ABP may review approval of Baker’s Corner development

An Bord Pleanala has confirmed that it’s decision to grant permission for a 276-unit student apartment block at Baker’s Corner may be reviewed.

The news comes after it was announced that an investigation is to be launched into some decisions made by the planning authority.

ABP deputy chairman Paul Hyde has temporarily stepped aside from his role after allegations emerged of board members not declaring conflicts of interest in certain planning application cases.

Last January the planning authority granted permission to Baker Forge Properties to demolish the Georgian building at Baker’s Corner and construct a six-storey, 276-unit student accommodation complex on the site.

Permission was granted despite Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council recommending that the proposal be rejected.

The application was filed directly with ABP under the Strategic Housing Development Act, which permits proposals that consist of more than 100 residential units bypass the local authority.

The decision by ABP has been strongly criticised by local politicians, residents’ associations, the Institute of Art, Design and Technology Students’ Union, and the adjoining Ashbury Nursing Home.

However, that approval may now be reviewed as part of a larger investigation into the board’s activities, according to a letter sent to

Earlier this month, objectors of the scheme came together and formed a group, The Monkstown Abbey Road Residents’ Association (MARRA), to voice their opposition to the project.

Marc Coleman, chairman of the group says that local people are not against development “per se”, but feel the scale of the project is not in keeping with the area.

“This was a rush job that railroaded past the genuine concerns of locals who would otherwise have welcomed development that respects locals’ concerns – such for instance as not building a six storey building for students with a roof garden right next to an old folks’ home,” he told Southside People.

However, Coleman welcomed a letter sent from An Bord Pleanála suggesting the decision could be part of a general review of board decisions.

“We are not juding the outcome of the investigation into the board but are strongly asking that public confidence be restored by putting all relevant decisions back to popular consultation,” he said.

“A recent overturning, following judicial review, of a similar decision in the case of Dalguise House strengthens the need for a more widespread and comprehensive review.”

Coleman added that the Special Housing Development legislation of 2018 needed to be reformed.

“Personally I am a strong advocate of building affordable housing in well planned well clustered town centre development.

“Instead we are getting spatial sprawl and unaffordable high rise apartments.

“Ministers Darragh O’Brien and Peter Burke have the opportunity to get the balance right in forthcoming planning legislation and we wish them well in that endeavour”.

Prominent local politicians have also voiced their opposition to the scheme including People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett, Senator Victor Boyhan, and former Minister of Education and current county councillor Mary Hanafin.