Here are the notes for May 2020.
The notes of our previous meetings are available on our monthly notes page.
Sign on Back Road Malahide – opposite entrance to Malahide Demesne
May 22nd was national slow down day.
Despite the lockdown, road deaths are higher this year than last – 56 people have been killed to date – 30% pedestrians. As the sign says: “Kill your speed – not our nannas”.
Do you have an opinion on the planning application for the site of The Westbury Club, The Green, Malahide for 26 apartments?
If so, the planning sub-committee of the Malahide Community Forum would like to hear from you (via our Contact Us page) as they are preparing a submission to Fingal County Council regarding this application. We include below images of the site layout and elevations of the proposed development.
Site Layout
Elevations
Front and Side (East) Elevation
Rear and Side (West) Elevation
You may view the planning application on the Fingalcoco planning page – Planning Application reference F20A/0171.
Here are the notes for April 2020.
The notes of our previous meetings are available on our monthly notes page.
Unfortunately, social distancing is likely to be with us for the foreseeable future. Those of us who shop in Malahide village will have found that social distancing can be difficult to do when queuing outside shops, or attempting to pass queues that form on footpaths outside shops. Some people are stepping into the street which can put themselves in danger.
As you can see from the Google Street view image above, New Street currently has four road lanes, parking on both sides and a narrow footpath on each side.
On Saturday 26th April, Fingal county council published a plan to facilitate Social Distancing in the Public Realm across Fingal. New Street Malahide is one of eight initial locations identified across Fingal. New Street will be temporarily closed to traffic, with the exception of access for deliveries and emergency services. Parking will also be temporarily removed from the northern side of Main Street, from The Diamond to the junction with Townyard Lane – outside Bank of Ireland, Supervalu, Kerrigans etc.
While no date is indicated, it is likely that these temporary changes will be implemented quite quickly. The council will monitor the changes for effectiveness.
The Malahide forum has asked member residents associations for feedback which we will pass to Fingalcoco. Based on initial feedback, we will be asking Fingalcoco to facilitate social distancing:
The proposed temporary changes will pose challenges for retailers in the village. As a community, we can help by shopping local at every opportunity.
So what will a pedestrianised New Street be like?
In 1982, Grafton Street was fully pedestrianised after a prolonged trial period that started in 1971. (see RTE report). Traders in the area initially resisted the idea. Could New Street become the Grafton Street of Malahide? Only time will tell.
It’s great to share a good news story in these challenging times!
There’s now a brand new footpath connecting Ashwood Hall on the Back Road to the playground entrance at Malahide Demesne. 
The timing could not be better, as due to COVID-19, all car parks in Malahide Demesne have had to temporarily close, and visitors are required to enter on foot, by bicycle, or by scooter as in the photo.
There’s also a new set of pedestrian lights (which we hope to see activated in the coming weeks) at Ashwood Hall, enabling residents to cross the increasingly busy Back Road where some drivers are unfortunately exceeding the current 60km / hour limit. 
The new infrastructure was installed thanks to the efforts of the Ashwood Hall residents who contacted Fingal county council explaining their need for the path and pedestrian traffic lights.
The Malahide Community forum would like to thank the Ashwood Hall residents and the staff in Fingal county council for making this happen. It demonstrates the power of residents coming together. It illustrates how effective communication and cooperation between residents and Fingal county council helps us make Malahide and Fingal an even better place to live, work, visit and do business.
As we’re learning in this COVID-19 emergency, we’re all in this together.
See also: COVID-19 Malahide Community Response
Here are the notes from our March 2020 meeting. (Limited attendees due Covid-19).
The notes of our previous meetings are available on our monthly notes page.
See updates 4th April 2020 at foot of this post.
Our sense of community in Malahide has long been one of our greatest attractions. In the challenging time ahead of us, it will be our greatest strength. 
Local clubs have already stepped up to the plate. St. Sylvester’s GAA club has established a volunteer team to assist those who need help with daily errands (call 086 174 3088).
Enjoy Malahide is helping to keep us informed with well moderated messages on their Facebook page.
The Malahide Community Forum has asked each residents’ association to contact their members to ensure they’re OK.
Many older residents do not use the internet for information. We ask residents to phone elderly neighbours to keep up their spirits, help them with groceries and inform them of resources including:
We’ve been told by Tony Holohan, our Chief Medical Officer, that we’re still in the lull before the storm. If you don’t’ currently have a residents association, act now, while you have time. Keep it simple – set up a WhatsApp group. As Dr Michael Ryan of the World Health Organisation says “Speed trumps perfection”.
When this crisis passes, you may find this Residents Association Handbook helpful.
Please, protect yourself and others, especially the more vulnerable members our community by maintaining physical distance, washing hands and following HSE guidelines.
Be kind. Stay safe, stay apart, stay in touch.
Updates 4th April 2020:
SuperValu Malahide Community Delivery Service
Old Yellow Walls, Malahide will be closed temporarily on 24th March 2020 between Millview Road and Seabury Crescent.
Works are scheduled to commence at 10.00am and are expected to take 4 hours to complete.
See diversion details below.
More details on Fingal County Council website.
Earlier this month we wrote to NAMA expressing our concern about the impact an en bloc sale of Casino Apartments would have on step down accommodation stock in the Malahide area.
NAMA replied to us by email on February 14th 2020. Our step down accommodation sub-committee has considered NAMA’s response and replied to NAMA on Feb 27th.
Our response to NAMA notes that “NAMA requires that sales agents are appointed to openly market the assets and to ensure that the sales strategy employed achieves the best value for the asset type” and that “in certain circumstances, best value can be achieved through a bloc sale”.
To us the appropriate circumstances are very clear – it must be the best return for the State. A bloc sale should exceed the total value of direct sales to individuals.
In addition to the better financial return we’ve also asked NAMA to take into account the social benefits of facilitating the sale of these apartments to individual clients and thus adding to the stock of housing for Step Down and thereby increasing the size of the housing market for younger people.
We will be monitoring the outcome of NAMA’s decision in the interests of our community and the national interest, very carefully over the coming days, weeks and months.
