Fingal County Council refuses retention for staff modular housing at Dublin bus depot

Fingal County Council has refused planning retention to private bus operator Eirebus for modular staff accommodation units at its west Dublin transport depot.

Eirebus Ltd had sought a three-year planning retention for 19 modular accommodation units and six mobile home units at its facility on Corduff Road in Dublin 15. However, the local authority rejected the application after determining that the layout and arrangement of the units represent a "serious form of substandard residential living".

In its decision, the council concluded that the design and appearance of the modular and mobile home units would result in an "ad-hoc, haphazard development of a poor-quality aesthetic". The local authority stated that this would adversely impact the visual amenity of the surrounding environment and set an inappropriate precedent for future developments of a similar nature.

The case highlights a growing trend of private employers attempting to secure housing directly for employees in response to the ongoing housing crisis. Other companies, including Ryanair, have previously purchased newly built homes or attempted to build their own accommodation to house staff.

Eirebus has the option to appeal the council's refusal of planning retention to An Coimisiún.