Housebuilder faced with conflicting demands

A compromise designed to end a row between New Generation Homes and South Dublin County Council has left the housebuilder facing conflicting demands from two planning bodies.

The council has rowed back on proposals to block development on a site earmarked for new houses by New Generation in favour of a plan that could allow it to build up to 80 homes there.

However, An Bord Pleanála has already said that, under national guidelines, the company should build 124 houses on the land, at Coolamber, near Finnstown in Lucan, Co Dublin.

As a result, the board could refuse planning permission again if New Generation abides by the council plan to limit the number of homes for which it seeks permission, while the council could object if it complies with An Bord Pleanála’s ruling.

Cut back

New Generation’s site is zoned for development, fully serviced and close to public transport. It first sought permission to build 119 houses there but cut it back to 58 following consultations with South Dublin County Council.

An Bord Pleanála refused permission last month, saying the company should have sought permission for 124 homes, which would have complied with national guidelines on housing density. Following that, three councillors – Guss O’Connell, Liona O’Toole and Paul Gogarty – put down a motion seeking to have the site rezoned as open space, which would have prevented any houses from being built there.

Mr Gogarty, an independent general election candidate, said that the motion was meant to prevent overdevelopment. He described An Bord Pleanála’s decision as “wrong”.