Dublin People - Objections mount to shopping centre plans

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Objections mount to shopping centre plans

Wednesday, 13 August 2008

DUNNES Stores has strongly objected to a planning proposal to significantly expand a Southside shopping centre of which they are the anchor tenant.
South Dublin County Council has to date received approximately 50 submissions from local residents’ associations and other groups, including Dunnes Stores, who are opposed to the redevelopment of the Ashleaf Shopping Centre in Crumlin.
The proposed development will include 40 residential units and an 80 bed apart-hotel including conference facilities in a building of up to five storeys in height. The total floor space of the shopping centre will increase from 19,000 sqm to 28,000 sqm.
In a submission to South Dublin County Council, architects Newenham Mulligan and Associates, acting on behalf of Dunnes Stores, said the proposals would represent an “over development of the site”.
Access
They also claimed the scheme would have a negative effect on the traffic, vehicular and service access to the centre.
They added: “The proposed development falls short of the car parking requirement of the [county] development plan and would cause extra pressure on the existing car park.”

One local resident, Peter Kelly, lives with his wife and family at Cromwellsfort Road, directly across from the shopping centre.
He said his main objection to the scheme was that the proposed height of five storeys would be out of character in a residential area. He also claimed it would block out any sunlight in his own home.
“It is now a two to three storey building and it is too high,” he said. “For it to go any higher would be ridiculous. It would be like the spire looking down on my house. I am just the width of the road and the footpath away from this.
“The shopping centre is already blocking out my view of the Dublin Mountains,” he added. “If this goes ahead it will totally block out the whole sky unless I go out on my driveway and look straight up.”
In addition, Mr Kelly said the development would lead to traffic chaos in the area and increased car parking problems.
“The traffic is already obnoxious on this road,” he said. “At the moment people park on my driveway to go to the off licence and McDonald’s. We have had the police here many times.”
In 2005 the shopping centre and the adjoining Submarine Bar were acquired in deals worth €50 million.
Two private investors bought the Ashleaf Shopping Centre for e38 million. The Submarine Bar, one of the largest pubs in Dublin, which forms part of the complex, was acquired for a further e12 million.
South Dublin County Council said they could not comment on a live planning application. They are expected to make a decision on the proposal on Monday, August 18.
At the time of going to press the developers could not be contacted for comment.

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