Bernard McNamara's Cableside Development's proposal to build a large residential scheme at the former Department of Defence lands on Infirmary Road, Dublin 7, has been opposed locally.

Residents of Montpelier Hill, Montpelier Gardens and Infirmary Road have submitted an appeal to An Bord Pleanála in response to Dublin City Council's decision to grant permission for 227 residential units in four blocks.

The developer is looking to demolish six buildings on the site, remove a lean-to structure and refurbish the former Isolation Hospital and convert it into a 20-space crèche, offices, meeting rooms and a community health clinic.

The former married quarters would also be refurbished and a 546sq m (5,844sq ft) four-storey extension built which would be converted to office use.

The residents say the site forms an important landmark "as you enter the city with the sylvan setting of the Phoenix Park on one side and the conservation area of Infirmary Road on the other side".

They are concerned about the impact of the medium-rise development on the adjacent artisan dwellings on Infirmary Road, which are in a conservation zone. Another concern is that the development is on a historic site beside a number of protected structures, including Gandon Royal Infirmary and the isolation building. Locals also say there has been no assessment of how the scheme will affect local social infrastructure, including schools, some of which they claim are at capacity.

They say a shadow analysis accompanying the planning application shows significant loss of light to residents of Montpelier Park and gardens.

The site is close to O'Devaney Gardens and Park Lodge, which are being redeveloped, and the combination of all of these new schemes will contribute "significant additional traffic flow" in an area where there is already congestion.