Council receive complaints over alleged unauthorised development
By Maurice Garvey
SOUTH Dublin County Council is investigating a potential unauthorised development, following an advert that appeared on Daft.ie offering ‘bedrooms’ for rent at an industrial estate premises in Clondalkin.
The advert, which was subsequently removed from Daft.ie, was offering up to 16 beds for rent at €550 each.
Crag Avenue Industrial Estate (inset) a screen shot of the ad investigated by Dublin Rental Investigator
It depicted photos of eight bedrooms at a property in Crag Avenue Industrial Estate, and suggested the unit could hold up to 16 tenants despite having just one small kitchen and toilet.
Light was first shone on the advert by the Dublin Rental Investigator Twitter account @RentalProperty8 on Friday, May 10.
Following notification of the issue from Dublin Rental Investigator, TD Eoin Ó Broin made formal complaints to South Dublin County Council and Daft.ie.
He also sent an enquiry to the name on the advert – Khan Qaiser – who replied stating he has planning permission and was doing “nothing illegal.”
Khan Qaiser did not supply any references of planning permission to the Deputy, and the advert was subsequently removed from Daft.ie.
“There is no record of any change of use of planning permission on South Dublin County Council’s website,” said Deputy Ó’Broin.
“I have a real concern that this premises has neither planning permission nor the legally required building certificates. If this is the case then it is a criminal offence to allow the building to be occupied.”
SDCC confirmed that the use of industrial property as habitable accommodation in the absence of planning permission would be considered unauthorised development.
Susan Sinclair, Admin Officer Land Use Planning and Transportation Department SDCC, told The Echo they received several complaints alleging unauthorised development at an industrial unit in Crag Avenue.
Ms Sinclair said the information they received is sufficient to initiate a planning enforcement investigation, but does not meet the required proof for immediate enforcement proceedings.
“As such, the council must investigate to establish to its satisfaction, whether such development has occurred and, if so, whether it is unauthorised,” she said.
“This investigation is currently ongoing.”
In circumstances where unauthorised developments are found, the council has a variety of powers at its disposal, the most stringent including enforcement notices or court orders.
Deputy Ó’Broin called for an urgent inspection of the premises by SDCC and Dublin Fire Brigade.
“It would be extremely unfortunate if these properties are let out only then to be found in breach of planning and building regulations resulting in tenants at risk of homelessness,” he said.
