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LATEST NEWS:
DECEMBER 2009 VILLAGE NEWSLETTER IS NOW AVAILABLE TO READ AT THE DOWNLOADS SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE. THE NEWSLETTER IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT LOCAL SHOPS AND ON THE VILLAGE NOTICEBOARD.
PLANNING APPEALS COMMISSION HEARING ON PLANNING APPLICATION FOR 240+ HOMES NEXT TO CULMORE PRIMARY SCHOOL
SDLP Councillor, Colum Eastwood, and Chairperson of Culmore Forum, Mary Casey, represented the community of objectors to this planning application at the above Hearing in the Guildhall on Wednesday 4th November at 1100am. The Commissioner's initial views of an early decision on this appeal were dashed when the objection issues raised by Cllr Eastwood and Mrs. Casey demanded booking additional room time for the Hearing with Guildhall staff extending from 3.00pm to 4.30pm and finally identifying that the Hearing would have to be adjourned for further considerations and continued at a future date.
2. COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Derry City Council held a Public Information Session on the Council led proposed development of the Ballynagard Field on Tuesday 22nd September 2009 from 7pm - 8.30pm in Thornhill College. All Culmore residents are invited. The Council made a decision recently in relation to developers' bids for its Ballynagard Field. We pay circa £2.5million per year in rates. All of the Community Groups in Culmore, with help from the International Fund for Ireland, submitted a proposal for the Council owned field for a neutral physical resource centre to meet the needs of families and groups with architects' drawings upon completion of a community audit in 2005. 2 additional audits were carried out between 2005 and 2009 that again identified need
LATEST: ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIND IN BALLYNAGARD FIELD - COMMUNITY FACILITY OUTCOME DELAYED!!
RESIDENTS LIVING ADJACENT TO THE COUNCIL OWNED FIELD HAVE EXPRESSED STRONG RESERVATIONS ABOUT A COMMUNITY FACILITY. THESE MUST BE TAKEN ON BOARD BY COUNCIL AND DEVELOPERS.
WE'D WELCOME ANY SUGGESTIONS ON WHERE ELSE WE CAN SECURE A SITE FOR A COMMUNITY FACILITY FOR OUR FAMILIES AND GROUPS (POPULATION CURRENTLY IN EXCESS 5,000). WE WERE REFUSED ACCESS TO THE VACANT THORNHILL COLLEGE BUILDINGS IN 2005 AND BEEN TOLD THAT CARETAKING ISSUES PREVENT US FROM ACCESS TO THE NEW THORNHILL COLLEGE FACILITIES FOR YOUTH PROGRAMMING ON FRIDAY EVENINGS.
USE THE 'CONTACT US' PAGE ON THIS WEBSITE!
3. YOUTH WORKING FOR YOUTH
The recently established Foyle West Youth Council Committee (including 2 young people from Culmore - Tom Doherty Chairperson and Kelleigh Callaghan Committee Member) organised a Youth 'Gig', for young people in the age group 13-18, in Quigleys Point Community Centre on Friday 13 March 2009. The event was very successful with 341 young people from Culmore, Muff, Quigleys Point, Redcastle attending (as well as young people from Strabane, Derry, Inch Island, Buncrana, Clonmany, Carndonagh, Glengad, Malin and Moville). Qualified volunteers (Eithne McCullagh, Ros O'Hagan and Mary Casey) from Culmore helped out as well as volunteers from Quigleys Point and Muff. Also thanks to the security men who ensured all was kept secure. The Romanian Appeal benefitted! The Youth Council ran a second Disco during May and the QP Youth Club benefitted!. More activities - on this website soon.....
4. PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Culmore Forum representatives, Mary Casey and John McCormack, met Ross McGill, the local Sustrans Officer, on Thursday 5th March 2009 in the Victoria Hall. A record of the discussion is available for reading at 'Bulletin Board' Downloads on this website.
