Green light for almost 200 homes at former Woodies site in Tallaght
A major residential development of almost 200 homes in Tallaght has been granted planning permission following an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The development will see 199 apartments built on the former Woodies site at Belgard Square East, a prominent site that has remained vacant since the retailer relocated in 2009.
South Dublin County Council initially approved the scheme in January, and that decision has now been upheld by An Coimisiún Pleanála following an appeal by Tallaght Community Council.
The development, lodged by Midsal Homes Limited, will comprise six studio units, 47 one-bedroom apartments, 98 two-bedroom apartments and 48 three-bedroom apartments.
Up to 49 of the units will be designated as “senior living” accommodation, with the remaining 150 classified as “standard” apartments.
The scheme will consist of buildings ranging from one to seven storeys in height and will include private balconies and terraces, communal facilities for senior living residents, and more than 2,100 square metres of commercial and community space.
Tallaght Community Council raised concerns about the proposal, describing what it considered to be “excessive” density and building height, as well as an “insufficient” number of three-bedroom homes within the development.
In its submission, the group argued that the plot ratio and density exceeded the intentions of the Tallaght Town Centre Local Area Plan and South Dublin County Development Plan, pointing to a density of 243 units per hectare and a plot ratio of 2.4:1 (net site area).
It also claimed the proposed height of the buildings would negatively affect the visual setting of Tallaght Village, particularly views towards St Maelruain’s Church.
However, on May 27, An Coimisiún Pleanála rejected the appeal and found that the project “would constitute an acceptable quantum and density of development” in this urban location and would not “seriously injure” the residential or visual amenities of the area or nearby properties.
It also concluded that the scheme was “acceptable” in terms of urban design, height and scale, and would not “detrimentally impact” built heritage.
Meanwhile the applicant, Midsal Homes, said that the scheme was “a progressive regeneration project” given the site’s location beside the Luas, major bus routes and Tallaght town centre amenities. They also highlighted the long-term vacancy of the site, saying the project would contribute to housing supply.
A number of conditions were attached to the permission, including a requirement that all 49 senior living apartments must be occupied by at least one resident aged 55 or older.
The board also required that public open spaces within the development remain open and accessible on a 24-hour basis and must not be gated in a way that restricts pedestrian access.