An Bord Pleanála has granted permission for a “build to rent” residential project in Milltown, Dublin 6, with a reduced size of 54 units. The planning appeals board rejected three separate appeals by third parties, including the Richview Residents Association, Dr. Paul Kelly and John Whelan, as well as Joanne Hanna and others.
Despite warnings from several Dublin 6 residents who claimed that the proposed project on Milltown Road would lead to the “ghettoization of residents” and contribute nothing to the existing community, An Bord Pleanála approved Westridge Milltown Ltd’s application. The applicant, Westridge Milltown Ltd, appealed on the basis of two conditions that reduced the number of units from 63 to 54 and omitted Block B. However, the appeals board upheld these conditions.
The 63-unit project was first submitted by Westridge Milltown in July 2022, and the inspector of the case at An Bord Pleanála, Irené McCormack, recommended granting permission for the scaled-down project. In her 76-page report, Ms. McCormack noted that one of the third-party appeals raised concerns about the negative impact on property values. However, she was “satisfied that the proposal sought to strike a balance, respecting amenities while enabling the development of dense residential housing in line with national planning policy.”
Ms. McCormack strongly agreed with the City Council’s decision to omit Block B, as she believed it would result in excessive development of the site and should be removed from the project. Regarding the visual impact of the project on the surroundings, she stated that the “proposal is of high quality, innovative, and modern,” and she was convinced that it would not constitute a negative visual intrusion in the area.
Ms. McCormack also determined that the principle of constructing a six-story building on the site was acceptable and that the project aligned with the objectives of the National Planning Framework, which focus on concentrating development in major urban centers and providing concentrated growth in our urban centers. The planning inspector also concluded that the proposed scale and height of the building reflected high standards of urban design, architectural quality, and place-making principles, and that the site had the capacity to accommodate taller structures.
FAQ section based on the main topics and information presented in the article:
1. What project was approved by An Bord Pleanála?
An Bord Pleanála granted permission for a “build to rent” residential project with a reduced size of 54 units in Milltown, Dublin 6.
2. Which parties lodged appeals against this project?
Three separate appeals were lodged by the Richview Residents Association, Dr. Paul Kelly, and John Whelan and Joanne Hanna.
3. Why did residents claim that the project would lead to the “ghettoization of residents”?
Several Dublin 6 residents claimed that the proposed project on Milltown Road would lead to the “ghettoization of residents” and contribute nothing to the existing community.
4. Who was granted permission to carry out the project?
Westridge Milltown Ltd was granted permission to carry out the project.
5. What conditions reduced the number of units in the project?
The project was reduced from 63 units to 54, and Block B was omitted.
6. When was the 63-unit project first submitted?
The 63-unit project was submitted by Westridge Milltown in July 2022.
7. Who recommended granting permission for the scaled-down project?
The inspector of the case at An Bord Pleanála, Irené McCormack, recommended granting permission for the scaled-down project.
8. What impact did the third-party appeal have on the project?
One of the third-party appeals raised concerns about the negative impact on property values.
9. Why was Block B omitted from the project?
The inspector agreed with the City Council’s decision to omit Block B because it would result in excessive development of the site and should be removed from the project.
10. What opinion did Inspector McCormack express about the visual impact of the project?
Inspector McCormack stated that the “proposal is of high quality, innovative, and modern” and she was convinced that it would not constitute a negative visual intrusion in the area.
11. Why did Inspector McCormack deem the principle of constructing a six-story building acceptable?
Inspector McCormack deemed the principle of constructing a six-story building acceptable because it aligned with the objectives of the National Planning Framework, which focus on concentrating development in major urban centers and providing concentrated growth in our urban centers.
12. What capacity does the site have for accommodating taller buildings?
The planning inspector concluded that the proposed scale and height of the building reflected high standards of urban design, architectural quality, and place-making principles, and that the site had the capacity to accommodate taller structures.
Footnotes:
– An Bord Pleanála
– Westridge Milltown Ltd
The source of the article is from the blog myshopsguide.com