Save Viking Waterford group.Is there something else?

merlante wrote:

All I can say is, where's the rest of Waterford?

This is the thing.You can call door to door with a petition to oppose the a development.You can give some spin about nasty developers,Parks for our kids being bulldozed and old people being thrown out on the street and the avarage person will think "shock horror.I can't let this happen".

You could also go around door to door with a petition in support and spin an equally populist line like,Potrntially 1000 jobs in the city and the regeneration of the largest derelict inner city area.The same person would sign the petition.


The rest of Waterford are either unaware of all the facts,are indifferent or are willing to tut,tut from the sidelines.

IMO most people are pissed off with Bernard McCan't and his entourage of NIMBYs.I have only seen one person defending him on this forum and this person resorted to calling people who didn't come around to her line of thinking as Nazis.The only other person I believe was just a visitor to the Waterford forum and did not know the full facts.I looked at this persons other posts and I think they are basically a troll with the amount of disagreement with just abut everyone.

What I am proposing is trying to organise somthing that will do something to counter McCan't and his crew.It doesn't have to be time consuming.It can be as simple as a few emails and letters to the Newspapers.

Bards

I'm all for that :-)

merlante

Me too. I'm in.

merlante

As for Catherine Swift, I think I talked to her for a few second at a 'Save Viking Waterford' stall on Broad st. ages ago. She didn't seem to have a handle on all the issues, in my view. And I agreed with her on that one!

Basically, you're talking about a few idealists, who have somehow only had minimum contact with the real world, campaigning for X, Y and Z that sound great, but that may have objections against them.

I believe that they are the sort that are just incapable of seeing the other side of the story. It disappoints me to hear that the save viking waterford people have teamed up with McCann.

Also, yes, petitions demonstate nothing.

Bards

We elect representives every 5 years (Local elections) to express the peoples views on how the City should be run. These objectors do not have an electoral mandate from the citizens, and SHOULD not be allowed hijack the Democratic planning system, becuase it WILL bring the whole planning process into disrepute if nothing else.

If everyone wrote letters to the local media, City Hall, Bord Pleanala, Sitting and Wanna-be TD's outlining this fact then maybe we might force legislaters to change the rules with regard to submissions/objections.

merlante

Indeed. Maybe if we put a letter up here and asked for as many people to print it out and send it to various people, that might do something?

But I think that ultimately, like that crowd of wasters we're discussing have done, a group needs to be formed with a proper title that says it all. A banner for people to flock to.

It really pisses me off that "sustainable development" is part of their title. It misconstrues them as reasonable. Should be more like "Alliance against Waterford's urban ambitions" or "Alliance in favour of central Waterford never changing" or "Alliance of NIMBYS against business". I like the last one best...

Bards

that sounds great

mad man

OK guys this is a good start.I will try to organise some useful addresses and post them on a sticky.Then we can organise a plan of action.

I myself have sent a lot of letters into the News & Star (I have had to use pseudonyms to get more published) which have been very obliging and therewhoever writes the phoenix column is obviously an ally to the cause.

Also,I think that anyone who writes a letter should keep it civil and non abusive.We need to be seen as the voice of reason.

Also I think merlantes idea of posting a general letter and trying to get as many people to forward it to the powers that be is a great one.

A counter group is also a good idea but this would obviously mean people raising their head above the parapet.I think this would be like a phase two of the offensive:D

I would also be on the lookout for the meetings that are being organised by WASICD.Maybe attend one and if you can raise a question and show your displeasure at what they are doing.

BTW do not underestimate the power of the Pen.I'm not saying its all down to me but every little helps.I sent emails to all the councillors and the New St. rexoning was passed.Incidentally Mary Roche and Mary Halligan are the only councillors who have had the decency to reply.However I'm sure my emails were read.

By the way does anyone know Bernard McCan'ts email address?I believe someone posted it here before.

merlante

mad_man, have we seen you on here before under a different name by any chance? (I hope not, the more people that come on here with some cop on that call it how they see it, the better.)

I've sent a few letters myself, although not on this. I'd be more active only I'm not living in Waterford at the moment, so I don't feel I can make suggestions about what people should be doing, otherwise I'd be more active. (I'll be back next year.)

I'd be happy to write letters, just not to lead some A-Team 'take out the trash' group to deal with McCann. Any such group would have to be started by someone living in the city!

You are right about the sticking your head above the parapet thing. Nutcases have no bother sticking their head above the parapet, the problem is that anyone who stands against them, and starts arguing with them, starts to seem a bit like a nutcase themselves by association. But somebody, sometime will have to get their hands dirty...

I'd be happy to take this to a private board so a more focused discussion could be had if people are interested.

kano476

you have my support! anything to try and counteract that lunatic and his cronies.

mad man

That’s very observant of you Merlante:) I’m also not residing in Waterford anymore either. However just because we’re not there does not mean we’re impotent (Using an analogy here!).

