A proposed residential development on a former CIÉ site at Railway Cottages, off Serpentine Avenue in Sandymount, Dublin 4 is the subject of local controversy.

Developer John O'Connor, who acquired the 0.45-acre site with frontage onto Railway Cottages for €4.5 million last year, was granted planning permission by Dublin City Council for a development of seven houses on the site.

However, a group of locals have appealed the planning permission to An Bord Pleanála, claiming the approved design is substantially different to that originally proposed. They say they were never consulted about the subsequent changes which were made in response to a request for further information by the local authority.

The appeal, which represents six households mainly in Serpentine Park, says the developer engaged a new architect and completely redesigned the buildings.

They have requested that a new planning application be submitted outlining the changes.

Victoria Kavanagh, an architect from MVK architects who made the representation to An Bord Pleanála on behalf of the group of neighbours, said she requested in writing that Dublin City Council notify them of any substantial changes to the development, but says the request was not acknowledged.

The appeal contends that the newly designed development is not compatible with the character of the area and detracts from residential amenity. Another issue is that a flat roof to the rear of the proposed houses may be used by future tenants or homeowners as a roof deck directly overlooking back gardens on Serpentine Park.

There are also concerns that the courtyards and basement levels of new houses would be prone to flooding, as are other basements in the area.