Madam, – Recently I noticed that the former Readymix (now Cemex) site on Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock is for lease or sale.
In December 1969, James McGurk placed a planning application for permission to replace his plant; a few hand-operated machines. Mr McGurk’s application turned out to be a “back-door” application from Readymix. The neighbourhood and the school were dismayed at this probable intensification of use of the site.
Public demonstrations against the change of use were held. RTÉ's Seven Daysfeatured the "Readymix affair" as it became known.
I sought councillor and TD assistance. To me and publicly, councillors expressed concerned support and then, when I addressed the council on two occasions in the Council Chamber, did a complete turnabout. A public oral hearing was held.
Why was I so concerned about this development? In 1967, Sean O’Connor, the then visionary secretary of the Department of Education, had encouraged me as owner/principal of Avoca School, to aim towards a State comprehensive school, about the formation of which I had sought his advice. He advised me to “get rid of vested interests”, to be “co-ed” (we were), to “cease to have boarders”, and “to be viable”. Local schools expressed interest.
In 1968, a charitable trust was formed “Avoca and Kingstown School Ltd”. This amalgamation formed a secondary school of 400-plus pupils.
In 1969 the department approved a large extension to Avoca and Kingstown School – the numbers were increasing rapidly.
1970 saw the arrival of Readymix with its cement dust from its colossal silo, its noise, its grit: a dreadful disturbance immediately beside the school.
I felt that the faith of the Department of Education, the parents and the welfare of the staff were in jeopardy. The county council, on behalf of the neighbourhood and the school took the Readymix Affair through the courts. The finding was in favour of the county council.
As I recall it, Readymix was to be offered an alternative site and Readymix was to shift. This never happened.
In 1972, Newpark Comprehensive School opened. It was built through the Department of Education with half a million pounds sourced from the World Bank. It included a sports hall, a swimming pool, a music centre. Wonderful facilities, which thrive today. The school has 831 secondary pupils, 2,000 in adult education classes and 1,100 students in the music centre. What a justification!
The school has endured the nuisance of dust, noise and grit for 38 years, despite complaint after complaint after verified monitoring. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council should now facilitate the school to acquire the Cemex site. Please. – Yours, etc,