It has been confirmed today that An Bord Pleanala have upheld Dublin City Council’s decision to formally declare the former John Player Wills site on South Circular Road in Dublin 8 as a vacant site.
Speaking in the Seanad this afternoon Fianna Fáil Seanad Group Leader and Crumlin based Senator, Catherine Ardagh said, “This site, which is currently under the control of NAMA and recently valued in the region of €100million is of massive strategy importance to our area.
“The South Inner City remains affected by the ongoing housing crisis. DCC have sought to take Weaver Square and it’s allotments to use for development but as I have previously acknowledged, the needs of residents locally shouldn’t necessarily be sacrificed.
“The vacant lands around the former John Player factory could be a better alternative to seizing much used and much loved green space when it’s already in short supply. Focus should instead be on maximising the value of the vacant site to alleviate the crisis in housing by developing sustainable, affordable housing on it.
“Hopefully the 7% Vacant Land Levy that’s payable in the forthcoming year will prove to be enough of an incentive to avoid hoarding the land for any extended period. It would only be right that this levy is reinvested in the immediate locality to fund local regeneration.
She concluded, “The economic and social needs of the communities throughout the South Inner City need to be fulfilled and properly utilising this site would be a perfect opportunity to see that happen.”
Speaking in the Seanad this afternoon Fianna Fáil Seanad Group Leader and Crumlin based Senator, Catherine Ardagh said, “This site, which is currently under the control of NAMA and recently valued in the region of €100million is of massive strategy importance to our area.
“The South Inner City remains affected by the ongoing housing crisis. DCC have sought to take Weaver Square and it’s allotments to use for development but as I have previously acknowledged, the needs of residents locally shouldn’t necessarily be sacrificed.
“The vacant lands around the former John Player factory could be a better alternative to seizing much used and much loved green space when it’s already in short supply. Focus should instead be on maximising the value of the vacant site to alleviate the crisis in housing by developing sustainable, affordable housing on it.
“Hopefully the 7% Vacant Land Levy that’s payable in the forthcoming year will prove to be enough of an incentive to avoid hoarding the land for any extended period. It would only be right that this levy is reinvested in the immediate locality to fund local regeneration.
She concluded, “The economic and social needs of the communities throughout the South Inner City need to be fulfilled and properly utilising this site would be a perfect opportunity to see that happen.”
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