Everyone
was very excited and relieved on Thursday last, to read across various social media
sources, that the North Quays would go ahead unhindered. It appeared that the
planning process had this time worked in Waterford Inc’s favour. Unlike many a
scuppered past development, this time there were to be no road blocks. No
insurmountable barriers and no “Serial-objectors”, using their pens to blunt
our sword.
The
announcements were made by various media savvy Councillors. Immediately after
the Mayor declared at the monthly Council Meeting, that An Bord Pleanala had
corresponded with the Executive, confirming that “No valid objections had been
received”. It would surely be plain sailing from this hour forward? Waterford
City would be able to grow, expand and develop at an accelerated pace.
No
sooner had we caught our collective breath, when the rug was well and truly
pulled from under our feet!
News
started to trickle through, that one “Valid objection” had in fact been
received by An Bord Pleanala. Apparently, this was delivered around the 6th
of March, though nobody is really quite sure. The reason given for not noticing
this paperwork, was that storm Emma and the Beast from the East had caused “Issues
with the post!”
I
am pretty sure, with ALL the publicity and mountains of paperwork, that the
guys and gals at An Bord Pleanala, must have known that this development would
be Waterford’s Renaissance. Yet indefensibly, they managed to misplace, loose
or ignore a fundamental part of the process. Should they not have been extra
vigilant with the Council’s application?
To
communicate that “All is good”, when in fact it is not, is unpardonable
incompetence.
We
in Waterford, will have to wait that wee bit longer, to see if the planning
process finds in favour of our North Quays. Whilst it is disappointing that a
person, persons or an organisation has objected. The process allows this to
happen, being part and parcel of a free democratic society. I have no doubt,
that when the name or names are revealed, the keyboard warriors will have a
field day with said objector/s. Stoking the internet fires with bile, vitriol
and lots of bad grammar.
Just
before Leo and his considerable cavalcade rolled into town, we had the wind
well and truly taken out of our sails. We were expecting so much from this, the
latest leg, of the National Development Plan Tour. Waterford was finally on the
map. Leo, supported by Paschal, would be playing to an adoring audience at the
WIT Arena. He would have the opportunity to localise his NDP, demonstrating
exactly what it would deliver for Waterford.
This
was a wonderful opportunity to make that “BIG” funding announcement, on the
back of An Bord Pleanala’s faux pas? Leo’s magically, mystic, new Spin Unit
would be well aware of the Department’s boob, only 24 hours earlier. He would
make amends. He would shine in his natural environment - the stage. He would
play to the audience and waiting media, “Oh no he wouldn’t!”
Alas,
the tour schedule must have been so demanding that Leo forgot to cement the
Government’s commitment and our plea for circa €60,000,000 of infrastructural
works. Didn’t he also forget to commit to a funding for our second Cath Lab. No
money to allow a regional airport to grow. He even made it very clear that the
Technological University title was very likely to go to a Dublin consortium
first, rather than the Waterford and Carlow axis.
A
gruelling tour schedule had obviously muddled his lines. He was after all off to
greener fields. The good old U.S. of A. was calling him for the annual St
Patricks’ Day/Week expedition. A much more palatable audience, than the “Quiet
people” of Waterford.
The
highs and lows of Waterford’s development history are well written. I just hope
that these, “Best laid schemes o’ mice and men”, don’t go awry.
No comments:
Post a Comment