ABP uphold council decision on St Basil’s apartment plans

AN Bord Pleanála has upheld South Dublin County Council’s decision to refuse permission for the development of two apartment blocks at the site of St Basil’s Training Centre in Tallaght village.

Developer O’Mahony Holdings SPRL’s plans included the demolition of three existing apartment units to make way for two three- to six-storey apartment blocks, comprising 26 apartments and a café.

In December 2021, South Dublin County Council refused permission for the proposal for a number of reasons.

The first reason for refusing permission was that the proposed development “would materially contravene the Local Area Plan in relation to the intensity of development”.

“Due to the height and mass treatment of Block B, the proposed development fails to respond to the specific local historic context of the block location,” the decision letter reads.

According to the council, the applicant “fails” to demonstrate what visual impact the block would have on St Basil’s Training Centre, which is a protected structure.

As for Block A, the council is of the understanding that it “will have an overall negative impact on the character of Tallaght Village Architectural Conservation Area”.

With its proximity to Main Street and the Priory Demesne, the development “would result in a diminished quality of character in Tallaght”.

Lastly, with the provision of 15 parking spaces in the plans, the proposed development “will result in increased parking along Old Greenhills Road, causing a traffic hazard,” according to the council.

Shortly afterwards, O’Mahony Holdings SPRL lodged an appeal against the decision as they said the development “does not negatively impact on the character of the Tallaght Conservation Area and nearby protected structures”.

According to the appellant, the plans were in accordance with “proper planning and sustainable development”.

“The proposed development will provide high quality, architecturally interesting buildings, which are sensitive to the surrounding characterises, while simultaneously providing for additional urgently needed residential units in the Greater Dublin Area,” the appeal states.

On August 29 last, An Bord Pleanála upheld the council’s decision to refuse permission for the apartment blocks.

The appeals board stated that the development “fails to be sensitive within its proposed location” and Block A would “dominate” this part of the site and be visible within the Priory Demesne and the Greenhills Road.

The Board added that it was “not satisfied” that the development “would not adversely impact on the character of the Architectural Conservation Area, and on the architectural heritage of the wider area”.

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