Community vows to oppose Good Shepherd apartment plans

RESIDENTS opposed to a housing development on the site of the Good Shepherd Convent in Sunday’s Well have vowed to continue their fight and are now seeking legal advice on the next steps.

At a packed meeting in Strawberry Hill last night, Good Shepherd Community Action Group unanimously decided to pursue the issue.

Last month, An Bord Pleanála said it is upholding a City Hall planning decision to allow construction of 182 apartments and 20 houses on the site, which residents say will have a devastating impact on their quality of life.

“People are very angry and concerned about the impact this will have on the area,” spokesperson Tom Coleman said.

“We don’t have the infrastructure, we already have traffic building from 6.30am in the morning and now they want to add another 400 cars to it.”

Residents also have concerns about public safety, disability access, access for emergency services and pollution.

Moneda Developments’ plan is to conserve the convent, orphanage, and Magdalene buildings, and convert them into apartments. It includes four and five-storey apartment blocks 

The time limit for judicial review proceedings is eight weeks from the date of decision, which means any challenge must be submitted by November 14.