An Bord Pleanála has granted permission for the development of a “build-to-rent” residential project consisting of 54 units in the Milltown area of Dublin 6. The appeals body dismissed three separate appeals from third parties, including the Richview Residents’ Association, Dr. Paul Kelly and John Whelan, and 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 bring nothing to the existing community, An Bord Pleanála approved Westridge Milltown Ltd’s application. The applicant, Westridge Milltown Ltd, lodged an appeal due to two conditions that reduced the number of units in the project from 63 to 54 and omitted Block B. However, the appeals body upheld these conditions.
The 63-unit project was originally submitted by Westridge Milltown in July 2022, and case inspector 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 drew attention to the negative impact on property values. However, she was “convinced that the project sought to strike a balance by respecting amenities while enabling the development of dense residential housing in accordance with national planning policy.”
Ms. McCormack strongly agreed with the City Council’s decision to omit Block B as she believed it represented excessive development and should be removed from the project. Regarding the visual impact of the project on the surroundings, Ms. McCormack stated that the “proposal is of high quality, innovative, and modern” and was confident that it would not constitute a negative visual disturbance 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 goals of the National Planning Framework, which involve concentrating development in major urban centers and delivering 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 placemaking principles, and that the site had the capacity to accommodate taller buildings.
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 the development of a “build-to-rent” residential project consisting of 54 units in the Milltown area of Dublin 6.
2. Which parties lodged appeals against this project?
– The Richview Residents’ Association, Dr. Paul Kelly, and John Whelan, and Joanne Hanna lodged three separate appeals.
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 bring nothing to the existing community.
4. Who received permission for the project?
– Westridge Milltown Ltd received permission for 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?
– Case inspector Irené McCormack at An Bord Pleanála 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 drew attention to 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 as it represented excessive development and should be removed from the project.
10. What opinion did Inspector McCormack express regarding the visual impact of the project on the surroundings?
– Inspector McCormack stated that the “proposal is of high quality, innovative, and modern” and was confident that it would not constitute a negative visual disturbance in the area.
11. Why did Inspector McCormack deem the principle of constructing a six-story building on the site acceptable?
– Inspector McCormack deemed the principle of constructing a six-story building acceptable, as it aligned with the goals of the National Planning Framework, which involve concentrating development in major urban centers and delivering concentrated growth in our urban centers.
12. What capacity does the site have to accommodate taller buildings?
– The planning inspector concluded that the proposed scale and height of the building reflected high standards of urban design, architectural quality, and placemaking principles, and that the site had the capacity to accommodate taller buildings.
References:
– An Bord Pleanála
– Westridge Milltown Ltd
The source of the article is from the blog myshopsguide.com