New plans have ability to change village landscape
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THE landscape of Tallaght village looks set to change, if planning applications seeking permission for the development of residential units at three sites in Tallaght Village – including Bruce House and two blocks within the existing Priorsgate development – are successful.
Bruce House, the site of the old Bank of Ireland, is currently used by the charity Threshold as a training centre, with plans for the charity to move to a new premises in August.
The former Bank of Ireland ofice, Bruce house in Tallaght Village
Irish Residential Properties, REIT plc, submitted three separate applications to South Dublin County Council this month, all of which contain plans for residential developments.
The first application concerns Bruce House, seeking permission for the demolition of the existing building to make way for the construction of a five-storey mixed-use building.
There are plans for the building to contain one retail unit and 31 apartment units, and there is provision for the removal of the existing boundary treatment between Bruce House and Priorsgate.
Tara De Buitléar from Tallaght Community Council (TCC) told The Echo: “The mix of apartments [in this application] is too skewed towards small one-bed apartments.
“These are not going to attract families or professional couples into the area for the long-term to create a sustainable community in Tallaght village.”
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 which was lodged by Irish Residential Properties REIT 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.
It is proposed that the vacant restaurant unit will be changed and subdivided to allow for the development of two two-bedroom apartments and one three-bedroom apartment, with provision for the removal of an existing stairway within the existing hard landscaped space, which links to the pedestrian overpass over the Tallaght Bypass.
Worrying trend
Ms De Buitlear commented: “This is a worrying trend to convert approved commercial amenities of crèches and restaurants, which are essential supporting services, to large apartment buildings such as Priorsgate.
“This conversion of change of use started in Tallaght Cross and New Bancroft – significantly altering the mix of land use and the balance.
“TCC are fully aware we need more homes. We also believe this doesn’t mean that every development is good simply because it produces ‘units’.
“We need sustainable communities that people want to live in, where there are available jobs and schools, so they can plan to be here long-term and where they can lay down roots.”
A decision on all three applications is due from South Dublin County Council by August 29.
