South Dublin County Council refuses permission for 100-home scheme at Mortons, The Firhouse Inn, 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 3 September 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.

Demolition of all existing structures on site (c. 1,326 sq m), including: Two storey building formally used as public house, ancillary off-licence and associated structures (c. 972 sq m); Two storey building comprising an existing barber shop and betting office (c. 260 sq m); Single storey cottage building and associated structures (c. 94 sq m); and Eastern boundary wall and gated entrance from Mount Carmel Park. The development with a total gross floor area of c. 11,638 sq m, will consist of 100 residential units arranged in 2 blocks (Blocks 01 and 02) ranging between 3 and 5 storeys in height, over lower ground floor and basement levels, comprising: 96 apartments (consisting of 2 studio units; 45 one bedroom units; 10 two bedroom (3 person) units; 34 two bedroom (4 person) units; and 5 three bedroom units), together with private (balconies and private terraces) and communal amenity open space provision at podium and roof levels; and 4 duplex apartments (consisting of 2 one bedroom units and 2 two bedroom units (4 person) located within Block 01, together with private balconies and terraces. Also included is non-residential uses (c. 355 sq m), including: 1 café (c. 58 sq m) and 1 office (c. 30 sq m) located at ground floor level of Block 01; 1 medical unit (c. 59 sq m) and 1 betting office (c. 66 sq m) located at ground floor level of Block 02; 1 barber shop (c. 28 sq m) located at ground floor level between Blocks 01 and 02; and 1 crèche (c. 114 sq m) located at lower ground floor level of Block 01 and associated outdoor play area to the rear. Vehicular access to the site will be from the existing access off Firhouse Road. The proposal includes minor alterations to the existing access, including the provision of new and enhanced pedestrian infrastructure. The development will also consist of the provision of public open space and related play areas; hard and soft landscaping including internal roads, cycle and pedestrian routes, pathways and boundary treatments, street furniture, basement car parking (80 spaces in total, including accessible spaces); motorcycle parking; electric vehicle charging points; bicycle parking (long and short stay spaces including stands); ESB substations, piped infrastructural services and connections to existing public services, (including relocation of existing surface water sewer and water main from within the application site onto the public roads area along Firhouse Road and Mount Carmel Park); ducting; plant; waste management provision; SuDS measures; stormwater management and attenuation; sustainability measures; signage; changes in levels; public lighting; and all ancillary site development and excavation works above and below ground. The application contains a statement setting out how the proposal will be consistent with the objectives of the South Dublin County Council Development Plan 2016-2022 and the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028. 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 the South Dublin County Council Development Plan 2016-2022 and the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028 other than in relation to the zoning of the land.