Thumbs Up for Wellness Centre

There was good news for one of our valued Clients this week, as Clare County Council issued a decision to grant planning permission for a Wellness Centre and 14 no. ancillary accommodation units on a rural site near Ruan, Co. Clare, on the fringes of the Burren National Park. The decision followed an exhaustive process, in which we were able to demonstrate the site's suitability for the proposed development - with particular attention given by the Planning Authority to the on-site wastewater treatment plant and the minimisation of environmental impacts on the surrounding landscape and sensitive habitats. The centre will have a sympathetic design that reflects a traditional farmhouse and a courtyard of outbuildings, and will be serviced by a highly effective tertiary treatment plant. The development will add welcome diversity to the Clare tourism product and will provide the area welcome source of year-round employment for local people.

Shaun Stevens, Director of Corey Stevens & Associates, said: "We greatly welcome this decision from the Planning Authority, which rewards the foresight of our Client in providing a completely new type of tourist destinaton in Clare, and which acknowledges the considerable time effort which went into the design of the scheme. This provides a springboard for Corey Stevens & Associates to further develop our tourism portfolio and it demonstrates our capabilities in achieving positive outcomes for the appropriate development of rural sites, even in environmentally sesntive areas."

New Wastewater Role for CSA

Corey Stevens & Associates are pleased to announce that we have been selected by EPS Group to provide project management services for their UK operations. The EPS Group (http://www.epswater.ie/) is a highly experienced and proven provider of water and wastewater treatment and pumping solutions, operating in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe with additional exports to approximately 30 countries worldwide. In the UK, EPS have recently been included on AMP5 frameworks for Anglian Water, Thames Water and Wessex Water, and have also completed the takeover of respected UK packaged treatment plant supplier Conder Environmental.

Under the terms of the agreement, CSA's Director of Environmental Services, Shaun Stevens, will fulfil the role of UK Contracts Manager for EPS, initally on a part-time basis. The role will focus in the first instance on a series of plant refurbishment projects across the Utility Regions, a programme of installation of phosphorus removal equipment at 25 sites for Anglian Water, and on the development of UK operations generally.

"This arrangement marks a welcome progression of a long-standing relationship with the EPS Group," says Shaun Stevens. "We look forward to working with EPS on the development of their UK business, and to providing a first-class service to Anglian Water and their other high-profile clients in the UK market. We see this appointment as a clear recognition of the high standard of wastewater consultancy services that we have been providing in recent years."

Wind Energy Appointment

Corey Stevens & Associates have been appointed as lead consultants on the development of an extension to an existing wind farm in west Clare. The wind farm is jointly owned and operated by a major Irish energy provider and a specialist wind farm developer, and once extended (including turbines already granted but not built) will provide 31.5MW capacity from a total of 21 turbines. Corey Stevens & Associates will co-ordinate the preparation of an updated environmental assessment and the produuction and submission of a planning application on behalf of the client.

Commenting on the appointment, Shaun Stevens, Director of Environmental Services said: "This project represents a signficiant milestone in the development of the environmental division of the company. It achieves our long-standing goal of breaking into the wind energy market, and adds to the diversity of our portfolio which is an essential ingredient for the re-development of our business in the post-boom era. We look forward to working closely with the client, the stakeholder companies and the Local Authority in delivering the additional turbines."

Kilshanny Green Schools Programme

A refreshing and rewarding experience this morning, talking about water supply and wastewater treatment with the children at St. Augustine's National School in Kilshanny, County Clare. The discussion took place in the bright and inspiring surroundings of a classroom in the recently completed school extension, which was designed and supervised by Corey Stevens & Associates. The talk formed part of this years Green Schools Programme, and traced the flow of water from a nearby lake source, via treatment and supply systems to the school, and then to the the on-site treatment plant and the discharge to groundwater. Hugely impressed with the level of understanding shown in the Q&A session that followed!

Its Not All Bad...

One of the great upsides of the challenging economic climate of recent years is the increasing diversity of work, both in terms of project type and geographical location. In combatting the effects of the recession, we have spread our wings by entering new sectors and new markets and have found the drive and enthusiasm of some of our recent clients, sub-consultants and service providers to be enormously refreshing. This positivity is extremely infectious, and goes a long way to counter the constant stream of foreboding emanating from the media, particularly in Ireland. Surely self-belief will be the key to the economic recovery!

Projects Update

It has been an interesting few months for the practice, and following the difficulties of the last two years we have seen workloads stabilising. Exhibiting at the Self-Build Show in Galway last May proved to be a successful outing which has led to several contracts for domestic new-build, refurbishment and extension projects. Some of our 'on-hold' contracts have re-surfaced, and we have also entered the UK market after being retained on two multiple-house schemes in the south of England.

