Minutes of a Meeting with Manor Park Homes on 7th May, 2009 at 9.30 am.

Present: Marcia D’Alton, Frank Thorne
(Pembroke Wood Residents Association)
Fred Sweeney (Manor Park Homes)

Frank and Marcia presented Fred with a list of issues outstanding in the estate which the Residents Association wants to see addressed before the taking in charge process begins. The list was accompanied with photographs illustrating each issue and the locations where action needs to be taken were marked on an A1 plan of the estate.

Fred said that the grass in the estate is being cut today and would be cut every 4 – 5 weeks thereafter throughout the rest of the growing season.

Speed ramps will be provided, including a table top ramp to provide a pedestrian crossing point. Fred thought that the most natural crossing point is on the roundabout side of Doodlebugs.

Road markings/signage will be provided throughout the estate so as to indicate who has right of way at junctions. The road markings/signage proposed will need to be run by Cork County Council, who will ultimately have responsibility for the roads in the estate.

Drop kerbs (wheelchair ramps) will be provided at all the junctions throughout the estate. Marcia explained how those retrofitted by Supple lead the user out onto the carriageway of Pembroke Park Drive rather than directly across from kerb to kerb. Fred agreed that these would be addressed.

The hedge and ditch running along the main green will be removed and the ground will be levelled so as to provide visibility.

The concrete panels at the end of Pembroke Heights have been removed on several occasions, providing a hang-out zone behind the back gardens of houses in Pembroke Row. This causes great distress to residents in Pembroke Row. Fred said that the fencing will be reinstated and Marcia asked for a more permanent solution than that which has been provided to date such that the problem won’t arise again.

Fred explained that the street lighting has been taken in charge by the ESB. Any lights which are not operational are now the responsibility of the ESB. Marcia is to contact Donal Aherne of the ESB.

Frank explained how youngsters coming down the hill from the high road are jumping up on the gabions and running down the side walls between the houses to get out into the estate, causing great distress to affected residents. Fred suggested that if residents of the house closest have an interest in incorporating the ESB wayleave into their property, that would not be an issue with Manor Park and should alleviate the short-cutting problem. He explained that the wayleave must be left but is unlikely to be used by the ESB. Frank and Marcia to discuss this with the residents in question.

During its first meeting with the Residents Association, Manor Park suggested that the issue of the no-man’s land between Pembroke Heights and the back gardens of houses in Pembroke Crescent could be solved were the land to be incorporated as part of the back gardens of the houses it adjoins. Fred will discuss same with the solicitor acting on behalf of Manor Park.

Neither Frank, Fred or Marcia has seen the new Pembroke Wood nameplate, although we believe it to be ready for erection. Marcia asked that Fred contact Kieran McCoy so as to demonstrate good faith with regard to payment. Fred will speak to Kieran McCoy today and will contact Marcia should he not be happy with the quality of the nameplate.

A photograph of the internal directional signage in Heronswood was given to Fred. The signage in Heronswood was provided by Highway Safety. Fred will contact the Manor Park sign providers so as to compare design and cost with that provided by Highway Safety.

A new nameplate will be provided for Pembroke Crescent.

Ivy will be planted at the base of the retaining wall between Pembroke Crescent and the apartments. This will be done as soon as possible.

The green area at Pembroke Crescent will be drained so that it will become usable all year round. The main green will also be drained properly.

The land to the rear of Pembroke Heights/Hillcrest has been sold and so Manor Park has no further obligations in that regard. The land in front of Doodlebugs has also been sold and the purchaser, Paul Hanlon, is using it as a depot for the finishing work in the estate he is undertaking on behalf of Manor Park. Although Manor Park has no obligations with regard to this land either, they have asked that it be reinstated when the taking in charge work is complete.

A low railing will be provided along the bottom of the green at Pembroke Crescent. Gaps will be left for children to access the green safely. The natural pathways used by children should become evident over time once the area has been drained properly.

