Crumlin Shopping Centre first opened in 1974 and was made up of 39 individual retail units and two larger ones. Today, Dunnes Stores is the only retailer on site.
“We all want to see this site redeveloped. It has been in decline for too long and becoming a sorry sight,” councillor Daithí Doolan said.
“It is essential that the original concerns are honestly addressed and that future plans benefit the wider community.
“I would strongly encourage the developers to fully engage with local residents and community groups to ensure people’s concerns are listened to and addressed,” he added.
Last year, the original proposal from Dunnes Stores was rejected, as they wanted 400 parking spots and Dublin City Council (DCC) would only grant 114. There is currently space for 503 parking spots.
The National Transport Authority raised concerns about “over-provision” of car parking in the proposal, asking DCC to ensure a “less car-orientated development”.
Despite this, Dunnes Stores are sticking with their decision of wanting 400 parking spots in the resubmitted plans.
Proposals for the redevelopment of the site include space for the construction of a shopping centre, including an off-licence, two retail concession stalls, a café, and an online grocery pick-up room.
The proposals also includes 267 bicycle parking spaces, 20 motorcycle parking spaces, 80 electric vehicle charging spaces, family car parking spaces, click and collect spaces, and wheelchair accessible spaces.
Last March, Dunnes proposed to “transform the site” in south-west Dublin including constructing a new 16,678sq metre shopping centre with Dunnes Stores being the primary retail unit on the ground and first floor.
The proposed shopping centre on Crumlin Road has the potential to create more than 450 jobs when operational, and between 150 to 200 jobs during the construction phase.
According to planning documents, the new centre will be “capable of meeting the evolving needs of the existing tenant and responding to the modern demands of shoppers and retailers”.
They also mention that the smaller retail units have been vacant for more than a decade. The site has also attracted anti-social behaviour due to its dereliction.
The shopping centre is served by bus routes 27, 56A, 77A and the 151, with future bus services set out as part of Bus Connects.
According to planning documents, the proposed development will “revitalise an area that has undergone constant and sustained dereliction since the post Celtic Tiger years”.
