GLL PRS Holdco Limited, a Glenveagh subsidiary, was seeking permission for a €60m scheme of four apartment blocks, ranging from three to five storeys in height.
The scheme would be made up of 72 two-bedroom units and 63 one-bedroom units, on a 3.8-acre site.
A planning report lodged with the application said the proposed development “promotes the delivery of sustainable residential development on a greenfield site which will facilitate increased housing supply and choice along Howth Road and its environs”.
However, the scheme faced strong local opposition.
Maria Doyle, of Balkill Park, Howth contended that if the scheme proceeded, it would further dilute the character and uniqueness of the town.
“It is like the powers that be are not listening or, more importantly, not caring,” she said.
“It is depressing to enter into Howth now and see huge, ugly, brutalist apartment blocks that are more suited to a dystopian cityscape than a coastal town.”
In a comprehensive rejection of the proposed scheme, Fingal council said that having regard to its scale, form, massing and overall height, the development failed to respond to the baseline environment and surrounding historical and natural environment of the site which is located within a designated highly sensitive landscape, adjoining the Howth Castle architectural conservation area.
The council also found that the scheme would be wholly inconsistent with the established character of the area, would be seriously injurious to the visual amenities and detrimental to the character, setting and special interest of a number of protected structures, including Howth Castle and St Mary’s Church.
It would also set a poor precedent for other similar developments, the council ruled.
The proposal was also rejected due to its height, as it would be visually dominant in addition to being significantly intrusive on the skyline and on approach into and out of Howth village.
In its objection, the Howth and Sutton Community Council claimed the apartment scheme would destroy the visual impact of the architectural conservation area of Howth Castle.
Its chairman, Andrew J Smith, argued that putting 135 apartments on this site “next to a castle of great historic interest is totally inappropriate”.
The applicants now have the option of appealing the refusal to An Bord Pleanála.