Cork County Council has advised Manor Park that the correct course of action with regard to substituting the play areas and the railings and electric gate at the apartments with additional landscaping, speed ramps, etc. is to apply for planning permission for their removal. Fred asked that, should Manor Park take this course of action, the Residents Association would write in support of the planning application. Marcia and Frank agreed that they would.

The issue of parking on both sides of the road on Pembroke Crescent was discussed. Manor Park will provide footpaths from Pembroke Crescent to the car park to the rear of the apartments where possible, so as to make the car park more accessible to apartment residents. However, there is a significant difference in level between the rear of some of the apartments and the car park. Steps may have to be provided. Fred agreed that the problem might be alleviated by removing a strip of the green so as to provide parking parallel to the road, but off the carriageway. He will investigate this further and perhaps include it in the planning application for removal of the play areas.

Marcia and Frank had obtained a quotation from The Garden Pavilion, Ballygarvan, for proper landscaping throughout the estate. They illustrated the type of landscaping required with photographs from Heronswood and Mount Oval. Particular attention needs to be paid to the main green, the main Pembroke Park Drive road and the slopes of the green at Pembroke Crescent. Landscaping is also needed along the wall running the length of Pembroke Heights. Marcia said that there is a letter on the planning file indicating a commitment from Supple to landscape this wall. Manor Park has a preference for using its own contractor for landscaping. Fred will request that the Manor Park landscaping contractor should prepare a detailed drawing outlining landscaping proposals for discussion. This should be ready in two weeks. Marcia asked that the way trees have been planted at regular intervals around the edge of green areas is addressed in the landscaping plan. Fred agreed that it is very difficult to cut grass when trees are planted individually this way. He said that the landscaping plan will look at grouping them, with mulch and low-level planting beneath. The issue of mature trees on the main green was discussed. Fred said that a couple of these are dead at the top and need to be trimmed. Because accommodating these old trees has created difficulties with regard to maintenance and landscaping, Frank and Marcia suggested that if a lower quality mature tree cannot be incorporated into the landscaping plan to be drawn up for the estate, then they should be removed.

PEMBROKE WOOD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION – ISSUES OUTSTANDING FOR COMPLETION OF PEMBROKE WOOD

1.  Safety:

• Speed ramps along the length of Pembroke Park Drive and on the hill of Pembroke Crescent, including a pinch point with table top ramp along straight section of Pembroke Park Drive.  Marked table top ramp to provide natural pedestrian crossing point.  (Sse Figure 1)
• Road markings throughout the estate; “Yield Right of Way” and “Stop” road signage at all junctions.  (See Figure 2)
• Wheelchair ramps at junctions.  Wheelchair ramps retrofitted by Supple along Pembroke Park Drive to be made safe and usable and relocated where necessary.  (See Pigures 3 and 4)
• Hedge and ditch running along main green to be taken out; ground to be levelled such that there is complete visibility onto the main green from Pembroke Park Drive.
• Permanently close perimeter fencing at end of Pembroke Heights.  (See Figure 5)
• Fix all street lighting.  At last count, there were 5 out of order in Pembroke Heights, all out in Foxwood, 9 out of order in Pembroke Crescent and the apartments, 3 out of order in Pembroke Row, 1 gone in each of Pembroke Avnue, Pembroke Meadows, Pembroke Park Drive, Deepark and The Brambles.
• Address the issue of rat-run from the hill at the back of the estate, over gabions at end of Pembroke Heights, down the side walls of houses and into Pembroke Wood.  (See Figure 6)
• Sign over land between Pembroke Heights and Pembroke Crescent to residents of Pembroke Crescent.  (See Figure 7)

 

 

2.  Signage:

• “Pembroke Wood” nameplate to be provided and installed at the entrance to the estate off the R610.  (See Figure Eight)
• Internal directional signage to be provided at junctions.  (see Figure 9)
• Pembroke Crescent nameplate to be replaced with the correct spelling of “Crescent” provided.  (See Figure 11)

 

 

3.  Drainage on lower areas of green hill at Pembroke Crescent to be made good.  (See Figure 12)

 

