Plans to build several hundred apartments in Palmerstown were rejected due to a multitude of issues.
An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission for 305 apartments, a crèche, gym and community sports hall at the former Vincent L Byrne in Kennelsfort Road, citing the design of the apartments as “monolithic and repetitive, with unsympathetic proportions”.
The decision is a blow for Randelswood Holdings, a building firm which is part of Maynooth-based construction company McGrath Property Group, who had purchased the 3.2 acre site in 2016.
The development, which would have increased the number of dwellings in Palmerstown Village by 100%, was opposed by many local residents, with 44 submissions made by third parties.
The planning application was submitted to the Bord as a Strategic Housing Development project which permits the planning process for developments over 100 units to be fast-tracked without developers having to secure approval from a local authority.
In their decision the Bord said the development “would have an overbearing and overshadowing impact” on the existing residential amenities of the properties to the northern boundary and the proposal would be contrary to the National Planning Framework and Ministerial guidelines.
They also said they were concerned about the traffic which would be generated by the development.
Randelswood Holdings had argued the development was consistent with the relevant national, regional and local planning guidelines.
Local Fianna Fail TD John Curran welcomed the decision.
“Well done to the local community who rallied together and made observations and submissions.
“The development was refused on account of its scale, location, impact on traffic at the location and overall the proposed development was contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” he said.
Local People Before Profit Councillor Madeleine Johansson is also glad the plans are not going ahead.
“This development would have been completely out of proportion for the village area,” she said.
