Appeal against decision to refuse permission for apartment block unsuccessful

AN APPEAL against South Dublin County Council’s decision to refuse permission for the development of a four-storey apartment building on the car park at Ball Alley House on Leixlip Road in Lucan has been unsuccessful.

Appellant Gerry Teague’s plans for the site included the removal of 52 car parking spaces, to be replaced by the apartment block.

The proposed block consisted of one one-bedroom, 11 two-bedroom, and two three-bedroom apartments, all with associated private open space areas in the form of balconies.

Proposed access to the development was from the existing vehicular and pedestrian entrance from Leixlip Road (R835) and from proposed new vehicular and pedestrian access from Ardeevin Drive.

South Dublin County Council refused planning permission for the proposal in 2021, with the council stating that the building “would be totally out of context in a neighbourhood of single-storey bungalows”.

The council also stated in its decision that the block would have “a significantly overbearing impact” and would “appear excessively dominant”.

This month, An Bord Pleanála (ABP) upheld the council’s decision to refuse permission for the apartment block. In outlining its decision, ABP said the development would be “incongruous in terms of its design, scale, massing and bulk” and would be “out of character” with its surroundings.

They also noted that the development would “seriously injure the visual and residential amenities” of the area.