Redevelopment of former golf club gets go-ahead

The redevelopment of the former Dún Laoghaire Golf Club has been given the go-ahead by the local council, according to councillors.

On Tuesday Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council granted planning permission for the southern half of the 78 acre site which was sold by the club members to developers, Cosgrave Brothers, in 2003.

The developers have plans to build 1,700 residential units on the entire site. Residents have complained the proposed scheme is excessive and the area does not have the infrastructure to cope.

The Cosgrave Brothers sought planning permission for 856 homes on the 47 acre southern half of the site which is bisected by the Upper Glenageary Road.

The plans also include a commercial centre at the entrance to the road, with a convenience store, cafe and shops at ground level and around 897sq m (9,655sq ft) of office space on two floors overhead. There are also proposals for a large creche at the centre of the development.

Last month, Dún Laoghaire Golf Club moved to a new 27-hole course at Ballyman Glen near Enniskerry in a deal which saw the site sold to the property developers in return for a new golf course and a sum of about €20 million.

Members of Combined Residents to Save Open Space, which represents 43 local residents' associations, staged a protest at the closure of the golf club.

Former councillor Victor Boyhan, who has opposed the development, said his understanding was that planning permission was given without a significant number of conditions.

"It is certain to be appealed to An Bord Pleanála. It's a vast development the size of Fermoy which is being put in place without a proper local area plan or even a school. This is only the beginnings of the process".

Local councillor John Bailey said it would be a "disgrace" if the development got the go-ahead given the infrastructural deficits in the area. He said provision for social and affordable housing in the scheme is unacceptable.

Nobody from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council was available last night for comment.