St Basil’s developer appeals council’s decision to ABP

AFTER being refused by South Dublin County Council for potentially resulting in a “diminished quality of character in Tallaght”, the decision on plans to demolish three existing apartment units for newer three- to six-storey apartment blocks has been appealed.

O’Mahony Holdings SPRL has appealed the local authority’s decision to refuse permission to construct 26 residential apartments and café across two blocks at St Basil’s Training Centre on the Greenhills Road in Tallaght.

The first reason for refusing permission was that the proposed development “would materially contravene the Local Area Plan in relation to the intensity of development”, which would result in “underdevelopment”.

“Due to the height and mass treatment of Block B, the proposed development fails to respond to the specific local historic context of the block location,” the decision letter reads.

According to the council, the applicant “fails” to demonstrate what visual impact the block would have on St Basil’s Training Centre, which is a protected structure.

As for Block A, the council is of the understanding that it “will have an overall negative impact on the character of Tallaght Village Architectural Conservation Area”.

With it’s proximity to Main Street and The Priory Demesne, the development “would result in a diminished quality of character in Tallaght”.

Lastly, with the provision of just 15 spaces in the plans, the proposed development “will result in increased parking along Old Greenhills Road, causing a traffic hazard,” according to the council.

However, the applicant is of the opinion that the proposed development “does not negatively impact on the character of the Tallaght Conservation Area and nearby protected structures”.

According to O’Mahony, in an appeal to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) seeking the council’s decision be overturned, the plans are in accordance with “proper planning and sustainable development”.

“The proposed development will provide high quality, architecturally interesting buildings, which are sensitive to the surrounding characterises, while simultaneously providing for additional urgently needed residential units in the Greater Dublin Area,” the appeal reads.

The appeal takes aim at “some key inconsistencies” between planning policies which include parts of the Tallaght Town Centre Local Area Plan 2020, National Planning Framework and South Dublin County Development Plan 2016-2022.

O’Mahony Holdings SPRL lodged the appeal with ABP on January 17, 2022.

The case is due to be decided by the Board by May 23.