Blanchardstown Shopping Centre parking charges approved despite 11,200-signature petition
Plans to introduce a paid parking barrier system at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in west Dublin will go ahead despite formal objections and a petition signed by more than 11,000 people.
A number of opponents had lodged separate appeals with An Coimisiún Pleanála against planning permission granted by Fingal County Council last November for the introduction of paid parking at the shopping centre.
Among those to appeal was Labour councillor John Walsh. In his appeal, Cllr Walsh said the application creates “an unnecessary and unjustifiable barrier to access to important public services, especially for older people or people with mobility difficulties”.
However, An Coimisiún Pleanála gave the green light to the centre’s paid parking plans last week, with one of the conditions stating that the timeline for the introduction of the parking management system, active travel routes and paid parking coming into operation must be agreed with the planning authority before the development begins.
Speaking after the planning decision, Cllr Walsh said: “This decision to approve parking charges at the centre shows a complete disregard for the voice of the local community in Dublin 15, where over 11,200 people signed a petition calling for the charges to be dropped and imposes unfair charges on families, communities and businesses in the midst of a cost of living crisis.
“The plan for parking charges is irresponsible, socially regressive and deeply unfair to workers, business and local communities living close to the centre.
“It is fundamentally wrong to charge people for accessing essential public services such as the Library, Draiocht and Fingal Council housing section.
“The proposed barriers will also cause large-scale traffic chaos and make it even harder for local residents to access the centre, especially at peak times and in the run-up to Christmas.”
Luke Daly, who proposed the petition and a local resident, said the community had made its opposition “clear”.
“Our community made its feelings abundantly clear and naturally, this is not the outcome we wanted, but planning permission is not a mandate,” he said.
“There is nothing in this decision that forces management to charge people for coming to work, attending essential services or amenities.
“It is now up to the management and Fingal Council to materially protect the people and services that we have been advocating for.”
In 2024, Strategic Value Partners (SVP) acquired the lands at Blanchardstown Town Centre from Goldman Sachs for a reported €600m.
Blanchardstown Shopping Centre Management has been contacted for comment.