Two Dublin TDs are backing local residents' objections to plans for a €113 million "fast track" housing scheme for Woodstown, Ballycullen, in south Dublin.
Earlier this year, Ballycullen Ltd Partnership lodged strategic housing development plans with An Bord Pleanála for the 329-unit development comprising 140 houses and 189 apartments on the foothills of the Dublin mountains.
The developers have put a price tag of €12.4 million on 36 units it has identified for social housing to sell to South Dublin County Council – an average cost of €345,305.
Negotiations with the council on a final price can only take place if and when planning permission is granted.
Prominent site
Planning consultants for the developers, McGill Planning, state that the proposal “represents a sustainable balance between optimising the quantum and mix of residential development possible whilst respecting the environmental qualities, visual amenities, and character of this prominent site at the foothills of the Dublin mountains”.
Dublin South West TDs John Lahart TD (FF) and Francis Noel Duffy TD (Green) have lodged submissions in support of residents' objections.
Mr Duffy claims the apartment blocks, ranging in height from two to five storeys, are “out of keeping with the existing development in the area and is excessive” though he said he did not have a problem in principle with homes being built on zoned land.
Strategic development
He also said that the fast-track strategic housing development structure had failed to deliver on its intended purpose, with only 29 per cent of all planning permissions granted under the scheme since 2017 having been commenced.
In his submission, Mr Lahart told An Bord Pleanála he wished to strongly support the observations lodged on behalf of Stocking Wood Residents’ Association and Abbott Grove Residents’ Association and the master observation lodged on behalf of the wider community.
The Abbott Grove Residents’ Group has objected across a number of headings including density, height and lack of local amenities and infrastructure to serve the development.
Planners at South Dublin County Council have also recommended that planning permission be refused, saying the development would be a material contravention of the local area plan on the grounds of height, unit mix and density,
An Bord Pleanála is due to make a decision on the scheme in October.
