Core Refusal Reason
The Planning Authority refused permission due to excessive height, scale, and massing (8 storeys), which they deemed out of character with the existing setting, contrary to the Swords Masterplan 2009, and injurious to the residential amenities of the adjacent Oaklands estate. The Inspector ultimately recommended a grant of permission subject to a condition reducing the height to 6 storeys.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The 8-storey proposal represents an abrupt and jarring transition in scale that would be visually overbearing for the adjacent two-storey houses in the Oaklands estate and the setting of St. Colmcille's Church.
- The Swords Masterplan 2009 no longer has a policy basis in the current Development Plan and should be afforded no material weight in the assessment.
- A reduction in height to a 6-storey development (79 units) achieves a suitable balance between national compact growth targets and the protection of local visual and residential amenities.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029Section 2.2.11 (Core Strategy)Section 14.5 (Building Height and Density)Section 14.6 (Design Criteria for Resi. Development)Section 14.7 (Apartment Development/Standards)Objective CSP26Objective CSP27Objective CSO39Objective CSO41Objective CSO44Objective SPQHO1Objective SPQHO34Objective SPQHO39Objective DMSO24Objective DMSO53Objective DMSO78Objective DMSO105Objective DMSO111
Decision Document Summary
This report pertains to a proposed mixed-use development on a 0.56ha brownfield site at Forster Way and Chapel Lane, Swords. The initial proposal included 121 apartments in two 8-storey blocks, 4 retail units, a replacement senior citizens centre, and a commercial car park. Fingal County Council refused permission on three grounds: excessive scale/massing, conflict with the 2009 Swords Masterplan, and failure to meet apartment daylight/amenity standards. The Inspector noted that the site is in a...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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