Planning advisors AtkinsRealis, acting on behalf of Dublin Airport’s operator DAA, voiced their frustration with Fingal County Council following their rejection of a 950-space staff car park for the airport. The contested refusal was taken to An Bord Pleanála, with AtkinsRealis protesting the council’s decision which seemingly ignored the substantial legislative and policy backing at international, national and local level, to protect the operational necessities of Dublin Airport.
The council also declined planning consent for an extension and renovation of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at the airport in the previous year. A detailed 34-page opposition against the parking project rejection was submitted by AtkinsRealis’ technical director for environment/infrastructure, Deirdre Larkin. Ms Larkin expressed DAA’s immense disappointment given the council took a mere eight weeks to reject crucial transport infrastructure.
The proposed parking amenity was intended to ensure secure, specialised, and top-grade parking spaces for the airport’s staff, particularly those on late or out-of-hours shifts. AtkinsRealis made the argument that the council disregarded the clearly defined quantity of staff parking needed for an airport facilitating 32 million passengers annually.
Ms Larkin highlighted the fact that staff car-parking availability at Dublin Airport hasn’t expanded since planning permission was granted for Terminal 2, despite the dramatic surge in passenger numbers. She further emphasised that the project wouldn’t substantially increase the current capacity of staff car parking.
Moreover, AtkinsRealis opposed the council’s view suggesting an oversupply of car-parking spaces at Dublin Airport. Ms Larkin refuted this as a misunderstanding. Further, she maintained that the proposed project is necessary to accommodate present operational needs and can’t be put off.