OBJECTIONS TO a “commuting west” facility, involving a five-storey car park and bus terminal to be partially located on tennis courts at UCD, have been withdrawn by the National Transport Authority.
The proposed facility is for a transport hub to be located between the current sports hall and water tower at the western side of the Belfield campus.
The authority withdrew its objection from An Bord Pleanála following a commitment from the college to sustainable transport and an assurance it would reduce parking spaces elsewhere. Planning permission granted by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has now been confirmed.
The 17,000 sq m building is to rise to a height of 41.3m and will incorporate 583 car parking spaces and a relocated bus terminus for the college with five coach standing or parking areas.
It is to be located on a 3.84 hectare site currently occupied by five tennis courts, 88 parking spaces and landscaped areas. Also included in the proposal are shower, changing and locker room facilities; a retail unit of 113sq m and staff areas; and storage and circulation space. Provision is also to be made for 617 bicycle spaces and 81 motorbike spaces.
There is to be revised landscaping and boundary fencing around the water tower. The remainder of the site will include new landscaped areas, including a covered walkway of about 300m.
In its conditions Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council called for payment of more than €2 million in development levies. The council said it appeared “reasonable” that in excess of €500,000 would be levied for drainage services; a further €500,000 for parks and landscaping; and a contribution of €1 million to the roads network. The conditions stipulate that further “general contributions” should be agreed before the work gets under way.
