Archive

Monaghan County Council signed the contract for the Peace Campus project on Friday 10^th July 2020.  ‘The Peace Campus’ will bring much needed neutral shared space to Monaghan.

This €17.6 million project is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) which awarded €9.5 million to Monaghan County Council to deliver the project.

The Peace Campus will provide community space, a youth facility, a new town library and a cultural heritage area.

Following a detailed tender process Monaghan County Council is pleased to award the contract for construction of the Peace Campus to Felix O’Hare & Co. Ltd.

Present at the signing of the contract, Cathaoirleach of County Monaghan, Councillor Colm Carthy said, “The Peace Campus project was developed to address the needs that still unfortunately exist in our communities today.  This project will be the catalyst to allow all communities to come together to engage in a safe setting.  I am looking forward to seeing good progress being made on this project over the coming months and am especially looking forward to using this facility once completed.”

Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council Eamonn O’Sullivan said, “We are delighted to be in a position today to award this contract to Felix O’Hare & Co. Ltd.  This project will bring much needed community space to the heart of Monaghan.  The last few months have been challenging for us all, but what it has demonstrated is a strong sense of community in Monaghan and a willingness now more than ever for people to come together.  The Peace Campus will provide the venue to allow interaction in a neutral, safe setting.”

Welcoming the signing of the contract Gina McIntyre, CEO of the SEUPB said: “This is a significant development in this excellent EU PEACE IV funded project. It is one of a number of shared space initiatives that are being constructed across the border counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland.  Each facility has been specifically designed to help bring divided communities together in a safe and welcoming environment. As we start to emerge slowly and plan for recovery from the current crisis, local infrastructure projects like this can help reconnect people and create a confident, forward looking and cohesive society.”

Chief Executive of Felix O’Hare & Co. Ltd said, “Felix O’Hare & Co. Ltd are delighted to have been awarded this prestigious and innovative project. We’re very excited to be working alongside Monaghan County Council to transform this site and very much look forward to delivering this regeneration project, one in which we all can be proud.”

Monaghan County Council has been working collaboratively on this project since 2016.  Alistair Beckett, Director of Hall Black Douglas, the Architects for the project commented, “Hall Black Douglas Architects are delighted that this ambitious project is now proceeding on site.  The design team have enjoyed working with the Council and look forward to successfully working with the contractor, Felix O’Hare & Co. Ltd, on site.  This exciting construction project will provide contemporary community facilities for the people of Monaghan and beyond.  This is a very significant building both personally and for the practice, we trust that it will make a positive contribution to Monaghan and all who visit the building. We have designed the building to respond to the local streetscape and level changes across the site.”

Construction work will be commencing on site in the coming weeks and it is expected that the project will be completed early 2022.

The latest innovative project that is being spearheaded by Monaghan County Council is the purchase of an electric sweeper, the first in the country. The new Maxvac machine is a state-of-the-art road sweeper which also has multi-function facility that includes blower and litter picker among other devices. The sweeper has an eight-hour battery running capacity and is a cleaner greener response to cleaning our streets and was launched recently at the Civic Offices in Carrickmacross.

 

Pictured Left to Right: – Matthew Lambe Carrickmacross Castleblayney District Engineer, Jim McMahon Area Foreman, Adrian Sharkey Machine Supplier( Sharkey Business Solutions) , Paddy Rooney Machine Driver/Operator, Michael Duffy General Services Supervisor, Damien Stirratt Machinery Yard Supervisor.

Picture by Gerry Hand Carrickmacross Tidy Towns.

PART 8

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended)

Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended)

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Article 81(1) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) for development at

13 Church Hill, Clones, Co. Monaghan, H23 KX52.

                                                                                                                                   

 

The proposed development consists of the following:

 

1. Alterations to existing commercial/ residential premises to provide 2no. two-bedroom, two storey townhouses including change of use for ground floor retail unit to residential use, 
2. Internal alterations including demolition of internal walls and part of the rear elevation,
3. Erection of temporary structural support to the adjoining buildings,
4. Construction of a two-storey extension to the rear of one property,
5. Connection to public sewers and mains water supply,
6. Erection of boundary walls to the rear of the townhouses and all associated site works.

 

Plans and particulars of the proposed development will be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, during public opening hours at Monaghan County Council, Planning Offices, 1 Dublin Street, Monaghan, H18 X982 up to and including 6^th August 2020.

 

In accordance with Article 81(ca) and 120(1B)(b)(i) of the above-mentioned regulations, Monaghan County Council, as the competent authority, has concluded from a Screening Determination, based on an examination of the nature, size and location of the proposed development that there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development and as such has determined that an EIA is not required, the details of which are available to the general public. At any time before the expiration of 4 weeks from the date of publication of this notice, any person may apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the proposed development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment.

 

Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development will be situated, may be made in writing to Monaghan County Council, Planning Offices, 1 Dublin Street, Monaghan, H18 X982 up to 5pm on 20^th August 2020.

