Ulster Rugby Residents Association
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:40 am
Copy of the first Newletter that was distributed to all houses surrounding Ravenhill.......
Any comments?
Hello and welcome………
to the first edition of the Ulster Rugby Residents Association (URRA) Newsletter. This Newsletter is aimed at keeping you informed on what is happening in the campaign to represent concerns of the residents living in the locality of Ravenhill rugby ground about the stadium development proposals.
A meeting was held on 31st October 2005, attended by 150 residents and representatives of the Ulster Branch of the IRFU, at which the concern, frustration and even anger among residents at the proposed development of Ravenhill was expressed. What was clear that evening was the total lack of understanding by the Ulster Branch representatives of the residents’ views and concerns.
The Ulster Branch undertook to have follow-up meetings with residents and “take whatever steps where necessary to improve relations with people in the areaâ€. Eight months later and no such meetings have been convened and no approaches made by the Ulster Branch to the residents. This only reinforces the view of many that they do not regard the views of residents as important. Following another meeting of residents on 11th May 2006 the URRA committee was formed.
The URRA includes among its members and supporters dedicated fans of Ulster Rugby (even season ticket holders) and people with no interest in rugby; people with young families and those in retirement; people from all shades of political and social backgrounds. All have one thing in common – a deep concern that the Ravenhill development will have a very negative impact on their homes, families and lives. The aim of URRA is therefore:
“To take all necessary steps, on behalf of residents living in the locality of the Ravenhill rugby stadium, to minimise the possible damage that the proposed stadium development by the Ulster Branch of the IRFU may bring to the area in which we live, but also maximise the benefits to our community of this development, should it be approvedâ€
The committee has identified the main areas of frustration and concern of the residents in the locality of Ravenhill. Added to these is the unhelpful attitude that the management of Ulster Rugby has taken to the residents who literally have to live in the shadow of the Ravenhill and whose quality of life continues to be regularly compromised. In the view of many this will only be intensified during the planned construction of the new stadium and a new era of rugby’s increased popularity.
The residents’ concerns are…….
– The lack of any meaningful consultation on the proposals and established dialogue between the Ulster Branch and Residents;
– Growing match day usage at Ravenhill;
– Increasing day to day usage at Ravenhill;
– New plans for entertainment and corporate facilities at Ravenhill;
– Match day parking and obstructions
– Match day congestion and restrictions
– Litter/damage to property/lack of stewarding
– Disturbance during construction and redevelopment of the Ravenhill site
We would stress that as a committee we are not against rugby. Many of our members are keen supporters of the Ulster Rugby team. But as residents we know that it is important to live neighbourly with each other. Unfortunately we feel that the Ulster Branch of the IRFU do not understand this and fail as good neighbours.
What’s next?
We are now collecting information about the Ulster Branch proposals, and seeking advice from Planning, Road Service and the Police on the current and future traffic situation. We will insist that a full analysis of the traffic around Ravenhill is carried out prior to any decision on the planning approval. We have written to the sponsors of Ulster Rugby and the Supporters Club to make them aware of our concerns and how the Ulster Branch has largely ignored residents.
We plan over the summer to meet with the PSNI and other bodies to seek support and advice. We hope soon also to meet with the Ulster Branch to begin tackling them directly on our concerns. We will then organise another meeting for all residents in September (at a time and venue yet to be decided) at which we can report on progress made.
We are very pleased to acknowledge the support we have already received from our local Westminster MPs, Peter Robinson and Dr Alasdair McDonnell. We are particularly grateful to Dr McDonnell for assisting us with the preparation of this Newletter.
Of course the most important thing is that we do all we can to best represent the views of residents in the area around Ravenhill Rugby ground about the development proposals. We would be glad to hear from you. You will find below a list of Committee members and their telephone numbers if you wish to contact us.
Committee Contacts:
Thank you for your support.
Any comments?
Hello and welcome………
to the first edition of the Ulster Rugby Residents Association (URRA) Newsletter. This Newsletter is aimed at keeping you informed on what is happening in the campaign to represent concerns of the residents living in the locality of Ravenhill rugby ground about the stadium development proposals.
A meeting was held on 31st October 2005, attended by 150 residents and representatives of the Ulster Branch of the IRFU, at which the concern, frustration and even anger among residents at the proposed development of Ravenhill was expressed. What was clear that evening was the total lack of understanding by the Ulster Branch representatives of the residents’ views and concerns.
The Ulster Branch undertook to have follow-up meetings with residents and “take whatever steps where necessary to improve relations with people in the areaâ€. Eight months later and no such meetings have been convened and no approaches made by the Ulster Branch to the residents. This only reinforces the view of many that they do not regard the views of residents as important. Following another meeting of residents on 11th May 2006 the URRA committee was formed.
The URRA includes among its members and supporters dedicated fans of Ulster Rugby (even season ticket holders) and people with no interest in rugby; people with young families and those in retirement; people from all shades of political and social backgrounds. All have one thing in common – a deep concern that the Ravenhill development will have a very negative impact on their homes, families and lives. The aim of URRA is therefore:
“To take all necessary steps, on behalf of residents living in the locality of the Ravenhill rugby stadium, to minimise the possible damage that the proposed stadium development by the Ulster Branch of the IRFU may bring to the area in which we live, but also maximise the benefits to our community of this development, should it be approvedâ€
The committee has identified the main areas of frustration and concern of the residents in the locality of Ravenhill. Added to these is the unhelpful attitude that the management of Ulster Rugby has taken to the residents who literally have to live in the shadow of the Ravenhill and whose quality of life continues to be regularly compromised. In the view of many this will only be intensified during the planned construction of the new stadium and a new era of rugby’s increased popularity.
The residents’ concerns are…….
– The lack of any meaningful consultation on the proposals and established dialogue between the Ulster Branch and Residents;
– Growing match day usage at Ravenhill;
– Increasing day to day usage at Ravenhill;
– New plans for entertainment and corporate facilities at Ravenhill;
– Match day parking and obstructions
– Match day congestion and restrictions
– Litter/damage to property/lack of stewarding
– Disturbance during construction and redevelopment of the Ravenhill site
We would stress that as a committee we are not against rugby. Many of our members are keen supporters of the Ulster Rugby team. But as residents we know that it is important to live neighbourly with each other. Unfortunately we feel that the Ulster Branch of the IRFU do not understand this and fail as good neighbours.
What’s next?
We are now collecting information about the Ulster Branch proposals, and seeking advice from Planning, Road Service and the Police on the current and future traffic situation. We will insist that a full analysis of the traffic around Ravenhill is carried out prior to any decision on the planning approval. We have written to the sponsors of Ulster Rugby and the Supporters Club to make them aware of our concerns and how the Ulster Branch has largely ignored residents.
We plan over the summer to meet with the PSNI and other bodies to seek support and advice. We hope soon also to meet with the Ulster Branch to begin tackling them directly on our concerns. We will then organise another meeting for all residents in September (at a time and venue yet to be decided) at which we can report on progress made.
We are very pleased to acknowledge the support we have already received from our local Westminster MPs, Peter Robinson and Dr Alasdair McDonnell. We are particularly grateful to Dr McDonnell for assisting us with the preparation of this Newletter.
Of course the most important thing is that we do all we can to best represent the views of residents in the area around Ravenhill Rugby ground about the development proposals. We would be glad to hear from you. You will find below a list of Committee members and their telephone numbers if you wish to contact us.
Committee Contacts:
Thank you for your support.