KENNYS ‘LAND WAR19 OVER NEW HOMES’

Presenter opposes bid to build beside his plush property

PAT Kenny and his wife Kathy are opposing plans for three apartment blocks and seven houses on a site near their home.

In August, Bartra Capital Property – founded by developer Richard Barrett – spent €3.1million on Maple Tree House, adjacent to the Kennys’ property in Dalkey, South Dublin.

The firm also paid for an additional 0.51 acres to allow the planning application be lodged last month.

The proposal consists of 19 apartments in three blocks ranging up to four storeys, along with five three-bedroomed homes and two semi-detached houses, on the 1.4-acre site.

Architects said great care has been taken to protect privacy, but Newstalk presenter Kenny, his wife and 11 other locals are objecting.

The couple maintain the plans would “detrimentally impact” their home The Anchorage and other residential properties in the area.

Their objection, which runs to 16 pages, states: “In my opinion, the proposed development by the applicant is not in compliance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

“It would also set a precedent that could ultimately seriously damage the character of the area.”

They said planning permission should be refused as “this development is ill-thought and appears based on the quest for density alone consideration”.

The Kennys added: “Ireland is undergoing a housing crisis. Therefore, it is incumbent to realise the development potential of serviced-residentially zone land.

“However, as outlined clearly in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Development Plan, any densification of brownfield lands must be balanced with respect for the receiving environment of established residential properties.”

The Kennys are opposing the plan on a number of grounds – density, scale and massing, design, traffic impact, affect on trees and habitat and residential amenity.

They believe the development will result in gross overlooking along with loss of light and privacy at The Anchorage. The Kennys stated “the with scant other duplex apartments at the end of the site overlook The Anchorage and any roof terrace or window would be less than 15 metres from our daughter’s bedroom window and 19 metres from our bedroom window”.

They added: “On our outdoor dining patio we would be facing a construction with a roof line some 11 metres above us, denying us light and privacy.”

Consultants for Bartra Capital Property said that arising from a pre-planning meeting the principle of a residential infill development would be acceptable to the council.

They stated the proposal has been reduced to 26 units arising from concerns raised at the pre-planning meeting.

A decision is due on the application before the end of this month.

homes are included in the planning application, including 19 apartments