South Dublin County Council refuses permission for 334-home scheme at The Former ABB Site, Belgard Road, Co. Dublin

In context

It is one of 64 housing scheme applications South Dublin County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 1,561 nationally. Of the 3,032 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 79% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 16 April 2025. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the South Dublin County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

On a site bound by Belgard Road (R113) to the east, Belgard Square North to the North, Belgard Square East to the west and Clarity House to the south, demolition of all existing structures on site (with a combined gross floor area of c. 3625sq.m); The construction of a mixed-use residential development set out in 3 blocks including a podium over a basement, ranging in height from 2 to 13 storeys (with core access above to roof terrace), comprising 334 residential units of which 118 will be Build to Rent (BTR) residential units, with associated amenities and facilities across the development; 4 retail/café/restaurant units and 3 commercial spaces associated with the 3 live-work units (723sq.m combined); Childcare facility (144sq.m); 670 bicycle parking spaces including 186 visitor spaces; 117 car parking spaces (including 6 disabled spaces) are provided at ground floor and basement level; Communal space in the form of residential courtyards and roof terraces; Public open space provision including Homezone/tertiary route along the south of the site between Belgard Rd and Belgard Square East; The overall development has a Gross Floor Area of 29,784 sq.m; Of the total 334 residential units proposed, unit types comprise Block A (Build-to-Rent), 91 one bed units; 1 two bed 3 person units; 26 two bed 4 person units; Blocks B & C, 2 live-work studio units; 102 one bed units; 12 two bed 3 person units; 88 two bed 4 person units including 5 duplex units; 1 two bed 4 person live-work unit; 11 three bed units; A portion of the proposed residential development is a 'Build to Rent' scheme in accordance with Specific Planning Policy 7 and 8 as set out in the 'Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments (December 2020); All associated works, plant, services, utilities, telecommunications infrastructure, PV panels and site hoarding during construction; A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared in respect of the proposed development and accompanies this application; The application contains a statement setting out how the proposal will be consistent with the objectives of the relevant development plan or local area plan; The application contains a statement indicating why permission should be granted for the proposed development, having regard to a consideration specified in Section 37(2)(b) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, notwithstanding that the proposed development materially contravenes a relevant development plan or local area plan other than in relation to the zoning of the land.