Foxrock scheme rejected on appeal

Foxrock Area Development Ltd (FADL) has welcomed a decision by An Bord Pleanála to rule against a residential development on a three-acre site at Grove House on Hainault Road in Foxrock, Dublin 18, which comprised 46 apartments, a terrace of eight townhouses and a gate lodge on stilts.

The proposal was controversial locally as it is one of several substantial houses on grounds in the area to be redeveloped as a high density scheme at the top end of the market.

The planning board refused Silkmore Developments permission to knock the house and build the apartments - which also included a fitness centre, meetings rooms, and 94 car-parking spaces - on a number of grounds. It said the site is not within the specified distances to public transport corridors and is in conflict with residential density guidelines.

The decision also said the trees on the site are a "significant ecological feature in the local landscape" and it considered the proposed residential development would result in loss, or the removal of, mature trees from the site.

Another reason was that the height, scale, bulk and proximity to boundaries of adjoining properties "fails to respect the character of the neighbourhood", would injure amenities in the area and "depreciate property values".

An Bord Pleanála's ruling overturns a previous decision by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to grant permission for the development, which was subsequently appealed by over 20 parties.

FADL, which represents residents and traders in the area, said An Bord Pleanála's decision vindicated the "reasonable stance taken by FADL and other objectors" to what was an "inappropriate and grossly excessive"development proposal. It says the proposed development would have contributed to traffic congestion and parking difficulties in Foxrock village and affect the "wonderful mature trees, hedgerows and wildlife" on the site.

FADL is campaigning to have Foxrock afforded architectural conservation area status.

"We are not anti-development but would call on the developer to respect the unique nature of the site and to proceed along Arcadian principles of three houses to the acre and to redevelop the existing early 20th century house rather than knock it," said a spokesperson.

Silkmore - whose directors are Maurice and Theresa Leahy - bought the three-storey nine-bedroom Crampton-built house on a three-acre site in 2001 for €6.3 million.

Brighton Road developer Sean Dunne built 43 units on the grounds of Hollybrook - a three-acre property he bought at the height of the property boom for €10.54 million - but only after a number of planning attempts.