Decision to grant permission for Omni SHD “extremely disappointing”

AN BORD Pleanala’s decision to grant approval for 324 apartments in Santry has been described as “extremely disappointing” by Social Democrat co-leader Róisín Shortall.

The Dublin North West TD said there is “considerable disappointment and anger” about the decision to green light the Omni Strategic Housing Development (SHD).

The Omni Park Shopping Centre Consortium are behind the plans to build the development which will stretch from five to 12 storeys in height.

Their proposal also includes an 81 bedroom apart-hotel.

An Bord Pleanala decided to grant planning despite Deputy Shortall and several local residents lodging objections.

In her objection against the ‘fast track’ plan, Deputy Shortall described the 12-storey height as ‘outrageous’ for the area.

“The scale of the proposed development would present an incongruous ‘landmark’ overlooking residents and business in the area,” Deputy Shortall said.

“A 12-storey, 324 apartment development is completely unsuitable for Santry and utterly out of sync with the character of the area.

“Granting yet another high-rise apartment block without proper infrastructure and amenities flies in the face of good planning and sustainable development.

“Minimum standards have now become the target for developers and it appears that the sky’s the limit for new buildings.

“We need a reversal of these regressive changes to the planning system, not more ad hoc developments which are little more than a means of extracting maximum profit from a site.

“It is clear from An Bord Pleanála’s inspector’s report that while the proposed development is acceptable in principle under its Z4 zoning, Dublin City Council has serious concerns regarding its height, scale and massing and impact on the changing character of Santry.

“Yet again, we see the recommendations of the local community, as well as the local planning authority, being overwritten by the board.”

An Bord Pleanala however found that the plan would represent “an acceptable quantum and density of development in this accessible urban location” and would “not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area.”

They decided that the planned development would be acceptable in terms of urban design, height and quantum of development and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and pedestrian safety.

The board also found that the development would be in line with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

An Bord Pleanala gave the plan the go-ahead despite Dublin City Council planners recommending that permission be refused.