Neighbours fight Bowler’s homes plan
NEIGHBOURS are determined to block plans by former banking boss Gillian Bowler that could see her make millions from the booming property market by developing her back garden.
The 62-year-old Budget Travel supremo has been granted planning permission to build four houses at her property on Morehampton Lane in the exclusive Dublin suburb of Ballsbridge.
But now four local families have lodged appeals in an effort to overturn Dublin City Council’s decision and one of them has even asked An Bord Pleanála to hold an oral hearing into why planners approved the development.
According to Hilary Godson – wife of PR guru Rory Godson – such a hearing is necessary because ‘significant local issues are involved and because of the complexity of the case’.
She has also claimed that ‘large numbers of families in the area are opposed to the proposed development’.
The couple, who bought ‘Coolbawn’ on Ailesbury Road in Ballsbridge – once the home of former Provo and Priory Hall developer Tom McFeely – argue that the council has ‘relaxed excessively’ its guidelines on mews developments and that it has never granted permission before for three-storey homes in the area.
In addition, she has also claimed that the proposed three-storey houses will ‘infringe on the privacy’ of neighbouring homes. Other appeals have also been lodged by Hugh and Marie Burns, of Wellington Place, as well as a joint appeal made by Harry and Gráinne Nash, and Paula Kerin, of Morehampton Road.
In February the council granted permission for four detached houses that vary from 127sqm to 139sqm in size. Each would have two parking spaces as well as a garden and courtyard area.
When the Irish Mail on Sunday approached Ms Bowler about her planning proposal she said that she had no plans to embark on a new career as a property developer. She said: ‘You must be joking, no, we’re simply applying for planning permission whether or not anything happens. I have never been... no I’m not.’