The sheltered housing development, next to the Church in Rivervalley, has been given permission by An Bord Pleanala.
The developent, which had previously been given permission by Fingal County Council, was appealed to An Bord Pleanala following significant local opposition.
The appeal focussed on the apartment block, the pastoral centre, and the priest’s residence. An Bord Pleanala have given permission for the three storey apartment block and the pastoral centre but have refused the two-bed priest’s residence.
The reason given for the refusal was that it constituted a residential building which explicitly ‘not permitted’ in the current Fingal Development Plan.
The three storey apartment building, which will be used to provide independent living space for people over 55, will be located in the vacant site between the Church carpark and the community centre.
The proposed development attracted a significant number of objections from local individuals and groups.
Some of the key objections related to the fact that some of the independent living units would overlook the playground of Holy Family National School and that children use the green space as a safe access route to the school and now they will be funnelled through a car park.
Others objected to the size of the development, the loss of green space and the impact on traffic in the area.
Cllr Ian Carey said:
“I understand the concerns of residents given how central this development will be in Rivervalley but we are currently in a housing crisis and we need to be looking at all available land in developed areas to deliver homes.
“Many of the older people who will take up such apartments will be freeing up larger homes for families. They will also be getting a new home right in the centre of the community. Overall I think it is positive and I would like to see it move forward at pace.”
