Post by shayne on Jan 26, 2008 11:20:42 GMT 8
Westlife singer's property plan sparks fury
By Anita Guidera
Friday January 25 2008
www.independent.ie/national-news/westlife-singers-property-plan-sparks-fury-1273253.html
WESTLIFE singer Shane Filan's ambitions as a property developer have provoked a furious response from residents in his hometown.
The pop star faces a bitter battle after residents vowed to appeal planning permission he has secured to build a controversial residential development close to Sligo town centre.
Sligo Borough Council has granted planning permission to Shafin Developments -- the company co-owned by Shane and his brother Finbarr -- for the block of 61 apartments at Knappagh Road.
Parking
The plan also includes 102 car parking spaces.
But local residents in Rathedmond, 10 minutes from the town centre, claim the density of the development is too high for the 2.5 acre site and say they will appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.
They have argued that the apartments would tower over their gardens.
"The fight is only beginning. There is a high level of anger out there. All along we expected either the developers or the local authority to meet with us to address our concerns and this has not happened.
"Now we see that the conditions attached have not addressed a single concern we have," said Jim O'Sullivan, secretary of the Rathedmond Residents' Association yesterday.
He pointed out that the density of the proposed two- to four-storey development was four times the existing density, with one apartment block running the length of 11 houses. "As far as we can see, they are railroading themselves in here to cash in on the good work the residents have done to improve this area and then they will make their millions and walk away."
The residents are due to meet early next week to decide what course of action they will take.
However, according to Mr O'Sullivan, it will include an appeal to An Bord Pleanala.
"We also will be demanding an explanation from the council as to why permission was granted in the face of our genuine concerns," he said.
But he added that even at this late stage, the residents would welcome a meeting with Shafin to see if a compromise could be reached.
This is not the first clash that the multi-millionaire singer has had with Sligo residents in his property development career.
Last year, the brothers withdrew plans for the construction of a massive €30m 'neighbourhood centre' at Carrowroe on the outskirts of the town.
The proposed development, including 76 apartments in two blocks, shops and restaurants had been met with strong local opposition.
- Anita Guidera
By Anita Guidera
Friday January 25 2008
www.independent.ie/national-news/westlife-singers-property-plan-sparks-fury-1273253.html
WESTLIFE singer Shane Filan's ambitions as a property developer have provoked a furious response from residents in his hometown.
The pop star faces a bitter battle after residents vowed to appeal planning permission he has secured to build a controversial residential development close to Sligo town centre.
Sligo Borough Council has granted planning permission to Shafin Developments -- the company co-owned by Shane and his brother Finbarr -- for the block of 61 apartments at Knappagh Road.
Parking
The plan also includes 102 car parking spaces.
But local residents in Rathedmond, 10 minutes from the town centre, claim the density of the development is too high for the 2.5 acre site and say they will appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.
They have argued that the apartments would tower over their gardens.
"The fight is only beginning. There is a high level of anger out there. All along we expected either the developers or the local authority to meet with us to address our concerns and this has not happened.
"Now we see that the conditions attached have not addressed a single concern we have," said Jim O'Sullivan, secretary of the Rathedmond Residents' Association yesterday.
He pointed out that the density of the proposed two- to four-storey development was four times the existing density, with one apartment block running the length of 11 houses. "As far as we can see, they are railroading themselves in here to cash in on the good work the residents have done to improve this area and then they will make their millions and walk away."
The residents are due to meet early next week to decide what course of action they will take.
However, according to Mr O'Sullivan, it will include an appeal to An Bord Pleanala.
"We also will be demanding an explanation from the council as to why permission was granted in the face of our genuine concerns," he said.
But he added that even at this late stage, the residents would welcome a meeting with Shafin to see if a compromise could be reached.
This is not the first clash that the multi-millionaire singer has had with Sligo residents in his property development career.
Last year, the brothers withdrew plans for the construction of a massive €30m 'neighbourhood centre' at Carrowroe on the outskirts of the town.
The proposed development, including 76 apartments in two blocks, shops and restaurants had been met with strong local opposition.
- Anita Guidera