An Bord Pleanála has granted 'fast track' planning permission to a Noel Smyth firm to construct 112 build to rent apartments for Rocklawn, Leopardstown in south Dublin.
The appeals board has given the Strategic Development Housing (SHD) scheme the green light to Bridgeclip (Developments) Ltd in spite of a recommendation by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council that planning permission be refused for the scheme for Dublin 16.
The four to six storey scheme is made up of 72 one bedroomed apartments and 40 two bedroomed apartments.
The Council recommended planning permission be refused as the scheme contains no three bedroom apartments and would therefore fail to provide an adequate housing mix for a variety of housing needs.
The local authority also recommended a refusal after concluding that the scheme provides an inadequate standard of residential accommodation.
However, the appeals board has granted planning permission after concluding that the proposed development would constitute an acceptable quantum and density of development in this accessible urban location.
The board concluded that the scheme would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area and would be acceptable in terms of urban design, height and quantum of development.
The inspector in the case, Stephen Rhys Thomas recommended that planning permission be granted after stating that 'build to rent’ can provide a viable long term housing solution to households where home-ownership may not be a priority, such as people starting out on their careers and who frequently move between countries in the pursuance of a career.
On Council concerns over the housing mix, Mr Rhys Thomas stated that prevailing housing stock already in the area provides for mostly three and four bedroom housing units and so the introduction of an alternative form of development in one and two bedroom units, provides more choice for would be residents.
Mr Rhys Thomas stated that he was satisfied that the overall quality of the facilities provided are satisfactory and that residents "will enjoy an enhanced overall standard of amenity".
The inspector also concluded that there will be no adverse residential amenity impacts to existing residents that neighbour the development site.
In its objection, the Leopardstown Height Residents Association (LPHA) claimed that the scheme represents overdevelopment of the site and will give rise to traffic hazards.
The residents association objection, prepared by planning consultant, Conor Sheehan, asked that a floor from each apartment block be removed to protect local property values.
