2560942
demolition of an existing dilapidated warehouse totalling c.291sqm and ancillary walls throughout the site, the reinstatement of the Old Chimney together with alterations to the boundaries of the site, and the construction of a mixed use residential development ranging from 2 storey over ground floor to 6 storey over ground floor in height as follows: Provision of 54 no. residential units, in the form of 2 no. new apartment and duplex buildings (Blocks 1 & 2), as follows: Block 1 (6 storey over ground floor) comprising 53 no. apartment and duplex units (1 no. studio unit, 4 no. 1-bed units, 29 no. 2-bed units & 19 no. 3 bed units, a tenant gym, a coffee shop and 2 no. office units). Block 2 (2 storey over ground floor) comprising 1 no. 3 bed unit and 1 no. bin store (c. 60 sqm) at ground level. Open space (c. 1116 sq. m) is proposed in the form of public open space (c. 690 sq. m) at podium level (Block 1), and residential communal open space (c. 426 sq. m) provided as a rooftop garden on top floor level of Block 1. Each residential unit is afforded with associated private open space in the form of balconies. The development will be served by 2 no. access/egress points for vehicular and pedestrian access to the east of the site via The L19545 Road (1 no. existing site access point & 1 no. new vehicular and pedestrian access point). An access point to the west of the site for emergency vehicles and pedestrians only is provided. Car park proposed on the ground floor level below podium. A total of 15 no. car parking spaces are proposed, which includes 12 no. spaces for residential units and 3 no. for the commercial units. A total of 178 no. bicycle spaces are proposed within Block 1, which includes 2 no. spaces for the commercial units. 1 no. ESB substation, 1 no. switch room, 1 no. cold water storage room & 1 no. sprinkler plant area are provided at ground floor level within Block 1. Bin Storage areas for the Block 1 & 2 are proposed at ground level within Block 2. All associated site and infrastructural works above and below ground to include provision for water services; foul and surface water drainage and connections; internal roads, attenuation proposal; permeable paving; all landscaping works including green infrastructure zones; green roofs; and general plant areas; landscaped boundary treatment; footpaths; public lighting; and electrical services
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development represents overdevelopment of a constrained site, with excessive density, height, and massing that would negatively impact neighboring residential amenities and fail to meet sunlight standards.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development's density, scale, and height are inconsistent with the established pattern of the area, resulting in a visually incongruous and overbearing impact on adjacent properties.
- The proposal would cause a significant loss of natural light to existing neighboring buildings while failing to provide adequate direct sunlight for the proposed residential units.
- The project contravenes local planning policy, specifically Objective BT3 of the Bray Municipal District Local Area Plan 2018, and fails to justify a departure from recommended density and height guidelines.