New mosque in Balgaddy gets go-ahead despite local objections
By Brendan Grehan
DESPITE local objections, planning permission for a new mosque in Balgaddy has been granted by South Dublin County Council.
South Dublin Maktab Ltd had applied for permission to demolish two existing single storeys and construct a community centre and mosque in a detached three-storey over basement building.
The site planned for the new mosque
Plans incorporate solar PV panels and a feature minaret and dome, and including, at basement level, circulation spaces, car parking, bicycle parking, exercise room, service rooms, service plant and bin storage; at ground-floor level – main entrance and circulation spaces, administrative spaces, toilets and ablutions areas, storage rooms, tea stations, mortuary, and a prayer room with supporting service rooms.
The application also seeks permission to build two classrooms, a library/book store, three retailing/services units, child-minding rooms; and at first-floor level – circulation spaces, administrative spaces, toilets and ablutions areas, two apartments, community health rooms, events room, kitchen/servery, prayer gallery overlooking the prayer room and at second-floor level – circulation spaces, administrative spaces, toilets, restaurant and kitchen on the proposed lands in Balgaddy.
South Dublin Maktab is a voluntary charitable organisation which represents Muslims in the Lucan/Clondalkin area. Currently the local Islamic community represented by South Dublin Maktab use the premises of the South Dublin Football League in Ballyowen Park.
On February 12, 2019, the Balgaddy Working Together Community Group lodged an objection to the development which was signed by over 200 local residents.
They objected on a number of grounds, including the amount of traffic the mosque will bring to the area, the visual impact of the height of the proposed building which they claimed will be “four times higher than residents’ houses”.
The group also raised concerns “for the noise levels and call to prayers as a minaret is included in the design plans”.
Residents from the Oaks estate also lodged an objection on February 13, 2019 arguing that the development will bring extra traffic to the area and that the building will overlook people’s houses and will “impact directly on people’s privacy and light”.
Local councillors Paul Gogarty and Madeleine Johansson made submissions to the council supporting the development.
South Dublin Maktab say their purpose is “to strive for a healthy and educated community by fulfilling the religious, spiritual, educational, and physical needs of the Muslim community which will create peace and harmony within the community and help promoting social interaction with various communities”.
