Land from a city farm being sold off to Developers . . . . Despite what the WILL said!

dublin | environment | news report

Sunday January 11, 2004 23:49

by Michael Lemass

bigears at indigo dot ie

Airfield is a working farm in Dundrum. I spent the first 18 years of my life growing up beside it and I am concerned about its future and the community's right to have access to it as a rare amenity in the area.

Rumours are that property developers have other ideas though. One example of this has been Gannon Developments and John Finnegan buying some of the farm’s land already, where they built the car park for a Luas station and several high rise appartment blocks.

John Finnegan also runs the Pembroke Estate which was set up by William Petty, Oliver Cromwell's physician.

A number of groups are looking into the running of Airfield and what would become of the land if it were to go out of business. There seems to no-one employed who has any relevant experience in running a city farm.

I think there is massive potential if it is run as a city farm by experienced people who understand how important it is to protect it and make it a sustainable operation.

There is an opportunity to object to what is going on there.

What I have written above is just my opinion but below is more factual information about the situation which my sister has been investigating.

Im not sure if you have much interest in this sort of thing yourself but perhaps you might be able to forward it to other people who might want to do something about it.

Thanks for taking the time to read it

---------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friend,

You may have heard that the Airfield Estate in Dundrum, which was left in trust by the late Overend sisters, Miss Letitia and Miss Naomi, is in danger of more development. Those who knew the sisters are in no doubt that the prime object of the Trust was the preservation of the estate as an amenity for the people of the area and that they were horrified at the thought that Airfield might be developed for housing.

Unfortunately, after the Overends’ deaths, the Trustees of Airfield disposed of a large block of land that is now being developed as the Riversdale apartment complex. We understand that a decision has recently been made that another field (Dudley’s Field) will be sold. The Trust Chairman has stated (Irish Times 13th December, 2003) that "Airfield finds itself in the position of many charitable trusts – asset-rich, cash-poor". However, latest published accounts show that the Trust holds investments in excess of €10.5 million and cash at bank in the region of €2 million.

Some time ago Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council took the decision that the land at Airfield should be rezoned Category F "Amenity", which would offer a degree of protection to the estate. However, in early November the Trustees successfully applied to have six fields zoned back to Category A "Residential", with provision for an access road. This would appear to indicate their intention to sell yet more land for development.

The Council will shortly ratify material alterations to the Draft Plan. Written submissions or observations with respect to the proposed amendments may be made to the Planning Authority up to 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 20th January, 2004.

See http://www.dlrcoco.ie/planning/DP2004-2010/Amend_AdDec03.htm

We urge you to:-

1. Send an e-mail to devplan@dlrcoco.ie stating that you wish to ensure that Airfield and its land are preserved as an open space for the people of Dublin in line with the wishes of Miss Letitia and Miss Naomi Overend. Indicate (a) that it is your wish that the whole estate retain its Category F "Amenity" zoning and (b) that the house should continue to be a listed building. Your name must be stated on your e-mail.

2. Forward this e-mail to those in your address book who you know would be interested in the fate of Airfield. They need not necessarily be residents of the Council area.

The Trustees’ apparently have the legal right to sell land, but in the light of the Overends’ stated wishes we question their moral right to do so. Copperfastening the "Amenity" categorisation of the land may make it more difficult for them to sell the land for development. Currently, it appears to be the only hope.

We understand from an old friend of the Overends that Miss Letitia said she was determined that "Nothing deeper than a spade shall ever dig into the earth of Airfield". May it be so!

Rose Mary Logue, 14 Woodley Park, Dublin 14.