 

4.  Aesthetics:

• Ivy to be planted at base of retaining wall between Pembroke Row and the apartments so as to provide screening.  (See Figure 12)
• Landscaping to be carried out along the length of wall at Pembroke Heights.  (See Figure 13)
• Additional landscaping to be carried out on main green and along Pembroke Park Drive.  Scheme to be agreed with Residents Association.  (See Figures 14 – 17)
• Landscaping of the green hill at Pembroke Crescent to be carried out in accordance with the Structural Tree Planting Plan agreed with Cork County Council or an alternative landscaping plan to be agreed with the Residents Association.  (See Figures 18, 19)
• Hilly slopes at the back of the estate to be cleared and planted with trees.  Urban forest trails to be laid as described in Planning Application 97/4695.

 

 

5.  Apartments

• Provide easy, clean, dry, safe and wheelchair-friendly access to the car park at the rear of the apartment block from Pembroke Crescent.
• Landscaping both in front of and behind apartments to be carried out in accordance with the Structural Tree Planting Plan as agreed with Cork County Council or an alternative landscaping plan to be agreed with the Residents Association.  (See Figure 20, 21)
• Install electronic gates at entrance/exit to car park and surround the perimeter with attractive railings to match gates.
• Extend parking area into the green opposite The Crescent apartments so as to alleviate on-road parking.

 

 

6.      Reshape the green hill at Pembroke Crescent to comply with proposals for same outlined in Planning Application 97/4695.  (See Figure 22) 

 

 

7.      Provide play areas, courts and playing fields as outlined in Planning Application 97/4695.

 

 

Figures 1 – 22 will be attached shortly

Land next to the Creche – Update

2nd October 2008

A new file number is availabe for Mr Hanlons application the file reference number is 089094 and the planning application is for

Mixed use neighbourhood centre development consisting of a four storey building with cafe with external seating area, office/medical floorspace with option for internal subdivision of up to 4 no. units, 22 no. apartments, retail floorspace with option for internal subdivison of up to 4 no. units and all associated development works including car parking, landscaping and amenity areas, bicycle storage and service/refuse storage facilities

17th September 2008

A file application number still isn’t showing on www.corkcoco.ie planning database.  Objections can’t be lodged until there is an application number.  Once an application number has been posted on the Cork County Council website I will upload it immediately and flyers will be delivered to each property in Pembroke Wood outlining what planning has been sought and who to contact if an objection wants to be entered.

 

27th August 2008

The planning application for the land next to the creche has been returned to Mr Paul Hanlon as it was lodged incomplete.  He will now have to submit a whole new application and therefore and new application number will be available in due course.  Once the new planning number is available I will add to this website.

Also Mr Hanlon will have to put up brand new signs on the site.

The residents committee met this and they will be submitting a formal objection but all individual objections should be submitted also.

 

Agenda for Next 12 Months

Elect New chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer

Estate List of Completion:

Erect a good quality name plate at the entrance to the estate.

Main Green

Drain the main green such that it can be walked and run on in wet weather.

Remove the ditch and hedge screening the main green from Pembroke Park Drive.

Clear all old growth around mature trees on the main green.

Fill, level and seed hollows in the main green

Play Area – Pembroke Crescent

Contour the green in front of Pembroke Crescent as was agreed in planning permission 97/4695.

Provide the play areas and associated landscaping which were agreed in planning permission 97/4695.

Relocation of play area – if to be green area on left as you drive into the estate there will need to be proper draining

Speed Ramps, Road Markings, Signage

Install durable speed ramps at appropriate intervals on Pembroke Park Drive. 

Road markings, road signage (children at play or drive slowly) and speed ramps

Replace the Pembroke Crescent road name plate.

Outstanding Landscaping

Plant 11 No. trees to screen the retaining wall at the back of the apartments from Pembroke Row and Pembroke Crescent.

Remove dead trees from the end of Pembroke Grove and replant this area with four more trees in accordance with the Structural Tree Planting Plan.

