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Clonliffe College Planning Application
Hello All
You may already be aware that a planning application has been lodged with Dublin City Council (DCC) for the redevelopment of lands at Holy Cross College with access via Road and from Drumcondra Road Lower opposite Hollybank Road.
This is a follow up of a previous application back in 2021 for just under 1,600 apartments including an 18-storey block of apartments. That permission was subsequently overturned by a Judicial Review.
The current application seeks 1,131 apartments but with a much improved mix of apartment type. The documentation with this “Large Scale Residential Development” (LRD) is extensive so we have attached a summary of what is proposed.
The developer has engaged in a consultation process with DCC which sees the council happy for the developer to proceed with this application. A document from the developer's www.holycrosscolledgelrd.ie about that consultation shows comments of DCC and the response of the developer. This is also attached for your information.
While IDRA would welcome residential development on this site, there are a number of issues that we have concerns about.
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It is unclear if the apartments would be offered for sale to potential home-owners, or if they will all become rental units. This needs to be clarified given the scale of the development and the lack of availability of homes to purchase in this area
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Height - to the rear of 133 to 139 Drumcondra Road Lower, Block A4 rises from 5 storey to a 13-storey block at 45 m high. We believe is too high and would set an unwelcome precedent.
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At the entrance at Drumcondra Road Lower opposite Hollybank Road, it is proposed to operate a vehicle left turn in and a left turn out only. This should be confirmed in any conditions attached to a permission
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Traffic: it is not good enough for Transport to confirm there is access to nearby public transport. With such a potential large increase in population looking to use these already busy services, we need some assurance that public transport will increase significantly before the development proceeds.
Anyone wishing to view the planning application online can go to https://planning.agileapplications.ie/dublincity/search-applications/ and enter Planning Ref. LRD6076/25-S3.
Anyone wishing to submit their own comments, please note that the closing date in next Tuesday 12th August.
Regards
IDRA Committee
Planning Update March 2025
Enforcement Issues
Quinn's Pub Drumcondra Road Lower and Adjoining Premises.
There is no record of any current planning application on this site.
IDRA notified the Dublin City Council's Enforcement Section (Ref No. E0717/24) of works proceeding at the above address to convert the upper floors into bedrooms. In addition, the adjoining former Boyles Sport Bookies has been amalgamated into the pub and is now referred to as “Rays Bar” on the developer's website. IDRA contacted councillors in an effort to accelerate the investigation. We have heard from Cllr. Gayle Ralph that an Enforcement Officer visited the site on Thursday 6th March and is making up her report.
A “Food Yard” referred to by the developer comprises the rear of Nos. 48, 48B, 50 & 50A Drumcondra Road Lower. This property had permission (now lapsed) for student accommodation and shops to the front. There is no permission for a food yard.
The Enforcement Section has also been asked to investigate the demolition of the shops at this site.
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10 St Alphonsus Road
Permission for shed in 2022. Built a 2-bedroom residential unit. Enforcement Notice had issued in October 2024 to remove residential unit by 3/01/2025. Presently under appeal.
Domestic planning applications
Over 2024 domestic planning applications comprised mostly rear extension, attic conversions and a few mews type houses in the rear gardens. All but one were granted permission.
Commercial planning applications
The main applications include:
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1-2 St. Joseph's Avenue: The development includes the demolition of the existing single storey light industrial buildings on the site and the construction of 6 no. three storey, 2 bedroom, terraced townhouses to the rear of the site. Permission refused February 2024 and appeal to An Bord Pleanála was also refused in December 2024.
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1 Whitworth Road: RETENTION: permission for continuation of the ancillary takeaway element of the existing restaurant use at basement level unit. Permission refused June 2024
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1A Carlingford Road: Permission for widening of existing window opening and replacement of same with new proposed entrance door to reduced coffee shop area including retention of change of use from coffee shop/creperie to chapel of rest. Permission refused August 2024. Currently on appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
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Botanic Gardens: Two applications for conservation and restoration of protected structures. Permission granted September 2024.
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Rear 59-69 Drumcondra Road Lower: Construction of 46 no. apartments to rear of protected structures in a single block ranging in height from 2 to 6 storeys. Permission granted 4 storeys only in December 2024. Currently on appeal to An Bord Pleanála against condition to limit height.
Other issues
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Addison Lodge development: Five property types have gone on sale ranging from €595,000 to €965,000. See Daft.ie or addisonlodge.ie for details.
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Daneswell Place (Former Smurfit site): IDRA is aware of a Dublin City Council Housing Delivery Report for October 2024 which shows Social Housing under construction for 140 apartments + 20 Part V social housing units all to be provided by Co-Operative Housing Ireland (CHI). This is all of the apartment blocks as permitted (a duplex housing block with 8 units to be sold separately).