Mar 30, 2009

Carbery Housing Association AGM - Relaunch to Fight the Crunch! 09.04.09

Local residents in Baltimore Town, on the South West Coast set up CHA in September 2001. Baltimore is sea sports and tourist haven, and as a result house prices have escalated beyond the reach of local people, especially young people and manual workers. I joined the group shortly after its creation, and. Through local fund-raising, we were able to register non-profit company, secure charitable status with the Inland Revenue, and secure approval as voluntary housing with access to Voluntary Housing Grant from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG).

CHA is a membership organisation, where anyone (including prospective tenants) can join as member on approval of their application by the Executive Committee and payment of a small fee. The association currently has over 80 paid up members. At a yearly AGM, the membership elects an Executive Committee of 7 members to direct its work. This Executive Committee takes on expert co-optees as required. The Association has three Officers, a Chairman, and Treasurer and a Secretary. All positions are voluntary.

Since its inception, and with relatively little publicity, CHA has had 140 applications for housing from people looking for social housing. Most applications have been for the major towns, Bantry, Skibbereen, Clonakility, and Baltimore, and some for the more rural villages. Most of these applications (53%) come from single persons or couples, the rest are from families of different sizes. Some applicants have been on the Council housing list for over 10 years, without response or explanation. 28% of applicants are unemployed, and 33% employed. The rest are self-employed, in vocational training or supported employment schemes, are students, or in receipt of disability allowance.

Since our inception, CHA has attempted to work closely with Cork County Council and the Town Councils in developing social housing to meet identified need. We have not, however, received much support from them to date in doing so. Initially, we found it very difficult to initiate any developments, due to the high cost of land zoned as residential development, as these were the only sites acceptable to the local authority for possible social housing projects. We found that the market value of these sites tended to be around 30% over the cost limits allowed for land purchase.

In 2002 we put together a feasibility study and outline planning applications for development of 2 sustainable neighbourhood developments on privately owned land at Kinaith Fineen in Bantry. The land was not zoned as residential, so we could afford the asking price with funding available. In terms of the design approach we foresaw later developments in green building by proposing that these homes be sustainable and energy-efficient and incorporate small-scale renewable energy for space and water heating, promoting planting and biodiversity, organic treatment of waste water, and other environmental criteria. With this proposal we secured European funding under the ALTENER II Programme to develop and present the proposal. Cork County Council. However, the Council was not prepared to rezone the land in question, and the proposals fell.

In 2003 we also began, in collaboration with the West Cork County Council regional office, to draw up a further sustainable social housing work up a proposal for a site owned by Cork County Council in The Slip, Bantry, and to negotiate for the transfer of this site by the County. In 2005, after much work and expenditure on our part, the Western Committee of Cork County Council rejected the land transfer proposal.

In order to continue in operation, in the face of lack of support from the local authority, we once again turned to European funding and became involved in two EU funded trans-national exchange projects from 2004 to 2007. These were the Exchange of Common Strategic Arrangements (ECSA) Project, which aimed to develop a set of indicators for social sustainable development, and the Development of Equal Opportunities in Social Economy Organisations (DESEO) Project, which aimed to map and support the local social economy in West Cork. In 2007, José Ospina, Secretary of CHA received a Level 1 Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI) Award in recognition of the efforts made by CHA.

Ironically enough, it could be that the collapse of the housing market that actually gives CHA the chance to achieve its objectives. Land prices are coming down to level close to government cost limits for land purchase for voluntary housing. Hanks to this we are currently working on a further proposal, again in Bantry. This is set on a privately owned site, with residential zoning, near the Town Centre, that we are in the process of assessing. The project is being designed with the help of DHB Architects in Waterford, and will aiming at around 20 sustainable homes and a community facility, probably a cyber-centre, in a community friendly design. The carefully designed, A-rated low-energy homes will be available for rent, at genuinely affordable rents, for single persons and families. The Project will be holistically ecological, incorporating renewable and non-polluting construction materials, a renewable energy for heat and power, organic wastewater
treatment and planting to enhance biodiversity.

But the housing market collapse has created another unacceptable situation that we would like to help redress. Many houses are currently on the market that cannot be sold, and many of these are vacant and waiting for buyers. This problem also has financial implications, where the developers are at risk of defaulting on development loans undertaken to build them, but is also absurd that this should be the case when there is growing housing need. The government has recently introduced a long-term leasing programme, to help bail out owners and house persons who cannot afford to buy at the same time. Grants are being made available to Local Authorities to lease these homes from the owners for long periods, during which time they will be used to meet social housing needs, being returned when the market is (hopefully) once again buoyant. This funding is only available to local authorities at present, but we are told it will soon be extended to housing
associations. This is an area that we are very keen to explore, and we are currently looking for properties that could be used under this Programme when it becomes available to us.

