Plans to increase the number of apartments at Traders Pub refused
By Aideen O'Flaherty
PLANS to increase the number of apartments in a permitted mixed-use development at the site of Traders Pub in Greenhills have been refused by South Dublin County Council.
The contentious plans received a number of objections from across the community, including from the Temple Manor Residents’ Association, Greenhills Scout Group, Greenhills Residents’ Association, Limekiln Green Residents and a number of local politicians.
An artist impression of the plans at the Traders' site
Developers Double E Investments received planning permission for the mixed-use development in 2016, which included the demolition of Traders Pub.
The development, which is currently in the process of being built, has permission for the construction of an anchor retail unit that incorporates an off-licence and five retail units, a doctor’s surgery and 26 residential units.
However, the developers lodged another planning application concerning the development in December, requesting a number of revisions to the permitted development, including an increase in the number of residential units.
The applicant sought permission for an increase in the area size of retail Unit 1 by 18 sq. m, an increase in the number of residential units from the permitted 26 to 48 units, to consist of 24 one-bed apartments and 24 two-bed apartments, all above the retail element at first-, second- and third-floor levels.
The proposed parking facilities, consisting of the retention of 38 existing car parking spaces and the provision of 33 proposed additional surface car parking spaces within the site, and the provision of 27 on-street car parking spaces on St James’ Road and Limekiln Green, remain unchanged from the original 2016 application.
The council refused permission for the increase in apartments on February 20, with the local authority refusing permission on a number of grounds, including “a significant under-provision of car parking in the site”, and the development resulting in “overlooking” and “overshadowing” of adjoining housing developments.
Social Democrat councillor Dermot Looney, who lodged an objection on the plans alongside his party colleague Carly Bailey, posted a statement online where he said that the refusal is “a smackdown of the developer if ever there was one.
“It backs up the points made by Carly Bailey and myself.
“While the developer has the right to appeal this to An Bord Pleanála, I believe this is a very strong, clear refusal from SDCC and will hold up in any further processes.
“We look forward to the completion of the current development and the return of much-needed shops and facilities to the area.
“The saga of the site has been ongoing since 2003. It’s time that it was brought to a conclusion.”
Other local politicians who lodged objections to the plans include Solidarity councillors Mick Murphy, Brian Leech, Kieran Mahon, Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and the party’s local election candidate Stephen Nugent, who together lodged a joint objection, and Labour councillor Pamela Kearns.
