Core Refusal Reason
While the Planning Authority originally refused due to visual incongruity and excessive massing, the Inspector recommended granting permission because the revised proposal ('Option B') significantly reduced the building height and aligns with strategic objectives for urban consolidation and 'living over the shop' schemes.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The revised 'Option B' design, which reduces the ridge height by 1.2m, is an appropriate design solution that is not visually incongruous and will not detract from the visual amenities of the area.
- The proposed apartments satisfy the 2022-2028 CDP qualitative and quantitative standards for dual aspect, storage, floor area, and unit mix, providing acceptable residential amenity for future occupants.
- The development constitutes efficient use of an underdeveloped, serviced urban site and complies with planning policies regarding densification, infill development, and mixed-use neighborhood centers.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Objective NCObjective SNIObjective ASLO 10Policy Objective PHP18 (Residential Density)Policy Objective PHP19 (Existing Housing Stock)Policy Objective PHP27 (Housing Mix)Policy Objective PHP35 (Healthy Placemaking)Policy Objective RET7 (Neighbourhood Centres)Section 12.3.1.1 (Design Criteria)Section 12.3.3.1 (Residential Size and Mix)Section 12.3.5 (Apartment Development)Section 12.3.7.7 (Infill)Section 12.3.7.9 (Living-Over-The-Shop)Section 12.4.5.1 (Parking Zones)Section 12.4.5.2 (Application of Standards)Section 12.6.1 (Assessment in Neighbourhood Centres)Section 12.8.3 (Open Space Quantity)Section 12.8.8 (Financial Contributions in Lieu of Open Space)
Decision Document Summary
The application seeks permission for a vertical extension (new first and part-second floor) over Unit 3 of Loughlinstown Shopping Centre to create three apartments. The site is a single-storey retail unit located at a corner intersection within the 'L-shaped' shopping centre, zoned as Objective 'NC' (Neighbourhood Centre). Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council initially refused permission based on scale, height, and massing. In the first-party appeal, the applicant submitted revised 'Option B' p...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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