Local Fine Gael representatives, Leo Varadkar TD and Cllr. Eithne Loftus have condemned the decision by An Bord Pleanala to grant permission for the building of a major new village centre in Castleknock. This decision was against the advice of the planning inspector who recommended a refusal of permission, and if the development goes ahead, will radically alter the nature of Castleknock Village.

 

Speaking on the matter, Leo Varadkar TD said “Cllr. Loftus and I are firmly committed to the sustainable and realistic development of Castleknock Village which preserves it character. Unfortunately, this development goes against all of that, and is strongly opposed by local residents. It will increase traffic in the village, cause spill-over parking problems in residential estates and will be an eye-sore.”

 

Cllr. Loftus said “More than hundred people attended a public meeting we held on this issue back in July, and they were near unanimous in their opposition to this development. This view has been backed up by the hundred of local residents who have on the doorsteps, by email or letter expressed their deep concerns at this proposal.”

 

“It is deeply unfortunate that An Bord Pleanála has decided to side with the developers once more, rather than with the residents of Castleknock. While there are a number of conditions and restrictions attached to this development, they do not significantly deal with the concerns that both ourselves and the local residents have raised. This is a black day for Castleknock Village.”

Note:

The decision and Inspector’s recommendations should be on the An Bord Pleanála website tomorrow (Wednesday). 17 Conditions were attached to the permission. The main condition is condition 1 which is set out below:

Condition 1.
“The proposed development shall be amended as follows:

Building A:

(a) Retail unit number 1 shall be omitted and the substation and switch rooms shall be relocated alongside retail number 2. The area created shall form part of the public space and shall include provision for surface cycle parking.
(b) Unit numbers 1A, 2A, 11A, 12A, 3A, 4A, 13A, 14A, 23A and 24A shall be omitted. The footprint of where these units were to be located shall form part of the open space for the future residents of the development.

Building B:
(c) Units numbers 4B, 5B, 11B and 12B shall be omitted. The footprint of where these units were to be located shall form part of the open space for the future residents of the development

Building C:
(d) At ground floor level, the loading area at the rear shall be internalised so as no servicing takes place in the open air. A five metre deep landscaping strip shall be provided on the eastern boundary. This strip shall be densely planted.
(e) Floor 1 and Floor 4 shall be omitted. The remaining floors over the retail unit shall be for medical use only.

Revised drawings showing compliance with these requirements shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the planning authority prior to commencement of development.

Reason: In the interest of residential amenity and the amenities of property in the vicinity.”