Council gives ‘lift-off' to plan for aviation tycoon's ‘super-home' on Shrewsbury Road in Dublin 4
It comes after city council planners concluded that the proposal is 'acceptable' and in keeping with the policies of the Dublin City Development Plan.
In early February of this year, Ms O'Malley lodged plans for the partial demolition and alteration of No 5 and No 7 Shrewsbury Road, in order to amalgamate the two semi-detached properties purchased for a combined €11.55m by herself and her husband, who is the CEO of aircraft leasing giant AerCap.
The combined homes will result in a 1,344 sq m home – 12 times the size of an average three-bed semi-detached 111 sq m home.
The revamped home will include a bar – sandwiched between a lounge area and library – at ground level.
The planning application by Ms O'Malley the couple's purchase of No 5 Shrewsbury Road in Dublin 4 for €6.75m last November.
The property lies next door to the couple's existing family home at No 7 Shrewsbury Road, which the couple purchased for €4.8m in 2015.
No objections were lodged against the plan.
A council planner's report stated that 'the proposed design and materials to be used in the development is considered to be of high quality and would be in keeping with the character of the area'.
The report stated that 'the development, while large, has a large site which could accommodate such a structure, and would not be dissimilar to other large residential units on Shrewsbury Road'.
The proposed development will provide for a five-bedroom, three-storey dwelling, over an existing basement, with a one-bedroom apartment at the first-floor level with a private entrance doorway.
In a 39-page planning report lodged with the application, planning consultant Kevin Hughes contended that the proposed development 'will not result in an overdevelopment of the application site'.
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'In fact, when the site coverage and plot ratio of the proposed development are compared to other dwellings on Shrewsbury Road, it is clear that it will be similar.'
Mr Hughes stated that 'the proposal is similar in design, scale and massing to what currently exists on Shrewsbury Road, and would enhance the visual amenity of the streetscape sensitively'.
He stated that the rationale for the scheme 'is based on the energy performance, standard of accommodation and by association the cost of refurbishing the houses to higher energy rating'.
The consultant further stated that 'the applicant is extremely concerned about the energy efficiency of the two existing dwellings, especially No. 5 Shrewsbury Road, constructed circa 1925, and the long-term cost associated with sustaining a comfortable standard of accommodation'.
Mr Hughes said that the proposed development 'would deliver a high-quality residential development at an appropriate residential density, in close proximity to local retail services, facilities and a public transport corridor'.
He also stated that it would not detract from the visual or residential amenities of the area, it would deliver a satisfactory level of private open space to the existing residents of the development, and it will complement the built character of the area.
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