Planning permission rejected for six-storey apartments in Coolock Village

DUBLIN City Council has rejected planning permission for a contentious development in Coolock Village.

A planning application had been made by developers Bloom Capital for the construction of a six-storey apartment building with 24 units.

The application also included the provision of a retail unit on the ground floor and 10 car parking spaces.

Coolock Residents Association, who are opposed to the proposed development, have welcomed the decision of the council.

“Coolock residents are very pleased at the decision by DCC to refuse planning for this new development,” they said in a statement.

“Up until the 20th of June 2020  planning permission for the construction of a medical centre including an onsite Pharmacy.

“This was to be a 3 storey structure consisting of a GP practice and other medical facilities.

“The developer was not Bloom capital who are currently developing the adjacent site with 87 flats for the AHB RESPOND who now own the site.

“It was KTPCC Development Company Limited. with an address of Paul Bryne Architects,  at Piory, Stillorgan Road, Blackrock, Dublin A94 X2HI.

“The application 2620/20 was not 3 storey but was  instead 6 storey consisting of 24 flats over a pharmacy.

“It was our belief that the pharmacy was a planning ruse for a commercial premises on the site.

“With two pharmacies already in the village we believe it was only a matter of time before they applied for a change of use after the planning permission was.

“The 24 flats would have taken all natural sunlight from the adjacent domestic properties to its immediate north and left them constantly in shadow.

“Most of the private balconies overlooked all properties to the north of it but especially number 3 on the Mainstreet.

“We have no doubt that the developer will appeal to ABP and we await his submission.”

Working with the Coolock Residents’ Association, Fianna Fail Dublin North TD, Seán Haughey, submitted an objection to the development.

“I welcome the decision of Dublin City Council to reject this proposal,” Deputy Haughey said following the council’s announcement.

“I am in favour of the building of public and affordable housing, but the proposed development would have had an adverse impact on existing residents and the village of Coolock itself.

“There are serious traffic issues in Coolock Village and the surrounding roads of Chanel Road, the Malahide Road and the Oscar Traynor Road.

“Any increase of traffic on these roads would be unsustainable.”

Deputy Haughey added: “Coolock Village is one of the traditional villages of Dublin and its unique character and residential amenities would have been injured by this development.”

Giving their reasons for rejecting planning permission, Dublin City Council said: “The proposed development, by itself and by the precedent it would set, would, therefore, seriously injure the amenities of properties in the vicinity and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

“The hard work by the residents of Coolock to obtain the unique village feel of Coolock has shown in this result.”

Northside People contacted Bloom Capital for comments but had received no reply at the time of going to print.

An appeal against the decision may be made to An Bord Pleanala within four weeks.