An Bord Pleanála has refused permission for a major redevelopment of a site adjacent to the former Irish Glass Bottle factory in Ringsend, Dublin, citing concerns that it would be "premature" due to existing infrastructural problems.
In a move welcomed by local resident groups, the board's ruling says the proposed multimillion euro development of the 4.9 hectare site at South Bank Road, Ringsend, which would include 783 apartments, would be "contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".
Although it found that the site was "generally suitable" for development of the kind proposed by Fabrizia Developments, it noted a number of concerns.
These included deficiencies in the capacity of the local road network, insufficient public transport and "uncertainties in the funding, design and implementation of the proposed Dodder bridge, approach routes and connections to the site".
Property developer Liam Carroll is listed as a director and secretary of Fabrizia. Mr Carroll had no spokesperson available yesterday.
In May 2006, Dublin City Council granted the company permission to proceed with the construction of 16 blocks of mixed use, office and residential units at the site subject to certain conditions. This was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by local residents groups, and the board ruled on the matter last week.
The proposed development includes 783 apartments as well as a retail pavilion at the site, which is bounded by Seán Moore Park to the southwest, the former Irish Glass Bottle lands to the northwest, and Sandymount strand to the southeast.
In its ruling, the board said it considered the proposed development "premature by reason of existing deficiencies in the capacity of the local road network serving the area of the proposed development".
Other deficiencies included "the extent of public transport and associated infrastructure necessary to serve this area, and the period within which the constraints involved may reasonably be expected to cease".
"Such deficiencies would render the network unsuitable to carry the increased traffic likely to result from the proposed development, and would result in increased congestion on adjoining roads," it states.
"In particular, the board is not satisfied that a viable, sustainable quality public transport service can be provided within an appropriate timeframe, having regard to uncertainties in the funding, design and implementation of the proposed Dodder bridge, approach routes and connections to the site".
However, the board rejected its own inspector's recommendation that the development be refused to protect the local heritage.
Damien Cassidy, chairman of Ringsend Environment Group, which was a party to the appeal, yesterday welcomed the decision.
However, he said there was a need for a "pragmatic" approach to the land in question, and said he would be willing to meet the developer to discuss ways of amending the plans to provide more family-friendly, lowerdensity housing.
However, Lorna Kelly of the Sandymount and Merrion Residents' Association, which was named in the appeal, said she was totally opposed to any commercial development of the site. "We would like to see some of the lands granted special amenity area status."