Residents in Raheny, Dublin and the Irish Georgian Society (IGS) are opposing plans by Tetrarch Capital for a 78 unit 'over 65s' scheme on lands around the 18th century protected structure, Sybil Hill House.
The Tetrarch ‘senior living’ scheme involves three blocks with one rising to five storeys in height on the Vincentian Order owned lands which are located only 150 metres from an entrance to St Anne’s Park and adjacent to St Paul’s College.
The scheme is made up of 55 one bed units and 23 two bed units.
Planning consultants on the project, Tom Phillips & Associates state that it is the expressed wishes of the Vincentian Order "that this Integrated Retirement Community would cater specifically for the over-65s within the community who wish to downsize into suitable age friendly accommodation".
The planning consultants state that Tetrarch are willing to sign a legal agreement to ensure that the scheme caters only for the over 65s.
They state that the scheme would promote quality homes for the elderly and would allow elderly to remain in their community.
The report states that the proposed development of the under-utilised site will provide much needed residential development in the area for the explicit use of eligible senior citizens.
In total the Council has received 24 third party submissions and in a comprehensive 30 page objection lodged on behalf of No 1 Sybil Hill Owners Management Company, planning consultants, Hughes Planning and Development Consultants contend that the height and the massing of the proposal is unsuitable.
The objection states that the scheme "would irreparably compromise the amenity of adjacent residents by way of overlooking overbalance and loss of privacy".
The objection also states that the proposal "does not protect or promote the improvement of existing amenities and character".
Local resident, Julia Roche has told the Council that the development will set an undesirable precedent for similar developments within the curtilage of protected structures in Raheny.
Executive Director with the Irish Georgian Society, Donough Cahill has told the Council that the proposal represents inappropriate development for a number of reasons.
Mr Cahill said that one five storey block is too close to Sybill Hill House, is too high "and would seriously impact on the character and setting of Sybill Hill House"
A decision is due on the application later this month.
Reporting by Gordon Deegan
