£15m scheme planned for site near the Phoenix Park

A KEY site near the entrance to the Phoenix Park at Parkgate Street Dublin 8, is to be redeveloped for a large residential and light industrial scheme by oil distribution company Maxol Ltd.

A planning application for the £15 million scheme was lodged earlier this week and if Dublin Corporation approves the development, it is expected the four-acre site will be sold on.

The Maxol land adjoins two other sites owned by Hickeys Fabrics and CIE, which are likely to be redeveloped as part of the wave of urban renewal projects under way in the inner city.

With few, if any, sites available along the city quays, the emphasis is expected to switch to the western end of Kingsbridge where there are development opportunities.

Sean Davin of estate agents Davin and Co., which is acting for Maxol, said apart from Hickey's yard, the Parkgate site was the first along the Liffey quays to front directly on to the river. He said that under the redevelopment proposed, a new walk would be provided along the river to link up with Islandbridge.

The Maxol site includes Pargate Hall, an attractive Victorian hall which was used as a driving test centre until it was sold about three years ago.

Planning permission is to be sought to convert it into a student hostel which could capitalise on its proximity to Heuston train station.

Under the planning application submitted by Project Architects, the remainder of the site will be used for 132 apartments which will be provided in three four-storey and five-storey blocks. Maxol also proposes to develop 59,000 square feet of light industrial buildings, which can be subdivided for use by computer companies and firms involved in manufacturing and assembly.

The existing Maxol station is to be demolished and part of the site will be used for a two-storey car-park which will accommodate over 200 cars.

With few residential sites currently available in the inner city after a lengthy series of sales by Dublin Corporation, bodies such as CIE, the ESB, the Eastern Health Board and the Office of Public Works are now expected to review the use of their land.

The strong demand for apartments in the city will enable public bodies to unload sites which in some cases have been lying idle for many years.

The ESB has already disposed of its main stores at Lower Erne Street, off Pearse Street, where An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission this week for a large apartment development. Byron Developments is now expected to proceed with the conversion of the large warehouse into 102 one-bedroom apartments and 67 two-bedroom units. A further 91 apartments will be provided in new buildings along with an underground car-park.