New UK Sub-Office

Having recently commenced work on new contracts in the south of England, Corey Stevens & Associates have established a sub-office to service its UK clients. The company's UK operations will be overseen by Director, Shaun Stevens. For information on our services, or to discuss any specific projects, please direct any enquiries to:

- 28 Lymington Bottom, Four Marks, Alton, Hampshire GU34 5AH.
- Telephone 0845 508 3299 (low call) or 00 353 872 048644 (mobile)
- Email info@coreystevensltd.com

Hotel Gets Green Light

Corey Stevens & Associates wish to announce that An Bord Pleanála (the planning appeals board) has issued a decision to grant planning permission to Gerard & Martha Kearney for the demolition of an existing guesthouse and commercial development and the construction of a 28-bedroom hotel with 3 long-stay apartments, a restaurant, function room, ancillary accommodation, surface and underground car parking and associated site works at Main Street, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare. (Appeal Ref. PL03.234122)

Sixmilebridge is a thriving and attractive small town which is strategically located within the South Clare economic corridor, 12km from Shannon Airport, 16km from Limerick and 22km from Ennis. It has a vibrant centre with a number of successful businesses and has recently been boosted by the opening of a new railway station on the Limerick to Galway line. The hotel is to be developed on a prominent site on the Main Street, overlooking the Owenogarney River. The Kearney family have operated bed-and-breakfast, fuel merchants and cycling/fishing retail businesses on the site since the late 1980s and now look forward to servicing the local community with this new venture.

No hotel has ever existed in the town; therefore the development will provide much-needed social and accommodation facilities, and will bring large numbers of visitors into the town, benefiting the local business community. It is expected that it will generate at least 50 temporary jobs during construction, and up to 20 permanent jobs once completed.

Corey Stevens & Associates believe that the development of this important riverside site will significantly enhance the character and vibrancy of Sixmilebridge town centre, bringing important social and economic benefits to the local community. We are delighted that An Board Pleanála has seen fit to approve this scheme and that the Kearney family can now see the hotel become a reality. We wish to highlight that the success of the planning application is largely attributable to the vision, patience and positive outlook of our Clients throughout the planning process.

Our Clients would like to sincerely thank the local people and the Elected Representatives who have supported them throughout the planning process. They also wish to acknowledge the vision of Clare County Council in reaching its original planning decision for this landmark facility in the town, thereby giving a vote of confidence to Sixmilebridge. The Kearney family now look forward to the next stage of bringing the development to fruition.

Galway Self-Build Show 2010

Corey Stevens & Associates will be exhibiting at the Self-Build Extend & Renovate Show to be held at Ballybrit Racecourse, Galway on the 15th & 16th May 2010 (http://www.selfbuild.ie/). This provides a great opportunity for our current and prospective clients to meet with the Directors in an informal setting to discuss their requirements. Please visit us at STAND A20.

We will shortly be sending out complimentary pairs of tickets for the show to our current clients and those for whom we are pricing new work. Anyone requiring additional tickets is invited to issue a request by email to us at info@coreystevensltd.com.

Projects Update - November 2009

Corey Stevens & Associates have been commissioned by the Office of Public Works to provide detailed surveying and draughting services for a substantial State-owned premises on Cecil Street in Limerick. The protected structure - originally a Guinness depot and later the city's labour exchange - is now used by FAS (the State's training body), but is in a general state of disrepair. Our work will form the first stage of a regeneration programme for the site.

While the Irish architectural market remains contracted and very competitive, we believe that some stability is developing, and this is being reflected in our steady turnover of work. Other residential, educational and environmental projects have been secured this month, which will mean a busy end to the year and hopefully a strong start to 2010.

Flooding in Ennis

The recent spate of local flooding in Ennis and other parts of the county (and indeed in Galway, Cork and other parts of Ireland and the UK) brings into sharp focus the urgent need for flood studies to be reviewed and for the planning system to be reformed to prevent further development on flood plains. In Ennis, work is virtually complete on a multi-million euro flood relief scheme, yet the town has been left in shock by the scale of damage inflicted on residents and businesses after the River Fergus burst its banks in several places.

These regular and prolonged intense rainfall events are something that we must get used to and adapt to. The Celtic Tiger years brought about severe development pressure in the towns and cities, but the authorities failed to manage land zonings correctly and are now counting the cost. The existing and supposedly cutting-edge sustainable drainage management systems (such as SUDS) are now proving themselves to be inadequate and must be overhauled. There is also a clear need for catchment management systems to be constructed retrospectively to older housing areas to provide urgently needed run-off control. In the meantime, there seems little option but to keep deploying the sandbags!

Our thoughts go out to the affected households and businesses. Unfortunately, with further rain and spring tides forecast this week, there may be more to come...

Lough Derg Holiday Village

Corey Stevens & Associates have been retained to provide a range of services for a programme of developments at Lough Derg Holiday Village Near Ogonnelloe, Co. Clare. The resort is located in idyllic surroundings on the banks of Lough Derg and currently comprises of 33 self-catering units, with a marina, bar and restaurant. Working in conjunction with McGahon Architects (Bunratty), we will provide architecural, planning and environmental consultancy for a substantial extension to the existing bar/restuarant building, a new stand-alone wedding/function facility on the lakeshore and a new site entrance, as well as an assessment and potential increase in the capacity of the existing on-site wastewater treatment plant. The development will provide a prestigious new wedding/function venue in East Clare and will signficiant broaden our Client's market base, whilst our appointment further strengthens our varied portfolio in the leisure and tourism sector.

