Wednesday 27 February 2008

Dunne's D4 social housing is shot down

PROPERTY developer Sean Dunne has been refused planning permission for the construction of 16 social and affordable housing units in south Dublin.

Dublin City Council refused permission for the four-storey building on Church Avenue, in Dublin 4, due to traffic concerns and the lack of open space in the planned project.

The proposal by Mountbrook Homes, Mr Dunne's company, was put forward to fulfil his obligations to provide affordable housing as part of plans to build a 37-storey tower on the Jurys/Berkeley Court site in Ballsbridge.

The 16-unit development attracted 18 objections from locals, including Fine Gael TD Lucinda Creighton and Fianna Fail TD Chris Andrews.

Permission was refused by the council as a "traffic hazard" would be created, said the verdict of the application, and because there was an entrance to a busy road and potential problems for pedestrians.

In addition, there was insufficient private open space for those who would live in the proposed complex.

A spokesman said Mountbrook was still "committed to offering 100pc of the site" for social and affordable housing, and would meet the council.

Lucinda Creighton welcomed the decision, saying: "I objected to Mr Dunne's application on the grounds that it would have a detrimental effect on traffic and pedestrians, and I am delighted to see that Dublin City Council has agreed with me, and local residents who opposed this development."

Shane Hickey

www.buckplanning.ie

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