Planners advise that 18-storey Kilmainham scheme be scaled back

Dublin City Council planners have recommended that five storeys be removed from a planned 18-storey tower overlooking the Royal Hospital Kilmainham and its gardens.

As part of a report on the 399-unit, build-to-rent scheme at the Heuston South Quarter , Dublin City Council has recommended to An Bord Pleanála that permission be granted for the proposal, but with the reduction in height.

The council also recommended that two other apartments blocks – both five storeys in height – also be reduced.

The scheme is made up of 250 one-bedroom units, 46 studios and 103 two-bedroom units.

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The planners made their recommendations after council members argued that the height of the scheme by HPREF HSQ Investments Ltd was “excessive, unsuitable and unsustainable and not what the city needs”.

“Members were particularly critical of build-to-rent model for proposed development. They also expressed concern about the proposed height of the development and its impact on the nearby Royal Hospital and other buildings in the area,” noted a report from a meeting of councillors from the south central area of the city.

‘Unsustainable’

The report also recorded that “dissatisfaction was expressed that this is yet another build-to-rent model, which was stated to be a blight on the provision of homes in the city with an exorbitant rental cost which is unsustainable”.

The Office of Public Works has also told An Bord Pleanála that the scheme “would have a significant detrimental impact on the architectural and historical setting of the Royal Hospital building”.

An Taisce and the Heritage Council are also opposed to the scheme.

Planning documents lodged with the scheme state that the height, massing and scale of the proposed development “have afforded due regard to the need to protect the setting and context of the adjoining Royal Hospital Kilmainham”.

A decision is due on the application next month.