Trinity College has been granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanala for a major scheme of student housing at Trinity Hall in Dartry, despite objections from local residents.
In its ruling, the appeals board confirmed Dublin Corporation's decision to grant permission, subject to the height of one of the buildings facing Dartry Road being reduced by a single floor.
Trinity had sought approval for three new student residences from three to seven storeys high, containing 832 bedrooms arranged in 180 apartments, as well as a central facilities building on the three-acre site.
The Dartry and District Preservation Association maintained that the height, scale and bulk of the proposed development would be "visually obtrusive and out of character with its tranquil suburban setting".
However, An Bord Pleanala has ruled that the scheme "would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity" or damage its architectural heritage. The board had regard to the zoning of the site, its established use as a student residence and its location close to existing and proposed public transport corridors, including a Luas line.
Among the 19 conditions are prohibitions on the use of a bar as a public bar and on organised events "which would cause music or other amplified sounds to be emitted onto nearby public roads".
Objectors had argued that the development of so many student housing units on the site "would give rise to serious noise nuisance" and this would have the effect of depreciating the value of property in the area.
An Bord Pleanala also specified that the existing roadside boundary walls and trees must be retained and that a full architectural survey of Trinity Hall's old gate lodge must be carried out prior to its demolition.
