Local opposition to plans for a "fast track" €230 million apartment scheme on Leopardstown Road in Dublin 18 has received a boost. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has recommended that the 463-unit apartment scheme, rising to 10 storeys in height, should be refused.
The strategic housing development scheme for a site located between Brewery Road and Leopardstown Road in Dublin 18, close to the Central Park office park and Sandyford industrial estate, by Homeland Silverpines Ltd, comprising six apartment blocks, faces strong local opposition. Environmental group An Taisce also opposes the scheme.
In total, more than 90 objections have been lodged by locals against the scheme.
Social housing obligations
To comply with its Part V social housing obligations, the Homeland Group subsidiary has put a price tag of €23.07 million on 45 units earmarked to be sold to the council for social housing. The developers have put an indicative price of €582,000 on its two-bedroom apartments destined for the local authority, with one-bedroom units priced at €427,500 and studio apartments €298,000.
The council’s housing department has told the developers that “while the unit costs exceed the council’s approved acquisition cost threshold, it is acknowledged that the stated costs are estimated, as actual costs cannot be quantified at this preliminary stage”.
Consultants for the developers, Brock McClure have told An Bord Pleanála that "the fundamental premise . . . has been to deliver a high-quality residential scheme that is mindful of key parameters and design principles set by former planning applications for this site, but also to maximise on the site's potential to deliver increased residential density and building heights that align with national policy and government guidance".
They say that the site “is a prime underutilised suburban site located proximate to key public transport nodes” – the green Luas line – and major areas of employment.
On that basis, they say it is “therefore optimally located to provide for a higher residential density and additional height in compliance with the national policy mandate”.
Objection
However, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has told An Bord Pleanála that planning permission should be refused on four grounds, contending that the proposed development “would appear visually obtrusive and overbearing when viewed from several properties”.
In its objection, An Taisce stated that the scale of the proposed buildings “is too great for this suburban area”.
Some of the issues raised by local residents include the scheme’s design – with its scale, size and height out of proportion with surrounding properties – and density.
Locals also stated that the high number of small apartments did not provide for a sustainable community and would not provide for home working.
A decision by An Bord Pleanála is due on the proposed development later this month.
