The population of the north Dublin suburb of Balgriffin is set to swell following An Bord Pleanála's ruling in favour of a development of over 2,000 homes as well as offices, shops and community buildings.
The decision is a blow to Clare Hall Residents' Association which sought to have planning permission overturned.
Labour TD Mr Tommy Broughan, who appealed the development on behalf of north Coolock, Baldoyle and Donaghmede residents, expressed concern that the new village centre by Shannon Homes could repeat planning mistakes in areas such as Ballymun and Darndale.
An Bord Pleanála granted a 10-year planning permission for the development of the 90-acre site at Balgriffin Park, which includes an eight-storey tower, new town square, childcare facilities, two pubs, 10 shops, a foodstore, post office, health centre, community centre, pharmacy, an off-licence and a takeaway.
It also comprises 1,188 apartments, 64 duplex units, offices, a betting office, three restaurants and cafes and 13 live-work units.
A central east-to-west boulevard will function as a quality bus corridor from the Grange Road extension linking ultimately though Father Collins Park to a new railway station. Father Collins public park is to be redesigned, with improved sports and recreational facilities.
The Shannon Homes proposal is part of a wider plan to build 7,000 houses in the Balgriffin/ Baldoyle area, which will have an eventual population of 20,000.
Clare Hall Residents' Association said that while it supported sustainable development, it believed a housing scheme on such a vast scale required "careful consideration". It said an evaluation of potential traffic on the N32 from the Malahide Road to the M1 junction took no account of traffic arising from existing and future businesses and restaurants. It pointed to a number of developments in the area, including the new Tesco shopping centre and the Hilton Hotel which is under construction. Also construction traffic over the next 10 years could cause a loss of amenity unless properly managed.
Mr Broughan said he welcomed the proposal for 516 social and affordable housing units but was not convinced that a high rise, high density scheme in a small area across the northern fringe would not continue the planning mistakes of other northern fringe developments.
However, An Bord Pleanála said the development would "not seriously injure" the area's amenities or property in the vicinity, and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience.
