September 2006

NCRA met with White Water representatives. Some news from that meetings is to be found towards the end the Letter to Santa

 

20th June 2006

Newbridge Concerned Residents Association (NCRA)
met with Newbridge Town council (NTC) on
June 20th at the Riverbank to discuss the situation with the White Water no cinema issue. The Town councillors are in support of the NCRA's campaign. Newbridge Town Councillors have experienced the same lack of communication from White Water Managment as NCRA have.
Some have personally contacted the owners of the company backing White Water expressing their concerns. The situation is that the decision is with KCC. No one outside of the planning authority can say when their decision will come.
When the decision comes it is predicted that the decision of KCC will be appealed either by NCRA or by White Water Management depending on what it is. Then it is in the lap of an Bord Pleanala. A further possible step hinted it is a judical review.
To summarise Newbridge Town Council support Newbridge concerned Resisents Association but at this time "we are in a vacuum"

May 16th
The three months are up in early July, but Whitewater can ask for an extension. I suppose there should be a ruling made within two weeks after that, not quite sure how long we will be left waiting. If KCC refuse permission the case will be appealed to An Bord Pleanala by Whitewater, and the process of lodging objections to the Bord starts all over again, only this time it is much more expensive. If Kcc grant permission, we in turn can appeal to An Bord Pleanala. I am not sure of what the story would be about revoking permission for the whole lot, wouldn't it just be easier and make more sense to put the cinema in where it was supposed to be, thats what I would opt for anyway. When KCC make their decision the local reps should be informed and as soon as that happens my contacts will let me know, so as soon as I know so will you (newbridgeshopper). Anyone who objected will in time be issued with their decision by post, which I am assureed will be in time to send objections to An Bord Pleanala which we will have to do regardless of the decision. I would still like a little more clarification on point number 4 of the information that KCC asked for.

Jo'

12th April Latest News
The latest on the cinema situation is as follows.
We are still awaiting a decision on granting change of use permission from K.C.C., we have been told that this could take up to three months, but we have to believe that due process will take place on this matter, and that the final outcome will be in our favour.

As some people will know, we launched our white T-Shirt campaign on Thursday last when the complex opened it's doors. This was kept quiet until Thursday, because we wanted the element of surprise. As you will know we got fantastic media coverage both on T.V. and in the newspapers.

The idea of the T-Shirt, which has the three words"WHERE'S OUR CINEMA" in black on both front and back is to remind the whitewater that while they have a fantastic new complex, which we will frequent, there is something missing, i.e. the promised cinema. We are encouraging as many people as possible to buy a T-Shirt, and to wear it every time they visit the center.

The T-Shirts cost 4.00 each and come in sizes S, M, L and XL They can be got by texting the size and quantity, along with name and address to Colman on 086 8528654, or by e-mailing details to colmanphynes@gmail.com. Colman will contact you when they are ready for collection.

Thats all the info for now Fergal, I will contact you with any updates as soon as they become available.

 

The Latest News...as of WW 27th March 2006

23rd March was to be "D" day for the decision of KCC re the application made by Whitewater for change of use of the cinema space in the complex. I just want to up-date everyone on the position as it stands to-day.

No decision was reached yesterday, the decision deadline has been extended as the planners are seeking clarification on nine points regarding the change of use application, as I believe it to be one of the major points is that of "Why whitewater has sought another change of use when it was turned down by KCC and An Bord Pleanala in 2003. the other points I am not sure of, and trying to get information from the planning section is like extracting teeth without an anaesthetic, so many closed doors.

The "Official Line" on it is. The council have contacted the developers requesting clarification on these nine points, they will give the developers "sufficient" time to reply, their reply will be thoroughly looked at, and then an informed decision will be made.

I am going to list the nine points on which the council require clarification from Whitewater, some of them will have a question mark after them, because I am not quite sure what they mean.
1. Why do Whitewater want to change the plans at this stage.
2. What do Whitewater intend to do to comply with the local area plans, ie: use of the complex outside of trading hours.
3. Why have Whitewater re-submitted change of use plans when they were already turned down by KCC and An Bord Pleanala in 2003.
4. What exactly do they plan to use the cinema space for if they get permission for change of use.
5. Cinema access? I am not sure if this relates to 06/106, or 06/177.
6. Why have they altered the change of use plans to include creche facilities.
7. What is the intended use of the ground floor space in the cinema complex.
8. The council will need an agreement and assurance that there will be a cinema provided if change of use is granted.
9. Copies of all objections have been forwarded to Whitewater and they have been asked to comment on them.
These are the 9 points as I BELIEVE THEM TO BE, just hope that the council are not pleased with their answers.
Usually the council request a quick response on these matters, but sufficent time is given for the applicant to get their paperwork in order, when the council recieve the paperwork from Whitewater then they will make an informed decision.
Hope this information in some way helps those who wish to know what is going on.
Cheers Jo.

..Jo' O' Connor

stay tuned folks