Core Refusal Reason
The proposed change of use from a permitted communal residents' room to a cafe/restaurant would result in the loss of essential internal amenity space, which would seriously injure the residential amenity of existing and future residents in a high-density apartment development.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The communal room was originally proposed by the applicant to mitigate the high density of the scheme (377 units) and is the only such facility available within this phase of the development.
- The Inspector found no verifiable evidence to support the applicant's claim that there is no demand for the facility, noting that the development has only recently been occupied.
- Removing the amenity space in its entirety without compensatory proposals would constitute a significant diminution of the permitted residential amenity and would fail to contribute to the sustainable development of the area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Objective DMS34Objective DMS04Charlestown and Meakstown 1Zoning Objective TCSection 14.7.9 Communal Facilities
Decision Document Summary
The application seeks a change of use for Unit 602 (118 sqm) at The Charlestown Centre from a vacant communal residents' room to a licensed cafe/restaurant. The site is located in a six-story mixed-use block (Block V) within a high-density perimeter layout of six apartment blocks. Fingal County Council initially refused permission, citing the loss of a communal facility and negative impact on residential amenities. The applicant appealed, arguing that there is no demand for the community use and...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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