Planning granted for controversial 74 unit Dún Laoghaire scheme

Planning permission for a controversial 74-unit build-to-rent scheme for Dun Laoghaire’s Seafront Quarter has got the green light.

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has granted planning permission to Fitzwilliam DL only after the firm scaled back its original plan of 88 units to 74 units after the council expressed concerns over the scale of the scheme.

Back in November, Fitzwilliam DL Ltd lodged plans for the two apartment blocks at St Michael Hospital’s car park, Crofton Park, Dún Laoghaire.

This followed Fitzwilliam Real Estate’s previous plan for a 102 ‘build to rent’ scheme rising to 13 storeys for the site being stalled by a residents’ judicial review action before the High Court.

Last July, Crofton Buildings Management CLG and Stephanie Bourke of Carrickbrennan Road, Monkstown initiated a High Court challenge aimed at overturning An Bord Pleanála’s ‘fast track’ decision that gave the 102 unit Strategic Housing Development (SHD) the green light.

According to the council planner’s report which recommended a “green light” for the scaled down 74 unit scheme, third party submissions relating to the visual impact of the development have been addressed by the applicants with changes to the overall scale of the development.

The planner’s report states that proposals and mitigation measures by the applicant “will improve the integration of the proposed development into the area”.

One local resident, Declan O’Regan, who owns a penthouse suite at the nearby Harbour View had an objection lodged on his behalf by Cahill O’Brien Associates which said: “the proximity of the proposed tower, will completely blank Mr O’Regan’s view of the city out some 11 metres away”.

“The view of the Harbour and of Dublin City for many apartments will be blocked. The once sunny terraces will be overshadowed and lose their sense of privacy.”

A submission made on behalf of Crofton Buildings Management CLG said that the residents of Harbour View, Harbour Court and Crofton Rd are concerned that due to the height and scale of the scheme they will lose daylight amenity in their homes.