The planning appeals board has refused planning permission for the BTR component of the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) scheme in Cross Avenue after concluding the units would result in an “over-proliferation” of built-to-rent homes for the area.
The decision comes almost two-and-a-half years after the so-called “fast track” planning application comprising six blocks up to eight storeys was lodged in April 2022 as the board now moves to clear the backlog in outstanding SHD cases.
In a second planning blow to Cairn, the appeals board also refused planning permission for 534 “built to rent” apartments across eight blocks, with one block up to 10 storeys, on a site at Winterbrook and Barrington Tower, Brennanstown Road, Dublin 18.
That SHD scheme – which was also lodged in April 2022 – was made up of 30 studios, 135 one-bedroom units, 318 two-bed units and 51 three-bed units.
That scheme also faced local opposition with 24 submissions lodged.
Among the objectors was Dún Laoghaire TD Richard Boyd Barrett and his People Before Profit party colleague, Councillor Melisa Halpin, who said the 10-storey proposal was located 200 metres from an ancient portal tomb.
The appeals board refused planning permission to the Barrington SHD scheme due to the overbearing height, appearance and scale of the proposed development and the excessive direct overlooking between apartments and consequent loss of privacy for future residents.
However, as part of the Cross Avenue decision, the appeals board has granted planning for 11 build-to-sell homes.
The appeals board refused planning permission to the Blackrock SHD scene after a co-founder of the Blackrock, Hermitage and Galway Clinics, James M Sheehan, claimed that the plan was “grossly excessive”.
More than 30 objections were lodged.
In his submission, Mr Sheehan told the appeals board that “the proposed development is grossly excessive for an area that is already congested with traffic and is detrimental to the proper planning of mature areas of the borough”.
Mr Sheehan has stated that “the concept of build-to-rent for the apartments does not encourage a stable community”.