A decision on a controversial Dublin 4 apartment development, which has prompted almost 60 objections, is due later this month from Dublin City Council.
Tom Bailey of Bovale Developments is looking to demolish Dunluce, the Ballsbridge house he bought in 2005 for €6.2 million, and replace it with 36 apartments in a five- to six-storey building.
The 0.5-hectare site runs down to the River Dodder and backs on to Merrion cricket ground. His plans have not been well received by his Dublin 4 neighbours, who have mounted a co-ordinated campaign against the scheme. Among the 57 objectors to the development are the Tánaiste Michael McDowell, Cllr Wendy Hederman, Denis O'Brien Snr and residents of the Hazeldene apartment development.
The main points raised by the objectors include the negative impact the scheme would have on traffic, water pressure and school places in the area. The location of the scheme on a floodplain would increase the susceptibility of surrounding houses to flooding, some argued. Locals also raised concerns about excessive density, the loss of a rear semi-rural pocket in an urban area and the precedent the scheme would have on the future development of similar sites in the area.
Diarmuid O'Grada, on behalf of his client Lyn Flanagan, stated in a letter to the council that this stretch of the River Dodder supports varied flora and fauna including considerable numbers of swifts and bats.
A report compiled by a planner at Dublin City Council states that the four-six storeys of the scheme is "considered far from excessive in principle". However, concerns were raised about the loss of mature trees on the site and the buildings relationship to the river.
