Concerns about development in village
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A COMMUNITY group has lodged objections to the planned development of apartments in Tallaght village, stating that if South Dublin County Council doesn’t refuse permission pending a housing policy review and the adoption of a town-centre plan it would be “an act of recklessness and disregard” for the area.
Irish Residential Properties, REIT plc, submitted three separate applications to South Dublin County Council last month, all of which contain plans for residential developments in the Priorsgate area of Tallaght village.
Bruce House in Tallaght village is to be demolished
It is proposed that Bruce House, which formerly housed a Bank of Ireland office, will be demolished to make way for the construction of a five-storey mixed-use building, to contain one retail unit and 31 apartment units.
The company’s second application concerns Block 1 of Priorsgate, where permission is being sought for the change of use of the permitted vacant crèche unit and ancillary external open space, to instead provide for one two-bedroom apartment and one three-bedroom apartment.
The third application is centred on Block 2 of Priorsgate, where the applicant is seeking permission for the subdivision and change of use of the permitted vacant restaurant unit at ground-floor level.
Tallaght Community Council (TCC) lodged objections to each planning application this week, citing a number of concerns about the impact the proposed development may have.
The community group took issue with the developer submitting three separate applications, claiming that it is “one big application, that consists of three smaller [applications].
Change the way the village will look
“[The plans] are significant as they will fundamentally change the way the village will look.”
TCC also noted that the development “will not allow for a mix of ownership” as they are to be owned by IRES REIT, and that this would lead to first-time buyers and local older people who would like to downsize having “no opportunity to become a part of this community”.
On the planned change of use of the vacant restaurant and crèche facilities, TCC stated that changing these units to provide for housing “makes no long-term sense” as they believe there would be demand for these services and that they would provide local employment opportunities.
TCC stated in their submission that “an attempt by a highly profitable rental agency to stop future commercial development must be stopped, there are already way too many apartment blocks in one small area.”
They suggested that plans for the residential development on the site of Bruce House should instead be replaced by the development of ten three-bed apartments and ten four-bed apartments, while the ground floor should be used for “a commercial or community venue”.
TCC further added that if the council does not refuse planning permission for the development, pending a review of housing policy and the adoption of the new Tallaght Town Centre Plan, it would be “an act of recklessness and disregard” for the village.
A decision on all three applications is due from South Dublin County Council by August 29.
