Sallynoggin celebrates as ‘Dracula Towers’ refused permission

(Pictured above are some of the members of Stop the High-rise campaign reacting to the news that APB had refused permission for the high rise on the former site of the Deerhunter pub.)

AN BORD Pleanala has refused permission for a contentious development on the site of the former Deerhunter pub at the junction of Glenageary and Sallynoggin.

The developer, Red Rock Glenageary, had sought approval under Strategic Housing Development (SHD) legislation for 147 apartments and a creche facility on the 0.6 hectare site.

The proposed development was dubbed Dracula Towers by locals after the developer claimed a nine storey tower would ‘cast no shadow’.

An Bord Pleanala refused permission on the basis that the proposal was not suitable for a site zoned neighbourhood centre and that the plans are contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Nicola Coleman, who co-ordinated the ‘No Highrise’ campaign against the proposed development, welcomed the news saying the communities of Sallynoggin and Glenageary were delighted and relieved.

“Red Rocks proposals were outrageous and an affront to the people living in the vicinity and the plans did not meet any of the needs of the community,” she said.

“The SHD system which allowed developers fast-track plans through a system designed to exclude meaningful engagement with planners and the community and that side-lined the policies in the local county development plans in favour of the reckless pursuit of profit – should never have been allowed.

“The process has been very stressful for the community.

“Upwards of 80 objections were lodged, more than 1,200 people signed a petition and hundreds of people displayed ‘No Highrise’ posters in their windows.

“Today everybody who took a stand against these Dracula Towers are very proud to know that thanks to all our collective effort and determination they will never see the light of day.

The site of the former Deerhunter pub at the junction of Glenageary and Sallynoggin

“The people of Sallynoggin and Glenageary deserve a decent neighbourhood centre, one that improves the facilities for residents and one that complies with best practice, and we are determined to continue to fight for that.

“Any future proposals for this site must involve full consultation with the community, with adherence to best practice and the relevant zoning objective.

“The ‘No Highrise’ campaign intends to conduct a survey of residents over the coming months to canvas views on what a neighbourhood centre means to them.”

Ms Coleman said that the site had been left in such a state prompting volunteers from a local Climate Action Group to clear upwards of 20 sacks of waste last week.

She added that if the site owners are happy to leave basic maintenance to local people then they should have no problem engaging with the same local people about any future plans.

“This is our community and we are united in ensuring that it is protected,” she said.