I’ve attended two WASICD meetings when it started. I and a few other people were vocal in our opposition to the opposers. There were other people there also who were silent. At the time I did not know if they were supporters of WASICD or not. It transpired that some of them were not. There was one guy that I know in passing who is/was a native of the inner city. I initially thought he was a supporter. A couple of months later his planning application for a small medium development in the vicinity was objected to by “you know who”. This is a perfect example (albeit more moderate) of evil being done when good men do nothing.

The Phoenix column in the News & Star have deployed a good tactic of no longer referring to Bernard Mc Can’t by his name. Any reference to him lately has been along the lines of “serial objector”. This is a good move as it denies him of any publicity he may be trying to acquire.

Also any potential group that may be formed should not come across as “heavy handed” or “take out the trash” or kick ass/gung ho. Otherwise we’ll just look like Skin Heads picking on OAPs. Remember our local Republicans are trying to make political capital out of this too.

The best start I think is a letter writing campaign,

mad man

Waterford News & Star.
Address

25, Michael St.
Waterford,
Ireland

Main telephone number: +353 51 874951

FAX : +353 51 855281

ISDN: +353 51 301204/11
Editor
editor@waterford-news.ie Note link on Newspaper website uses the wrong email address








The Munster Express
37 The Quay
Waterford, Ireland
051-872141

John O'Connor
News Editor
051-872142
john.oconnor@munster-express.ie


WATERFORD TODAY
Barrack St.
Waterford
Paddy Gallagher
Editor
086 858 6318
editor@waterford-today.ie
letters@waterford-today.ie


Waterford City Councillors,
Cllr. L "Cha" O'Neill,
12 Shannon Drive,
Avondale,
Waterford.

cllrloneill@waterfordcity.ie

Cllr. David Cullinane,
1 Maple Terrace,
Lisduggan,
Waterford.

cllrdcullinane@waterfordcity.ie

Cllr. Davy Walsh,
30 Ard Mhuire,
Ferrybank,
Waterford.

cllrdwalsh@waterfordcity.ie

Cllr. Hilary Quinlan,
24 Daisy Terrace,
Waterford.

cllrhquinlan@waterfordcity.ie
Cllr. Jim D'Arcy,
18 Asgard Avenue,
Grange Manor,
Waterford.

cllrjdarcy@waterfordcity.ie

Cllr. John Halligan,
10 Roanmore Park,
Waterford.

cllrjhalligan@waterfordcity.ie
cllrjhalligan@representative.com

Cllr. Joe Kelly,
1 Hawthorn Grove,
Hillview,
Waterford.

cllrjkelly@waterfordcity.ie

Cllr.Jack Walsh,
33 Grange Heights,
Waterford.

cllrjwalsh@waterfordcity.ie

Cllr. Mary Roche,
13 Sylvan Drive,
Grantstown Park,
Waterford.

cllrmroche@waterfordcity.ie
flagship@eircom.net
http://www.maryroche.org

Cllr. Seamus Ryan,
4 Ursuline Court,
Waterford.

cllrsryan@waterfordcity.ie
http://www.labour.ie/seamusryan



Cllr. Pat Hayes,
7 Keane's Road,
Waterford.


cllrphayes@waterfordcity.ie

Cllr. Mary O'Halloran,
3 Avondale,
Waterford.


cllrmohalloran@waterfordcity.ie
cllrmohalloran@hotmail.com

Cllr. Tom Murphy,
49 Ballybeg Court,
Waterford.

cllrtmurphy@waterfordcity.ie

Cllr. Tom Cunningham,
17 Blenheim Heights
Waterford.

cllrtcunningham@waterfordcity.ie

Cllr. Davy Daniels,
32 Viewmount Park,
Waterford.
cllrddaniels@waterfordcity.ie

The Green Party
Leaders Contact No’s
Phone: 01-8900360
Phone: 01-6183465 (Dail)
Fax: 01-8900361
Email: tsargent@greenparty.ie




Postal Address: 35 Main St. Swords, Co. Fingall

mad man

Letter of Petition to Waterford City Council.

Re: Opposition to the Waterford Alliance for Sustainable Inner City Development.


There has been much controversy in Waterford recently regarding proposed developments in the City centre. This has recently focused on proposals for the site of the old St Stephens Brewery. The initial proposal for this site was objected to by a pressure group calling itself the Waterford Alliance for Sustainable Inner City Development. This group was founded by a local Green activist who I will not refer to by name but who has been labeled as a ‘serial objector’ in the local media. It is the opinion of me and other like minded individuals that this label is well deserved. The reason as you know is that this individual has objected to practically every proposed development of any significance in the Waterford Area regardless of where it is located i.e. inner city or otherwise.

