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Thursday, 26 Jan 2023
Updated / Thursday, 26 Jan 2023 17:01
A decision is due on the appeal later this year.
Developers are contesting a decision by Fingal County Council to refuse
planning permission for a mixed use scheme for Swords in north Dublin.
This follows Brookclam Land Ltd lodging an appeal with An Bord Pleanála
against the Council last month refusing planning permission for an
eight storey apartment scheme that would comprise of 121 residential
units, four retail units and a Senior Citizens Centre.
The scheme, on the site of the junction of Forster Way and Chapel Lane
in Swords, involves the demolition of the existing Swords Day Centre
for Senior Citizens.
Planning consultants for the scheme, John Spain & Associates told the
council that the proposal "represents an opportunity to develop
under-utilised lands within the town centre of Swords".
Mr Spain stated that the proposal "provides for a high density, mixed
use development".
The planning consultant stated that the proposal will deliver "an
appropriate scale of residential and commercial development at this
location"
The proposal faced local opposition and in its decision, the Council
stated that the height, scale and massing of the proposed development
was excessive and would not sufficiently respect the existing setting
and scale of development in the vicinity of the subject site.
The planning authority also stated that having regard to the scheme in
close proximity to existing adjacent houses within the Oaklands housing
estate, the proposal would be out of character with the established
pattern of development in the area and would result in overdevelopment
of the site.
The Council also concluded that the scheme would create a visual
perception of encroachment on, overlooking of, and overshadowing of,
adjoining residential two-storey houses.
On the third ground for refusal, the Council also ruled that the
proposed development fails to fully accord with the apartment design
standards due to an inadequate level of daylight and sunlight
requirements into all units, together with a deficiency in private
amenity provision for all units.
The Council stated that this would result in an unacceptable low level
of residential amenity for future residents of the proposed apartments.
A number of objectors told the council that the scheme involves an
eight storey development within an area which may only accommodate
developments between three and five storeys.
Reporting by Gordon Deegan