Callum Lavery
MINISTER of State for Disability Issues, Finian McGrath, has spoken out against a proposed development of more than 370 apartments in his area.
The proposal by developer Cairn Homes to build 377 apartments and eight houses on the three-hectare site on Griffith Avenue, has been described as “out of kilter’ with the local area.
Deputy McGrath said he is does not oppose affordable housing in the area and that he was fully aware of the housing shortage. However, he said that proper planning was needed when constructing housing in the area.
“I am very much aware of the acute housing shortage, and I am definitely not objecting to affordable housing being built on this site, in fact I would welcome it,” he said.
“But the big issue for us locally is that the eight-storey apartment block proposed for Griffith Avenue, the sheer size and the scale of this proposal, is as far as we are concerned, totally out of kilter with the site and with our own community.”
“Griffith Avenue is probably one of the most beautiful avenues in Europe and to have eight-storey developments going into that area and only eight houses on the site is appalling.
“There has been a poor reactions from locals to the site. We totally support common and sensible planning. We have had a lot of developments around this area, which we didn’t object to. It’s not a question of NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) at all.”
Alongside the 377 apartments and eight houses, the planned development would also include: 367 parking spaces, 682 parking spaces for bicycles, as well as a creche and gym for residents. The Christian Brothers previously owned the site.
A spokesperson for Cairn Homes said that the development was in line with planning policies and believes that the proposal would fit in well with the local area.
“The proposed development at Griffith Avenue has been designed in line with current national planning policies, including the National Planning Framework and recent Ministerial Guidelines, and following consultation with Dublin City Council,” the spokesperson told Northside People.
“As required by national policy, any potential effect on adjoining neighbours has been carefully considered and assessed as part of the design process and demonstrated in the planning documentation.
“Cairn also engaged with key stakeholders in the local community through a series of workshops and meetings to identify and alleviate any potential concerns.”
The spokesperson added: “Cairn believes the proposed development represents a well-designed residential development on a site which is located in an established residential area in close proximity to high quality public transport services.”
A public meeting has been organised for the community to respond to the proposal in Marino on January 17.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Dublin City Council said: “All planning applications are assessed in accordance with the statutory process, which includes analysis of all formally received submissions.
“In this case a Strategic Housing Development application has been submitted to An Bord Pleanála for the construction of eight houses and 377 apartments on a site at the Marino end of Griffith Avenue.
“The closing date for submissions is 5.30pm on February 1 and the chief executive's report must be received by An Bord Pleanála by 5.30pm on February 22.
“There will be a presentation at the North Central Area Committee meeting on Monday, January 21 in the Northside Civic Centre, following which submissions to An Bord Pleanála and a summary of the views of the elected members expressed at the meeting will be sent to An Bord Pleanála with the chief executive's report.”