Watch this Space

Phase two of canalside scheme: Castlethorn Construction is about to lodge a major planning application to Dublin City Council for phase two of its high-density development on the edge of the Royal Canal running from Ashtown in Dublin 15 back towards Cabra.

The overall development in five years will include more than 3,000 homes and two separate village centres.

This application proposes 256 apartments and 4,109 sq m (44,230 sq ft) of commercial space in three blocks ranging from one to eight storeys on a 1.91-hectare site bounded by the Royal Canal to the south and Old Ashtown Road to the west.

It involves the creation of a new market square to the east of the realigned Ashtown Road, a canal boulevard, linear open space, 30-metre berthing area for boats, a landscaped semi-private residential courtyard, new internal roads and a bus stop and a new link road north to the river road. A two-storey pub/restaurant is also part of the application which includes 331 car-parking spaces and 195 bicycle-parking spaces in a basement car park.

The blocks will have retail and services at ground floor level including an off-licence, a coffee shop and a medical centre. The development is under construction on 50 acres of land formerly belonging to the Rathborne family of candlemaking fame.

Zapi refused in Clonskeagh

Zapi Developments, controlled by Sean Mulryan of Ballymore, lost its appeal to An Bord Pleanála against a planning refusal by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for 176 student apartments at Goatstown Road in Clonskeagh , Dublin 14. It had also sought to build 535 sq m (5,760 sq ft) of community space, a crèche, cafe/restaurant and a 3,833 sq m (41,260 sq ft) public amenity area.

An Bord Pleanála said the scheme would contravene zoning for the area to preserve and provide open space and recreational amenities. Another reason was inadequate on-site car-parking provision which "would lead to hazardous on-street car-parking in the vicinity and be prejudicial to public safety".

A third reason was the height and bulk of the development which would cause excessive overlooking and loss of privacy to adjoining residential property. It remains to be seen whether Zapi will come back with a revised scheme.