McDonald and Sherlock lodge objections against student housing plans for Cabra pub site
Gordon Deegan
Dublin Central TDs, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Labour's Marie Sherlock, have lodged objections against a 249-student bed space scheme for the site of the former Matts of Cabra pub in Dublin 7.
Last month, R & D Developments Limited (in Receivership) lodged plans with Dublin City Council for the purpose-built student bed spaces across two six-storey blocks for the Dublin 7 site at Fassaugh Avenue.
However, in a joint objection with local member of Dublin City Council, Seamus McGrattan (SF), Deputy McDonald states that the Matt's site in Cabra has been vacant since 2016 “and Sinn Féin believes that this site should be used to deliver the affordable and social homes that are so badly needed in the local community”.
The two state that “homelessness is at an all-time high, and when ordinary workers and families cannot afford to purchase a home or afford rent, and this proposal does not address the housing needs in Cabra where there is already a huge demand for social housing. The proposal does not align with the principle of creating sustainable and inclusive neighbourhoods.
They further contends that “this site represents a rare and valuable opportunity to deliver social and affordable housing in a well-established community”.
They state that “approving this proposal would set an undesirable precedent for high rise buildings in a low-rise area and would undermine the objectives of the City Development Plan”.
The McDonald objection states that “this proposed development will overshadow surrounding streets particularly house on St. Attracta Road and parts of Fassaugh Avenue, it will reduce the privacy of a number of homes as the current proposal layout has windows that look directly into peoples homes and back gardens.
"The proposal is significantly taller that the surrounding two storey residential streets in Cabra, which are low rise housing”.
Deputy McDonald had previously opposed a 117 unit build to rent seven-storey scheme for the site that was refused planning permission by An Bord Pleanála in June 2022.
In her objection, Deputy Sherlock states that “this is the fifth proposed development for this site in the last 22 years and I am very disappointed to see that it, once again, contains a development that is not in the community's best interests”.
Deputy Sherlock states that “residents of Cabra are keen to have this eyesore at this landmark location radically improved and for much needed residential development to be proposed and built and not that of student accommodation.
She said that there is a dire need for social and affordable housing in Cabra. Between Cabra and Finglas over 5000 families are on the housing waiting list and transfer list and failure to develop this site for much needed housing would represent an enormous lost opportunity for the area.”
Local residents have also lodged objections against the scheme.
Planning consultants for the applicants, Brock McClure state that the site offers a significant opportunity for the delivery of purpose-built student accommodation and “the proposal is appropriate to the site and sympathetic to its history and current use”.
A decision is due on the application next month.
