20th September, 2005

Ms Mary J Mulholland,
Senior Executive Officer, Planning
Carlow County council,
Athy Road,
Carlow.

Dear Mary,
Ref 03/863 Forge Meadow, Ballon

You wrote to us on the 17th August, 2005 advising that you had written to the agents for the developer indicating that full compliance with all conditions had been required.
Will you please let us know if there has been any response?

Your predecessor, B Duggan, had issued a Warning Letter to them dated 25th January on the same issue and it appears to be ignored. However, the planning reference quoted was 0/106 and subsequently changed to 03/863.

It appears to us that the developer is doing his outmost to avoid building the wall as required in paragraph 17.

We have advised all of out local councillors of the situation, Tullow and Begenalstown some of whom have made contact with you I understand.

Sincerely,

Michael Martin C/E; M.I.Mar.E; M.I.Plant E (retired)
Chairman to the Group
Copy posted on village web site
www.ballonvillage.com/BIGupdates.htm

18th September, 2005

Mr. Pat Connolly,
Senior Engineer,
Carlow County Council,
Tullow.
Co. Carlow

Repairs to Cemetery Gates in Ballon

Dear Pat,

These gates have now been repaired as per the attached invoice which we have paid.
The original quote was for €700 but the shot blasting proved a problem and was more expensive than anticipated.
We have paid the full amount but will only hold you to the original quote if needs be.
Our bank details are:
Bank of Ireland
Court Place,
Carlow
Account No 27817870
Sort Code 90-65-31
Ballon Improvement Group

At the time of your agreement to fund this repair you said that you would carry out work during late summer on:
• Levelling and seeding the roadside verge from the cemetery to the speed limit sign
• Making a pavement in front of the Community Centre for safe pedestrian passage.

Please let us know when these will be done. The roadside verge got adverse comments in the Tidy Towns report: and, with the children back at school the pavement is needed for their safety.

Sincerely

Michael Martin C/E, M.I.Mar.E, M.I.Plant E (retired)
Chairman to the Group

10th September, 2005

Mr Ted Egan,
Ballykealey Manor Hotel.
Ballykealey,
Ballon
Co Carlow

National Heritage Week

Dear Ted,
On behalf of the Group I wish to thank you most sincerely for your support on hosting our talk on Ballon Hill.
Of the 98 people in attendance we estimate that around 50 of them were from outside of the area. At least one small group travelled from Dublin.
It was a success and we anticipate coverage in the local news media next week.
I got 15 minutes “Air Time” on KCLR and advised of your support to the project as well as on the night and the village web site.
There are some photos on the web site as well as our own coverage.
Having refreshments before the event encouraged early attendance and we actually started on time.

Sincerely,

Michael Martin – Chairman
Copy posted on village web site
www.ballonvillage.com/BIGupdates.htm

4th September 2005

Cemetery Gates
The gates have now been repaired, sandblasted, dipped and repainted.
Our thanks to the Tullow Engineer Pat Connolly for his support on this project.

26th August, 2005

Report on Ballon Village by John McDarby of C.C.C.

Report On Ballon Village

1. Terms of Reference
To meet community activists and discuss work carried out as well as assistance
needed by community and voluntary groups under the initiatives available from
Carlow County Council.
2. Method of Procedure
The area has already been visited by Ms. Bemie O'Brien. Director of Services and I relayed her congratulations to the community activists in the area on the achievements to date and the work that is going on.
I visited at 10:00 am on 24th August, 2005 and I met Mr. Michael Martin. We
discussed work they have been doing, how things are going etc. and I noticed the
granite walls from the Garda Station to the Telephone Exchange.
The Maple Lawns area looks very well. The Wildlife School project and
Millennium Monument are very pleasant. The planted bed close to Zeraffa's
garage looks well. as does the cemetery wall and entrance. I noted the granite
Ballon stones, and the fine appearance of Mullaun More. The Oaks and Pier Park.
I also noticed the new football pitch and the lovely planters and baskets at Chapel
Street. Every business in the village has a floral display of some kind.
I walked around the area with Michael.
I advised that Pride of Place judging is taking place during August by independent
adjudicator.

3. Findings
The following requirements were outlined to me:
(a) Footpaths
A footpath is required opposite the Texaco garage from the speed
limit sign to the end of the existing footpath.
A footpath is required from Forge Meadow to Pheasants Rise.

