Dalkey plan raises concerns

THE Department of Arts and Heritage was one of 60 parties to object to a proposed five story development in Dalkey, a local councillor has claimed.

The developer, PegasusLife, a UK company that specialises in the provision of accommodation for over 55s, has sought planning permission from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to develop a 57-unit

“retirement complex

? off Barnhill Road in the Southside village.

The proposal includes six four-storey blocks in two terraces with a recessed fifth floor over a basement car park.

Residents of the development would have access to various on-site facilities including a gym, wellness suite, dining area, reflection and relaxation rooms, physical therapy/care suites and a residents’ lounge.

In its submission the Department of Arts and Heritage noted that the topography of the site would result in the proposed development

“imposing on Dalkey Lodge

?, a mid-eighteenth century protected structure.

The department notes no visual impact assessment has been carried out and recommends the local authority insists that a qualified and experienced conservation professional assess the application under Chapter 13 of the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines.

Commenting on the volume and content of the submissions on the planning file, Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF) said the proposed five storey development was out of character with the low rise residential nature and character of a heritage town like Dalkey.

“The development imposes on a protected structure and would overlook the properties around the perimeter of the site, affecting their residential amenity,

? he stated.

“I held an information meeting on March 2 that was attended by over 40 local residents, many of whom were very concerned about the height and scale of the proposed development and also the impact of traffic on the already strained roads surrounding this site.

?

A statement from PegasusLife issued to Southside People said that feedback from the local community on the Dalkey Manor proposal had been extensive

“and we welcome it

?.

“The PegasusLife model is new to the Irish market and as such we expect public interest,

? the statement reads.

“The Dalkey Manor site is zoned for residential use and for a site which is so close to the town and the DART the density being proposed by us is in line with the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Development Plans.

“Given the high level of interest in our plans, the number of objections received is probably not unexpected but is less than many developments of this size in the past few years.

“We held a public exhibition on our plans in Dalkey in December, attended by over 200 people, where feedback was very positive.

?

The statement adds:

“With respect to residents on the periphery of our site, we held over 20 face-to-face meetings with the residents last year and where possible we modified our plans to respond to concerns raised.

“For example, we changed the layout of the design to minimise overlooking, repositioned balconies and moved the eastern block north by 2.5m to reduce the impact on nearby houses.

?

PegasusLife said their application was accompanied by a series of verified views from the Barnhill Road and a Conservation Assessment prepared by Aughey O’Flaherty Architects (who are RIAI Grade II Conservation Architects).

“PegasusLife will continue to work with the local community and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to ensure that our model can be brought to Dalkey and, through our extensive public consultation, have shown ourselves to be extremely open to dialogue,

? the company adds.

“Studies internationally have shown that providing age appropriate housing in existing communities has societal benefits, not only for our residents, but for the wider population. Under-occupied existing housing stock is freed up for use by families who, in turn, will use local shops, schools and public services.

?