Locals to appeal co-living scheme near Black Church

Jack Gleeson

LOCAL residents are to appeal a decision by Dublin City Council to grant permission for a co-living housing development adjacent to the historic Black Church in Dublin 7.

The council approved the scheme for 121 shared living units subject to a number of conditions including reducing the number of units to 116 in June.

Co-living or shared accommodation developments typically provide residents with a private room and ensuite and community spaces that are shared with other occupants of the building.

They controversially became permissible under design standard guidelines for new apartments introduced in 2018.

Plans submitted on behalf of developers Durkin for the Dublin 7 scheme featured shared living amenities including roof terraces, a gym, laundry rooms, meeting rooms, a café and community kitchens.

It their objection to the scheme, BLEND Residents’ Association said the site for the development adjacent to the Black Church was “extremely sensitive.”

“It’s proximity to this significant edifice should mean that the site is considered as being within the curtilage of the church,” their submission read.

BLEND also said locals had other concerns in relation to the proposal.

Cllr Joe Costello (Lab), who has previously campaigned against what he describes as a “huge influx” of student accommodation in the north city, submitted an objection to the plan saying he supported the “serious concerns” of local residents.

“The site has been derelict for years and its development would be very welcome,” he said.

“However, a co-living scheme at this location is completely inappropriate and would a very unwelcome development in this area. A development of houses would be much more appropriate.”

An Taisce also commented on the application, saying the corner features of the proposed building wasn’t appropriate in relation to its proximity to the historic Black Church and needed to be revised.

The Black Church – or St Mary’s Chapel-of-Ease – on St Mary’s Place was built in 1830. It was believed that if you ran around the church three times at midnight, the devil would appear and steal your soul.

Durkan say their proposal would bring a state-of-the-art shared accommodation development to the city. They also pointed out that apartment sizes would be well in excess of the minimum floor area required under planning regulations.

An Bord Pleanala expect to reach a decision on the appeal by mid-November.