Planning developments to look out for in Dublin.

Rathgar residents prevail

Rathgar residents have successfully appealed planning for a scheme of 27 apartments by Brian M Durkan & Co Ltd at 59 Orwell Park and Orwell Bank, Dublin 6.

Five appeals were lodged to An Bord Pleanála against the scheme, including one from Orwell Walk Residents Group which said that the River Dodder should be protected from the "disturbances and intrusions" of adjacent development.

It said that the south end of the site falls within the curtilage of the Dodder Conservation Area and that a tree bond of €100,000 is "a pittance in comparison to the property value of 27 newly completed apartments in the area of south Dublin".

Describing this as one of the most sensitive and scenic areas along the linear walk from Ringsend to Rathfarnham, the group suggested that "a three-storey modern development perched on the edge of this wonderful scenic amenity is to envisage its ruin".

Other concerns by appellants included excessive density, inappropriate design, scale and bulk, and that the new scheme would be visually intrusive.

An Bord Pleanála refused permission on the grounds that the scale, bulk and massing would be out of character and seriously detract from the pattern of development in the area.

5.5 million levy appeal lost

Liam Carroll's Dez Developments has lost its appeal to An Bord Pleanála to overturn a planning condition asking for a €5.5 million contribution for public infrastructure and facilities on a mixed residential and retail scheme in Tallaght.

South Dublin County Council granted permission for 537 apartments, 15 retail units, two bars, a café/restaurant, a medical centre, 140-bed hotel, and 1,737 car-parking spaces at Belgard Square in Tallaght town centre, Dublin 24.

Dez , whose directors are Liam Carroll, David Torpey and John Pope, contended that three errors were made by the planning authority when calculating the levy, including that the planning authority failed to take into account the reduced road levy, which applies to crèches, and to allow for the fact that 15 per cent of the units will be given over to social and affordable housing.

However, An Bord Pleanála ruled that the calculations were correct.