A planning application for a 20 storey block of 160 apartments has been lodged at the Foxhunter Site in Lucan. Local Fine Gael TD Emer Higgins, has stated, “I believe there are serious issues with this proposed development and will be outlining them in my submission to the Council.” Explaining her position in no uncertain terms, Deputy Higgins states that the planning application is an insult to the planners and it should be refused out of hand.
She continues, “This site it is not zoned for residential purposes. Back in 2015, I worked with former Cllr. William Lavelle to get the zoning for this site changed to retail warehouse to allow for Avoca to set up business there, therefore creating lots of local job opportunities. Retail Warehouse zoning does not allow for residential on the site plain and simple! “The dwellings nearby, for example in Hermitage and other adjacent residential areas, are all two-storey in height and there is a general restriction limiting developments in this area to two-storey’s in the County Development Plan. This means that a 20 storey block of apartments would be totally out of character for this established residential area.”
Higgins continued, “Development in Lucan in terms of tall buildings should happen in the areas that are zoned for strategic development. The County Plan clearly sets that out. As such a 20 storey block would be totally at odds with the County Development Plan.” She noted other planning applications for apartments at this location had been rejected due to the unsuitability of the site and concluded: “I attended the public meeting organised by residents of Hermitage in recent weeks and Cllr. Moynihan’s recently, both of which were very useful. I would encourage anyone interested in finding out more about this to ‘like’ the new facebook page Foxhunter Lucan Development Plans to get involved with, and support the community campaign” Submissions can be made by referencing SD20A/0259 before the deadline of 18th November.
