Latest news with #AnBordPleanala
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Housing crisis: Planners reject 120 new apartments over lack of three-bed units
Plans for over 120 new apartments in the Cork suburb of Ballincollig have been refused planning permission by An Bord Pleanála over the absence of three-bed or larger units in the development. The ruling represents a setback for building firm O'Flynn Construction, which had sought approval for the development of 123 units in three apartment blocks up to six storeys in height at Old Fort Road, Ballincollig, Co Cork. Advertisement The proposed development consisted of 84 two-bed apartments and 39 one-bed apartments. The plans on a 1.065-hectare site also provided for a creche and multi-purpose amenity room. The company had sought planning permission for the scheme under the planning process for strategic housing developments which does not require the plans to be initially assessed by the relevant local authority, Cork City Council. However, An Bord Pleanála said the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 sets out clear requirements on the mix of units within any new development. Advertisement It states that a minimum of 25 per cent of units in any new development of over 50 dwellings must have three bedrooms and a minimum of 10 per cent must have four or more bedrooms. The plans for the Old Fort Road site also exceed the maximum permitted proportion of smaller one- and two-bed units at 25 per cent and 40 per cent respectively. O'Flynn Construction argued that household sizes both nationally and in Cork were getting smaller. The company claimed the proposed development would appeal to a broad range of tenants by focusing on providing smaller units, affordability and quality housing. Advertisement However, An Bord Pleanála said the developer had not provided any justification why exceptional circumstances or flexibility should be used to its proposed mix of units. The board claimed the issue had not been addressed in a material contravention statement submitted by O'Flynn Construction which also concerned density and building height. An inspector with An Bord Pleanála said the unit mix would require 'a complete redesign' in order to comply with the development plan that would ultimately reduce the number of apartments in the scheme. Concerns were raised by several parties about the proposed development including the Waltham Abbey Residents Association whose estate adjoins the site being developed by O'Flynn Construction. Advertisement They claimed the density of the housing scheme was well in excess of recommended guidelines and claimed the development was 'overbearing, disproportionate, monolithic, visually dominant and out of character' with adjoining properties. The group also voiced concern that the height of the apartment blocks would have a detrimental visual impact on views of the River Lee. In a submission, Cork City Council acknowledged the density of the scheme exceeded the upper target for central Ballincollig but said it was considered acceptable given its location near the town centre. Council planners also claimed the proposed unit mix was satisfactory and they claimed the proposed development overall was in keeping with the zoning of the site subject to compliance with a number of planning conditions. Advertisement A separate decision by An Bord Pleanála in September 2020 to grant planning permission for the construction of an identical number of apartments on the same site remains the subject of an ongoing legal challenge. In September 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of An Bord Pleanála in a case which sought to clarify a conflict which arose from the rulings of two High Court judges over whether the board was required to decline to deal with certain planning applications that were not accompanied by specific documents. The case partially arose from a judicial review brought by the Ballincollig-based Waltham Abbey Residents Association which claimed the board's grant of planning permission for the project on Old Fort Road in September 2020 was invalid. The Supreme Court directed that the original application should be remitted back to the High Court. Ireland Plans for almost 500 new homes put on hold after 3... Read More An inspector with An Bord Pleanála said the current proposal would be judged on its own merits. The inspector noted that the only differences between the two sets of plans were the omission of a gym at ground floor level in lieu of a multi-purpose amenity room for residents and some internal layout changes to improve daylight levels. She observed that the proposed development provided a high quality form of residential accommodation with a wide range of amenities that could create a distinctive sense of place and which would encourage social integration from generous communal open spaces. However, the inspector also recommended that planning permission should be refused because the unit mix did not comply with the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028.
