Eight-storey apartment block on hold after NTA intervenes

PLANS for an eight-storey apartment block on a car dealership site on Merrion Road in Dublin 4 have been put on hold. This follows local opposition and the intervention of the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The application, by 1 Merrion Lands Ltd, is one of two applications the firm has made for two Gowan Motors sites on Merrion Road in Dublin 4.

The firm has contracted to purchase the two sites from the Gowan Group.

In relation to the Gowan site at 143 Merrion Road, 1 Merrion Lands wants to build an eight-storey apartment block containing 66 apartments. In respect of the Gowan Motors compound site at 169-177 Merrion Road, the company plans to build a three- to six-storey block containing 42 apartments. Now, in response to the 66-apartment plan, the NTA has told the council that its future plans are likely to require the acquisition of part of the Gowan site to facilitate its Blackrock Core Bus Corridor and the East Coast Trail cycle.

As a result, the NTA has told the Council that the proposed development is premature.

In response to the apartment block plan, the Merrion Road Residents and Environmental Association has told the council as a result of the sheer bulk of the planned development, it would totally overwhelm neighbouring dwellings.

In response to the NTA submission, the Council has now told 1 Merrion Lands Ltd that it has significant concerns over the impact of the proposed development on the future road layout of the area.

The Council states that the applicant should submit revised plans that would not adversely impact on future road widening for the area.

The Council have also stated that the visual impact of the proposal is of significant concern. The Merrion Road Residents and Environmental Association have also objected to the companion six-storey 42 apartment plan at 169-177 Merrion Road plan.

The Council have also stated that the visual impact is of concern