More than 130 homes approved on former Smurfit printworks

Plans for more than 130 homes on the site of the former Smurfit printworks in Glasnevin, which closed 15 years ago, have been approved by Dublin City Council.

The two-hectare (4.94 acre) site, the largest vacant site in the area with potential for housing, faces Botanic Road and is sandwiched between Iona Road to the south and the former John Player cigarette factory to the east.

The scheme proposed by IDV Developments will provide 43 three-to-four bedroom houses, 76 apartments and 12 duplexes, as well as a cafe and a crèche on the former industrial site, which was cleared of buildings almost a decade ago but has since remained vacant.

Tobacco factory

The Smurfit site, which included the 1920s tobacco factory, was expected to sell for about €20 million in 2004. However, in 2013 IDV Developments bought the southern half of the site, which excludes the 1920s building, for a reported €4.5 million. The northern half of the site, now called the Botanic Business Centre, is still in commercial use.

In 2014 IDV, using the company name Westhill Atlantic, sought permission for 147 homes on the site including 66 houses, 67 apartments and 14 duplexes, but the application was rejected by the council because of the heights proposed, the impact on adjoining properties, and the design of the homes.

Several local residents objected to plans for the new development on similar grounds but the council has decided to grant permission.

The council said the scheme was of an appropriate density for the area, and, while of contemporary design, would broadly reflect the pattern of development in the area.