Mary Casey met with the Manager of the Lough Swilly Bus Company in May and stated that a very positive outcome from discussions was achieved with management agreeing to meet regularly with Culmore Forum representatives. Following this meeting the Manager of the Swilly Bus Company, Conal Diver, met Mary with Culmore Forum representatives Eithne, Margaret and Jacqueline, in June, and discussed passenger numbers, service provision and marketing opportunities. AGREEMENT - to increase the service to 16 services from Culmore per day from 24th August, a commitment to maintaining the evening service and to holding regular meetings with Forum representatives. If you wish to be involved register your interest at the 'Contact Us' page of this website. We will be directly in touch with you! We will upload the bus timetables to this website soon...
5. FEBRUARY 2009: We have received news from the Planning Officer that the planning application for what was to be the biggest fish processing factory in Ireland has been withdawn. GREAT NEWS! We objected to this application on the grounds that it would negatively affect the River Foyle's fragile ecosystem. Also we believed that the economic case was unsustainable.
6. Culmore Councillors' Performance. Do you think we should have a section on this website to rate our local politicians? Response to date to this Q is that we should! Go to the Contact Us web page on this website to register your views. The latest example of working FOR residents and family needs including road safety is POOR:
Woodlee Residents objected to a housing development being accessed through their small cul-de-sac that has NO FOOTPATHS and where there's lots of young children. The application was put to a Council Planning Committee with a Planning Office recommendation for refusal. It was deferred by Sinn Fein Councillor Tony Hassan. Residents objections were available for Councillors to refer to. When the next Council Planning meeting took place the application was approved! We have submitted a Question on this to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
How do you rate local Councillors' performance and Councillor Hassan's performance in particular on this? Woodlee residents were not pleased!
Woodlee Families with young chidren objecting to access through their cul de sac that has no footpaths
SUPPORT OUR CAMPAIGN TO HAVE THE AREA PLAN CHANGED AND OUR ISSUES ADDRESSED ON BEHALF OF FAMILIES AND ALL VILLAGERS! OUR VILLAGE IS OVERBURDENED AND UNDER STRESS. THE AREA PLAN IN ITS CURRENT FORM IS SIMPLY NOT WORKING!
Piecemeal planning applications continue to be submitted AND APPROVED by local Councillors and the Planning Service with no provision for community or leisure facilities for families moving into the village area. When developers don't get planning their properties are left vacant, vandalised and eye-sores in our community. The latest planning list -
Ref: A/2007/0064: Demolition of a one and a half storeyed bungalow at 4 Culmore Point Road and construction of 5 one-and-half storeyed houses. APPROVED at Council Meeting on 3 March 2009 despite objections on environmental grounds!
Ref: A/2007/1184: Demolition of a detached house and construction of 8 2.5 and 5 2-storey houses at 28 Culmore Point Road - deferred by Council, brought back to a next Council Planning Meeting and APPROVAL GRANTED for 7 Houses, according to SDLP Councillor Eastwood and Sinn Fein Councillor Hasson. Councillor Eastwood states he didn't attend the relevant meeting whilst Councillor Hasson stated he had. There are no footpaths in this cul-de-sac and it is populated by families with young children who have to walk and ride their trikes on the road! Objections meant NOTHING!
Ref:.......... Demoliton of a detached one and a half storyed bungalow and construction of 4 semi-detached town houses at 152 Culmore Road. APPROVED!
Ref: A2007/0906: 41 2/3 storeyed townhouses at junction of Culmore Road and Ardan Road (bad bend!).
Ref:A/2007/1269 5 terraced townhouses at 2 Cloncool Park, Culmore Point Road - refused
Ref: A/2008/0235: 10 new houses at Ard Caien, off Culmore Road.
Ref: A/2008/0022: 6 2-storeyed townhouses to replace a single bungalow at the junction of the Culmore Road and Culmore Point Road - Ref:A/2007/1266 - refused and derelict house vandalised and a blot on our community:
Ref: A/2007/0346. 20 Detached & 36 Terraced Townhouses at 188-190 Culmore Road opposite Holy Trinity Church and 240+ planned for the Bradden fields next to Culmore PS that the developer has withdrawn from the local Planning Office and lodged with the Planning Appeals Commission in Belfast!! The Commission held an Informal Hearing in the Guildhall on Wednesday 4th November and extended to a second date - a/w
Then there WAS the Fish Processing Factory application - withdrawn in February 2009.
