Foxrock scheme gets go-ahead but for fewer homes

A construction group owned by one of Nama's largest clients has got permission for a major housing development in Foxrock following a long planning dispute.

Castlethorn Construction, directed by Joe O'Reilly who reportedly owed Nama €2.8 billion after the housing market's collapse, first sought permission to build on the south Dublin site in 2006 amid vehement opposition from local residents and community groups.

Mr O’Reilly’s various Irish-registered companies hold stakes in Dundrum Town Centre as well as the Swords Pavilions and Ilac shopping centres.

The first proposal, for a 114-home development, was rejected by An Bord Pleanála, but the State planning authority has granted Castlethorn permission to build following a new application for 104 houses and apartments on the same site last year.

Part permission

However, only 64 of the 104 properties have been granted permission because of the “cramped layout” and “injurious impact on the residential amenities of adjoining properties” of the non-sanctioned 40.

The site borders Leopardstown Racecourse to the north and west, and a number of large residences on Brighton Road to the east that are within an Architectural Conservation Area.

In its appeal, Foxrock Area Community and Enterprise said that building on such an extensive scale would “be detrimental to the unique ambience and amenities of the area”, and that the surrounding area “is in danger of being destroyed by excessive traffic and attendant development pressures”.

The group, which says its core mission is “to enhance Foxrock as an environment for our community”, also had reservations about the invasion of existing residents’ privacy due to “potential for overlooking”.

Senior planning inspector Tom Rabbitte had originally condoned the construction of 38 of the 40 properties refused by An Bord Pleanála, but these recommendations were not adopted by the board.

Despite the setback, Castlethorn has been granted the amenity to tender a separate planning application for those 38 properties.

It is unlikely that, pending further appeals, a final decision would be reached until late 2015 at the earliest.

Seven-bed mansion

The development includes detached and semi-detached houses, apartment blocks as well as a creche and two hectares of open space within the 5.2-hectare site.

Mr O’Reilly, who lives in a seven-bed mansion in Dublin 18, close to the Foxrock planning zone for his latest venture, has been one of Ireland’s most prolific developers. His Castlethorn company has built thousands of houses around the capital.

He also chairs Chartered Land which was responsible for the development of the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and the Grand Canal Square office scheme which houses Facebook. The company also owns a large site in Dublin city centre based around the former Carlton cinema on O'Connell Street.