[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]The Maxol Group, best known for service stations around the country, have been granted planning permission for a number of houses at a Sandymount site.
The company, owned by the McMullan family, sought permission earlier this year for the five storey, 87-apartment development.
Currently, the site is used as a petrol station with an adjoining car garage. However, permission was granted for a number of houses at the site by An Bord Pleanala last week.
Dublin City Council initially granted permission for the development, however the case was referred to An Bord Pleanala (ABP) after a number of objections were lodged by local residents and a nearby primary school to the council.
St Matthew’s National School lodged a complaint amid concerns for the safety of its students as the block would overlook into the school. In objections from residents, locals said that the design of the building would have an affect on the ‘integrity’ of the locality.
In its approval of the scheme, ABP said that the apartment block could be a ‘standalone development of individual character’, ruling that the site was suitable for development due to its close proximity to the city centre, and the transport facilities located in the area.
The majority of apartments in the 11,500sqm development are expected to be two-bedrooms, with the rest of the development composed of 23 one-bedroom and 14 three-bedroom units. There will also be 90 car parking spaces, and 90 bicycle spaces.
The Sandymount development is the first time the Maxol group have used a site for housing rather than a forecourt. They are now seeking permission for another residential development at a site in Saggart in the south-west of the county.
Councillor Dermot Lacey (LAB) told Dublin Gazette he was ‘disappointed’ in the approval of the apartments, given concern from locals.
Lacey said: “I am disappointed that the legitimate concerns of residents were not taken into account. Nobody was objecting to apartments per se on the site however the scale and density was in my opinion too much.
“I was and am concerned also at the blase attitude to the overlooking of the school.”
Independent councillor Sonya Stapleton echoed Lacey’s sentiments.
She told Dublin Gazette: “I am totally against the build of apartments on the Maxol site, The local residents and St Matthews national schools concerns have not been taken into consideration.
“We need public housing at affordable prices, However this new complex will be out priced to the average working family in the area. I believe the only winners hear are Maxol and investors that will buy up the properties.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