Projects Update October 2009

We are now fully ensconced in our new offices at Unit 7, Quin Road Business Park, Ennis, Co. Clare and are benefitting from our improved facilities. In addition to our broad portfolio of existing and on-going projects, we are seeing some clients resurrecting dormant projects. We have also secured several new commissions including the following:

* 'Wellness Centre' with 14 no. accommodation units near Ruan, Co. Clare.
* Fit-out of 3,000 sq.ft office unit in Limerick.
* High specification dwelling at Doolin, Co. Clare.
* Various minor residential projects (refurbishments, extensions, etc.).
* Various on-site wastewater treatment plants ranging in size from one-off houses to an 80-population system.

New Offices

Corey Stevens & Associates have announced the forthcoming relocation of their offices to Unit 7, Quin Road Business Park, Ennis. Located adjacent to their existing premises, the new offices will provide the practice with additional and enhanced office floor space as well as an improved 'front of house' area. The move will provide the company with improved scope for future expansion and reflects its robust performance and continued ambition, despite challenging economic conditions.

Operations will commence in the new premises on Monday 24th August 2009.

Corey Stevens & Associates,
Unit 7, Quin Road Business Park,
Ennis, Co. Clare.
Tel 065 684 8585, Fax 065 684 8631
Email info@coreystevensltd.com

Housing Scheme in Lahinch

Corey Stevens & Associates have been appointed by private clients to complete the design and planning stages for the development of a residential/tourist housing scheme in Lahinch, Co. Clare. Located on a sloping site with views across the dunes of Lahinch to the Atlantic Ocean and the Inagh River estuary, the scheme will provide 20-25 contemporary units of various types and sizes, integrated into a landscaped hillside environment. This venture, combined with several other recent appointments for various architecural projects, offers signs of optimism for the local construction sector and helps to further strengthen CSA's position within the local architectural sector.

Hotel in Sixmilebridge

Clare County Council has recently issued a decision to grant planning permission for a 32-bedroom hotel with bar/restaurant, function room and basement car park on a site in the centre of Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare. The scheme - designed by Corey Stevens & Associates on behalf of a private Client - includes the demolition of an existing guesthouse and the re-development of an existing fuel merchants yard. The design of the two and three-storey hotel maintains the traditional character of the existing frontage onto The Square, yet makes use of contemporary lines and finishes elsewhere to provide an attractive and modern structure. A complementary landscaping scheme, including public open space alongside the Owenogarney River, will contribute to the general enhancement of the village centre by this development.

Projects Update (April)

Recent new appointments include:

* Development of a new autism unit at St. Senan's National School, Shannon, Co. Clare.
* PSDP for development works at Kildysart National School, Kildysart, Co. Clare.
* Luxury barn conversion at Doonbeg, Co. Clare.
* Conversion of outbuildings at a large country house near Ennis, Co. Clare.
* Several new one-off houses and site suitability assessments.

Projects Update (January)

Some recent project completions and new appointments:

• Completion of Master Plan for the development of the County Grounds, Doora, Ennis, Co. Clare. (Clare District Soccer League)
• Completion of Master Plan for the development of a 'soccer hub' at Cassidy's Park, Drumcliff, Ennis, Co. Clare. (Lifford Football Club)
• Providing environmental services on the Limerick Tunnel PPP Scheme. (John Sisk & Son)
• Preparing feasibility study for the servicing of development lands at Shannon, Co. Clare.
• Planning permission granted for various new houses, house extensions and commercial projects.
• Appointments for various new houses and site assessments.

Ballyvaughan National School

The extension and refurbishment of Scoil Naomh Eoin Baíste in Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare is now complete, and a final account has been submitted by the contractor, Patrick Carmody Construction. The school now boasts two new ground floor classrooms with associated storage and cloakrooms, and well as a first floor IT room and resource room. The original school , built in the 1930s, has been fully refurbished.

N7 Limerick-Nenagh

Corey Stevens continue to provide environmental monitoring and consultancy services to Bóthar Hibernian, main contractor on the construction of the new 35km high quality dual carriageway connecting Limerick and Nenagh. With the bulk earthworks approaching completion, activity on site and the level of environmental risk are both reducing and attention is now starting to turn to the detailing of finished works and assisting the contractor with the preparation of procedures to provide environmental protection measures during the operational lifetime of the road.

Director of Environmental Services, Shaun Stevens: "Since our appointment last March, our presence on site has provided Bóthar Hibernian with a means of monitoring and controlling environmental discharges, particularly to local watercourses. The unusually wet summer has complicated the overall project and has certainly added to the environmental challenges that we and the contractor have faced."

The project is scheduled for completion early-to-mid 2009 and once open to traffic, the road will significantly reduce travel times between Dublin and the mid-western region.