Planning application submitted for a retail shopping development between Culmore Square and Thornhil Park APPROVED.
7. Volunteers Wanted: 3 Hrs a month (MAX) for youth and vulnerable adult projects. Child Protection Training and Access checks will be provided. 15 local people have already signed up and have participated in Child Protection Training. July 2009 - We have recently been informed that we have been successful in securing a grant from the DSD Voluntary Activity Unit for equipment, expenses and training amounting to £1,100.00. BRILLIANT and much needed! Can you spare up to 3 Hrs a month? Not every month! A rota is being established. Your Children, Your Vulnerable Adults! Your Community!
8. Monday Crochet Classes started on Monday 27 October 2008 and ran each week between 11.00am-1.00pm in the Victoria Hall. The classes resumed in the Victoria Hall after the Christmas break and ended on Monday 26th January 2009 due to the financial costs of hire of hall and low numbers attending. We are continuing the classes in the Magnet on Mondays from 1200am-2.00pm. Everyone welcome. Enjoy the opportunity for social networking while you learn/develop your needlework skills. We are setting up an 'Orders List' as a small socio-economic enterprise. £1 per session. So far crochet skills have been developed by a group of cross border women into producing pram blankets, scarves. berets and a poncho! EASY WHEN SHOWN HOW! The photographs below show a beautiful blanket and bonnet and a scarf and hat that some of the members of the group crocheted (and knitted!) from skills learned at the classes.
We celebrated International Women's Day with a Crochet Demonstration on Monday 9th March 2009 in the Victoria Hall from 1200-2.00pm with a demonstration of the wonderful colourful work done so far.
Eithne McCullagh, one of the voluntary Crochet Teachers is seen above displaying some of the work that the group produced since classes began on 27 October 2008.
9. Culmore Newsletter: Do you have time to distribute News Letters? We have recently printed off the December 2009 Newsletter and copies have been distributed to homes. If you have missed out access a copy on the Bulletin Board - Downloads. WANTED - voluntary help with experience in computer graphics would be welcomed.
10. Walk the Talk!
We have been campaigning for road safety measures and were delighted when the lighted 'Slow Down' and village signs were erected recently at the junction of the Culmore Road and Ardan Road and at the entrance and exit of the village . We now wait for a 20mph speed limit at the local schools, a pelican crossing at the entrance to Templeard on the Culmore Road and 'No Overtaking' signs between that entrance and the junction with the Culmore Point Road which is an area that is experiencing overtaking and speeding.
Submit any news or contributions you want to share with our Culmore community to this website (contact us page). We are currently seeking news items for our next Culmore Newsletter - Summer!
November 2008
Derry City Council invited developers to submit bids under the agreed Council Development Brief for the Ballynagard field by 31 October. We need to ensure that our submission (submitted to Council with architects' drawings in 2005) has been included in any proposed development. Shame on Councillors and on Elected Representatives in a time of devolved government for ignoring the concept of community planning and refusing to include community representatives in the writing up of the Development Brief or a chance to see the submitted responses! Bayfield Development has been selected as preferred developer. Mary Casey met Thomas McGlinchey and has confirmed plans match those originally drawn up by community groups, minus the economic business units. December 2009 building scaled down after discussions with local residents - compromised? Further meetings to take place. More news on this page keep checking........FONT>
June 2008
A meeting on Monday 16 June with Education Services representatives succeeded in getting agreement for an OCN Personal Development accredited programme to be offered to youth from within the Foyle West Villages Network area, in Culmore. The programme started on 23 September 2008 with a cross border and cross community representation registering and ended on 17 January 2009 with all youth completing the programme. WELL DONE AND CONGRATULATONS TO THE MOVITAVED GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE. They met after the programme ended, in January 2009, to discuss setting up a cross border youth forum/ council representing Culmore, Muff, Quigleys Point and Redcastle (Foyle West Villages Network). They are planning various events and activities over the next year.
More News Soon.........
