Bord Pleanála upends council’s refusal for 12 residential units

AN BORD Pleanála has overturned South Dublin County Council’s decision to refuse permission for the construction of 12 residential units at Long Acre, School Road in Rathcoole.

Edward Balfe submitted the planning application to the council in July last year, where he outlined his plans for the site.

The proposal included the demolition of one existing dwelling and four out-buildings/sheds and the construction of 14 residential units.

The residential units were proposed in the form of six one-bed apartments, six three-bed duplex apartments and two three-bed, semi-detached dwellings.

Open spaces were to be provided in the form of balconies and gardens, bicycle storage, bin storage, signage, associated drainage, landscaping, boundary treatments and site works.

The plans attracted numerous third-party submissions, including a joint submission by 22 residents of Windmill Close.

The issues raised in the submissions included concerns about the visual impact of the development, residential standards such as the density being “too high”, and potential issues with access, parking and transport.

Last September, the council refused permission for the development on a number of grounds, including a “substandard” layout, the proposed use of a laneway which has not been taken in charge, and the fact that the proposal “would see the removal of a considerable number of trees onsite and no effort has been made to incorporate them in the proposed design”.

Mr Balfe appealed this decision in October, and stated that the council did not afford him the opportunity to address their concerns by way of a further information request.

He stated that the development would represent an “efficient use of land” and would allow “the ageing population” in the area to downsize.

In terms of density, the appellant said the development would “contribute to the surrounding area” providing an increased movement of people to the benefit of public transport networks and local businesses.

Last month, An Bord Pleanála overturned the council’s decision to refuse permission and has now paved the way for the development to go ahead.

In its ruling, the appeals board stated the proposal would constitute “an acceptable form of residential development” and would not seriously injure residential or visual amenities.