Proposal to develop 174 ‘build to rent’ apartments

By Maurice Garvey 

A PROPOSAL for a development of 174 ‘build to rent’ apartments, is being considered by Dublin City Council for a site at the former Faulkners Industries factory in Chapelizod.

Applicants Midgard Construction submitted the plans in July.

It contained a revision to a previously permitted planning application last year, the latest application seeking to increase the amount of apartments from 171 to 174.

The subject site is on an area of 10,500m2. It is located on the south side of Chapelizod Hill Road, to the west of the Chapelizod bypass.

An existing FAS training centre is located directly across the road.

The existing factory building appears to have previously been in use as a packaging business according to the plans, and the site encompasses a pair of semi-detached houses on Chapelizod Hill Road.

A number of residents have objected to the proposed development, citing a number of reasons including “unsuitable size and scale, loss of natural habitat, and loss of privacy”.

In 2017, Dublin City Council refused planning permission for a development of 171 apartments at the subject site – this decision was appealed to and overturned by An Bord Pleanála.

Smaller scale developments were granted permission by DCC for the site in 2013 (33 units) and 2012 (20 units).

The current proposal for the mixed-use residential development includes provision for 84 one-bed units, 88 two-beds and three three-bedroom units over three blocks.

Proposals also include a childcare facility, a community room, gym and recreational area and 123 car parking spaces.

Dublin City Council have yet to make a decision on the planning application.