The Journal
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Controversial Mayo data centre project opposed by author Sally Rooney stalled
CONTENTIOUS PLANS TO proceed with a data centre in Co Mayo opposed by international best-selling author, Sally Rooney have been stalled. This follows a third party appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanala against Mayo County Council's decision to grant planning permission last month to Mayo Data Hub Ltd for a data centre at Mullafarry and Tawnaghmore Upper, Killala. One of the objectors to the data centre, Colin Doyle from Station Rd, Ennis, Co Clare has lodged the third party appeal. The data centre for a site located 1.8km to the south of Killala and 10.5km to the north of Ballina will require 50MW average electrical power to operate. A planning report lodged with the application by John Spain Associates states that proposed development 'will attract complementary technology-based companies within the ICT sector and complementary industries to the west of Ireland which will provide for higher paying jobs and activate the local economy'. The Spain planning report also states that the electricity grid in the west of Ireland is currently unconstrained with sufficient capacity to accommodate the required connection for the data centre. The report states that the project 'was in fact situated in this part of Ireland after consultation with Eirgrid because this location is outside grid constrained areas and in a region with a surplus of renewable power'. In his original objection with the Council, Doyle stated that his main concern was indirect greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) generated by the data centre and the resulting impact on climate. In her own objection to the centre, Sally Rooney told the Council that 'I urge you in the strongest possible terms to refuse planning permission for this wasteful, unnecessary and environmentally toxic proposal'. Rooney said that she was making this submission 'as a resident of County Mayo and a concerned citizen.' The Normal People and Intermezzo author said: 'Climate change represents an immediate and unprecedented threat to our way of life here in Mayo and to the future of human life around the world'. Advertisement She said: 'Unless we act now to stop runaway overheating, children born today are likely to witness a catastrophic breakdown of global civilisation.' Rooney said that in 2023, 'private corporate data centres accounted for 21% of Ireland's total electricity usage – more than all urban households combined'. Rooney said: 'The truth is that these data centres exist largely to support online advertising. Some estimates suggest that online ads account for 50% of internet data usage; others put the figure between 60% and 80%. She added: 'Whatever the specific figure, online advertising is extremely energy-intensive and is increasing in scale all the time, requiring more data centres, more energy, and more fossil fuels. Rooney said: 'Advertising, needless to say, is pointless. It adds no value to the real economy. It does not improve the overall quality of life for anyone. It is an utter waste of resources. At the best of times, this seems a shame; at a time of urgent global crisis, it is a catastrophe.' Rooney argued that 'wasteful consumption of electricity is a disaster. Not only does it drive energy prices upward for ordinary consumers; it also increases the total demand for energy and thus the total demand for fossil fuels' Rooney said that as the applicants have conceded that the project will result in the emission of more carbon dioxide' into our already overheated atmosphere'. She said: 'This additional atmospheric carbon will contribute to climate change not only here in County Mayo, but everywhere on the earth, as part of the catastrophic planetary crisis that is global warming.' Rooney further contended that 'Carbon credits' and 'offsetting programmes' deployed by operators of data centres 'act only as a smokescreen for corporations that want to emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere for profit'. She said: 'These gases have already been responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people, and in the coming years we can be confident they will claim the lives of thousands more. No complicated EU policy instrument can wave that fact away.' In her six-page submission, Rooney further stated that 'Not only would this proposed data centre represent a wasteful use of precious and limited electricity; it could also endanger that vital resource for other users, including hospitals and homes.' A decision is due on the appeal in September.
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Plans stalled for data centre in Mayo
Contentious plans to proceed with a data centre in Co Mayo opposed by international best-selling author, Sally Rooney have been stalled. This follows a third party appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanala against Mayo County Council's decision to grant planning permission last month to Mayo Data Hub Ltd for a data centre at Mullafarry and Tawnaghmore Upper, Killala. One of the objectors to the data centre, Colin Doyle from Station Rd, Ennis, Co Clare has lodged the third party appeal. The data centre for a site, located 1.8km to the south of Killala and 10.5km to the north of Ballina, will require 50MW average electrical power to operate. A planning report lodged with the application by John Spain Associates states that proposed development "will attract complementary technology-based companies within the ICT sector and complementary industries to the west of Ireland which will provide for higher paying jobs and activate the local economy". The Spain planning report also states that the electricity grid in the west of Ireland is currently unconstrained with sufficient capacity to accommodate the required connection for the data centre. The report states that the project "was in fact situated in this part of Ireland after consultation with Eirgrid because this location is outside grid constrained areas and in a region with a surplus of renewable power". In his original objection with the Council, Mr Doyle stated that his main concern was indirect greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) generated by the data centre and the resulting impact on climate. In her own objection to the centre, Sally Rooney told the Council that "I urge you in the strongest possible terms to refuse planning permission for this wasteful, unnecessary and environmentally toxic proposal". Ms Rooney said that she was making this submission "as a resident of County Mayo and a concerned citizen." The Normal People and Intermezzo author said: "Climate change represents an immediate and unprecedented threat to our way of life here in Mayo and to the future of human life around the world". She said: "Unless we act now to stop runaway overheating, children born today are likely to witness a catastrophic breakdown of global civilisation." Ms Rooney said that in 2023, "private corporate data centres accounted for 21% of Ireland's total electricity usage – more than all urban households combined". Ms Rooney said: "The truth is that these data centres exist largely to support online advertising. Some estimates suggest that online ads account for 50% of internet data usage; others put the figure between 60% and 80%. She added: "Whatever the specific figure, online advertising is extremely energy-intensive and is increasing in scale all the time, requiring more data centres, more energy, and more fossil fuels. Ms Rooney said: "Advertising, needless to say, is pointless. It adds no value to the real economy. It does not improve the overall quality of life for anyone. It is an utter waste of resources. At the best of times, this seems a shame; at a time of urgent global crisis, it is a catastrophe." Ms Rooney argued that "wasteful consumption of electricity is a disaster. Not only does it drive energy prices upward for ordinary consumers; it also increases the total demand for energy and thus the total demand for fossil fuels" Ms Rooney said that as the applicants have conceded that the project will result in the emission of more carbon dioxide" into our already overheated atmosphere". She said: "This additional atmospheric carbon will contribute to climate change not only here in County Mayo, but everywhere on the earth, as part of the catastrophic planetary crisis that is global warming." Ms Rooney further contended that 'Carbon credits' and 'offsetting programmes' deployed by operators of data centres "act only as a smokescreen for corporations that want to emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere for profit". She said: "These gases have already been responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people, and in the coming years we can be confident they will claim the lives of thousands more. No complicated EU policy instrument can wave that fact away." In her six page submission, Ms Rooney further stated that "Not only would this proposed data centre represent a wasteful use of precious and limited electricity; it could also endanger that vital resource for other users, including hospitals and homes." A decision is due on the appeal in September.