Angela Lemass, 1 Sydenham Place, Dublin 14

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Comments (17 of 17)

Jump To Comment:

Etain Doyle, the telecoms deregulater

by Anti monopoly

Sun Jan 25, 2004 14:40

Etain Doyle is a joke, she is supposed to ensure that there is proper competition in the telecoms market in Ireland and in particular to make sure that eircom no longer have a monopoly.

eircom have refused and they are now looking to up their line rental charges and then to float - shafting loads more as they did the last time

The truth will make you free

by John McDermott - Remove Fianna Fail Party

Sat Jan 24, 2004 22:43

This may be a small victory for good people coming together ,and being able to make their voice heard.It is an example of how powerful the internet will become,as a force for change,and for free expression of opinion ,to counter the lies and deceit that heretofore was disseminated at considerable expense through conventional media channels by corrupt politicians and those with vested interests.Is it any wonder that Fianna Fail have not yet moved to make internet access an affordable alternative means of communication between the citizens of this country? their power is the power of darkness .But the truth will out and the internet is our most powerful weapon.

Thanks to all those who have voiced their opinion

Sat Jan 24, 2004 20:39

To all who sent submissions to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council concerning Airfield:

You will be interested to learn that 400 submissions (including one with 800 signatures) were made to the County Council in connection with Airfield and the Draft Development Plan. The number of Airfield submissions was unprecedented and exceed those for any other aspect of the plan. Politicians and others must regard this response as significant (particularly at such short notice) and we trust they will bear the wishes of the people in mind when decisions are being made about the precious land of Airfield.

Well done all and congratulations, particularly to those who canvassed for signatures, who copied letters and delivered them to houses or put them on car windscreens, who sent letters and e-mails to the Council and forwarded the notice to those in their address books – people (like ourselves) who may never have canvassed on any issue before, but who became outraged at what seemed to be planned for Airfield. What you have done must make a difference and we await the decision of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Councillors when they take their vote on the Plan – probably in mid-April.

In the meantime you may wish to mention Airfield in your contact with councillors. We understand that it is particularly important to stress, when speaking to councillors of areas other than the immediate vicinity of Airfield, that their voting pattern will be monitored. Our information is that local councillors will not endanger their seats by voting to zone Airfield Category A (Residential) but their party colleagues from other areas may be tempted to vote in block to defeat the zoning to Category F (Open Space).

Keep up the good work!

Very Nice Of You Mark

by JGG

Fri Jan 16, 2004 15:42

To decide that the proles have enough green space in their areas. Is that the only working class area you know? What abou the rest of Dublin? You middle class tree huggers really have no understanding of the real world. Social housing should be built on part of this estate and to hell with green toffs.

Get your facts straight

by mark

Fri Jan 16, 2004 15:18

Because most working class areas are corporation built housing estates, there are plenty of green spaces and fields. Its the private property developers who are unconcerned with providing green spaces.

Rosemount Estate in Dundrum is a perfect example with three greens (including soccer pitches) as well as green space around the flats.

Its Mostly Middle/Upper Class

Thu Jan 15, 2004 19:50

So social housing would redress the balance. Where were you when every green field in working class areas was built on? You lot only get annoyed when its toff areas at risk.

as I said

by dan

Thu Jan 15, 2004 19:40

I agree with the provision with social housing but your missing the point regarding proper land-use and urban-planning.

Also, the idea of creating 'class' specific areas is ill-concieved and does little to improve social-cohesion and integration etc.

Workers Housing

Thu Jan 15, 2004 18:00

I would rather see working class people provided with decent housing on this site. I dont think you will get the same buzz going over there as you would with Carrickmines. Lets torpedo the cowboy developers and demand the site for social housing. I dont see how my age is relevant to the debate.

Concrete everywhere

by Fresh air

Thu Jan 15, 2004 16:22

I think Jolly green Giant must be a spotty teenager who never goes out and sits infront of his computer all day and night playing video games,

Airfield is the only city farm and the only sort of park where people can go and get some fresh air an excersise

Nature is what we are supposed to be surrounded by not concrete.

Who is responsible for the rise in house prices

by Fat Cat

Thu Jan 15, 2004 16:18

I think that Jolly Green Giant should direct his attack to those in power who stand by and watch as the price of houses rocket.

They could do something to change things but dont. Labour and the unions seem muzzled. And then the head of Philips in Ireland says on the news yesterday that the reason that they are laying off 150 workers and moving the operation to Poland is that wages are half the price!!!