We are also considering developing a community energy efficiency service that can provide energy assessment and improvements for persons who are living in inefficient homes and cannot afford to upgrade commercially. We are hoping to gain support from various government and European agencies for this activity, aimed at combating fuel poverty and climate change in practical way.

These, and we hope other potential action to improve local housing, will be the subject of the AGM of Carbery Housing Association, which will be held at 8 PM on Thursday April 9th at the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen. In particular we be "re-launching" Carbery Housing Association so that it can respond to the current housing and environmental issues. Marlene O'Connor, director of Simon Galway and a native of Schull, will explain how the current crisis requires a effective community response. A new Executive Committee will be elected, so this is an opportunity for people who are serious about doing something to improve the situation for households who cannot afford to buy or rent on the open market to get involved. For more details about the AGM and CHA contact José Ospina, Secretary, on 028 21890. You can also find more information on our Web Site www.carberyhousing. eu

Mar 23, 2009

Cork city and harbour in world heritage status bid

Cork city and harbour in world heritage status bid

 

The Government is to submit an ambitious proposal that could lead to world heritage status for Cork city and its huge natural harbour.

A detailed document has been prepared outlining the reasons why the city and harbour deserve the coveted United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) status. If successful, it could see them join an exclusive list of world heritage sites - including the Great Barrier Reef, the Acropolis, the Taj Mahal, the Giant's Causeway and Stonehenge.

While the process of ratification could take several years, Passage West-based Green Cllr Dominick Donnelly said efforts should start now to build momentum in support of the application. He plans to table a motion for discussion on the issue at the next meeting of Passage West Town Council. Similar motions will be table at Cobh Town Council and at Cork city and county councils.

The application was co-ordinated by Pat Ruane of Cork City Council, using contributions received from various organisations - including Meitheal Mara and UCC's Coastal and Marine Resources Centre following a series of meetings in January. It has been submitted to the Department of the Environment and it is hoped that officials will, in turn, have it ready for presentation to it the World Heritage Committee at its annual meeting, which takes place this year in Seville in July.

The committee, which meets once a year, will consider adding Cork city and harbour to what's known as UNESCO's tentative list - sites that governments around the world would like to be considered for designation as world heritage sites.

Ireland already has two fully-fledged world heritage sites - the 'archaeological ensemble' of the Bend of the Boyne - which was designated in 1993 - and Skellig Michael, designated in 1996.

The Government submitted an incomplete list for inclusion on the tentative list in 1992. The sites included the Killarney National Park, Northwest Mayo Boglands, Clonmacnoise, the Western Stone Forts, Cashel, Clara Bog, the Burren and the Ceide Fields.

The Cork city and harbour bid will be included in an updated government list for inclusion on UNESCO's tentative list.

Mar 20, 2009

Joys of cycling storytelling competititon

STORYTELLING COMPETITION ON THE JOYS OF CYCLING


As part of its promotional scheme to encourage the use of sustainable transport, Cork City Council organises a storytelling competition on the joys of cycling.

The best stories will be published on the Cork City Council website, in July 2009. Winners will receive numerous prizes including bicycles, cycling gears and books vouchers.

To take part in the storytelling competition on the joys of cycling, please send your stories by email to traffic@corkcity.ie or by mail to:

Storytelling competition

Traffic Division, Cork City Council

70 South Mall

Cork

Please take into account that:

- Stories should not exceed 400 words for children & 800 words for adults

- Stories should be sent by the 31st of May 2009


The storytelling competition on the joys of cycling is organised by Cork City Council and supported by the Trendy Travel European project and Intelligent Energy Europe.

For further information, please contact Harling Hayes, Traffic Division, 021-4924548, harling_hayes@corkcity.ie

Mar 18, 2009

CEF planting for Tree Week, March 2009

Many thanks to Richard Delahunty for organising the following planting events for CEF:

1--Wednesday 4/3/2009---Boys Primary School Skibbereen.

2--Thursday 5/3/2009---West Carbury/ Skibbereen Golf Club.

3-- Monday 9/3/2009 --Community based New Garden for people with special needs.
                            Perrott House
                              West Cork Mental Health Services
                                Hospital Grounds
                                   Skibbereen.

