The High Court is currently reviewing a planning permission granted for a significant housing development comprising 636 apartments on former Jesuit Order lands in Milltown, south Dublin. Developer Sandford Living, a subsidiary of Ardstone, received approval for this scheme, which involves a mix of “build to sell” studios, apartments, and duplexes over seven blocks. However, concerns have been raised by local residents, prompting a judicial review of the decision by An Bord Pleanála.
The planning application for the housing development on former Jesuit lands at Milltown Park has sparked contentious debates, leading to a judicial review by the High Court. This development, proposed by Sandford Living, a subsidiary of real estate investment firm Ardstone, aims to construct 636 apartments across seven blocks ranging from two to ten storeys. The €300 million project includes amenities like a creche and outdoor play area, with plans to demolish the historic 18th Century Milltown Park House and other structures while refurbishing Tabor House and a chapel for community use.
Local residents, represented by the Norwood Park Residents Association and Cherryfield Avenue Residents Association, along with its chairperson Dermot Murphy, have challenged the planning approval granted by An Bord Pleanála. Their objections revolve around alleged breaches of density provisions in the Dublin City Development Plan. They argue that the proposed development exceeds density limits set for outer suburbs by 25%, a discrepancy that, in their view, constitutes a legal error on the part of the planning authority.
Moreover, concerns have been raised regarding the interpretation and application of guidelines related to public transport capacity. The residents assert that the board failed to adequately assess the impact of the development on local transport infrastructure, particularly given the proximity of the Cowper and Milltown Luas stops. They question whether the existing public transport system can accommodate the increased demand resulting from this and other planned projects along the transport routes.
Environmental considerations are also at the forefront of the objections raised by the residents. They highlight the proposed removal of 283 trees, with the developer’s plan to replace them with 196 “large shrubs/multi-stem trees.” This substitution, according to the residents, would lead to a net loss of trees, including high-quality ones, which they deem a significant environmental concern.
The case has been adjourned, pending further review by the High Court to assess the validity of the planning permission granted for the housing development in Milltown. The outcome of this judicial process will shed light on the balance between development interests and community concerns in the context of urban planning and construction projects in Ireland.
The ongoing legal scrutiny of the housing development in Milltown underscores the complexities involved in balancing the need for housing with environmental and community considerations. The outcome of this case will have implications for future developments and the interpretation of planning regulations in Dublin and beyond.
