BITTER disappointment has been expressed at the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a large-scale housing development beside a landmark Northside amenity.
An Bord Pleanála has granted permission to Crekav Trading GP, subject to 24 conditions, to construct 536 residential units on lands surrounding St Paul’s College, Sybil Hill Road, Raheny.
Local residents and public representatives staged a major protest in January, against the planning application to develop houses and apartments on the site adjoining St Anne’s Park, Raheny.
Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Lab) told Northside People: “The decision is a surprising one given that all local councillors and indeed the chief executive officer of Dublin City Council had urged An Bord Pleanála to reject the proposal.
“The proposal to construct 536 housing units on this site is a perversion of what the lands were intended for, and will have a devastating effect on the environmental integrity of St Anne's Park – a park which is the green lung of the Northside.
“The proposal was strenuously objected to by local community groups and sports clubs and every single one of the 15 local councillors representing all shades of political colour.
“It was our contention that the proposal was completely at odds with the objectives of a Z15 zoning.”
Senator Ó Ríordáin added: “I’ll be hosting a community meeting in Raheny United (Football Club), next Thursday, April 12 at 8pm to discuss the next steps in opposition to this proposal.” The news will come as a bitter blow for the local community. Approximately 700 children involved in sports clubs in the Clontarf and Raheny areas use pitches on the land for training and matches at weekends.