590-unit build-to-rent apartment scheme at Charlestown and St Margaret’s Road gets green light

An Bord Pleanála has given the green light for a 590-unit build-to-rent apartment scheme at Charlestown and St Margaret’s Road.

Despite some politicians and several local residents opposing the plans, APB decided to grant permission to Puddenhill Property Ltd for the €235 million scheme south of Charlestown shopping centre.

The whole development will consist of four apartment blocks ranging from six to ten storeys in height.

Social Democrats Co-Leader Roisin Shortall was one of those opposed to the plans.

The Dublin North West TD told An Bord Pleanála that 234 of the scheme’s apartments would be one-bed meaning that 40% of the units would be small units.

“I fear was that the scheme will inevitably deliver units at unaffordable prices, completely out of reach of ordinary workers and local people,” she said.

“If we want people to see apartment living as a long term, in line with other European cities, apartments must be bigger.

“The proposed over-concentration of expensive ‘shoe-box’ apartments will not achieve this aim and will do little to address local housing need.”

However, consultants for the developer argued that the scheme has been designed 2to maximise residential amenity while also providing an appropriate density for this strategic site”.