Dublin 4 residents are seeking to halt plans for a 64 unit build to rent 'high end' apartment scheme for Clyde Lane.
Last month, Dublin City Council granted planning permission to Pembroke Partnership for the build to rent scheme for St Mary's Home, Pembroke Park and 28A Clyde Lane in the face of strong local opposition including the Herbert Park Residents Association.
However, seven separate appeals have now been lodged by local residents to An Bord Pleanala against the city council grant of permission for the scheme made up of 41 one bedroom apartments, 19 studios and four two bedroom apartments.
Appeals have been lodged by Dr Barbara Rafferty, Noeleen Kenny, Eugene and Joan Swaine, Olive Moran and Philip Dunne, Dermot Gleeson, Caitriona Ni Chuiv and Michael Wall.
Mr Wall lodged an objection on behalf of the Upper Leeson Street Area Residents Association when the application was before the Council.
The scheme involves the re-purposing of St Mary’s Home a nursing home for residential use to contain 23 build to rent unit and the construction of three new buildings that will contain a combined 41 ‘build to rent’ apartments.
Planning consultant for the scheme, John Spain has stated that the proposal "will deliver a high quality build to rent apartment scheme at a highly accessible and central urban location which will enhance the visual appearance of the streetscape and make a positive contribution to the urban environment in this residential conservation area".
Labour TD, Ivana Bacik raised concerns over the scheme while it was before the Council.
"This proposed development appears to be entirely developer-led, and without consideration for the need for the long-term accommodation needs of the area," Deputy Bacik said.
Party colleague and member of Dublin City Council, Cllr Dermot Lacey told the Council that the density of the development is of an absurdly high ratio "and is inappropriate for this site".
In her grounds of objection against the scheme, Dr Rafferty claims that the scheme "is an inappropriate concept for this site and it will negatively affect the residential conservation area and the property values of the immediate neighbouring homes".
Dr Rafferty has said that Block B of the scheme has excessive scale, bulk and mass and the overall proposal fails to protect and enhance the character and appearance of the area.
The Moran/Dunne objection to the scheme contended that "this is essentially a high end bedside scheme which seeks to fully monetise the potential of the site".
On behalf of St Conleth’s College, Ann Sheppard told the Council that "the proposed development represents a context sensitive, considered design response to the site and its setting adjacent to the school and has been designed to minimise the impact on the school in terms of overlooking and light access".
A decision is due on the appeals in May.