 

Signed:         Nuala Woods

                        Acting Director of Services

                        Monaghan County Council

 

Date:              9^th July 2020

Last week Monaghan County Council received a complaint about a dead calf dumped beside Annachree Lake (also known as Sreenty Lake) near Shantonagh.  On investigation, a young Simmental cross calf was found dumped in long grass on the shore of the lake.  The calf was dead for a number of days and its decaying carcase was covered in maggots.  Dead animals can be a source of disease and contamination and are a potential risk to public and animal health, particularly where discharges from the carcase can contaminate water.

Within 10 metres of this dumped carcase, Corduff – Corracharra Group Water Scheme had erected a sign warning that 600 householders are supplied with drinking water from this lake and prohibiting the washing of cars, extraction of water with slurry tankers, and dumping of waste.

Farmers are obliged by law to have all dead livestock on their farm collected by registered dead animal collectors for transport to either an approved knackery or rendering plant.  While the cost of collection can be significant, this is no excuse for the reckless and irresponsible dumping of dead animals, particularly at locations where there is a significant risk to public health.

This is just one of a number of complaints relating to the dumping of dead animals investigated by Monaghan County Council this Spring.

The dead animals found dumped include dogs, lambs, calves, adult sheep and cattle.

In one dumping incident at the end of March, just south of the border in Knockatallon, approximately 35 lambs, ranging from newborn to 1 month of age, and 2 adult sheep were dumped in twos and threes along the side of a quiet road for a distance of more than 1km.  There was even a 1 ton size fertilizer bag of sheep fleeces dumped along with them!

Many of these dumping incidents occur close to the border with Northern Ireland.

The bodies of dead animals present a potentially serious threat to other animals and to humans.  This has been made painfully evident to many Monaghan cattle farmers over the last 20 years, some of whom have suffered catastrophic losses from multiple cattle deaths due to botulism caused by the cattle coming into contact with dead poultry carcases.

Farmers must take responsibility for their livestock, both while they are alive and when they die, and must ensure that the bodies of dead animals are collected by registered dead animal collectors as quickly as possible.

Pay Parking Monaghan Town

Free parking will remain in operation in Monaghan Town until Sunday 19th July.

Pay Parking will resume on Monday 20th July.

Lui na Greine – Scotstown

Monaghan County Council has appointed through tender competition Lowry Construction Ltd to complete 4 derelict unfinished houses and construct 28 new houses on a derelict site in Scotstown bound between the Scotstown-Smithborough and the Scotstown-Rosslea roads. The site was acquired by Monaghan County Council through the Derelict Sites Act 1990 to resolve the derelict nature of the unfinished housing development.

Monaghan County Council received Stage 4 Funding Approval on the 27^th January 2020 from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government under the Rebuilding Ireland programme.

The Luí na Gréine development consists of 32 properties including 4 two-bedroom single storey houses, 12 two-bedroom two-storey houses, 12 three-bedroom two storey houses, and 4 four-bedroom two-storey houses. The overall project budget is approximately €7 million including site investigations, design fees, construction costs and utility & statutory fees.

Local Architectural firm Wynne, Gormley and Gilsenan Architects is the Employers Representative and Lead Designer to deliver the project along with Alan Traynor Consulting Engineering, Cuilinn Group and FJD Surveyors. Part 8 Planning consent is in place and Detailed Design is complete with the homes designed to the highest quality for modern living providing a Building Energy Rating of A3 and above.

The project is advancing well with the first houses estimated to be available for occupation in 2021 in a phased approach.

 

Architects visual impression drawing.

Site clearance complete throughout, formation level exposed for plots 1- 12 & 21-32.

Foundations all in place for Plots 1 – 6. With substructure blockwork now complete at plots 3-6.

Clones Renewal Scheme

Monaghan County Council and the appointed contractors Lowry Construction Ltd are progressing well with the Clones Renewal Scheme. The various sites were acquired by Monaghan County Council through negotiated purchase and the Derelict Sites Act 1990 to resolve the derelict nature of properties in the town centre.

Monaghan County Council received Stage 4 Funding Approval mid 2019 from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government under the Rebuilding Ireland Programme.

The Clones Renewal Scheme consists of 22 apartments and 2 two-storey social homes. The overall project budget is circa €6 million including site investigations, design fees, construction costs and utility & statutory fees.

Local Architectural firm Craftstudio Architects is the Employers Representative and Lead Designer to deliver the project along with Alan Traynor Consulting Engineering, Coleman Reynolds M & E Engineers and FJD Surveyors. Part 8 Planning consent is in place and Detailed Design is complete with the homes designed to the highest quality for modern living providing a Building Energy Rating of A3 and above.

The project is advancing well with the first properties delivered in 2020 and the remaining delivered in 2021 in a phased approach.

   

 

Site 2 former Boyle Sports – Windows now fitted, external plastering ongoing alongside internal Carpentry, Mechanical and Electrical first fixings.

 

 

Site 1 formerly Davey’s – first floor blockwork commenced.