Footpath repair is required close to the Garda station where the
pavement has sunk to road level.
Kerb repair is required between the Texaco Garage and the bridge -
only about 3m.
Footpath is required at Mary Flynn's house at Laragh Road.
Footpath from end of existing path at Mullaun More to the
Community Centre together with road widening on the opposite side
of the road.
Soft Margin beyond graveyard needs to be leveled and seeded.
b) Road surfacing
Completion of entrance to Forge Meadow is needed
(c) Other
Trees are required on the boundary of Mullaun More and The Oaks to
soften the view from the Fenagh Road direction.
4. Conclusions
Footpath construction and improvement is the major concern in Ballon with
completion of entrance to a new estate and boundary treatment of two other new
estates.
Much of the works required would not be on the expensive end of the scale and
could be scheduled into a program to take advantage of manpower and
machinery when the pressure might not be high elsewhere.
5. Recommendations
I recommend that we request the Northern Area office to draft a schedule to
perform as much of the necessary works as possible if and when and in so far as
resources permit.

Dated: 24/8/05
John McDarby

Note: John also noted the overflow at the recycling centre by the Community Centre left by the thoughtless and arranged for it's immediate removal. Please keep it neat and tidy.

19th August, 2005

Reply from Mary J. Mulholland - Senior Executice Officer, Planning, Carlow County council

17th August, 2005.
MJM/EC

Ballon Improvement Group,
C/o Mr. Michael Martin,
Bally kealey,
Ballon,
Co. Cariow.

Re: Plg. Ref.: 03/863 - Forge Meadows, Ballon, Co. Cariow.

A Chara,

I refer to previous correspondence relating to the above and in particular to Condition
No. 17 of the permission.

Agents for the developer have been contacted and full compliance with all conditions
of planning permission has been required.

Any proposal to construct a fence in place of the wall as required would require
planning permission.

Mise, Ie meas,
Mary J. Mulholland,
Senior Executive Officer,
Planning.

28th July, 2005

First reply from a councillor to our letter of 22/7/05

To Mr Billy Duggan
Administrative Office
Planning Dept
Carlow County Council

Re. PL 03/068 - Forge Meadows
Dear Billy
I wish to make representations on behalf of the members of Ballon Improvement
Group in relation to a boundary wall at Forge Meadows. It would appear that the
grant of permission - clause 17 (a) states that "the subject site should be bounded
along its northern roadside boundary by a natural wall, 1.5 metres in height. It would
further appear that a wooden fence has been erected by the developer.
This wooden fence is unacceptable to the Ballon Improvement Group and it is
anxious to have a proper natural wall, 1.5 metres in height erected. To that end I
enclose a decision of An Bord Pleannala (Ref. PL Ol.RL.21^3) concerning whether
the changing of a boundary treatment from solid block walls to Fence Stone is or is
not development and is or is not exempted development.
You will note that this case was referred to the Bord by Carlow County Council and
that the Bord decided that the boundary wall in question was materially different in
both construction and appearance from the which was permitted by Carlow County
Council under condition 14 of 03/291 and would therefore contravene the provisions
of this condition.
In light of this decision by An Bord Pleanala and the objections of the Ballon
Improvement Group I formally request that you move to instruct the developer to
comply with the conditions of the grant of planning permission or send the matter to
An Bord Pleanala for their adjudication on the matter.
Yours sincerely

WILLIAM F. PATON

23rd July 2005

c/o Michael Martin,
Ballykealey,
Ballon,
Co. Carlow.
22nd July, 2005
www.ballonvillage.com

Dear Councillor,

Planning Application PL 03/068
Forge Meadows, Ballon

We are writing to you as our public representative on this planning application as we have made no satisfactory progress in dealing with the planning office directly.

To keep it brief clause 17 (a) of The Schedule states:
The subject site shall be bounded along its northern roadside boundary by a natural wall, 1.5 metres in height.
Instead a wooden fence has been erected.

We first brought this to the attention of the planning office in 23/9/2004 and have followed up by many letters and phone calls.

The culmination of all this is, according to B. Duggan A/SEO, Planning, that the engineer sent to check on the site reported that all was in order. And that, this is hard to believe, has the option to deviate from the schedule.

