Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has emerged victorious in her opposition to plans for a 117 unit build-to-rent apartment scheme at the former Matt’s of Cabra pub site.
This follows the appeals board refusing planning permission to R&D Developments Ltd for the 67 one-bed unit and 50 two-bed unit apartment scheme at Faussagh Avenue, Cabra.
Ms McDonald’s opposition to the scheme was based on her concerns over the build-to-rent model and the appeals board has refused permission on the planning merits of the scheme.
Planning consultants for R&D Developments Ltd, Thornton O’Connor Town Planning, contended that the scheme would provide suitable alternative housing accommodation types for people seeking residential accommodation in Dublin.
However, in her objection, Ms McDonald argued that the build-to-rent development does not meet the needs of the local community, neither does it foster active citizenship.
“Build-to-rent developments are about maximising profits for developers through inflated rental costs which in turn pushes up the value of land and house price inflation in the city,” she said.
She added that to support this point there is an approved 485 build-to-rent scheme for another site in Cabra where rents are now advertised from €1,895 to €2,675 per month.
“It is a reality that build-to-rent homes are unaffordable for families and workers, including those from the local community in Cabra. Approval of additional build-to-rent supply will further increase rental prices and house-price inflation,” she noted.
She also stated that “as of January 2022, there are over 2,000 applications with Dublin City Council waiting to be housed for Area E which incorporates Cabra. Delivery of more build-to-rent properties does not meet this housing need and will further disenfranchise the local community.”
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The scheme also faced opposition from a number of local residents
In its formal refusal, the appeals board stated that the scheme would represent a visually prominent and monolithic form of development. It also concluded that the scheme would be visually obtrusive and seriously detract from the visual amenities of the area.
The appeals board also refused permission after finding that the scheme would fail to provide adequate residential amenities for future occupants. The board made this finding due to the number of single-aspect apartments in the scheme; the design of excessively long internal corridors with lack of natural light and adequate ventilation and overlooking between apartments.
The refusal by the board follows a recommendation by Dublin City Council to deny planning permission.
Separately, the appeals board has refused planning permission to O’Brien and O’Flynn for 171 units at a site 10km southeast of Cork city at Lackaroe and Monkstown, Passage West.
The scheme — which faced local opposition — comprised 145 houses and 26 apartments. The appeals board refused permission after concluding that the scheme would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard.
