The site in Walkinstown that was approved planning
Mini market and barbers to be knocked for apartments
PLANS for the demolition of the units that house Paddy’s Mini Market and James’s Barber Shop in Walkinstown to make way for the development of apartments have been granted permission.
Applicant James Murphy’s proposal includes the demolition of the retail units, and the construction of a two-storey plus attic premises containing three apartments.
The residential units comprise one ground-floor two-bed apartment, and two two-bed duplex units above, including provision of balconies facing Balfe Road the first-floor apartments.
On November 21 last, Dublin City Council granted permission with a number of conditions – including revisions to Mr Murphy’s proposal.
These revisions include the eight square metres of external open space for the ground-floor apartment being removed and replaced by a refuse storage area secured by a shutter door.
The council also stipulated in its decision that the apartments cannot be used for short-term letting, and the right-of-way along the frontage of the site on Balfe Road “must be kept free of any obstruction at all times.”
This is Mr Murphy’s second planning application for an apartment development at this site, after his last application for the construction of four apartments was refused planning permission in July.
Dublin City Council refused planning permission for the proposal on a number of grounds.
These grounds included the council’s view that the structure would “constitute overdevelopment of the site” and would “fail to provide a sufficient level of amenity” for future tenants.
“Having regard to the location of the site and the only access being from an area of informal car-parking that is located outside the redline boundary, the applicant has failed to demonstrate a safe access to and from the site,” added the council.
“The proposed development would result in vehicular and pedestrian conflict, create a significant road safety risk and would seriously injure the residential amenity of future residents of the development.”
As reported in The Echo last January, the two retail units went on the market for €400,000, with full planning permission, or the units to be demolished for a two-storey office and retail building to be constructed in their place.
