‘Cheeky attempt to profiteer’ by increasing size of development

‘Cheeky attempt to profiteer’ by increasing size of development

By Aideen O'Flaherty

A DEVELOPER’S planning application, seeking to increase the number of permitted residential units in a mixed-use development in Greenhills, has been described by a local councillor as “a cheeky attempt to profiteer”.

Developers Double E Investments received planning permission for the mixed-use development in 2016, which included the demolition of Traders Pub.

Traders 05

The Traders pub and McHugh's site in Greenhills

The development, which is currently in the process of being built, has been granted 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 last month, requesting a number of revisions to the permitted development, including an increase in the number of residential units.

The applicant is currently seeking 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, consisting 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.

Provision for telecommunications antenna and dishes at roof level is also included in the current application.

Dermot Looney, a Social Democrats councillor for Templeogue-Terenure, released a statement about the current planning application, where he said: “This is the latest in the long-running saga of this site.

“I have always had two goals on this issue: to keep local residents properly informed, and to stand for the appropriate development of this vital site for our community.

“The current application, approved in 2016, already constitutes a very high density and pushes the limits of sustainable development for this area.

“This latest move is, to my mind, a cheeky attempt to profiteer by over-developing the site. The lack of provision of any extra car parking spaces is just one indicator of that.

“The people of Greenhills and Limekiln have put up with an astounding level of nonsense at this site since the old McHugh’s burned down. This latest move should be rejected by SDCC.

“The developer should focus on delivering the highest quality build at the site for the homes and retail units in the best interests of all in the community.”

A decision on Double E Investments’ current application is due from South Dublin County Council by February 23.

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