Plans for a five-storey, 38-unit, build-to-rent “later living” scheme in Blackrock, south Co Dublin, have been approved by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
Richard Barrett’s Bartra has secured council sanction for the plan despite the strong objections of a retired judge and local resident, Patrick McMahon who said the scheme would “create chaos in the area” and “will wreck the place”.
In a hard-hitting objection, Mr McMahon, of Mount Merrion Avenue, told the council “the height of the building is outrageous”.
The scheme proposed for Woodlands Park, Blackrock — off Mount Merrion Avenue — is aimed at older residents. It will feature two rooftop hot tubs and a cinema.
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The objection made by Mr McMahon and Ann McMahon was one of 35 lodged against the scheme. The objectors expressed concerns over the impact on residential amenity, the nature of the proposed development and the scale and height of the scheme.
The council granted planning permission after Bartra lodged revised plans.
As part of one of the planning conditions attached to the permission, the council has ordered that the occupancy of the units be restricted to only people aged over 60.
The council planner in the case recommended that planning permission be granted after stating that third-party concerns had been addressed by the applicant and any outstanding issues could be dealt with by way of condition.
The planner’s report concluded that the scheme had been carefully designed to integrate well into its surroundings and was of a high architectural design and finish. It had been designed and subsequently amended to reduce any significant overlooking or overshadowing of surrounding residential properties, the report said.
Hughes Planning and Development Consultants told the council that Vico Later Living will operate the build-to-rent scheme. It will include a fitness studio, hydrotherapy room, outdoor hot tub, cinema, library room, family room and a range of other amenities.
A Bartra spokesman had no comment in relation to the permission.
