Dublin Portland Row housing scheme refused over loss of community sports pitch

An Coimisiún Pleanála has refused planning permission for a 49-home residential development at Portland Row in Dublin’s north inner city.

The planning appeals board overturned a previous decision by Dublin City Council to grant permission for the project. Proposed jointly by Dublin City Council and Tuath Housing Association, the plans detailed 49 homes situated across three residential blocks. However, the development would have required the removal of a long-standing community sports pitch, specifically the Mixed Use Games Area at nearby Aldborough Place.

While An Coimisiún Pleanála acknowledged the proposed housing project was a “high quality and coherent urban scheme”, it ruled against the development due to the loss of the recreational space. The board stated that the applicant had failed to prove there was “no long term need” for the sports pitch, or that the facility would be replaced by an equivalent facility in an appropriate location.

Ultimately, the board found that eliminating the play area would materially contravene the Dublin City Development Plan policy that protects existing sports and recreational facilities. As a result, the board decided the development would run contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.