This makes a mockery of the whole planning process and effectively takes away its democratic process.

Please follow this up on our behalf as there appears to be a serious deviation from the planning process with dangerous possibilities if this is true.

Sincerely,

Michael Martin C.Eng. M.I.Mar.E. M.I.Plant E (retired)– Chairman
Copy posted on village web site
www.ballonvillage.com/BIGupdates.htm
Copies to Muinebheagh & Tullow elected representatives.

12th May 2005

c/o Michael Martin,
Ballykealey,
Ballon,
Co. Carlow.
12th May, 2005
www.ballonvillage.com

County Carlow Community Network
Carlow County Council
Athy Road
Carlow

Dear Sirs,
Thank you for your booklet Five Years of Service.
I note that you have a web site with a list of participants and that there is no information on our group.

Please add the following:

Ballon Improvement Group was founded in May 2001.
Since then many improvements have been made to the village.

But our flagship is our website www.ballonvillage.com

Under the BIG button you can learn all about the Group, it’s achievements to date and its aspirations for the future.

But there I much more besides and with over 39,000 visitors it is proving a HIT in the web sense of the word.

Sincerely,

Michael Martin – Chairman
Copy posted on village web site
www.ballonvillage.com/BIGupdates.htm

11th May 2005

This letter was sent today to the Planning Dept

c/o Michael Martin,
Ballykealey,
Ballon,
Co. Carlow.
11th May, 2005
www.ballonvillage.com

Mr B. Duggan,
A/Senior Executive Officer,
Carlow County Council
Athy Road,
Carlow.

Re: Planning Permission PL 00/106 – PL 03/863

Dear Mr. Duggan,

Thank you for your letter dated 3/5/05 concerning the above and we are glad to see that you are satisfied that the Site development is according to plan.
We have heard rumours to the contrary and it’s good to have your confirmation.
There are two points on the Schedule for which we would like clarification though:

9 Occupation of the houses shall be phased to have regard for the capacity of the sewage treatment plant.

This is not apparent as the sewage treatment plant has not been upgraded and the houses are nearly all occupied.

17(a) The subject site shall be bounded along its northern roadside by a natural wall, 1.5 metres in height

This has not been completed and instead a ranch type fence has been supplied. The wall is seen as important particularly from the point of view of visually amenity. At the moment it looks a mess and the builder clearly hopes not to comply.
The northern side of the site is that bounded by the lane and is opposite the granite wall built during the famine years as a garden for Ballykealey Manor.

We hope to highlight this as part of National Heritage Week and the said wall is so important in keeping in tone with what is there.

We wish to see the wall built as soon as possible and in keeping with the Schedule.

Sincerely,

Michael Martin – Chairman
C.E, M.I.Mar.E; M.I Plant E (retired)
Copy posted on village web site
www.ballonvillage.com/BIGupdates.htm

Note of a recent conversion with John Lauhoff of The Services Section of the Council
Ballon Sewage System

John has confirmed that the work being undertaken at the moment is of an accommodation nature for the entrance and the land owner.

Tenders have now been accepted for the upgrading of Ballon and two other villages. It is not known which will be commenced first but it is hoped to have all completed before the year end.

The capacity will be increased from the present 500 to 1200 persons.

2nd April 2005

Following a committee meetings dated 30th March, specifically for consideration of a three year plan, the following 'notification' letter was posted today.

Kathleen Fitzgerald,
Craanpursheen,
Ballon,
Co. Carlow.
31st March, 2005

Mr J. Crocket,
County Manager,
Carlow County Council,
Athy Road,
Carlow

Dear Sir,

Preparation of a Three Year Action Plan for Ballon Village.

Ballon Improvement Group (BIG) is pleased to give notice of its intention to prepare a detailed 3-Year Action Plan for Ballon Village (2005-2008). The main aim of the Action Plan is to provide a 'strategic framework' for the design and implementation of key projects that will preserve and enhance the historic village core, its unique townscape and surrounding landscape, which is of an extremely high quality and of national importance.
At this stage, the Group would welcome ideas and suggestions of possible 'actions and tasks' to be included in the Plan and to learn of council support in the way of grants & expertise.
Potential themes include:

