Locals oppose build to rent scheme for Terenure

TERENURE residents are opposing plans for a 364 unit build to rent scheme on former playing pitches at Terenure College.

Back in March, 1 Celbridge West Land Limited submitted a planning application for the seven-storey development at a site on Fortfield Road.

The planned development is the first to be lodged with Dublin City Council under the new planning rules that have replaced the controversial Strategic Housing Development (SHD) system.

The Large Scale Residential Development (LRD) is made up of four apartment blocks of 15 studios, 166 one-bed apartments, 174 two-bed apartments and nine three-bed units.

Terenure College

The Carmelite Order, who run Terenure College and own the land in question, say the ‘entirety of the land is surplus to the requirements of the Carmelite Order and Terenure College.

They also say the development of the site will ‘ultimately enhance and secure the continued operation of the school, its playing fields and swimming pool with more than sufficient space to cater for any school expansion.’

However, the plans have attracted 215 objections from local residents, housing groups and businesses.

Local couple Ita and Enda Noone, say in their submission that they oppose the plans due to many different reasons.

“The density of the development, the proposed height at 7 stories is in excess of all other apartment developments in the Terenure area,” they say in their letter.

“The land for development acts as a flood plain for the general area.

“The area has a high-water table and development may cause flooding and damage to existing housing and property as well as environmental damage.”

Another local resident opposing the plans, Dr Paul Redbond, also cites the density of the development in his reasons for submitting his objection.

“I have no objection to the development of the site in an appropriate fashion and with appropriate provision of facilities,” he says in his submission letter.

“However, the current proposal…would seem to be excessive in terms of density and height, unrealistically assessed in terms of the likely make up of the residents that will inhabit the units, and therefore the facilities that they will require, and as a Build To Rent model will provide little or no community or social benefit to the local area.”

Dublin South East Committee chairman Councillor Dermot Lacey explained why the committee are opposed to the plans.

“In all my years on the City Council this is the first time I have seen such an “across the board” agreed form of action and reflects the huge concern of members that Permission should not be granted for this “development”,” he says in his letter.

“The development is based on greed not local need. 100% buy to rent scheme is unaffordable for locals.

“It is too dense a scale it does not comply with

either the current or Draft Dublin City Development Plan.”

Terenure College Rugby Club however lodged a submission in favour of the development which would be located adjacent to their club lands.

In a letter, signed by TCRC club trustees Tom Moloney, Frank Gildea and Brian Colgan, the club says it sees the proposed development as ‘a positive addition to the locality’ which would be ‘compatible’ with their activities.