Those of us who oppose the aims of WASICD are very familiar with the threat posed to Waterford from other urban centers’. Waterford is threatened with being overshadowed by towns such as Athlone, Navan, Drogheda and Naas/Newbridge. If Waterford is surpassed by one of these towns then practically speaking we will have lost our place as one of Ireland’s cities. If this happens we will diminish our capacity to attract vital infrastructure projects such as roads and also social infrastructure such as hospitals. Foreign Direct Investment plus investment in our city by National business may already be affected negatively by the culture of objection and dissent that seems to be forming.

For reasons only really known to themselves WASICD have chosen to ignore this threat when pursuing there activities. This suggests to me that they either cannot see the bigger picture or else they are largely motivated by selfish interests, effectively nimbyism. WASICD is a fringe group founded by a member of a fringe party in Waterford. Members of other fringe political movements such as the socialist party are also vocal in the group and have posted letters in the local print media. It is in my view wrong for fringe groups that have no democratic mandate to be allowed to influence planning matters that immediately affect fifty thousand people. Our outgoing Mayor Hillary Quinlan referred to this in his outgoing speech.

WASICD has made much of issues such as the plight of the elderly in the effected area and of the issues around protecting our Viking Heritage. They have also raised the Red Herring of the population of the City centre being diminished in favour of large developments. All proposals so far have included residential units that are multiple in number to the residential units that would be demolished. Also by admission of the founding member of WASICD the quality of the new units are the best that he had seen so far. Similarly when Dr Catherine Swift referred to the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposal, her conclusion was that it was also the “best that she had seen”. Despite the evidence to suggest that the developers are in fact “playing ball” this has not stopped the usual emotive terms like “fat cat” and “capitalist” coming from individuals within the group. On a similar note the city councilors who voted in favour of the Rezoning of New St. have been accused of pandering to big business despite refusing the initial development and compromising on rezoning Wyse Park.

In the Munster Express on Friday 7th July it was stated by members of WASICD that the local residents are the real experts on living in the inner city. This is an audacious and populist claim. For a vibrant city centre and a prosperous Greater Waterford, the city centre as it is, is seriously lacking. Whoever the real experts are, they are certainly not the amateur town planners in WASICD. It was a relief that the majority of the City council voted in favour of rezoning New St. In my opinion it took courage to do this by those who put the needs of Waterford before political capital.

Finally this petition is not just about the need for a shopping centre in Waterford. If WASICD is successful in dictating planning policy in Waterford, then it or individuals within it may feel empowered to oppose grander projects like the North Quays. It is time to draw a line in the sand with this issue. By all means reject proposals if they are unsuitable. However not if they are motivated by someone who is inconvenienced temporarily by the sound of a Jackhammer and has no care for the plight of the rest of the people of Waterford.


Regards,

Name Print Here.

merlante

I agree with the points you make mad_man. Excellent work on getting the names and addresses, and the letter will do nicely, I think! I reckon we need to get as many people sending letters as possible. For a start we could spread it around the web and suggest a date when everyone sends the letters.

I think we should get together the interested people on a private board to thrash this out further though, i.e. the people who are prepared to put in some degree of continuous effort on this one.

deisemum

mad man wrote:

The Phoenix column in the News & Star have deployed a good tactic of no longer referring to Bernard Mc Can’t by his name. Any reference to him lately has been along the lines of “serial objector”. This is a good move as it denies him of any publicity he may be trying to acquire.

Very good idea of the newspaper. Count me in, why should the minority hold up practically every development in this city.

I wrote to Trevor Sargeant earlier this year about the serial objector and got a smart assed reply that I should stand for the Greens if I'm that bothered.

mad man

deisemum wrote:

Very good idea of the newspaper. Count me in, why should the minority hold up practically every development in this city.

I wrote to Trevor Sargeant earlier this year about the serial objector and got a smart assed reply that I should stand for the Greens if I'm that bothered.

Yeah I did this too and he sent me one back suggesting the best way to influence Green Party activity in Waterford was to become a member. So I sent him one back to say with that kind of reply he is no differnt than FF who he seems to think the Greens are morally superior to.

DéiseGirl

deisemum wrote:

I wrote to Trevor Sargeant earlier this year about the serial objector and got a smart assed reply that I should stand for the Greens if I'm that bothered.

Wow, he sounds like such a charmer :rolleyes:

Dilinja

well ive had a reply from jim darcy so far, who agreed with all the points int he e-mail...god man mad_man

deisemum

merlante I've responded to your pm. Very good idea

mad man

Guys I am out of action for the next few days so I am depending on the local internet cafe.I will respond ASAP.

merlante

mad man wrote:

Guys I am out of action for the next few days so I am depending on the local internet cafe.I will respond ASAP.

I sent you a PM by the way, in case you don't normally check them.