Mary Lou McDonald lodges appeal over 250-bed student residence in her constituency

Seán McCárthaigh

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald has lodged an appeal with An Coimisiún Pleanála against a decision to grant planning permission for a 249-bed student accommodation facility in her constituency in north Dublin.

The Dublin Central TD is challenging the decision of Dublin City Council to approve the plans by R&D Developments Limited for the construction of the purpose-built student accommodation scheme on the site of the former Matt’s of Cabra pub on Fassaugh Avenue in Dublin 7.

The proposed development will be across two blocks, up to six storeys in height

Ms McDonald made a joint appeal against the development with local Sinn Féin councillor Seamus McGratten.

A separate appeal against the development has also been lodged by Iarnród Éireann because of its concern that works on the site would have the potential to affect the DART+South West project, which will provide electrification of the railway between Hazelhatch and Glasnevin via the Phoenix Park tunnel line.

In May, Ms McDonald claimed the council’s ruling in favour of the development was “a disgraceful decision.”

The Sinn Féin leader claims the site of the former pub should be used to deliver affordable and social homes, which are badly needed in the local community.

While Ms McDonald acknowledged that there is also a need for student accommodation, she claims there is a site on TU Dublin’s campus in Grangegorman which could provide a development of 2,100 student beds.

“The Grangegorman campus is much more appropriate to deliver student accommodation,” she added.

Ms McDonald claimed R&D Developments’ proposed development would overshadow surrounding streets and reduce the privacy of local residents.

She also expressed concern that it would create issues with parking, traffic congestion, and road safety, as well as placing additional pressures on local services.

While acknowledging that there was broad local support for redevelopment of the site, Ms McDonald said any proposal “must meet the needs of the community and comply with the City Development Plan 2022-2028.”

“The proposal does not consider adequate open spaces, transport, parking, or drainage capacity, which further highlights the unsuitability of this site for this proposal,” she added.

Ms McDonald said the plans did not align with the principle of creating sustainable and inclusive neighbourhoods.

She said the site represented “a rare and valuable opportunity to deliver social and affordable housing.”

However, the Sinn Féin president was accused of “nimbyism” by the Minister for Higher Education, James Lawless, earlier this year after her party criticised the number of student accommodation places delivered by the Government.

Consultants acting for R&D Developments Ltd said there was an ever-growing and increasing demand for student accommodation, with the private rental sector suffering because of the demands placed on it.

They pointed out that there are 36 third-level colleges within a 5km radius with good public transport connections.

A ruling by An Coimisiún Pleanála on the appeals is due in early October.