DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN County Council has refused planning permission for a controversial development of 150 apartments and houses behind Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal church on Bird Avenue in Clonskeagh because it would "detract from the landmark status of the church".

Brian M Durkan's Devondale Ltd had proposed two apartment buildings rising to six storeys, as well as 13 three and four-bed terraced townhouses and three two-bed detached units, on the site formerly owned by the Marist brothers.

In its decision, the county council - which received 107 letters of objection to the development - was critical of the scheme. It said the height, scale, massing and bulk of the development close to two-storey houses in the Churchfields scheme (to the north of the site) and the Maples (to the east) would be overbearing and visually obtrusive.

It also referred to a "substandard" provision of public and private open space, "inadequate" rear gardens, and a lack of play facilities which would "fail to create a quality living environment for future residents".

Another reason for refusal was that the developer failed to demonstrate compliance with Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 which says that a percentage of houses are social and affordable units. "The location of 27 units transferred under Part V has not been identified on the plans submitted," said the council. It also maintains that units identified for Traveller accommodation are "substandard in terms of the number of bedrooms proposed".

A lack of parking, absence of an adequate traffic impact assessment and a failure to demonstrate legal estate or interest in the land on where an access is proposed between the site and Churchfields estate, were other reasons cited for refusal by the council.