Social housing will not happen on the Airfield fields - the likes of Gannon and Finnegan know how much its worth to be near the new Luas line and the big new shopping centre being built. The appartments near the Luas cost around half a million each.

Gannon does not build social housing

by Cian

Thu Jan 15, 2004 16:00

Porperty developer Gannon has a notorious record as a devloper and he is a private property developer who has a track record of building expensive, inaffordable housing and on failing to build promised facilities and amenities with the housing.

As someone who lives in a council housing estate in Dundrum I agree that the Council should compulsory purchase order land for social affordable housing, but lets CPO developers and speculators land - not land left in a trust to be a green space amenity for local residents!

odd

by dun

Thu Jan 15, 2004 15:51

compulsory purchasing an amenity site under the pretext of social housing in an area that is already noted for its car dependancy etc makes no sense whatsoever. Affordable housing should be a basic right and part of any development plan but you have to be realistic about where those settlements can be placed.

it Should Be

Thu Jan 15, 2004 15:32

Note that the Greens didnt call for social housing. Working Class people have the right to live in this area. Yes to development that provides social housing! The council should compulsarily purchase it for this!

could you guarantee

Thu Jan 15, 2004 15:19

could you guarantee that this development would be a social housing unit? Do you believe that it would be a social housing unit?

Greens Want To Keep Social Housing Out

by Jolly Green Giant

Thu Jan 15, 2004 11:05

What the middle class Green Party fear is that Social Housing might be built on this site. Or horror of horrors, even council housing. The well off Green voters dont want this so the Green Party have to oppose it. Naturally they try and put a spin on it but the message is clear - Proles Keep Out!

Green Party statement on Airfield

by Green Party

Thu Jan 15, 2004 02:52

15.12.03
Development of Airfield should not be at the expense of selling off more lands

The Green Party said today that the development of Airfield estate in Dundrum should not be at the expense of selling off more lands.

Green Party Dundrum representative, Ciarán Fallon, said today "The Airfield Trust is a civic treasure for all Dubliners and for the people of Dundrum and Kilmacud in particular. The development of the estate has been one of the most positive developments in the area in recent years. We are very glad to see that the Trust is now looking to build on that success and improve the educational and recreational resources that it provides to the community."

Mr Fallon said that "the overall thinking behind the proposed
development is very positive but the Green Party has a serious reservation about the proposal to sell-off part of the lands to finance the plan". "Selling the field between the house and the new Wickham Bypass Road would certainly raise a lot of money. However the proposal will also destroy what people feel is so magical about Airfield, namely that it remains a rural oasis in the midst of our urban sprawl."

Green Party TD for Dublin South, Eamon Ryan , reiterating the Party's concerns, said that many locals already regretted that the loss of the lands to the south of the estate, which is now densely built on with new apartment blocks. "If the lands to the west of the House are also sold, then the estate will be overlooked by six and seven-story apartments on two sides. By holding onto this land, the proposed new car park could be put closer to the bypass and the area around the house could be kept green for recreational uses."

"The Green Party have been informed that the trust has still to get detailed costings for their plan and we hope the plan can still be revised to make the sale of the land unnecessary. If the redevelopment cannot be progressed in a manner which allows existing funding to cover costs, then the Green Party believe the trust should look to the State for assistance in the matter."

"The Greens believe that a strong case can be made to the Ministers of Education, Environment and Arts, Sport and Tourism to support this fantastic resource in the middle of our city. The Trust is right to try and develop the estate but we would urge them to make sure that such a development does not involve the selling off any more land." concluded Deputy Ryan.

This is about the whole of Dublin

by Dubliner

Thu Jan 15, 2004 02:16

This is not just something for Dundrum people. People anywhere can use this place and anyone can object to the council about parts of it being sold off.

Lets get busy, its the only city farm in Dublin.

Tell the council you object and tell Airfield that they can sell off what belongs to the community.

Tel: 01 2984301

Email: trust@airfield.ie

Web: www.airfield.ie

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Land from a city farm being sold off to Developers . . . . Despite what the WILL said!

Comments (17 of 17)