An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for the long anticipated €400 million redevelopment of the O'Devaney Gardens site in Dublin.
The scheme by Richard Barrett’s Bartra comprises 1,047 residential units and includes 10 apartment blocks.
The units are made up of 1,024 apartments and 23 houses with the site located in the north west inner city, adjoining the residential area of Stoneybatter.
One of the apartments blocks is to reach 14 storeys in height with two others rising to 12 storeys.
Social housing
After a deal struck between Bartra and Dublin City Council, half of the scheme is to be made up of social and affordable homes.
The breakdown of the housing will be 30 per cent social housing, 20 per cent affordable and 50 per cent private housing.
A total of 318 of the units will be 1 bed (30 per cent), 567 two bed (54 per cent) and 162 three bed units.
Addressing the housing mix and the development agreement between Bartra and the city council, appeals board inspector, Elaine Power concluded that the scheme is “unique” due to its location, scale and mix of tenure “and is critical and integral to the success of national policy in addressing both housing and homelessness in the city and consolidating the urban environment”.
Heights
The Dublin City Development Plan allows building heights of up to 24 metres for the area and the 14-storey tower reaches to 46.8 metres in height.
Four other blocks in the scheme also exceed the 24m height limit for the area.
However, Ms Power stated that the area can accommodate increased heights proposed and that the number of units proposed will assist in achieving national policy objectives for significant housing delivery in an urban area with substantial amenities.
Ms Power concluded that the material contravention of the city development plan concerning heights for the area is justified.
An Bord Pleanala received 44 third-party submissions in response to the proposal.
Ms Power stated that the submissions are generally supportive of the redevelopment of the site - but did outline the concerns expressed over height, design, and residential amenity.
In its own submission, Dublin City Council voiced its approval for the scheme.
Strident objection
However, in a strident objection, Stoneybatter resident, Rob Kenny stated that he was “horrified” at the Bartra plan.
Self-described TV & Radio presenter, TV stylist and PR director, Mr Kenny said that the scheme is “obtrusive, intimidating and in no way fitting with the style or character of its surrounds”.
Mr Kenny added later in his objection: “I have heard numerous neighbours say that with these plans, combined with the plans for the Infirmary Rd developments and Montpelier Hill there will be no point in living in this area soon, which many of us love deeply and have put all of our money into”.
Pat Corrigan of Oxmantown, D7 told the appeals board that the height of the buildings, including one at 14 storeys, “is way too high and doesn’t fit with the existing heights in the area”.
Mr Corrigan argued that the scheme “will dwarf the historic village of Stoneybatter”.
Original development
O’Devaney Gardens located close to the Phoenix Park in Dublin was built in the 1950s and was made up of 278 flats accommodating more than 1,000 people.
The Council began moving tenants out around 17 years ago in preparation for the scheme’s demolition.
However, progress to redevelop the site has been hit by several setbacks since including builder Bernard McNamara pulling out of a public private partnership scheme in 2008 as the economy faltered.
By the time the deal had collapsed, most the flats had been emptied and the estate had become a magnet for vandalism.
As a result, the council decided to press ahead with the demolition.
A spokesman for Bartra today welcomed the appeals board decision to grant planning permission. He said: "We are looking forward to progressing with the development and delivering 522 social and affordable homes, and a further 522 private homes.”
He said that the development "will also encompass two new parks, dedicated cultural and community spaces, shops, a café and a crèche, enabling us to build a sustainable, enterprising community that stimulates a thriving local economy, and meets the needs of future residents”.
He said: "We will now commence preparations for construction before the end of 2021, and it is estimated that construction will continue onsite until mid-2025."
He said: "Over 400 jobs will be created during the construction phase and we will be working with the main contractor to recruit locally for both full time positions and apprenticeship opportunities. When the development is completed there will be ongoing employment opportunities across retail, hospitality, maintenance, and services.”