The Journal
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Planning permission refused for three separate hotels in Dublin City
PLANNERS HAVE TURNED down planning permission for the third hotel proposal for the capital in recent weeks. This follows An Bord Pleanala refusing planning permission to Derek Murtagh's planned eight storey, 81 bedroom hotel for Kevin Street Lower and Liberty Lane, Portobello, Dublin 8. A report prepared for applicant, Mr Murtagh, by Head of Hotels & Leisure at Savills, Tom Barrett stated that the planned hotel 'would be a good addition to this city centre area'. The refusal follows two hotel proposals by Eamon Waters's Sretaw Hotel Group failing to get lift off this month. In one decision, the appeals board has refused planning permission for a new 61-bedroom hotel close to St Stephen's Green in a new eight storey hotel for a site known as Textile House on Johnson's Place and Clarendon Market opposite the Grafton Hotel in Dublin. Advertisement In a second blow to the Sretaw Hotel Group, Dublin City Council planners refused planning permission to Mr Waters's Peachbeach UC for a 113 bedroom hotel for Baggot Street Lower as the scheme would cause serious injury to the special architectural character of the Georgian area. In relation to the Murtagh scheme, the board refused planning permission as it concluded the hotel's excessive scale, massing and architectural design would be visually overbearing with an abrupt transition within the historic terrace which would detract from the prevailing scale and architectural character of the traditional streetscape. The appeals board ruled that the proposal would result in overdevelopment of the site and would negatively impact the setting of the Protected Structure. The appeals board also concluded that notwithstanding the revised scheme of reduced scale, it was not satisfied that the proposed development would not seriously injure the residential amenities of the opposing properties on Liberty Lane by reason of overbearance, overlooking, potential noise and disturbance and access to daylight and sunlight. In the third ground for refusal, the board stated that the Board was not satisfied that the proposed development would provide an adequate level of public facilities such as a cafe, restaurant and bar uses to generate activity at street level throughout the day and night. The board also stated that it was not satisfied that the operational management was adequately demonstrated as feasible in the absence of the provision of a designated loading bay off road.
Irish Independent
14-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
No firm plans to build second train station in Drogheda, says Transport Minister
The news will come as a blow to the thousands of commuters buying new homes along the new Northern Cross PANCR route and Ballymakenny Road areas. However the only bright hope is the State will review it if the population in the town continues to grow. Local politicians had been pushing for a second station with park and ride facilities in the and especially since a Bridge or tunnel will have to be built across the Dublin-Belfast rail line to connect the new PANCR route with the docks. Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien delivered the bad news to new Louth Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly in reply to a parliamentary question last week, She had asked for a new second train station for the town to be built complete with parking facilities. Such a facility would take a huge amount of traffic away from the town centre, reducing congestion as people rush to and from McBride Train Station on the Dublin road for their daily commute. Minister O'Brien said; "! am currently unaware of plans for a new train station on the north side of Drogheda, though this can be kept under review as the population changes. "An additional station would require funding and would have to secure relevant approvals required under the Infrastructure Guidelines. Iarnrod Eireann will engage with any parties proposing a new station and my Department will continue to keep me informed of this issue." There was some good news however on the commuter front from the Junior Transport Minister Sean Canney. He told local Sinn Fein TD Joanna Byrne that new train carriages ordered by Iarnrod Eireann as part of the DART+ Programme have started arriving into Ireland and are undergoing testing. The new battery electric DART trains will start entering service between Dublin and Drogheda next year , replacing the diesel trains and providing Drogheda passengers with a modern DART service for the first time. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more The Minister also confirmed that the DART+Coastal North project will extend overhead electric wires from Malahide to Drogheda along with other infrastructure improvements. This will increase rail capacity between Drogheda and Dublin from 4,800 to 8,800 passengers per direction per hour, thereby serving the growing population along the route. Mr Canny said a Railway Order for DART+Coastal North was lodged with An Bord Pleanala in July, 2024 and following this submission, a statutory public consultation period closed in October,2024. The project is now awaiting a decision from An Bord Pleanala.
