KNOW WHERE YOU STAND

ON THE PORTLAND ROW DEPOT REDEVELOPMENT

REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL

Ever since Dublin City Council confirmed that it would be vacating the former Maintenance Depot site along Portland Row, I have argued that the Housing Maintenance Department examine the potential for new homes to be built on the site. Throughout 2023, I have working to ensure that feasibility studies are progressed and where possible, a planning application be lodged. This leaflet detail the specifics of what is being planned, the timeframe of the planning process, the costs involved, and a brief summary of concerns raised with me by local residents.

Late last month, I met with representatives of Tuath Housing and the Housing Department of Dublin City Council to learn more about the specific proposals that are being prepared to deliver more quality housing in the area. That meeting provided an opportunity for me to share with both the Council and Tuath Housing about what is required in terms of the sizes of homes that need to be built but also protections to the existing boundary wall that protects existing homes from the site, in addition to parking facilities for existing householders.

WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED AS PART OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL?

The preliminary scheme being prepared by Tuath Housing proposes that four development blocks are built on the site of the Portland Row Depot.

In total, 69 homes are being proposed, with:

• 5x 3-bedroom Houses
• 29x 1-bedroom Apartments
• 35x 2-bedroom Apartments

WHEN IS A PLANNING APPLICATION LIKELY TO BE SUBMITTED?

Representatives from Tuath Housing met have had two formal pre-planning meetings with officials from the Planning Department of Dublin City Council. It is anticipated that a formal planning application will be lodged before Christmas. When that application is lodged, I will circulate specific details of the application and how you can have your say through the formal statutory consultation period of five weeks.

WHAT IS THE INDICATIVE COST FOR THE BUILDING OF THIS PROJECT?

The indicative cost of this proposal, based on the current plans is approximately €10m. It is likely that Tuath Housing will have to secure an Enabling Works contractor to protect the boundary wall and deal with other infrastructure works on site, in addition to identifying any ecological problems or if asbestos or Japanese knotweed, for example, is found to be on the site.

ISSUES RAISED BY ME WITH TUATH HOUSING & DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL?

In the meeting, I took the opportunity to secure clear information on a number of key issues which I believe may be of concern to you.

1. If housing is to be delivered on this site, can the number of three-bedroom family homes to be provided be increased? There is a great demand for larger family homes in the area and if a housing project is to be advanced through the redevelopment of this site, additional larger family homes are necessary.
2. What condition is the boundary wall in? Had a detailed analysis of the condition of the wall been completed? Tuath Housing representatives responded by confirming that it is treating the boundary wall as a Protected Structure, which the Dublin City Development Plan 2022 – 2028, our planning rule-book, provides extra protections towards. Tuath Housing has also confirmed to me that, in the event that planning permission is granted, that the contractor will be required to treat the boundary wall in the same way.
3. Given the location of existing homes along Portland Row to the Depot site, I have argued that in the event that planning permission is granted, before any works start on site, Tuath Housing should offer to undertake Property Condition Surveys of homes that are immediately adjacent to the boundary of the Depot site. This will ensure, from my experience, that householders can then effectively quantify if any damage is done to their home as a result of the works taking place on site.
4. Again, due to the proximity of existing homes to the Depot site, I asked of Tuath Housing about the type of construction that would be employed as I would be concerned about piling taking place on site. They advised me different construction models are being examined with a few to minimising to the fullest extent possible, any pile driving taking place. This is an issue that I will be particularly mindful of when the planning application lodged, and the supporting documentation is formally submitted to the Planning Department.

WHAT IS PLANNED FOR THE EXISTING MUGA ON ALDBOROUGH COURT?

Dublin City Council officials have indicated, in the event, that planning permission is granted, the existing MUGA on Aldborough Court will be relocated to the currently vacant site opposite houses on Dunne Street at the back of the last block of the North Clarence Street Flats.