Lord’s Mayor pub in Swords subject to second planning application

Property developers Jacko Investments Ltd has once again filed for planning permission to build apartments on the site of the former Lord Mayor’s Pub in Swords.

This is the second time Jacko Investments has applied to An Bord Pleanala for approval for its plans which proposes the construction of 146 apartments on the site.

The development will consist of 69 one-bedroom apartments, 68 two-bedroom apartments and nine three-bedroom apartments.

The iconic Lord Mayor’s pub building will also be demolished.

A previous attempt by the owners to develop 172 apartments on the site was rejected by ABP after several local residents voiced their opposition to the project.

Potential flood risk at the site and subsequent negative impact on the Broadmeadown and Malahide estuary habitats was given as one of the main reasons for ABP’s refusal of the application.

“The Board is not satisfied, in light of potential flood risk, and on the basis of the information provided with the application, including the Natura Impact Statement, that the proposed development individually or in combination with other plans or projects, would not adversely affect the integrity of European sites,” it said.

The Board also said the proposed development did not achieve several key objectives of the Swords Masterplan of 2009.

The development failed to preserve the views from Swords Main Street of the heritage sites at Columba’s Church and Round Tower and also failed to provide a “successful integration with Swords Main Street and the creation of a public space.”

The lack of linkage between the Main Street and Ward River Valley Park was also a factor in ABP’s decision.

The new application proposes the construction of 26 fewer apartments but has still been filed as a Strategic Housing Development (SHD).

All planning developments consisting of more than 100 units can bypass the approval of the local council and instead be directly filed with the planning board.