Further consideration required for three fast-track developments
By Aideen O Flaherty
THREE separate substantial residential developments concerning the former CB Packaging site in Clondalkin, the former home of ex-Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave in Scholarstown, and a greenfield site at Magna Drive in Citywest all require “further considera-tion/amendment”.
An Bord Pleanála (ABP) made this ruling for each of the three developments last month, with all of the planning applications being lodged with ABP earlier this year following a pre-planning consultation with South Dublin County Council under fast-track legislation for Strategic Housing Developments.
The former home of ex-Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave in Scholarstown
Developer Arbeten Ltd lodged an application with ABP in late April, seeking permission for the development of 1,009 build-to-rent apartments and a crèche at the former CB Packaging site at Ninth Lock Road and New Nangor Road in Clondalkin.
Glenveagh Homes Limited also lodged a fast-track planning application with ABP last April, seeking permission for the construction of 473 dwellings, consisting of 96 houses, 353 apartments and 24 duplexes, a crèche and a community pavilion at Citywest Road and Magna Drive in Citywest.
Beechpark, the former home of ex-Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave, and the lands surrounding it at Scholarstown Road are also the subject of a fast-track planning application, with developer Ardstone Homes Limited having lodged an application with ABP last May.
Ardstone Homes Limited is seeking permission for the construction of a 594-unit residential development, to consist of 482 build-to-rent units and 112 build-to-sell units, at the Scholarstown Road site.
The Scholarstown Road site has been the subject of media attention in recent months, as archaeological digs there uncovered an “early medieval enclosed settlement”, according to an archaeological assessment that was submitted to South Dublin County Council last April.
Human skeletal remains were found on the site last August, and a total of 19 test trenches were excavated on site, which confirmed the presence of a ringfort-type enclosure – the skeletal remains were uncovered within the interior of the enclosure.
In a statement to The Echo when the archaeological digs were being carried out, Ardstone Homes stated: “As part of our assessment of the site we undertook an archaeological investigation under the direction of an independent archaeologist and some archaeological features were discovered on a small portion of the site.”
They stated that the investigation and dig was being carried out by “an independent archaeologist under full agreement and licencing of The Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht (DCHG) and under direction of the National Monuments Service.
“The archaeological team are cooperating fully with the DCHG, and Ardstone are committed to completing the investigation in accordance with all national guidelines and requirements,” the developer added.
All three of the proposed developments were deemed to require “further consideration/development, which means that “the development as proposed would not have a reasonable chance of succeeding”, according to ABP, however this ruling isn’t a refusal of planning permission.
