Builders, Glenveagh are contesting Fingal Co Council's decision to refuse planning permission to its plans to construct a €60m 135 unit apartment scheme for a site adjoining Howth Demesne, Deer Park at Howth in north Co Dublin.
This follows Glenveagh subsidiary, GLL PRS Holdco Limited appealing the Council refusal to An Bord Pleanála.
The LRD scheme consists of four apartment blocks ranging from three to five storeys in height and is made up of 72 two-bedroom units and 63 one bedroom units for the 3.8 acre site.
A planning report lodged with the application stated that the proposed development "promotes the delivery of sustainable residential development on a greenfield site which will facilitate increased housing supply and choice along Howth Road and its environs".
The report states that the development of the site "provides for efficient use of residentially zoned land and will deliver much-needed housing supply for the area and county located in close proximity of Howth Dart station".
However, the scheme faced strong local opposition and in a hard hitting objection, Maria Doyle of Balkill Park, Howth contended that if the scheme proceeds, "I feel that the character and uniqueness of Howth will be further diluted".
To comply with Part V social housing requirements, the developers are proposing that 14 units be sold to Fingal Co Council for social housing.
A Part V costings report lodged with the application has put an indicative price tag of €6.17m on the 14 apartments with the two bedroom apartments coming with a €472,032 indicative price tag and €410,129 on the one bedroom apartments.
Previously, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for a 113 unit Strategic Housing Development (SHD) at the site but the permission was quashed by the High Court following a Judicial Review challenge.
The planning report for the new scheme states that "while additional units are proposed for this LRD application, it is believed that the proposal provides an enhanced scheme with a significantly reduced footprint, which displays superior architectural quality, which responds to the site’s sensitivities".
The planning report drawn up by planning consultants, McCutcheon Halley states that "the proposal seeks to balance the need to provide increased density on an accessible site while being conscious of the existing adjoining residential developments and surrounding built heritage, particularly Howth Castle and St. Mary’s Church".
In a comprehensive rejection of the scheme, the Council stated that having regard to its scale, form, massing and overall height, the proposed development fails to respond to the baseline environment and surrounding historical and natural environment of the site which is located within a designated 'Highly Sensitive Landscape', a Buffer Zone for the Howth Special Amenity Area Order and adjoins Howth Castle Architectural Conservation Area.
Reporting by Gordon Deegan