Left Standing Mary Casey Chairperson Culmore Area Forum and Founder Member Foyle West Villages Network with Yvonne McKeever (standing Right) WELB Youth Services Officer with youth representing Culmore, Muff, Quigleys Point and Redcastle who participated in a WELB OCN Level II Personal Development Programme during October 2008 - January 2009.
ALSO Foyle West Villages Network ran its first Youth Activity Week from 30 June - 5 July 2008 with transport provided between venues Culmore, Muff, Quigleys Point and Redcastle. Activities included Karate Demonstrations, Circus Skills, Drama & Performing Arts, Canoeing & Kayaking, Badminton, Basketball, Disco Dancing Training, Soccer including fun drills. See details of the programme organised on this website at Bulletin Board Downloads. The organising team learned a great deal from the first experience of working together!
Representatives from our cross border villages of Redcastle, QP, Muff & Culmore had a great day and learned a lot visiting a cross border learning centre and hearing about cross border projects in Monaghan on Saturday 14 June 2008. This was part of our Border Action funded project.
May 2008
First Western consultants worked through Phase I of the project we've begun with Muff, Quigleys Point and Redcastle - Foyle West Villages Network, gathering data and meeting with relevant agencies. We held our first event on Saturday 24th May in Muff Community Hall - a community planning event.
Tony McGurk, Town Clerk, invited a delegation to meet with him, Gerard McColgan (Community Development) and Jim McGrath (City Engineers). We have now written confirming what was discussed. See 'Bulletin Board' and 'Downloads' to access letter.
A Culmore Local History Club is being set up. If you would like to help get the project started and get involved in finding out more about the local area register your interest at the 'Contact Us' page on this website.
March 2008
We have established a cross border partnership with 3 villages in Co. Donegal along the River Foyle - Muff, Quigleys Point and Redcastle - to address issues of high levels of traffic, public transport, significant growth in populations and the mismatch in service provision. Funding was secured and we have established a partnership initiative and have launched it under the name of Foyle West Village Communities. We have appointed a consultant (First Western) to carry out consultations, establish relevant training with links to experts and to produce a Report on our Foyle West geographical area by September 2008 on access to services, spatial planning etc. for our geographical cross border area.
L-R: Marian Logue, Bob Lindsay, Raymond Logue, Mary Casey (Culmore), Kate Burns (First Western Consultant), Laurie McGee (Quigleys Point), Daniel Diver (Redcastle), Mura McLaughlin (Muff)
HOUSES HOUSES AND MORE HOUSES BEING ACTIVELY PURSUED BY DEVELOPERS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO SERVICES OR FACILITIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES OR INDIVIDUALS MOVING INTO THESE HOUSES TO SET UP HOMES AND TO EDUCATE AND REAR CHILDREN. CONGESTED AND DANGEROUS ROADS AND JUNCTIONS, POOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT, CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH THEIR INDEPENDENCE BEING DELAYED BECAUSE OF TOTALLY INADEQUATE AND SAFE ROADS, FOOTPATHS AND PLAY FACILITIES FOR A POPULATION LARGER THAN THAT OF DUNGIVEN!!
May 2007: Our Culmore delegation attended the Special Meeting of the City Council's Regional Services Committee on Thursday 24 May . A presentation was given by John Thompson and Mary Casey to City Councillors and members of the Roads Service and Water Service who attended. We have secured a commitment from City Councillors for the establishment of a Development Forum involving all of the stakeholders. Still awaiting news on this from the City Council!!!
Barrister John Thompson gave a very interesting and informative presentation on 'Planning Simplified' to a well attended meeting on Wednesday 16 May in Hollybush PS. He has set up a professional services business, Academy Consulting, and we have enlisted his assistance in our efforts to secure community engagement with policymakers, including planners, roads service, water service and developers, to establish a sustainable village community for our existing and future generations.
Culmore Area Forum holds bi-monthly Public Meetings.
