Plans for 109 assisted-living residences on lands in South Dublin, designed for individuals aged 65 or older, have been delayed due to an appeal lodged by Martin and Susan Treacy. The lands, owned by the Society of Sacred Heart, are adjacent to Mount Anville girls’ schools in Goatstown and are popularly known as the “old farm.”
The appeal was lodged with An Bord Pleanála in opposition to a decision made by the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to grant Tetrarch Residential Ltd the required permission for the extensive residential project. The project, which spans over a 2.9-acre parcel of the Mount Anville grounds, would alter the environment that the Treacys have come to consider home.
The appeal period has now elapsed, and the sole objection is the one submitted by the Treacys of Mount Anville Lawn. In their appeal, they expressed a desire to extend their home into the backyard, akin to other inhabitants in the vicinity. This, they believe, would enhance their living standards. However, these expansion plans are currently in abeyance pending the decision on the planning application.
The Treacys are concerned that the proposed Tetrarch development could cast a significant shadow over their beloved garden, mitigating their enjoyment of this private space. Furthermore, they mentioned that they specifically bought their home in order to cultivate a private garden for their growing family.
Despite acknowledging the area’s need for and their appreciation of age-appropriate housing, the Treacys maintain doubts on the suitability of high-rise blocks for its elderly inhabitants. They raised important safety concerns, questioning the means of evacuation in cases of fires, given the challenged mobility of the elderly residents.
They argue that the local residents’ viewpoints and their own concerns as presented in the appeal should sway the powers to decline the planning permission for the development in its current design. It’s worth noting, however, that this viewpoint contrasts with that in the planning report which endorsed the proposal, claiming that the adjusted scheme would neither negatively impact nor dominate the neighbouring Old Farmhouse’s ambience.
Last month, approval for a projected development was given and a representative from Tetrarch Residential commented. The representative said that the forthcoming project at Mount Anville could provide individuals aged 65 and above the chance to downsize from larger family houses in the area. They would be moving into a superior, easy-to-maintain and safe property that would more adequately meet their needs, if they choose to proceed.