* Design Guidance - 'Village Design Statement' to guide future development within Ballon
* Archaeological Surveys - Ballon Hill, Ballykealey Estate, Holy Wells, etc.
* Environmental Improvements - Tree Planting, Pedestrian Crossings, etc.
* Churchyards and Cemeteries
* Promoting Biodiversity - 'A Village Habitat'
* Buildings at Risk within the Village
* Education and Public Awareness - workshops, lectures and seminars
* Design a programme for European Heritage Week in September 2005
* Signage and Visitor Boards
* Folklore and Folk life
* Open Space and Children's' Play Areas.
* Community Centre development
* Walkways

It is intended that the Action Plan will be prepared during April and May 2005. A Draft Plan will then be put on the website for display and to enable feedback from all village residents.

We look forward to any exciting ideas that you may have for the future of our historic Village!
Sincerely,

Kathleen Fitzgerald – Secretary to the Group

Copies to
G. O’Beirne – Director of Corporate and Planning Services
J. Mulholland – Director of Services
W. Paton – Chairman, Tullow Electoral Area
D. Foley – Chairman, Muinebheag Electoral Area
www.ballonvillage.com/BIG updates.htm

24th March 2005

On site meeting with Pat Connolly & Michael Martin
For the points raised on the 15th March the following was noted:

1 Pat is not aware of specific village funding at this time
2 He will level and seed the verge later in the year and we can include this aspect in our plan
3 BIG to get quotes for the refurbishment of the gates
4 The 'Ballon' stone to be repositioned before the road speed limit sign. Enquiries will be made as to why the stone was dismantled.
5 Discussion is underway with the rep. from the Parish council concerning a pedestrain walkway at the community centre. Funding is available and it too can be included in our plan.

Subsequently, Declan Nolan of Carlow Stone Centre has offered to make a new base for the stone and to reassemble it in the new position at no cost to the community. Approval from the local land owner has been obtined for this and for the road side verge. Declan has also offered to refurbish the Millennium clock feature at no cost as well.
Quotes have been requested for the gates.

15th March, 2005
Meeting with Pat Connolly (Senior Engineer CCC Tullow)
Chrissie McGagh and Michael Martin met Pat at the Tullow office to raise the following issues as affecting our forward planning for the village.

1 What funding will be available for this year?
2 Can the roadside verge from the cemetery to the road speed limit sign be leveled and seeded?
3 Can the cemetery gates be refurbished?
4 Where might we reposition the 'Ballon' stone?
5 What can be done about providing a safe pedestrian walkway at the front of the Community Centre?

Pat listened to our views and agreed to meet Michael on site on the 24th and to make a judgment on the issues raised.

We subsequently met with the foreman Joe Barnes and he said that the council had repositioned the 'Ballon' stone after making the new pavement and can't understand why it was subsequently removed. It is now lying in the field at the entrance to the adjacent farm building.

8th January, 2005

Reply from the Council concerning our planning objection

Kathleen Fitzgerald
Chairperson
Ballon Improvement Group
Craanpursheen
Ballon
Co. Carlow.
21/12/2004

Re: PL04/762 - Ann McCarthy.

A Chara,
1 refer to your submission, lodged on the 17th December, 2004, in relation to the
planning application, and wish to inform you that as the fee of €20 was not
enclosed it is not a valid objection. Therefore I am returning your submission as it
cannot be taken into account during the decision making process.
Mise Ie meas,

B. Duggan
A/SEO
Planning Department.

NB our mistake here

Reply from the Council concerning a Development plan for Ballon

21st December, 2004.
Ms. Kathleen Fitzgerald,
Secretary,
Ballon Improvement Group,
Craanpursheen,
Ballon,
CO. CARLOW.

A Chara,
I refer to your letter of 14th December, 2004, to Mr. J. Crockett, County Manager.
I wish to advise that it is an objective of the County Development Plan 2003 that there
be Local Area or Village Plans for a number of towns and villages throughout the
county including Ballon. In the period since the adoption of the County Development
Plan such forward plans have been prepared and adopted for Borris, Leighlinbridge,
Muinebheag, Rathvilly, Tullow and Tinnahinch and draft plans have been prepared
for Grange and Palatine. It is anticipated that a draft plan will be prepared for Ballon
in 2005 and in doing so the Council will be inviting submissions and observations as
part of the process.
Mise, Ie meas,

G. O’BEIRNE,
Director of Corporate Planning Services

NB We were told this in 2003 & 2004 as well

18th December, 2004

Objections to Planning Application 04/762

Carlow County Council,
Planning Department,
Athy Road,
Carlow.

