Dublin People - Ballymun regeneration will be worth it

Home

News

Features

Ballymun regeneration will be worth it

Thursday, 26 June 2008

Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) celebrated its 10th anniversary last week - something no one would have expected given the original timeline for the project.
The massive redevelopment of the disadvantaged area has taken longer and cost more than initially expected but it will be worth it, according to Ciaran Murray, managing director of BRL.
“The original estimate and budget for the project was unrealistic given the scale of the scheme,” he told Northside People.
“This size of regeneration, where there is so much demolition and construction while residents have been kept in situ, has barely ever been attempted in Europe, never mind Ireland.
“This is why unexpected problems have arisen in these unchartered waters where the services for the area had not been mapped out.”
The original master plan for the project expected that the project could be completed in just eight years by 2006.
It is now hoped that the project will be completed by 2012.
The costs have also almost doubled, with final figures for the regeneration expected to reach a whopping e1 billion.
According to Mr Murray, the project has progressed “remarkably well” given the teething problems that BRL has had to grapple with.
“We ran into underground piping which caused a delay,” he explained. “Traces of asbestos were found in the old high rise flat block which stalled demolition.”
Adding to delays were a number of High Court challenges (all of which were successful for BRL). The latest problem to plague the regeneration is the discovery of pyrite in the foundation of some new developments.
“Pyrite is an issue that we have to address,” Mr Murray acknowledged. “We needed to put a halt on the development until we resolved the issue rather than having people move into the houses and then having to deal with the effects of the pyrite a few years down the line.”
He added: “The people of Ballymun have shown enormous patience over the years and we have enjoyed the close relationship we have shared with them while working on this project. None of this could have been achieved without them.”
Meanwhile, 80 per cent of the new replacement homes for locals are in place while 24 of the 36 blocks of flats have been demolished.
It is estimated that in four years' time all the old flats will be gone and a total of 2,400 new homes will be occupied.

Remembering Ronnie

Thursday, 28 August 2008

Thousands of mourners arrived at the funeral mass to pay final tribute to the legendary Dubliner as he was laid to rest last Tuesday (August 19). The 73-year old iconic folk star died at St...
+ Full Story

Curtain rises on theatre festival

Thursday, 28 August 2008

And all of this after paying a three-figure sum for the privilege. Thus is the common notion associated with the word ‘festival’. In fact, the idea of some simple luxuries such as a...
+ Full Story

Calling all bikers!

Thursday, 28 August 2008

In a bid to bring the total amount of funds raised since the event began in 1999 to over e1 million, the group is appealing to riders across North Dublin to sign up. Motorcycling enthusiast Nicky...
+ Full Story

Bringing Glasnevin back to life

Thursday, 21 August 2008

The Dublin Cemeteries Committee, which oversees the operation of the city’s famous ‘dead centre’, will be transformed by an ambitious 10 year restoration plan in conjunction with...
+ Full Story

Island Banners

Navigation Menu

Website Poll

Advertise

Private Ads Login