Foxrock residents in planning row over Dermot Bannon firm development

Residents of an upmarket south Dublin suburb are embroiled in a planning row with one of the country’s largest homebuilders over a proposed housing development designed by the firm of well-known architect, Dermot Bannon.

A group of locals living in Foxrock have lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleánala against the recent decision of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to grant planning permission for the construction of an exclusive housing development at The Birches, Torquay Road, Dublin 18.

The proposed housing scheme by Glenveagh Homes provides for the demolition of an existing residence, Rockall, within The Birches estate and the construction of 10 large family homes and a three-storey apartment block containing 14 units.

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Among a group of around 20 “concerned residents” who have voiced opposition to the current plans are former supermarket executive, Maurice Pratt and businessman, Ivano Caffolo. The proposed development is also being opposed by Foxrock Golf Club, whose lands adjoin the development, over concerns that it could result in an increased risk of flooding to the golf course due to the presence of a stream on the site.

Consultants acting for the group of residents claim Glenveagh’s plans for a 0.7-hectare site centrally located in Foxrock shows little regard for the distinctive heritage of the nearby Foxrock Architectural Conservation Area. They claim the development is inappropriate due to its excessive size, height and density with an associated loss of privacy and overlooking of other residences.

In their appeal to An Bord Pleanála, the group claims the local authority allowed numerous substandard aspects of their scheme to progress despite raising a series of issues about the proposed development in a request for further information from Glenveagh. “We contend that our clients have suffered unduly because the council did not make the correct decision at the outset,” they added.

The group strongly disagreed with the conclusion of council planners that the development will not detract from the amenities of the area. They argue that Glenveagh’s housing scheme will be “visually intrusive and discordant” and represent a material contravention of the zoning objective of the lands under the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan.

The residents also complain that the limited number of parking spaces for visitors in the new development will create a traffic hazard as a result of an overspill of vehicles parking in The Birches. However, the group said it was seeking for planning permission to be refused to allow Glenveagh provide revised drawings for a scale-down version of its current plans that would reduce “the overbearing impact and amenity loss” on other residents of The Birches.

In an individual submission to the council, Mr Pratt – the former marketing director of Quinnsworth and former chairperson of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation – and his wife, Pauline claimed Glenveagh’s plans were “completely out of character within a mature residential estate of two storey houses.”

The Pratts claim the risk of flooding from the proposed development to the adjoining golf course and neighbouring gardens is also a very serious concern. However, they said they would be supportive of a development “of more modest proportions.”

Glenveagh said an existing grant of planning permission to construct 28 apartments on the site was unfortunately unviable due to the presence of extensive granite bedrock which made the construction of a basement car park unsuitable.

The company claims its latest design “addresses the constraints of the subject site and is respectful of the residential amenity of adjacent properties.” Glenveagh said its high-quality residential development in an attractive, well-serviced and highly accessible area will also assist “in alleviating the prevailing housing crisis.”

A statement by Dermot Bannon Architects, the company run by the well-known architect and host of RTÉ’s Room to Improve, said the development would provide “a sense of place for this courtyard community.”

It claimed that maintaining separation distances and avoiding overlooking were “key design drivers.” Under a Part V agreement, Glenveagh have committed to transfer two, three-bedroom units to the local authority for social housing at an estimated cost of just over €571,000 each. An Bord Pleanála is expected to issue its ruling on the appeal by early November.

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