Planning application for 702 units on Castleforbes Industrial Estate site

An application to An Bord Pleanála has been made for 702 residential units on the Castleforbes Industrial Estate site. This is currently a brownfield/commercial site close to the city centre. There are some concerns about, among other aspects, the mix (i.e. 72% of the units are one bed or studio apartments). Given the housing shortage the development of this plot could make a significant contribution to the rental stock in the city. A summary of some of the details of the development are included below.

Neasa’s observation to An Bord Pleanála

Neasa submitted this set of observations to An Bord Pleanála.

Public meeting

At 7pm on Monday 11th Jan 2021 Neasa hosted a online meeting to discuss the application, hear any observations from people in the area and to outline the process for sending an observation to An Bord Pleanála.

Mailing list

Sign up here https://m.neasahourigan.com/castleforbes to receive an updates on the development.

An Bord Pleanála application

An application was made on 4th December 2020 and is going direct to An Bord Pleanála under the Strategic Housing Development legislation. Any observations need to be in to An Bord Pleanála by 19th January 2021.

Rental only

702 build to rent residential units i.e. there will be no option to purchase

Height

Up to 18 storeys (60.7m) high. City Development Plan has 24m height limitations. Part of the application argues why the development should be allowed to contravene this limit.

Unit types

Current mix of the 702 units is:

• Studios 101 (14%)
• 1 beds 407 (58%)
• 2 beds 179 (25%)
• 3 beds 15 (2%)

Dublin City Council Development Plan calls for:

• a maximum of 25-30% one-bedroom units. This plan has 72% one-bedroom units (14% studios and 58% one bed)
• a minimum of 15% three-or more bedroom units. This plans has 2% 3-bedroom units

Again of the application argues why the development should be allowed to contravene these limits.

Social Housing

Under Part V legislation Dublin City Council will buy 71 units for social housing:

• 10 studio apartments at €297k each
• 41 one bed apartments at €408k each
• 14 two bed apartments at €642k each
• 6 three bed apartments at €792k each

All prices estimated at a total cost of over €33 million.

Other planning on site

Planning has already been separately granted for parts of that site:

• Western corner for a hotel
• Eastern corner for hotel and office building

Full plans

Full plans for the development can be found at the Castleforbes SHD Application website

Queries

If you have any queries in relation to this development please don’t hesitate to get in touch on neasa.hourigan@oireachtas.ie