Site 3 formerly An Bonnan Bui, Flower shop and 63 Fermanagh Street – Retaining walls under construction.

Site 5 & 6 Analore Street – Demolition almost complete.

 

 

Local Authority Covid-19 innovations highlighted on ‘Your Council Day’

 

The innovative work carried out by local authorities across the country during the Covid-19 crisis will be highlighted during Your Council Day, Wednesday, July 1^st.

 

Across social media, #YourCouncilDay will showcase numerous heroes who have made a difference in supporting their communities through the vital work carried out by councils during lockdown.

 

Local authorities will also provide a ‘behind the scenes’ look at a typical day in the council and highlight all the services councils and their dedicated employees provide.

 

Social media users throughout the community are also asked to post their experiences of council initiatives using the hashtag #YourCouncilDay.

 

A report carried out by the Local Government Management Agency has revealed the local authority sector devised 216 separate innovations to meet challenges presented by Covid-19.

 

In 38% of these cases, structures did not previously exist and were specifically set up to deliver Covid-19 services on a short-term basis.

 

“The current crisis has highlighted the true nature of public service in communities across the country,” said Eamonn O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council.

 

“Faced with the challenge of social distancing, and with many of their own staff working from home, local authorities brought novel solutions to the complex problems posed by the new realities of lockdown.”

 

“Monaghan County Council, like all local authorities established a Community Response Forum to co-ordinate a multi-agency response to deliver supports to those who need it while Covid-19 restrictions were in force.

 

“Councils moved to support those faced with isolation, producing activity packs, starting local radio shows and organising book and even musical instrument deliveries to combat loneliness.

 

“We have seen live-streamed storytelling, virtual Zoom book clubs and online choirs supporting community spirits through dark days.”

 

Follow Monaghan County Council on Twitter and Facebook or the hashtag #YourCouncilDay to find out what’s happening in Monaghan during Your Council Day.

 

More information on the innovations taken by local authorities during Covid-19 is available in an overview report produced by the LGMA available to download here

 

Expressions of Interest Sought

Casual Trading at Muckno Park, Castleblayney, County Monaghan

 

Monaghan County Council is currently seeking expressions of interest from food vendors who wish to operate from Muckno Park, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan.  If you have a coffee truck, ice cream van or any other portable food stall, you are invited to contact us and give us details of the type of food you wish to sell.

Expressions should be made in writing to the following address on or before Friday  17^th July, 2020 and be clearly marked “Food Vendor”.

carrickmacross@monaghancoco.ie

or

Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District,

Riverside Road,

Carrickmacross,

Co. Monaghan.

 

 

Re-Opened

Monaghan County Council’s Motor Tax Office is again open to the public. In the interests of continuing to observe the strict public health advice and to safeguard both our customers and our staff, the Motor Tax Office has reduced our public opening hours to 9.30 to 12.30 Mondays to Friday.
Monaghan County Council’s Motor Tax Office also wish to thank our customers for moving in such numbers to online and for respecting public health advice. Please respect the two metre distancing guidelines in place

 

Monaghan Motor Tax Office customers can continue to use:

• the postal service, Market Street, Monaghan H18 D721
• front door post box front door facility, Market Street, Monaghan H18 D721,
• by email motortax@monaghancoco.ie
• Online: Motortax.ie (except new or newly purchased goods vehicles, vehicle conversions and trailers)
• Phone 047 81175.

Further to the Governments Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, Monaghan County Council is pleased to advise that all Public Counters and Customer Service Points throughout the county will reopen on the 29^th June. While all public counters will reopen, Monaghan County Council request customers to observe the 2m social distancing guidance and use the hand sanitising facilities in place at each of the customer service points.

 

Customers should continue to conduct their business with the Council by emailing info@monaghancoco.ie or eolas@monaghancoco.ie or contacting us by phone at the following numbers.

 

Housing Emergency Repairs	047 30515		Environment	042 9661240
Housing	047 30502		Roads	047 30597
Planning	047 30532		Local Enterprise Office	047 71818
Finance	047 30589		Human Resources	047 30586
Monaghan MD	047 73777		Motor Tax	047 81175
Ballybay Clones MD	047 51018		Carrickmacross Castleblayney MD	042 9661236

Monaghan County Council’s Motor Tax office will also reopen on 29^th June, with reduced public opening hours. The Motor Tax Office will reopen from 9:30am to 12:30pm, Monday to Friday. Monaghan County Council’s Motor Tax Office wish to thank our customers for moving in such numbers to online renewals and encourage more customers to use the online facilities.

Monaghan Library, Carrickmacross Library and Clones Library will reopen their doors for browsing, borrowing and limited internet access/printing on 29^th June. The libraries will reopen from 2pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday and Monday evenings from 6pm to 8pm.

While Monaghan County Council is delighted to be reopening our customer service facilities, in line with Government phased reopening, we all have to continue to do everything possible to avoid the virus spreading. Continuing to adhere to public health advice will determine whether we continue to move forward, as one community, to the remaining phase.