4--All events C.E.F. Promotions and Sponsored by Coillte Teoranta and O2
5--Talks given about C.E.F.
6--Photographs taken.
7--Trees Planted/ distributed---50 Ash
                                44 Oak.
                                 49 Birch
                                  26 Alder
                                            Total 169

8--Numbers present--20 Adults
                   24 Children
                      Total--44.


In addition 8 birch trees were planted with the help of Claire Osborne at the Aisling Day Care centre in Mayfield for Tree Week.




Mar 11, 2009

Micro-generation: one-day training course - invitation attached

Dear all,

 

Did you know that:

-          ESB Customer Supply now offers micro-generators smart metering and up to 19 cents per electricity unit exported to the grid;

-          SEI is running a pilot scheme for micro-generation with 40% capital grants;

-          Green loans are available from certain financial institutions for micro-generation projects.  

 

To coincide with the launch of the micro-generation scheme, DWEcoCo Ltd invites you to a one-day training course on

Planning Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Generation Systems

Friday 20th March 2009, at the Lifetime Lab, Lee Road, Cork

Course details


This course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and practical know-how required to plan a micro-generation system for a house, a business or a farm. The course will put a particular emphasis on grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems and small wind turbines.

By the end of the course, you should have the knowledge base to:

  • Identify typical micro-generation technologies and their usual applications;
  • Assess a site for a micro-generation project;
  • Estimate the expected electricity output from a micro-generator;
  • Conduct a simple lifecycle cost analysis of the project;
  • Understand the major components and system layout of a grid-connected micro-generator;
  • Identify relevant standards, regulations and approvals required;
  • Be aware of health and safety issues;
  • Understand the installation and commissioning process;
  • Be familiar with financial incentives from government (grants, feed-in tariff) and banks (green loans).

The course is organised around presentations, practical exercises and group discussion.  The workshop will be led by Xavier Dubuisson, Senior Sustainable Design Consultant at DW ECoCo Ltd. Xavier is one of Ireland's leading renewable energy consultants with over 11 years experience in renewable energy technologies, including lecturing at CIT.

Should you wish further details on the course, please do not hesitate to contact Xavier directly.

 

 

Xavier Dubuisson MEng. MSc.

Senior Sustainable Design Consultant

 

DW EcoCo

Integrated Sustainable Design Consultants

 

Cork Office:

First Floor, Lawley House,

Monahan Road, Cork

Ireland

T : +353 (0)21 4966757

F : +353 (0)21 4966771

E : mailto:xdubuisson@dwme.ie

 

Dublin Office: 

Bloomfield House     

Bloomfield Avenue  

Dublin 8, Ireland                                                                     

T : +353 (0)1 411 3058                                                

F : +353 (0)1 4535975                                                

Ejstuart@dwme.ie

 

     

 

Delap and Waller EcoCo Limited: Integrated Sustainable Design Consultants is a joint venture between Delap and Waller Mechanical & Electrical Consulting Engineers Limited and EcoCo: Sustainable Building Consultants.

 

Registered in Dublin No. 398740 Registered Office - Bloomfield House, Bloomfield Avenue, Dublin 8.

 

Consider the environment. Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

 

 

Mar 4, 2009

Bike maintenance course with Cork Community Bikes

I'm running a Bike maintenance course for Cork Community Bikes
starting next Tuesday night at 7 in the Community Bikes workshop
Blackpool.

It is a six week course covering basic maintenance, safety checks,
minor adjustments and repairs, the cost is 30 euro for the six weeks.
There are only two places available, so any if anyone is interested
please contact cork_cycling_campaign 'at' yahoogroups.com.

A Chara Darren

Mar 3, 2009

New West Cork Sustainable Fisheries Group

At a public meeting in Baltimore on 2nd March '09, it was decided to
form a  West Cork Sustainable Fisheries Group, with the intention of
demonstrating and exploring the potential of sustainable fishing
activities in west Cork. The following have agreed to serve on a
committee to further this project:- Con Minihane, Dr Sam Shephard, Dan
Jeffries, Tony O'Mahoney, Matt Mills (Sustain West Cork), Ed Harper,
Nigel Towse and Joe Aston. Patrick Treacy of the Cork Environmental
Forum has offered his support.


Feasibility studies for sail and fuel cell powered fishing boats,
along with other alternatives to oil-dependence, and also the
marketing of hand-line caught fish, will be on the new group's agenda.

If you are interested in being involved with this group or have a
contribution to make, please contact joe@gannetsway.com