Blackrock residents oppose plans for Frascati Centre apartments

RESIDENTS in Blackrock are fighting plans for a seven-storey apartment block at the Frascati centre.

Last November, IMRF II Frascati Ltd Partnership lodged plans for 98 apartments for the south and southwestern part of the site as part of Phase 3 of the overall development plan.

They have previously lodged separate plans for 41 apartments at the Frascati site.

These plans are also being opposed by local residents.

The Frascati Park Residents Association is opposing the plans for the apartment block on a number of grounds.

In their objection, lodged with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, they claim that the planned development will result in a depreciation in the value of the properties in the area.

They also claim they will suffer a loss of privacy due the size and scale of the proposed apartment block.

“Residents feel that the proposed development would severely injure the residential amenity and result in a depreciation of the value of the residential properties in Frascati Park due to overbearance impacts as a result of the height (7 storeys) scale and massing of the proposed block (98 units) and the close proximity of the block to neighbouring residential properties in Frascati Park,” the Frascati Park Residents Association said.

“The loss of privacy from the overlooking impact and proximity of the proposed 7 storey development will lead to an intrinsic loss of amenity for residents.”

A CGI of the proposed apartment block at the Frascati Centre

Another local resident, Daniel Crean, said in his objection that “Ireland needs new houses, everyone deserves a home to live in, but it needs to be done in the appropriate manner and in the right location”.

Mr Crean also cited concerns about the potential loss of privacy for his family and said that the current development has had a ‘huge negative impact in the local area.’

“The noise, the look and the mess of the site seems never ending,” he said.

“We would greatly appreciate your understanding of our situation and apprehension to the application.”

“The scheme design ensures that the residential amenity of adjacent areas is adequately protected.”

Local residents Martin Farrelly and Eithne O’Dea cited fears about the threat to the local water table in their objection.

“The underground stream that runs down Frascati Park and the sensitive nature of the water table in the local area gives rise to frequent floods and drainage problems.

“The photographs provided by the developer and their agent as part of their submission fail to illustrate the impact this proposed structure will have on the residential properties adjoining the site.”

Planning consultant John Spain, for the Frascati firm, however said the proposal “provides a suitable form, design and scale of development for this strategically located site, within an existing District Centre and situated adjacent to high-quality public transport”.

In response to the residents’ concerns, the Council has requested that the developers lodge revised plans and omit a small number of apartments.