Revisit the entire planting arrangement in the apartment blocks to include 8 No. hornbeam in front of the retaining wall at the end of the courtyard and an additional 15 trees at the front of the apartment blocks, in the walkways and in the courtyard behind.

Plant both inside and outside the screen wall running along Pembroke Heights.

Apartments:

On 12^th March 1998, Tony Dennehy, architect for the developer, sent a letter and a revision of the estate design to Cork County Council.  These are in the planning file for planning application 97/4695.  Item No. 4 of this letter reads:

 “Apartments:- These have been shown in a separate location with vehicular access from the rear by a controlled gate.  The front will overlook the larger open space and is railed in with pedestrian access gates to the individual blocks and the car park.”

Schedule for grass cutting from Supple:

Litter pick:

Next Litter Pick will be  –

Any other business:

 

 

 

 

Minutes from AGM held 10th June 2008

Mains Objective:  Raise Profile & Awareness of Committee

 Committee members Present: James, Jo-anne, Muireann, Marcia Marie

 Actions:

Treaurers Report

Account balance – €1366.04

Chairmans Report

James gave a summary of:

Litter Picks – being very successful and useful for raise the awareness of the committee throughout the estate

Events held during the last 12 months – summer litter pick and bouncy castle aswell as Xmas kids party

Trying to get a grass cutting schedule from Supple

Actions the committee have taken over the last 12 months with Supple and the Council

Marie From the Apartments:

Marie gave a summary of what has happened with the Apartment block over the 12 months and where they need to go from here

 Appointment of Representatives:

All attendees were asked if they would like to join the committee, as a representative from every second area of the estate is required.  Unfortunately no-one was willing to join but it was suggested that each person inform their friends or Neighbours that the committee meeting is held on the 1^st Tuesday of every month in Hazels Montessori on Pembroke Park Drive  

Floor Questions:

Questions were raised regarding:

The Bond – Manor Park Homes would have lodged a bond with the council when they started the developed and Seamus McGrath is going to try and get information regardin the balance of this and if Manor Park Homes will be entitled to the bond back if the estate isn’t finished as per planning even if the council is happy to take it over.

Signage – It was suggested that the money in the account be used towards “SLOW KIDS @ PLAY” signs but that progressed into Traffic Safety being more important – e.g. Speed Ramps

Speed Ramps – The committee have a quotation for speed ramps and signage and it was suggested that the residents proceed with getting the speed ramps themselves.

Seamus McGrath is to  seek clarification on insurance and who is responsible if residents put in the speed ramps

 Council Taking over of the Estate

Approximately 12 years from planning granted but because planning for the rear of the estate didn’t happen until 2000 it will be 2012. 

It doesn’t happen exactly after 12 years, it can take a lot longer than that and there are some estates out there that are never taken over.

It was suggested that the residents sign a petition for the council to take over the estate but we’ll have to wait until 2012 for the full estate.

AOB:

Seamus McGrath suggested that if we want to insert a loose page into Michael McGrath news letter to raise the profile of the committee and website that they’d be happy to print and distribute this for us.

 James to contact Paul Hanlon for update on planning application for green around in front of apartments and green area at the end of maple rise where rubble from the build of the yellow detached house has been dumped.

 

 

 

 

Annual General Meeting – 10th June 2008

The AGM of Pembroke Woods Residents Association will take place on Tuesday 10th June 2008 at 7.30pm in the Passage West Soccer Club.

All are welcome.

Litter Pick – Friday 16 May 2008

As the weather seems to be on our side at the moment, the next litter pick will take place Friday evening 16th May at 7pm.

The more hands to help the less time it will take.

Looking forward to seeing you there!!!

Important Notice

It has been reported that a number of vehicles were entered into and property removed during the early hours of Sunday 30th December 2007.

 The Gardai have requested that we bring this to your attention and for you to be more vigilant in securing your property (in particular vehicles, rear patio doors and SATNAV’s left in the vehicle)

Should you see any suspicious activity in the housing estate please contact the Passage West Gardai on 021 4841001.