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An artist's impression of the proposed apartments at the former Chadwicks site in Santry
The development at the former Chadwicks site in Santry would allow for 350 apartments
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Tony McCullagh
August 05 2021 06:00 AM
The development of 350 high-rise apartments on the site of a builders’ providers in Santry would put pressure on local services and exacerbate traffic problems in the area, it has been claimed.
A planning application under the fast-track Strategic Housing Development (SHD) process has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála for a 1.5 hectares site at the junction of Santry Avenue and Swords Road.
Dwyer Nolan Developments Ltd are seeking to demolish the existing Chadwicks building to make way for the high-density scheme and have prepared an Environmental Impact Assessment Report as part of their submission.
The proposed SHD provides for 113 one-bed, 218 two-bed and 19 three-bed units to be located across four buildings, ranging in height from seven to 14 storeys over basement level.
Five retail/commercial units, as well as community and residential amenity facilities, are also planned.
Councillor Racheal Batten (FF) expressed concern about the high number of SHDs that have been put through in the Santry-Whitehall area and does not believe there is much local support for the plan.
“There just isn’t the infrastructure in the area for the number of developments going in,” she said. “There are no rail services, for instance, and other issues, such as lack of capacity in schools, have not been addressed.
“The impact of these extra developments on traffic has not been tested due to the pandemic and will only worsen when levels return to normal after Covid.”
Cllr Batten added that approximately 8,000 housing units have been approved for the Santry area.
“Even if you just have two residents per unit, that’s an extra 16,000 people without any additional GPs, school places or bus services,” she said.
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A presentation on the Santry Avenue SHD is due to be made to the North Central Area Committee of Dublin City Council on August 25.
However, Cllr Batten does not believe the application will have the support of councillors on the committee when their recommendation is submitted to An Bord Pleanála.
Councillor Larry O’Toole (SF) said he shared local concerns about the height of the proposed SHD and the impact it would have on traffic in the Santry area.
“I am opposed to the SHD planning process and object to the sort of development being proposed for Santry,” he said. “These are not the type of homes that will be affordable to the people who need them.”
Róisín Shortall TD (SD) said she strongly objected to the proposal, which she described as “completely unsuitable” for Santry.
“Granting yet another high-rise apartment block without proper infrastructure and amenities would fly in the face of good planning and sustainable development,” she said.
Dublin City Council confirmed that a report setting out the recommendation of the chief executive would be prepared and forwarded to An Bord Pleanála by September 15.
“It will also be accompanied by a report summarising the opinions of elected members from the Area Committee,” a spokesperson said.
An Bord Pleanála said it expected to decide on the case by November 10.
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