Gerry Gannon firm to lodge largest fast-track planning application to date

Developer wants to build 2,527 residential units at Belcamp in Dublin 17

The fast-track planning scheme is being phased out. Photograph: iStock
The fast-track planning scheme is being phased out. Photograph: iStock

A Gerry Gannon company will lodge plans in coming days for the largest Strategic Housing Development (SHD) fast-track scheme to be put before An Bord Pleanála to date.

Gerard Gannon Properties Ltd has given notice that it is to lodge plans for a mixed-use scheme that will include 2,527 residential units for Belcamp Hall, Malahide Road at Belcamp in north Dublin.

Mr Gannon was one of the best-known developers in the Celtic Tiger era and his firm has been busy in recent times with fast-track residential schemes for north Dublin.

A statutory planning notice for the latest scheme shows that the proposal is comprised of 1,780 apartments, 473 houses and 274 duplex units. The company is seeking a 10-year planning permission to complete the ambitious project.

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The notice states that 1,969 units are residential with 558 apartments to be built for rent. It will also include 18 retail units, three cafes/restaurants, two childcare facilities and one sports building.

Mr Gannon’s firm had initially proposed 2,718 residential units for Belcamp Hall at Dublin 17, comprised of 2,233 apartments, 485 houses, two creches and associated works. However, the developer reduced the scale after the planning board provided an “opinion” earlier this year on the preliminary plan, noting that the scheme “requires further consideration or amendment”.

The plans to be lodged in the coming days also provide for 2,225 parking spaces and 5,394 bicycle spaces.

Consistent

The planning notice states that the proposal is consistent with the objectives of the Fingal Development Plan, the Dublin City Development Plan and the Clongriffin Belmayne Local Area Plan.

The Gannon firm is to lodge an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with the scheme.

The SHD system is being phased out but developers can still lodge applications under some circumstances. This is where any applicant received an opinion from An Bord Pleanála on their preliminary plans after December 17th last or is still awaiting an opinion; those developers have 16 weeks from the date of the opinion to lodge an application.

The board is due to make a decision on the Gannon scheme 16 weeks after receiving the detailed plans.

The most recent accounts for Gannon Homes Ltd show that it recorded pretax profits of €424,150 in 2020; a drop of 88 per cent on the pretax profits of €3.68 million in 2019. This followed revenues declining by 36 per cent from €79.19 million to €50.59 million in 2020.

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan is a contributor to The Irish Times