14th December, 2004

Dear Sirs,

Planning Application No 04/762

This Group objects to this planning application for the following reasons.

Density
The high density development would be out of character with our village. Mr John O’ Connor, Chairman of An Bord Pleanala has expressed his concerns on this issue. It also needs to be recognised that squeezing together a large number of low income families generally leads to social problems. It would be more sensible to allow a lower density of mixed houses. This is what good planning is about - vision and not just sticking to a set of planning rules.

Public Safety
The proposed entrance to the crescent of town houses is too close to the sharp bend coming off the main road. The viewing distance for traffic exiting the crescent is severely reduced. This will pose a grave danger to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The Ballon/Rathoe Community Childcare facility has an enrolment of 130 children which includes the out of school facility. This involves continuous walking between the two. Traffic volumes at this junction will increase as the current developments at the Oaks, the new apartments and Mullaunmore come to completion. There is no public footpath by the Community centre and children going to school have to walk on a very narrow main road.
A very significant number of heavy goods trucks servicing Ballon Meats and Murray Sawmills use this junction. To negotiate the junction these heavy trucks must cross the white line almost onto the opposite footpath before they can re – align with the correct side of the road.
More traffic at this point will pose a threat to the already questionable safety of those already using this road.

Infrastructure/Services
Sewage facilities are overloaded. Upgrading is on its way but has it taken into account this new development?
The school is currently at full capacity. Almost 25% of the pupils are in prefabs. with plans to erect another one to cope with growing numbers. This problem will be exacerbated when Mullaunmore and Forge Meadows come on stream. This is a serious issue which must be addressed by the planners. Again, please use a little vision and take the whole picture into account. There is very limited capacity for expansion with adjacent lands already being purchased by developers.
There is no public transport system serving the village.

Indigenous Demand.
The rapid expansion of dwellings over the last four years has more than satisfied local demand for housing. At this stage many of the latest occupants are commuting to employment outside the region. Commuting towns are not desirable.

Play Area
The landscaped public open space/play area indicated is inadequate for such a high density scheme. By accepting a lower density the issues of safety and amenity for the children in this development are better catered for.

Boundary Treatment
The roadside boundaries should not include railings or rendered surfaces. All boundary treatment should be in keeping with the local landscape.
The provision of additional planting to existing hedgerows is inadequate and unacceptable because it does not ensure security from trespass. The provision of a two metre high capped wall is essential to control trespass and nuisance.
The large gables of the town house crescent are especially unattractive and close to the road edge.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Fitzgerald – Secretary to the Group
Copy to www.ballonvillage.com

ps 31/3/05 Kathleen McGrath wishes to be disassociated with this objection

Mr John Mulholland,
Director of Services
Infrastructure & Water Services,
Carlow County Council,
Athy Road,
Carlow.

14th December, 2004

Dear Mr. Mullholland,
Ballon Sewage Scheme

I’m writing as the new secretary to the Group concerning the sewage scheme for the village.

You did write to the previous secretary on the 8th June 2004 with the expectation that work would commence by September of this year.

The number of houses using the system is increasing monthly and we are really concerned. Please let us know what the current situation is.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Fitzgerald – Secretary to the Group
Copy to www.ballonvillage.com

Mr D. Simpson
Enforcement Section
Carlow County Council,
Athy Road,
Carlow.

14th December, 2004

Dear Mr Simpson,
Planning Application 00/106

This is a paragraph from a letter sent to John Mullholland on the 23rd September 2004.

Stone faced wall on North side boundary of site – alongside the lane
We expressed concern that the builder is not proceeding with building the wall and is instead putting up wooden railings and leaving the original hedge. We can find no agreement to this in the planning application files and wonder how the builders can deviate from the plans agreed with An Bord Pleanála. You did say that you referred our queries to the Acting Director of Planning Services but we have received no reply since.

