Talks are planned with developer
DISTRICT manager Tom Murphy told members that the council will be talking to the developers about the possibility of providing pedestrian access to Florence Road, during a report into the works to the Florentine Centre at last week’s meeting.
‘ There has been a tremendous amount of activity on the site,’ said Mr Murphy. He said that the crane visible there is one of the biggest in the country.
Cllr Dermot O’Brien spoke on behalf of Florence Road traders in attendance. He had earlier unsuccessfully sought a suspension of standing orders for them to speak.
‘ There is fear amongst the traders on Florence Road. It’s an artery at the heart of Bray and cutting off its supply of oxygen is unthinkable,’ said Cllr O’Brien.
He said that he hoped the people present at the meeting would leave with a sense of comfort rather than fear and anxiety. ‘Footfall is critical to their business,’ said Cllr O’Brien. He said that if their pedestrian access is not included in Florentine plans, people will lose their jobs and businesses will close down.
Cllr John Ryan said that he would welcome representatives of the traders to speak at the next meeting. ‘We all want to see pedestrian entrances on Florence Road, Quinsboro Road and the Main Street,’ said Cllr Ryan. ‘Hopefully the developers will see that it makes sense to have that free flow.’
Cllr Steven Matthews added his support to the welcome for the traders to address next month’s meeting. He said that An Bord Pleanala had praised the entrances included in the original plans and the flow of pedestrian traffic which would follow. ‘It is very important, and we need to do everything we can,’ said Cllr Matthews. ‘If not that west site, then we should look at an alternative location.’
‘Isn’t it great that Cllr Ryan and Cllr Matthews are eager to hear from the traders,’ said Cllr Joe Behan. Cllr Ryan retorted by saying that this was ‘pathetic’.
‘You know the rules,’ said Cllr Ryan. ‘You’re grandstanding as usual.’
Cllr Behan said that the problem with pedestrian access to Florence Road is part of a pattern. ‘What we vote for is gradually coming unstuck,’ he said. ‘Piece by piece it’s being changed.
‘We still don’t know what’s going in the Lei- surebox,’ he said. ‘We still don’t know what type of cinema is planned. And again, I’m asking to see the development agreement.’
Cllr Christopher Fox said that the chair had raised problems with the pedestrian access on numerous occasions. ‘The landowner hasn’t agreed. It’s not something that’s cropped up today or yesterday,’ said Cllr Fox. ‘It’s critical for businesses on Florence Road to have pedestrian access. If it can’t be agreed, we need to get that somewhere else.’ He suggested the possibility of including a walk-way by the car park entrance. ‘Hopefully the Florentine Centre will be a rising tide which will lift all businesses on the Main Street, Quinsboro Road, and FLorence Road,’ said Cllr Fox.
Cllr Brendan Thornhill said that everyone has been waiting for the centre to be developed for 25 years. He encouraged everyone to work together on a solution.
Cllr Pat Vance explained that the landowner in question had indicated support for the walkway, then a solicitor had written to the council prior to the contract being closed, saying that their client had not agreed. Cllr Vance said that he had spoken at length to the person and walked away with agreement to proceed. However, that agreement was withdrawn prior to the contract going ahead, Cllr Vance told the meeting. ‘People here, particularly the district administrator, couldn’t have done any more,’ said Cllr Vance, who said that you can’t force someone to do something they don’t want to do . He said that the council had to take the decision to go ahead with the project. The pedestrian access was always dependent on the permission of the landowner.
‘I’m in favour of looking at the possibility of alternative access and I will do anything in my power to achieve that,’ said Cllr Vance.
In response to some of the queries, Tom Murphy said that discussions are to be held with the developer about potential pedestrian access.
He said that no decision has been made about the Leisurebox but that one possibility being considered is electronic golf. He confirmed that there will be no gaming machine.
Mr Murphy said that PressUp entertianment operates restaurants and cinemas, including the Stella in Rathmines. ‘We understand it will be branded the Bray Stella Complex,’ said Mr Murphy. ‘There may well be alcohol in one of the cinemas.’