Records of discussions at meetings are available for you to read on the Bulletin Board 'Downloads' on this website and are posted on the notice board between the shop and the chemist. Our 2007 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING took place on Wednesday 13 June in Hollybush PS. Reports and the Vision & Action Plan for the village were presented. These Reports are available to read on the 'Downloads' section of this website. The new Committee for 2007-2008 was elected - Chairwoman Mary Casey, Vice Chairman Eric Doherty, Hon. Treasurer Marian Logue, Hon Secretaries & Press Officers Viji Puliyur-Doherty & Danny Curran. The next AGM took place in April 2009. Reports on this AGM will be uploaded soon..........
April 2007: Our community delegation presented a proposal to Council's Planning Committee on 2nd April. The proposal was for the establishment of an inclusive forum/design studio comprising all stakeholders involved in or affected by potential development - residents, community leaders, elected representatives, developers, architects, planners, roads service, water service and others. OUR INNOVATIVE PROPOSAL RECEIVED UNANIMOUS CROSS PARTY SUPPORT! Mayor Helen Quigley congratulated our delegation immediately after our presentation. See Below Photo!! We are still waiting the start of the process two years later and in the meantime planning applications for demolition of single dwellings and replacement with multiple dwellings are being approved!!
Our meeting on Wednesday 18th April 2007 considered the terms of reference for the initiative.
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L-R: Cllr Colum Eastwood, Billy McCauley, Catherine McCauley, Fr. Seamus Kelly, Mayor Cllr Helen Quigley, Gary Pullen, Mary Casey, Siobhan Porter, Charlie McDaid and Josephine McDaid. NB: Bridget Meehan, Bob and May Lindsay also attended but are not in the photo!
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - BEST PRACTICE:
PORT LATEST:
We met with Garvan O'Doherty, Chairman of the Port & Harbour Commissioners, Brian McGrath Chief Executive, other Port staff and elected representatives on Tuesday 29 May. The meeting offered the opportunity for problems being experienced to be voiced and the Port Chairman and staff responded to these and outlined the measures being put in place to address the issues. We are hopeful that our proposals for the establishment of a Port Community Liaision Committee will receive a successful outcome in the near future. Similar initiatives have worked, e.g. Dublin Port Community Liaison Committee and the Du Pont Community Panel. Since this meeting we have received a letter from the Chief Executive, Brian McGrath - Go to 'Bulletin Board' then 'Downloads' to read the letter.
Background: During 2006 Mark Durkan MP MLA met us at the slipway where residents highlighted problems with Port Issues - noise, dust. At that time they asked for the MP's assistance in their attempts to resolve issues. Our request to the Port to establish healthy two-way dialogue through a Port Community Liaison Committee on environmental issues was declined at that time. In the meantime villagers report that the Port has appointed a Queen's University academic to assess the levels of pollution and it sent window cleaners to the village!!
COOLKEERAGH-ESB has transferred ownership of the old Power Station to NIE. The new owner has knocked down the landmark three tall chimneys.
Ed Burke, the NIE Manager responsible for the demoliton, along with contractors, outlined the work programme at a meeting on 9 July 2008 in the Victoria Hall. Notes of Points Discussed at the meeting are now available on this website at 'Downloads'. The contractor has adopted an inclusive approach and continues to communicate with this Forum
NI WATER opened their £18.5m upgraded CULMORE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS on 25 May. The investment will serve a population of 150,000 across the City and including our cross border neighbour, Muff village in Co. Donegal. This new facility has been heralded as supporting the growth and ongoing development within the local area, while protecting the environment. Culmore Officers Mary Casey and Bob Lindsay attended the event. They took the opportunity to discuss community links with Liz Young, Director of Communications for NI Water who welcomed the suggestions made by Culmore Forum's Officers. Liz organised a mobile roadshow at the Annual Culmore & District Horticultural Show later in the year
RESPECT OUR COMMUNITY: Builders left the boundary wall on the main Culmore Road in a poor and dangerous state and a risk to the public. The Forum requested the City Council Public Health Officers on a number of occasions to get the developer to secure the site.
THIS HAS NOW BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED BY THE DEVELOPER!! WE THANK CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICERS FOR THEIR EFFORTS ON OUR BEHALF
