Clonskeagh residents have opposed a €100 million development by Gannon Homes at the former Smurfit Paper Mills on Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 6.
Developer Gerry Gannon is looking to demolish industrial structures on the site and build 130 luxury apartments and mews houses, a coffee shop and a museum on a 2.3-acre site which is accessed off the Clonskeagh Road near Ashton's pub.
Four of the apartment blocks would range in height from three to five storeys while another would rise to seven storeys.
In an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, Eglinton Residents Association says it's not against development on the site in principle but believes "the overall vertical scale is excessive, particularly with regard to one of the blocks".
Another group of residents living on Clonskeagh Road say they have been living in the area for nearly 50 years and are "shocked" at the decision of the local authority "to give permission with apparently no regard whatsoever to the effect this huge development will have on our homes and our quality of life".
While they say they recognise that development will take place on the site but, "given its location on this sensitive stretch of the River Dodder and the heritage nature of existing homes on Clonskeagh Road", the development is "not the best use" of the lands and the developer "should reduce the total number of units and re-submit fresh plans for the area".
The residents say their homes are part of a terrace of two-storey Georgian houses which is protected in Dublin City Council's development plan.
They say that the scheme would constitute overdevelopment of the site and sets "a worrying precedent" of a seven-storey building along the River Dodder. "Two blocks, alongside our gable walls and parallel to our garden, will rise to five storeys."
Gannon purchased the Smurfit site last year as part of an overall deal to acquire the K Club and a further 80 acres of land adjoining the golf club which are suitable for redevelopment.
The 51-year-old paper plant closed early last year. The firm cited environmental charges and higher energy costs among reasons for the closure.
