Plans revealed for 73-unit development at Chapelizod
By Aideen O'Flaherty
PLANS for the volumetric construction of a 73-unit residential development and a ground-floor community centre at Springvale in Chapelizod were revealed at December’s monthly meeting of the South Central Area Committee in Dublin City Council, reports Aideen O’Flaherty.
Volumetric construction consists of the bulk of building work being carried out off-site, usually in a factory-controlled environment, which creates less waste and means builders are not reliant on weather conditions, and that there will be less disruption in the vicinity of the site of the development.
Changes in residential development on Chapelizod allotment site
As reported in The Echo last July, Dublin City Council is planning to develop the residential development at a current allotment site on the Chapelizod Road, across the road from the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The plans have been in the pipeline since 2005, but they were temporarily shelved by the council as a result of the recession.
At the South Central Area Committee it was revealed that the development would be carried out using volumetric construction, which Dublin City Council architect Cian Harte said would consist of “3D pods being constructed off-site, then being transported to the site and erected” where further work will be carried out.
During his presentation at the meeting, Mr Harte said that volumetric construction is “a more controllable method of construction, health and safety is improved and there’s less disruption to surrounding residents.
“The overall landscape strategy and urban design strategy is to allow as much of the Phoenix Park to bleed into the development as possible.
“We’re trying to breakdown the visual barrier between the development itself and the Phoenix Park.”
People Before Profit councillor Hazel De Nortúin said that the plans were “great, design-wise” as it’s being planning with consideration of the surrounding area, while Independent councillor Vincent Jackson praised the inclusion of one-bed units in the development as “single men and women are forgotten about when it comes to accommodation”.
Labour councillor Rebecca Moynihan questioned why the development was “so low-density” and why “so much space was given over to the private car”, as this had not been mirrored in other developments in the inner city.
Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan said that while he found the presentation to be “great” – adding that he appreciated the fact the development was taking place in the council’s own lands – he said he had concerns about the fast-track planning process, and if it may affect that quality of the build.
In response, Mr Harte said the proposals are “to the highest environmental and construction standards we can achieve in terms of an accelerated build.”
The council is also currently in talks with a local scout den in relation to the use of the proposed community centre.
Construction on the site is planned to commence in Spring 2019.
