SD21A/0236
Amalgamation of units F2 and F3 (with connecting doors at ground and first floor levels) and its use for warehouse and distribution with ancillary trade counter and showroom at ground and first floor levels; Retention of offices at second floor level which are ancillary to the overall warehouse operation; Retention of all signage and external illumination of the signage.
Core Planning Reasoning
The Inspector recommended that Condition No. 4 be maintained because the South Dublin County Council Development Contribution Scheme 2021-2025 was correctly applied; specifically, the applicant failed to provide evidence of prior development contribution payments to qualify for a 'change of use' exemption, and the scheme explicitly prohibits reductions for retention permissions.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The Planning Authority correctly calculated the financial contribution of €99,947.67 based on the 1,097sqm floor area at the industrial/commercial rate of €91.11 per square meter set out in the 2021-2025 Scheme.
- Neither the appellant nor the Planning Authority could produce evidence of previous financial contributions paid for the site, which is a mandatory requirement to avail of exemptions for 'change of use' under Subsection (xxvi) of the Scheme.
- The inclusion of a retention element for second-floor offices and signage precludes any reduction in the contribution, as Section 13 of the Scheme states that no reductions in whole or in part shall apply to permissions for retention of development.