An Bord Pleanála says scheme planned by Dundrum Town Centre owners for 881 apartments would be ‘substandard’
The watchdog said the €500m controversial proposal would “seriously detract from the architectural character of the area”.
It said the planned development would have a “monolithic” appearance and result in “overbearing impacts” for some properties near the development.
Hundreds of objections to the plans by Dundrum Retail GP were received to the proposed Strategic Housing Development, plans for which were submitted early in 2022. Dundrum Retail is jointly owned by Dundrum Town Centre’s equal owners, UK property group Hammerson and German insurance giant Allianz.
Some of those submissions described the proposal as a “visual catastrophe”, a “monstrosity” and a “concrete jungle”.
The scheme on the site of the former shopping centre in Dundrum would have included 11 apartment blocks, including a 16-storey landmark building.
“Having regard to the existing character and the prevailing patter of development, the site location within and adjoining an architectural conservation area and adjoining several protected structures, it is considered that the proposed development would seriously detract from the architectural character of the area, and particularly the character of Main Street and Dundrum Architectural Conservation Area, and the setting of Holy Cross Church and the associated parochial house, gates and railings,” An Bord Pleanála stated in a decision made just before Christmas to refuse permission.
It added that the “excessive proportion” of smaller residential units would materially contravene the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown county development plan.
The proposal included the construction of about 335 one-bedroom apartments – more than one-third of the total.
“Having regard to the nature, design and layout of the proposed scheme, it is considered that the proposed scheme would represent a substandard form of development and residential amenity for future occupiers,” An Bord Pleanála noted.
It added that the developers planned to provide more than 30pc of the open communal space at the site by way of roof gardens, which An Bord Pleanála said would conflict the local county development plan.
The planning watchdog said the scheme would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
It added that of the total planned gross floor space at the development, 95pc was allocated to residential units.
“The board was not satisfied that the proposed development would provide an appropriate range and mix of supporting uses at this location,” it noted.
In 2022, Hammerson has put an indicative total price tag of just under €43m on 88 apartments it was proposing to sell to the local council for social housing at the development.
The watchdog noted that the apartments would also be located in an area deemed at risk of flooding.
“Notwithstanding the site-specific flood risk assessment submitted with the application, the board was not satisfied, on the basis of the information lodged with the planning application and the absence of detailed hydraulic modelling, that the proposed development would not give rise to an increased risk of flooding either on the proposed development site itself, or on other lands,” it said.
Dundrum Retail has just finished the structural part of the Ironworks apartment development in the area, which includes 107 apartments and 15 social housing units. The apartments go on sale this year.
Hammerson has been asked for comment.
