Latest news with #RonanMoore
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Meath's Tidy Towns lead the way in climate action and biodiversity
While many still picture Tidy Towns volunteers as simply planting flowers and tidying streets, today's groups have evolved into community engagement and support. From running circular economy initiatives to supporting homeless people and promoting local environmental resilience, the volunteers aim to make a difference in their communities. In Trim, the five-time winners of the overall competition, Trim Tidy Towns is pioneering innovative projects like the recently launched returnable coffee cup scheme, cloth nappy libraries, and reusable party kits – initiatives aimed at reducing waste, cutting carbon emissions, and saving families money. They also partnered with Birdwatch Ireland Meath to build a Sand Martin Wall along the Boyne River in August 2024, providing 72 nesting sites to protect this important bird species. Councillor Ronan Moore, Vice Chairperson of Trim Tidy Towns, highlighted the evolving role of the group: 'More and more people understand that the Tidy Towns Competition has long since moved past the simple aesthetics and litter-picking that it was once associated with.' The community group has been active since the mid-1960s and is currently chaired by Brian Hefferman. Mr Moore added: 'Through our involvement in multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the Trim Sustainable Energy Community and the Urbact SDG Global Goals project, as well as partnerships with schools, Men's Sheds, youth projects, and residential estates, more residents now recognise that Tidy Towns encompass everything positive about a community - from sustainability and biodiversity to improved streetscapes and public spaces.' 'We continue to give people hope that they can make a difference. Our message of 'come out and help make a difference' is getting through. We are the extra bit of voluntary workforce that community groups call on when they need a hand.' In Navan, the Johnstown Tidy Towns group has been working closely with Meath County Council to manually weed cycle paths and footpaths, a natural alternative to pesticides that benefits everyone, from local wildlife to children playing outdoors. Councillor Alan Lawes, Chairperson of Johnstown Tidy Town, said: 'We wanted to look after our community a little bit better; the manual weeding is something we are proud of. We've prevented thousands of litres of pesticides from being sprayed. That's a benefit for everyone, for the animals, and for the children playing in the area.' 'Everyone is looking for the government to do something for the environment but actually we can do a lot ourselves.' Meath County Council backs these local efforts through funding schemes, with the latest being €3m Local Biodiversity Action Fund announced this week. Johnstown Tidy Towns also use their funding to support outreach for homeless people in Meath. 'We go out every night to homeless people to bring them something to eat or sleeping bags. I'm hoping that by doing what we are doing, it's shining light on the area that is not being looked after by the government,' said Mr Lawes. Founded in 1958, the Tidy Towns competition celebrates the tidiest and most attractive communities across Ireland. Judged by independent adjudicators from May to August, towns receive reports praising positive developments and suggesting improvements. Awards cover various environmental categories, culminating in the announcement of Ireland's Tidiest Town each September. In Athboy, the Tidy Towns group hosts biodiversity talks to teach locals to appreciate and protect nature. Mary Flood, Chairperson, said: 'Our motto is to improve, protect and enhance our town, so a lot of the work we do is about education — showing people what we are doing and hoping they follow our example.' 'We tend to forget that we are part of nature… we are nature. If we destroy nature, we are destroying ourselves and leaving it in a bad state for future generations. So we have to teach people to love nature.' Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Meath councillors back council's rejection of exemption for IPAS centre in industrial unit
The application, submitted by Erinpark Ltd, sought a section five declaration for what it described as "non-material amendments to the facade" of Unit 29 in Oaktree Business Park, along with a change of use from commercial purposes to temporary housing for those seeking international protection. Trim councillors supported the council's decision, emphasising the importance of proper regulatory scrutiny. Councillor Ronan Moore said: "I didn't expect these exemption applications to – succeed. The reason being that these buildings are commercial or industrial in nature. To make them suitable for people to live in – and to meet requirements around disability access, fire safety, and building regulations – significant internal works would be needed. And in almost every case, this would also involve external alterations, and if external works are required then it cannot be considered exempt development.' A separate application concerning a premises on Fairgreen in Trim is currently under review, with a decision expected by June 10. Mr Moore added: "I would like to expect that the same logic will hold up in the second application in town due to be made by June 10. And that this too will not be granted exempted development. However, there is a deeper issue here and that is how the government has allowed private and commercial interests to drive the placement of IPAS centres. "And as a result of this, no consideration appears to be given in the first instance to the needs and concerns of either the potential International Protection Applicants or the communities that are expected to welcome them. As a result, local towns and villages are for weeks left frustrated and uncertain as to what is happening in their community. This is simply not good enough." Councillor Noel French also welcomed the outcome, stating he was 'glad' the exemption was denied. 'The building was not suitable for use as an IPAS centre and for use by human beings. The government should address the use of section 5s and reform the legislation,' he said. In its decision, the planner pointed out that the applicant did not provide sufficient documentation about the proposed changes, including a lack of drawings to clearly outline the modifications to the facade. The planner's report indicated that the "proposed development would most likely require additional windows, vents and potential fire safety measures in order to convert the existing structure into a habitable space in terms of natural lighting, ventilation fire safety etc" and that in order to "successfully change the use of the structure to provide accommodation suitable for human habitation, material changes to the external facade would be required".
