Strand road development must adhere to conditions

By Eimear Cotter

ANY FUTURE development of a council site in Portmarnock which has been sold to a local man has been limited to two or three storeys and must respect the height and massing of the existing residential units.

Fingal County councillors have agreed to dispose of a plot of land measuring 0.27 acres at Strand Road, Portmarnock to Mr Mannix Smith. The purchase price is €350,000

Director of Planning Services, David O’Connor, said the council had no difficulty in imposing a condition of sale. It said that development must comply with the County Plan and respect the height and mass of the existing residential units.

‘The site in front is empty and Mr Smith wishes to develop it. We propose to dispose of our site to him as the combination of the two sites will lead to a better quality of development,’ said Mr O’Connor.

‘Our aim is to protect the amenity of St Brigid’s Avenue. The issue of height limitation is nothing to do with this disposal but is concerned with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.’

However, an attempt by Cllr Peter Coyle (Lab) to impose the height ruling on the entire site was ruled out of order.

‘We have no difficulty on this site but it would be impossible to impose such a condition on the adjacent site,’ said Mr O’Connor.

And Cllr Alan Farrell (FG) said Cllr Coyle’s motion was referring to a separate site.

‘Cllr Coyle is referring to a different site. We’re not talking about the whole site but only the council bit that is up for sale. Any concerns about development on the whole site will be looked into when the planning application goes in.’

Cllr Darragh O’Brien (FF) said the developer had met with residents and he had addressed their concerns. The St Anne’s Residents Association said the meeting was ‘very informative and constructive’

Cllr Robbie Kelly (GP) said he didn’t have a problem with the site being developed.

‘If we can dispose of the site with certain conditions on height in place, then I’ll be happy. But if we cannot do that...I don’t want it done wrong.’

Cllr Ciaran Byrne (Lab) asked why the council had not considered building social housing units on the site.

Mr O’Connor said that, some years ago, the council attempted to buy Mr Smith’s site by means of CPO but was thwarted by councillors. The council had proposed building social housing on the old tin church site but was stopped in doing this by councillors

County Manager John Tierney, said the council believes the ‘best development here is to unite the two sites’.

The sale is also subject to the granting of planning permission for the development of the plot and adjoining lands.

The provision of all necessary boundary walls or fences will be the purchaser’s responsibility.

A vote was taken on the matter. With 12 in favour and 11 against councillors agreed to dispose of the site to Mr Smith

Fingal Independent October 21/2005