John did say that he would contact the planning department on our behalf and I’m sure he did. But we have received no reply and we don’t know what is going on. This development is due for completion early next year and we would expect some action to be taken by the council to ascertain what the situation is. We are concerned at the apparent lack of enforcement and at the lack of a reply from the planning department.
Sincerely,

Michael Martin – Chairman
Copy posted on village web site
www.ballonvillage.com/BIGupdates.htm

Mr Kieran Cullinane
Senior Engineer,
Carlow County Council,
Station Road,Bagenalstown,
Co. Carlow

14th December, 2004

Dear Mr Cullinane,

I’m writing as the new secretary to the Group and wish to raise two points.

Roadside drainage by Forge Meadows
You did write to the previous secretary on the 9th June, 2004 indicating that you would modify the drainage to reduce the hazards of stones being dislodged by passing traffic. Please expedite as soon as possible as it is a hazard to pedestrians by flying stones.

Footpath by the Garda Station.
With the road recent road resurfacing the footpath is now at the same level as the road and the value of it to pedestrian traffic has been lost. Can you arrange to restore the level please?

Sincerely,

Kathleen Fitzgerald – Secretary to the Group
Copy to www.ballonvillage.com

4th October, 2004

Reply from John Mulholland

24th of September 2004.

Mr. Michael Martin
Chairman, Ballon Improvement Group,
Ballykealy,
Ballon,
Co. Carlow

Re:- Ballon Sewage Improvement Scheme

Dear Mr. Martin,

I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 23rd of September regarding certain planning matters and Ballon Sewerage Scheme.

Please be advised that Carlow County Council has now received tenders for the provision of new/upgraded sewage treatment facilities in the village sufficient to provide for an expanding local community. I will advise your group farther when we have a definite date for commencement of works.

I regret to note that you have not received any communication regarding planning permission 00/106 from this council. I will again bring this to the attention of my colleague in the planning section.

Yours sincerely,

J Mulholland

Director of Services,

Infrastructure, Environment & Water Services.

P.S. Compliments to all in Ballon on the appearance and presentation of the village
this summer.

26th September, 2004

c/o Michael Martin,
Ballykealey,
Ballon,
Co. Carlow.
23rd September, 2004
www.ballonvillage.com

Mr John Mulholland
Deputy County Manager,
Carlow County Council,
Athy Road,
Carlow.

Dear John,

Planning Application 00/106

Thank you for your letter dated 10th August, 2004 in connection with this.

Stone faced wall on North side boundary of site - alongside the lane

We expressed concern that the builder is not proceeding with building the wall and is instead putting up wooden railings and leaving the original hedge. We can find no agreement to this in the planning application files and wonder how the builders can deviate from the plans agreed with An Bord Pleanala. You did say that you referred our queries to the Acting Director of Planning Services but we have received no reply since.

Ballon Sewage Scheme

Please let us know how the scheme for increasing the capacity of the sewage system. You were hopeful that work would start in September but there doesn't appear to be any action yet. Meantime the number of houses has increased significantly even though An Bord Pleanala said that occupation of the houses should take into account the capacity of the sewage system.

Sincerely,
Michael Martin - Chairman
Copy posted on village web site
www.ballonvillage.com/BIGupdates.htm

6th August, 2004

A letter to Pat Connolly, Senior Engineer, Tullow

Mr. Pat Connolly,
Senior Engineer,
Carlow County Council,
Tullow.
Co. Carlow

Dear Pat,

The village is looking its best for a long time but one area of concern is the state of the bank adjacent to Maurice O’Neill’s field on the Kilbride side of the graveyard. We would like to see this levelled, tilled and seeded.
We wrote to you on this matter earlier in the year but received no reply.

Another concern is the tap in the graveyard. A pipe has been supplied to the graveyard but has not yet been connected. We have discussed this with your office on several occasions but the situation remains unchanged. People have to carry water from their houses to attend the graves and this is hard work, especially for the aged.

Can you give us some of your time to meet our chairman in the village so that he can show you other areas of concern? This was the procedure with your predecessor and it worked very well for both parties.
Sincerely,

Chrissie McGagh – Secretary to the Group
cc to www.ballonvillage.com/BIG updates.htm

We were recently advised by Mary J Mulholland, Senior Executive Officer dated 27th July 2004 that it is intended to have an initial consultation for the Ballon Village Action Plan before the end of the current year.

4th August, 2004

A letter to the manager of CCC concerning the Forge Meadow Development.

Mr.Joe Crockett,
Manager Carlow County Council,
Athy Road,
Carlow.

