The Donnybrook Lawn Tennis Club has criticised new plans for a 10-floor, 225 bed student accommodation complex because the projected density surpasses those of Manhattan. The club sent a strongly worded letter to Dublin City Council indicating that the development proposed by Red Rock Donnybrook Ltd would significantly impact the tennis club. The Large-scale Residential Development (LRD) application includes 193 bedrooms in custom-built student housing along with a café or shopping unit. John Spain & Associates, the applicant’s planning consultants, assured the council that the planned project would offer superb living conditions at the site. Mr Spain declared that the plan makes excellent use of the underdeveloped site.
Yet the Donnybrook Lawn Tennis Club, which was established in 1896 and caters to 800 members, rejects this notion, citing grounds of overdevelopment, invasiveness, and height. The club continued to assert that the project is a severe example of site overdevelopment. The club argued that as a private institution, they ought to be free from invasive observation. It is their claim that the proposed 10-floor plan overlooks all of its outdoor courts and is essentially a tall spectator stand providing the residents of the new establishment direct views of the club’s activities.
The club also mentioned its considerable junior membership, which ranges from five to sixteen years old. It added that like all sports clubs, Donnybrook follows strict child protection protocols, and these could be compromised by the excessive observation that the new building could impose.
The members also expressed concerns about the proposed tower dominating the local skyline and overshadowing the tennis club’s grounds. The club pointed out that Donnybrook already has landmark buildings like the church and Dublin Bus Garage, justifying that a lofty tower isn’t needed. The local residents association at Herbert Park Area also rejected the proposed plans, arguing it doesn’t promote sustainable long-term residency in Donnybrook.
The Eglinton Community Group has raised concerns with the Council about Red Rock’s development plans. It is highlighted by the group’s leader, Robin Mandal, that the proposed project doesn’t align with the existing development structure of the region. For the past three years, Red Rock has faced significant local resistance in their attempts to develop the 0.131 hectares of land under consideration.