Two apartment blocks in estate approved despite objections

CONTENTIOUS plans to develop two apartment blocks at a housing estate in Newcastle which attracted a substantial number of objections have been granted permission following an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

Plans for the two three-storey apartment blocks – reducing to two-storey end of terrace – to house a total of nine apartments at Parson’s Court, was lodged by developer Ronview Ltd in November 2020.

The first apartment block is to contain four three-bed duplex apartments with private rear gardens at ground level, and two three-bed apartments at second floor level with private balconies.

The second block is to house two three-bed duplex apartments with private rear gardens at ground level, and one three-bed apartment at second floor level with private balcony.

Provision of new pedestrian access between Parson’s Court and Burgage Green in Newcastle and all ancillary site development works is included in the plans.

Attracting 32 third-party submissions, which included issues about the “over-the-top” scale of the proposed development, the potential for parking and traffic issues, anti-social behaviour and the impact on the quality of life of the existing residents were raised.

South Dublin County Council gave the thumbs up to the proposals in July 2021 and a month later, a local resident, Andrew McGinley logged an appeal seeking to overturn the decision.

On June 7, 2022, An Bord Pleanála (ABP) upheld the council’s decision to grant permission subject to 16 conditions being met by the developer after considering the third-party appeal.

ABP inspector Lucy Roche understands that the proposed residential scheme of eight units (as amended) would require 13 parking spaces.

“I am satisfied based on the planning history of the site and information available, that existing parking facilities within Parson’s Court were designed to cater for the development of the overall landholding and therefore, that there is sufficient parking available within the scheme to cater for both existing and proposed residential units,” the inspector’s report reads.

“While I accept that existing residents may have benefited from the use of the additional spaces available within the scheme over the years following construction, I do not think that this would provide sufficient planning grounds to justify a refusal or redesign of the proposed scheme.”

The appeal, which was lodged by O’Neill Town Planning on behalf of Mr McGinley, states that the appelant and his neighbours’ primary concerns centre around “the loss of car parking spaces for the existing residents and the future use of the public open spaces” in Parsons Court.

According to the appellant, 15 existing car parking spaces are to be allocated to the new development, however nine of these spaces have already been allocated to existing units – residents have had the use of these car parking spaces for over ten years.

The car parking spaces, open spaces and bin stores are controlled by the estate’s management company, which is made up of residents.

They added that Ronview Ltd has “no control or legal interest in the car parking spaces they are proposing to serve the subject development”.

Other concerns raised included that the proposed development and layout will “contribute to a disjointed and overbearing appearance” and that it would “seriously injure” the residential amenity.