An Bord Pleanála has given the green light to 'fast track' plans for a €106m apartment scheme for Terenure in Dublin.
Over 75 objections were lodged against the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) scheme by Lioncor Developments subsidiary 1 Terenure Land Ltd for the 208 unit six storey apartment scheme.
The appeals board has given the go-ahead for the apartments after concluding that the development would constitute an acceptable residential density at the location, 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.
Board inspector in the case, Paul O’Brien stated that "whilst the density is high, the applicant has provided a development that will provide for good residential amenity for future occupants whilst ensuring that existing residential amenity can be protected".
Dublin City Council planners also found the scheme to be acceptable.
"We are delighted to have received the planning grant in the midst of an unprecedented housing crisis," said Lioncor chief executive, John Maxwell.
"In addition to the 21 social housing units we will deliver almost 190 private units which will facilitate the local housing need for those starting out as well as downsizing in the area," he said.
"This is consistent with Lioncor’s strategy of delivering houses for all tenures including starter homes, social and affordable homes, apartments for rent and apartments for sale," he added.
One of those to object was prominent Sinn Fein TD, Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh who stated that opposition to the apartment scheme "is not Nimbyism".
In an objection to the plans, Deputy Ó Snodaigh stated that "nobody could say that the imposition of five blocks of six-storey apartments backing onto and overlooking the gardens of Dublin Corporation-built 1930s/40s two-storey homes is suitable, as is being proposed with the Carlisle development".
The 'Carlisle' development site is for lands to the north of the Kimmage Road West, Terenure, Dublin 12 and located to the rear of a ‘Ben Dunne’ gym.
Others to have objected to the scheme included a number of resident groups - the Kimmage Dublin Residents Alliance, the Kimmage Rd Residents Association and Terenure West Residents Association.
The scheme is made up of 104 one bed apartments and 104 two bed apartments and the developers have put an indicative price tag of €10.66 million on 21 apartments to be sold to Dublin City Council for social housing.
The Part V documentation lodged with the scheme puts an indicative price of €668,155 one two bedroom unit.
In his objection, Deputy Ó Snodaigh told An Bord Pleanála that there are consequences to "exorbitant" guide price of €670,000 for a 2-bedroomed apartment.
The Dublin South Central TD stated that setting such a price "means that the apartments will be well out-of-reach for most of those looking for starter homes - young working couples. Such prices will also add to the inflationary pressures on homes in the vicinity, most of which would not come within an ass's roar of the price guide being set for this apartment complex".
"Thus, this will make it more difficult for local families to compete for homes that come up in the area for sale, against the institutional property speculators who will use the guide prices as their yardstick when setting a rent," he said.
Deputy Ó Snodaigh stated that local opposition against the scheme
"is not nimbyism, and not one of the residents who contacted me in relation to this development argued against housing per se.
"Each and every one of them are aware of the housing crisis and the need for more homes, and especially for family homes," he added.