Dear Mr. Crockett,
Sewage System in Ballon Village.
You wrote to us on the 2nd June and would inquire if you have any further information for us. More houses have since been connected and we wonder how long this is to continue.
Planning Application 00/106
This is the same application affecting the sewage system and another possible problem has developed.
The original plans showed that there should be provided a 6 ft high natural stone faced wall along the site boundary at Ballykealey Lane. Construction has continued indicating that this isn’t going to be provided. The contractor was asked about this on two occasions but provided no information one way or the other. A member of the Group reviewed the file in the planning dept. recently but no correspondence was noted to cover this. On enquiry he was told that the files were correct.
The provision of the wall was diligently pursued by the ‘concerned residents’ at the time so to harmonise with the existing granite wall on the other side of the lane. This was a condition laid down by your planning office and we cannot see how it can be subsequently changed.
Already an additional two houses have been built on the site in excess of the original application.
We are losing trust in the system and appear to be baulked with every enquiry.
Please look into this on our behalf.

Michael Martin - Chairman.
Copy to village web site www.ballonvillage.com/BIG updates.htm

31st May, 2004

Post AGM Correspondence all dated 31/5/04

Carlow County Council,
Bagenalstown Office,
Engineers Dept;
Tullow.
Attention of Kieran Cullinane

Dear Kieran,

Ballon Improvement Group AGM

At our recent AGM several topics were raised requiring your attention and I have been asked to write accordingly.

Roadside Drain along the front of Forge Meadows
The drainage stones for this are flush with the road and vehicles which drive over it, and they do, spread the stones over the road, the grass and the pavement. Can you do something to alleviate this please as there is a danger to the public and the lawnmowers?
Pavement outside of the cottages belonging to Blanches, Murphys & Barrys
The families were told that the pavement would be raised and resurfaced. They would like to know when as it looks bad and causes flooding problems.
Ballykealey Lane
Please arrange to have the pot holes filled as it is impossible now to miss them. We were told by Mr. Mullholland that he would ask you to report to him on this.
Water Tap in the Graveyard
We are most anxious that a tap be fitted to the existing supply line asap
Sincerely,

Chrissie McGagh – Secretary to the Group
Copy to www.ballonvillage.com

Mr. Pat Connolly,
Senior Engineer,
Carlow County Council,
Tullow.
Co. Carlow

Dear Pat,
This is a copy of a letter we sent to you on the 6th May. Please let us know if we might go ahead with the project.

Joint Project - Ballon Improvement Group and Ballon National School

As part of the Tidy Towns Wildlife section the school is holding a competition for drawings of wildlife & flora native to the area. Twelve will be selected and digitally printed on a rigid aluminium plate. This will be mounted on a frame and located near the school. The school would also like to have four hanging plant containers mounted on the end wall of the school. On enquiry our estimates for this are as follows.

4ft by 3ft digitally printed aluminium plate by Signatec 400
Backing plate and poles to be made locally 150
Four hanging plant containers with plants at €40 each 160
Total 710

Bank details are Bank of Ireland, Carlow. Account No 27817870 Sort Code 90-65-31.
An early response would be appreciated as Tidy Towns judging takes place in June - July
Sincerely

Chrissie McGagh – Secretary to the Group
Copy to Bernie Mullins – Ballon National School

Carlow County Council,
County Secretary,
Athy Road,
Carlow

Dear Secretary,

Ballon Village

We are writing to know if there is yet a Development Plan for Ballon Village?

We did receive a letter from S. O’Connor DOS Planning section dated 7th August, 2003 saying that there would be a consultative phase later in the year. So far we have heard nothing.

This topic came up at our recent AGM and I have been instructed to write to you accordingly.

Sincerely,

Chrissie McGagh – Secretary to the Group
cc. www.ballonvillage.com

Mr.Joe Crockett,
Manager Carlow County Council,
Athy Road,
Carlow.

Dear Mr. Crockett,

Sewage System in Ballon Village.

We have written many times on this topic and the last we heard from the council was a letter from you dated 14th November, 2003 stating that the upgrading would be completed with six months. The six months is now up and we wish to know what the current status of the job is. Already there are nine new houses connected to the system which is in direct conflict with the conditions set down by An Bord Pleanála.

