Concerns over housing plan

Dublin People 30 Oct 2015
Cllr Alison Gilliland (Lab)

LOCAL residents have expressed concerns about elements of a housing plan being proposed for their community. 

A site on the Oscar Traynor Road, Coolock, known locally as the Lawrence Lands, has been earmarked for a major development as part of Dublin City Council’s City Development Plan 2016-2022.

The overall plan for the lands is for residential use and it is proposed that more than 700 housing units will be built. 

Retail units will form a local neighbourhood centre and some of the land will be landscaped for recreational use.

Heights of up to 10 storeys will be considered in the north-west corner of the site as “slender landmark features”.

Higher densities will be sought to the northern and western edges of the site with heights of four to six storeys scaling down to the east and south where the site adjoins existing two-storey residential housing. 

Chairperson of Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association in Santry, Austin McCoy, said his members were extremely concerned about some of the proposals. 

Their concerns include the possible environmental impact during the construction of the housing units; the 10-storey height of some of the buildings being considered, which they argue would be way too intrusive for local residents in surrounding settled estates; the impact of traffic entering and exiting Lorcan Estate at Lorcan Crescent; and the impact on services. 

The residents’ association held a meeting in the Kilmardinny Pub, Santry, on October 13 and according to Mr McCoy, it was packed to capacity. 

Mr McCoy said they would be seeking a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for these proposals.

“We’re calling on Dublin City Council to clarify the amount of houses being proposed and the height of the buildings,” he said.  

Mr McCoy acknowledged the housing crisis currently being experienced across the city. He said that a reasonable amount of housing units, built to a high standard and with adequate amenities to accompany them, would be acceptable. 

Meanwhile, Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association is urging residents in estates adjacent to the proposed site to forensically examine the proposal and to inform themselves of the “possible environmental impact on their area”.

Local councillor Alison Gilliland (Lab) welcomed the inclusion of the Lawrence Lands in the development plan.

“This is the first concrete move to develop these lands which have lain vacant for over 20 years,” said Cllr Gilliland.  

“This development will go some way to easing the housing supply issue. The development will be a mix of private and local authority housing, housing for sale and for rent, and I very much welcome that.

“I do, however, have some concerns about the suggested heights. I’m very concerned about the suggestion to build 10-storey buildings as included in the development plan. 

“I have also raised concerned about the impact on traffic and public transport in the immediate area and have called on Dublin City Council to conduct a traffic and public transport audit ahead of any start on building.”

Cllr Gilliland added: “Such pre-commencement steps would ensure that any potential difficulties are identified and measures taken to address them prior to the units being occupied.”

A spokeswoman for Dublin City Council said it is currently preparing the new City Development Plan 2016–2022. 

“This plan will set out a shared vision and direction for the future development of the city over the next six years,” she told Northside People. 

“Dublin City Council is encouraging people, communities and organisations to read through the Draft Plan and make observations. The deadline for submission is December 11, 2015.

“As this process is ongoing, it would be premature of us to comment on the matter.”

For more details on the plan, visit www.dublincitydevelopmentplan.ie

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