Bord rejects 20-storey tower for former Siemens site in Sandyford

A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to build a 20-storey mixed-use development at Sandyford Industrial Estate has been rejected by An Bord Pleanála.

The CWWB Partnership – a consortium of developers – was looking to build a mixed-use development comprising an office block with a 20-storey element and another block of 71 residential units at the former Siemens site at the corner of Ballymoss Road and Blackthorn Avenue. The proposal included 13,600sq m (146,389sq ft) of offices and 800sq m (8,611sq ft) of retail.

The rejection comes a month after a proposal to build a 24-storey apartment tower at the nearby MJ Flood site was rejected by An Bord Pleanála.

Eight parties appealed planning permission for the scheme on the Siemens site to An Bord Pleanála, including Stillorgan Woods Residents Association, Lakelands Residents Association and Cllr Gearóid O’Keeffe.

Among the concerns was overshadowing and overlooking. Residents said the development should be refused pending the publication of a tall buildings strategy by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

An Bord Pleanála ruled that the development would be premature due to deficiencies in the road network serving the area, and in public transport facilities and recreational amenities.

It said further development in the area of the type proposed would “militate against the land use zoning” objective for the area and would conflict with the vision of the planning authority for a “high quality and accessible environment”. The zoning is to provide for economic development and employment.

The reasons for refusal were similar to those given by An Bord Pleanála last month when rejecting Noel Smyth’s proposal for the MJ Flood site where the board said that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council had not adequately provided for such a building in terms of transport, waste-water, schools and recreational amenities.

The board expressed its concern about the absence of an adequate planning framework which would guide the redevelopment of the Sandyford area, including the extent of the residential area and the provision of public open space.

Meanwhile, another high-rise development has been given the thumbs down at Rocklands, Central Park, Leopardstown Road, Dublin 18.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council refused planning permission to the Clyde Road Partnership for a six-block development rising to 22 storeys, three shops, crèche, leisure centre, and 273 apartments.

Irish Times

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