This subject was raised at our recent AGM and I have been instructed to write to you accordingly.

Chrissie McGagh – Secretary to the Group
Copy to village web site www.ballonvillage.com/BIG updates.htm

2nd. Annual General Meeting
(reported by Kathleen Fitzgerald)

Ballykealey Manor Hotel, Tuesday 18th May 2004

Opening Remarks

Road improvement,
Road markings & parking
Pavement repairs & rebuilding
Laying of pavement to Nursing Home
Fence at back of granite wall,
Flower beds
Improved litter control,
Regained litter-free status,
Dashing of cemetery wall,
Beech hedging & daffodils
Cleaning of village pump
21,000 hits on Village Web site,
Improved results in Tidy Towns Competition 2003
Hanging baskets

Council Support,
Garda Station,
Electoral Area,
T.D.'s and Councilors
Sewage Problems
Development Plan
Committee Meetings
Litter Problems

14th April, 2004

Participants in the National Spring Clean were

Joe Zerafa, Mary Jordon, Kathleen McGrath, Michael Martin, Máire George, Pat Nolan

14th February 2004

Copy of letter received from Supt Michael McKenna dated 3rd February, 2004

Re: Garda Station, Ballon.

Dear Madam,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 23rd January, 2004 and wish to inform you and the Committee that the Maintenance to the Garda Station is in hand and we are awaiting sanction from Garda Headquarters to go ahead with the maintenance both to the Station and the grounds.

BaIIon Garda Station is being policed by Garda Dave McGrath and when he is not in the station he has the telephone in the station diverted to his Mobile when working except if he is in court when his phone will be turned oft.

The traffic is receiving attention by both Garda Dave McGrath and the Traffic Unit in Carlow Garda Station and there will be more attention devoted to the areas you have concerns about.

In relation to your query about using the Village Web Site firstly how many local people use the Web site and what information / details would you suggest go on to the site.

I think local Radio / Newspapers would provide a wider audience.

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours faithfully,

and our reply dated 14th February

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your letter dated 3rd February.

We note the contents concerning the Garda Station, Traffic Speeding and access to David McGrath and thanks for this.

As regards the village web site we receive about 60 hits per day but we are not sure how many of these are local as the site is popular with expats. around the world.

The idea for a ‘Crimeline’ section was to focus on very local issues, issues that might not draw the attention of the press or radio. But, being local someone is likely to have information of benefit to the Garda. But they will have the option of contacting the web site if they don’t want to get involved directly with the Garda.
It’s just an idea and we don’t know how useful it would be. We did see something similar on another village web site and maybe some of your colleagues have more information.

Sincerely,

Chrissie McGagh – Secretary to the Group
Copy to website www.ballonvillage.com/BIG updates.htm

27th January 2004

Copy of a letter sent to Supt. Michael McKenna

Superintendent Michael McKenna,
An Garda Siochána,
Carlow.

Dear Sir,

Further to our letters of the 5th June and 29th July please let us know if any progress is being made to landscape the gardens and tidy up the appearance of the Station in Ballon. A lot of work has been carried out in the village by the council and this Group and the Garda Station looks even more neglected by contrast.

People comment that the Station is closed for longer periods than previously and wonder if the availability of a Garda is in decline?

Speeding and overtaking on the Carlow side of the village is on the increase and the overtaking, in particular, has become dangerous. Some increased spot checking would be helpful.

We are wondering what your views might be on using the village web site as a mini version of Crimeline for local unsolved crimes? Please give it some thought as it has good potential.

Sincerely,

Chrissie McGagh – Secretary to the Group
Copy to website www.ballonvillage.com/BIG updates.htm

12th January 2004

Following a meeting on the 12th January we hope to complete the following projects during the year.

To make a stone and dwarf conifer garden with a seat on the site just before Zerafa’s garage.
To plant a beech hedge between the trees opposite Zerafa’s garage and continuing to the nursing home.
To put a series of hanging baskets on poles along the field opposite Maple Lawns.
To put five flower planters on the wall at the church entrance.
To put a series of planters along the top of the old cemetery wall.

To assist in the finance of this we will be asking current sponsors of www.ballonvillage.com to renew their support for this year and to ask for new sponsorship. In return there is a very generous advertising space on the web site.

NB Previous notes have been deleted in order to reduce band width but are available if required