3414/23

PROTECTED STRUCTURE (RPS Ref. No. 8699) : Permission for a residential development comprising 78 no. units, on a site of c. 0.48 ha, on Lands at Balnagowan House, St. Mobhi Boithirin, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 (the western part of the site fronts The Haven). The development will consist of the demolition of 3 no. existing single storey outbuilding structures (total of 171.5 sq. m) together with part removal of the front existing boundary walls; the construction of 3 no. new apartment blocks (blocks 1-3), with balconies and terraces, to provide 74 no. residential units (c. 6,471 sq. m GFA). The proposed new blocks range between 3 and 5 storeys (including lower ground floor level at block 3) , with a max. height above ground level of 14.85m (to top of lift overrun). (Block 1-3 storeys; block 2 - -4 storeys; and block 3 - part 4/part 5 storeys); and the change of use of Balnagowan House (block 4) from office to residential use to provide 4 no. residential units (c.355 sq. m GFA), together with associated internal and external alterations and refurbishment works to facilitate the conversion(including removal of internal walls/ partitions). The overall proposed residential development (including Balnagowan House), with a total gross floor area of 6,826 sq.m, will consist of 78 no. residential apartment units (including 2 no. duplex units within block 1), comprising 37 no. one bedroom units, 1 no. two bedroom (3 person) unit, 39 no. two bedroom (4 person) units and 1 no. three bedroom unit. Pedestrian, cyclist, vehicular and emergency access will be provided off The Haven/ St. Mobhi Boithirin. The basement car park will be accessed by a new vehicular access point, adjacent to The Haven. The access arrangements include alterations to the existing access to front of Balnagowan House, St. Mobhi Boithirin. The development will also consist of the provision of an ancillary resident's gym, concierge, open space provision including all private, communal and public open space, hard and soft landscaping including internal cycle and pedestrian routes, pathways, boundary treatments and play space, street furniture, basement level (2157 sq. m), car parking (32 no. spaces in total, including car sharing and accessible spaces), motorcycle parking, electric vehicle charging points; bicycle parking (long and short stay spaces including stands and cargo bicycle spaces), ESB substations, piped infrastructural services and connections, ducting, plant waste management provision. SuDS measures (including green roofs); attenuation tanks, signage, public lighting and all site development and excavation works above and below ground. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of the proposed development. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS)has been prepared in respect of the proposed development. The NIS will be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy during office hours at the offices of the relevant planning authority.

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The proposed development constitutes overdevelopment due to excessive density and poor layout, leading to overbearing impacts and loss of privacy for neighboring properties, substandard separation distances between blocks (breaching SPPR1), and inadequate internal daylight levels for future occupants resulting from necessary overlooking mitigation measures.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The proximity of Block 3 to the eastern boundary represents an overdevelopment of the site that would be visually incongruous and seriously injure the residential amenities and privacy of adjacent properties on St. Mobhi Road.
  • The layout fails to comply with SPPR1 of the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlement Guidelines (2024), as separation distances between opposing windows in Blocks 1, 2, and the Protected Structure are less than the required 16 meters.
  • Proposed mitigation measures for overlooking, such as fritted glazing and heavy screening, result in a poor standard of residential amenity by significantly diminishing the quality of daylight available to at least 16 of the proposed apartments.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Z1 ZoningPolicy CA3Policy CA5Policy CA6Policy SC8Policy SC10Policy SC11Policy SC12Policy SC14Policy SC15Policy SC16Policy QHSN6Policy QHSN10Policy QHSN36-39Policy SMT01Policy SMT22Policy SMT33Policy SMT34Policy SMT35Policy SI08Policy SI10Policy SI23Policy GI41Policy BHA2Policy BHA11Policy BHA15Policy BHA26Section 15.2.3Section 15.4Section 15.5.2Section 15.5.5Section 15.6.10Section 15.7.1Section 15.8.7Section 15.9.18Section 15.13.4Appendix 3Appendix 5Appendix 9Appendix 16

Decision Document Summary

The proposal involves the construction of 78 apartments across three new blocks ranging from 3 to 5 storeys, and the refurbishment and change of use of Balnagowan House (a Protected Structure) into 4 residential units on a 0.4795 ha triangular infill site in Glasnevin. While the site is zoned for residential use and is located near high-frequency transport corridors (BusConnects and planned Metrolink), the Inspector found that the design fails to appropriately manage its constraints. Key argumen...
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