Press Release Archives - Page 12 of 15 - Councillor Derek Mitchell

A section of the front wall of the La Touche Hotel Greystones has collapsed in the March storms. Cllr Derek Mitchell has again called for a Derelict Site Notice to be applied which means the developer will be charged a 3% tax on the site value. ‘this got the site tidied up before. Also I now want it investigated under the Dangerous buildings legislation as it looks unsafe’. The developer has planning permission for 27 houses on the site, including 5 in the old shell but he has done nothing.

The historic building is an eyesore and has been in terrible condition for a decade at least. Also young people have been breaking in to the building which is dangerous. Earlier this year the owner got permission to build 27 houses, 5 of which are to be in the restored old structure, on this fine site. However nothing has happened. I have asked the Council to apply the 3% Derelict Site Tax. Officials have agreed to check the site and apply the Tax if possible in order to encourage progress…

Ray Coyne, Chief Executive of Dublin Bus met Minister Andrew Doyle, Cllr. Derek Mitchell and Liz Dillon to discuss Greystones busses. We asked them to run more 84x during the day and to provide more bus transport with schoolfares from Charlesland to Templecarrick School which is rapidly expanding. Many children use the 6 express busses before 8 am to get to the school but must pay the higher fare on this express bus. Dublin Bus will see whether they can provide more 184 busses at this time, as this has…

A while ago Wicklow Council requested design changes to the plan to develop 26 houses and a small amount of commercial space on the site. The developer lodged modifications including, reductions in height, in terraces and in plot widths, increasing garden lengths and more screening. As before the old building is being turned into 5 terraced houses, retaining the facades as is required as part of the Architectural Conservation Area. The Council has now asked for further, but minor, changes. These include widening Marine Road to 5.5m, providing a footpath…

Fine Gael Councillor Derek Mitchell welcomed news that the Government intends to further reduce the USC rate in the October Budget.   An Taoiseach confirmed that following the income tax and USC cuts introduced earlier this year, the Government will cut the 7% rate of USC to reduce the marginal tax rate on all those earning less than €70,000 per year to below 50%.   “AnTaoiseach also said that despite a stronger than expected performance in tax receipts and public finances, the Government will not be gong back to the “when we have…

Following pressure the National Roads Authority is studying how to reduce these both in the long term and also short term. ‘Over the last 5 years there have been a number of reports commissioned but no agreed solutions and thus nothing has been implemented. So far Wicklow’s engineers have not been involved and it is essential that they are consulted as they know local issues and concerns. The Council backed this request for a liaison group.’ ‘I intend to make this point to both the Minister for Transport and the…

A while ago Wicklow Council requested design changes to the plan to develop 26 houses and a small amount of commercial space on the site. The developer has lodged modifications and public submissions must be made by the 24th June with the decision due shortly afterwards. As before the old building is being turned into 5 terraced houses, retaining the facades as is required as part of the Architectural Conservation Area. A footpath is now provided on the public roads and a number of changes to reduce the impact on Cliff…

The Club has received an unsolicited offer to provide a new, larger, course near Bellvue, Delgany in exchange for the course in the centre of Greystones. The members are at a very early stage of firming up and making a decision on this. The land adjoins Heathervue, The Burnaby and Burnaby Heights. The land is zoned for ‘Active Open Space’ and would need to be rezoned for houses. It forms a green lung within the town. Land is already zoned for 4,000 extra houses in Greystones and I am opposed…

The Government has agreed to Public Sector wage rises over the next 2 years. They have also agreed to reduce outsourcing by not allowing the cost of wages to be compared when deciding. It is essential that public services are provided as efficiently as possible and there should be more outsourcing, not less. The decision to do it should be based on a proper cost comparison, including salaries and pensions. Wicklow Council has reduced staff by 25% and most of this gap should be made up by outsourcing tasks using…