Q27. Councillor Paddy McCartan
In relation to the derelict Pigeon House Generating Station, to ask the Manager:
(a) Why did DCC purchase this site from the ESB at a cost of 600,000 euro?
(b)What costs have been incurred by DCC on this site since the purchase?
Reply:
(a) The City Council purchased a one hectare site at Southbank / Whitebank Road and lands which included the Pigeon House Hotel , Generating Station & environs as one lott from the ESB of for the purpose of :
1.The relocation of Westway Terminals Hibernian Molasses from the Waste to Energy Site to Southbank / Whiltebank Road.
2. Commercial Redevelopment of the lands at Pigeon House Hotel, Generating Station & environs incorporating Community Gain objectives. This will require the preparation of a Development Framework Plan involving public consultation.
(b) The main cost incurred by DCC on the lands at Pigeon House Hotel & The Pigeon House Generating Station and its environs since their purchase has been in securing the property. An amount of €336,700 has been spent on this service. This cost is no longer being incurred as the former hotel is being used as office space for the contractors working on the Waste Water Treatment Works in Ringsend. This occupancy has reduced the need for security. In addition the Drainage Division now has CCTV cameras in operation at the site. There has also been a small amount of income generated from the use of the Generating Station for filming purposes.
Q28. Councillor Paddy McCartan
In relation to Hammond Lane, to ask the Manager:
(a) what was the cost of the alternative site for Hammond Lane?
(b) Did Hammond Lane pay for their new site having received payment for their existing site?
(c) How did relocation costs of over 850,000 euro arise for moving scrap metal a distance of some hundred metres?
Reply:
a) Hammond Lane Metal Company and The Trustees of The Clearways Disposals Ltd Directors Pension scheme were paid €5,646,292 and €1,693,727 respectively in full and final settlement for their Leasehold and Freehold interests in the site at Shelleybanks Road. These payments were to compensate them for the interests in the site occupied by them in the Pigeon House Road / Shellybanks Road CPO and were agreed with the Arbitrator.
b) The Council is not aware how the monies have been spent.
c) In order to facilitate Hammond Lane vacating the site in late 2008, DCC agreed to fund temporary accommodation costs following a move from the Shellybanks Road site to a temporary site at Craig Avenue in Clondalkin. These costs included the differential on their Rent and Rates and also adaptation works necessary to enable Hammond Lane to carry on their business.
Q29. Councillor Paddy McCartan
To ask the Manager in relation to Westway Hibernian Molasses, was any council approval obtained for the decision to buy out WHTL and build a new terminal?
(b) Did WHTL pay towards the renewal of their plant?
(c) Who were the consultants to WHTL for the relocation project, and who was given the contract to construct the new terminal.
Reply:
(a) & (b) The City Council agreed to compensate Westway Terminals Hibernian Molasses (WTHM) for their leasehold interest in their site by providing a new facility to WTHM on an alternative site. The site acquisition process is an executive function and therefore did not require the approval of the Elected Members of the City Council.
(c) WTHM appointed Fahy Fitzpatrick Consulting Engineers as the consultants for the construction of the new facility. Fahy Fitzpatrick managed the tender process which lead to the appointment of SIAC as the main contractor.