Judicial Review against Glebe House SHD

The biggest threat facing our community here in the Walkinstown Crumlin area is the arrival of high-rise residential developments under the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) legislation. This fundraiser is about the SHD development at Glebe House, Crumlin Village but regrettably there are more of these developments on the way. 

Despite written observations from over a hundred people in our community, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission on May 14, 2021 for a 5-6 storey residential development comprising 152 apartments containing 75 one beds, 73 two beds and 4 three beds at Glebe House. An SHD bypasses the Local Authority for its planning permission. In this case An Bord Pleanála rushed this planning through the process ignoring every single one of our community’s concerns. We felt this has been a rubber stamping of the planning rather than any evaluation of our genuine observations, concerns or issues by An Bord Pleanála.  

Sadly, this is very much a David versus Goliath situation and we are the David. There is only one option open to us and that is a High Court Judicial Review. At first, we were dazed and intimidated by this and thought it was out of our reach. We thought this was only for the very rich and not for people in Dublin 12. We got advice from someone who very recently had a SHD development overturned. He generously shared information and advice and showed us that this is not out of our reach but is possible.  

We have consulted an experienced legal team specialising in SHD developments. At this initial stage they have already identified solid grounds for appealing this decision and are confident of this decision being overturned. A Judicial Review is the only option open to us. It's an expensive one. We badly need your help to raise the funds to take this legal case which has a fair chance of winning.  

 

What is an SHD?

An SHD is a fast track planning mechanism for 100 units or more. An SHD planning application bypasses the local authority. The developer submits the planning directly to An Bord Pleanála. An SHD planning permission cannot be appealed.  

Prior to submitting planning, the developer can meet with An Bord Pleanála for advice. However, the community does not have this opportunity to talk to a An Bord Pleanála in advance and provide local information and concerns. This community were unaware of the planned development at Glebe House until the planning notice was published. There was no consultation. 

 

What are our concerns? 

The proposal contravenes a number of Government and Dublin City development plans and is an unsustainable form of over development which is out of character with the established pattern of development in Crumlin Village.

Site development density and height is overwhelming for the size of the area it is being built in. The height rises to 20m which is in excess of the limit of 16m imposed by Dublin City Development plan. 

There are inadequate parking facilities with just 51 residential car park spaces in the proposed development of 152 accommodation units. This will result in parking and congestion issues in the roads surrounding the development 

No childcare facilities are proposed as part of this development which is outside Government policy on childcare facilities in developments such as this

The development will be harmful to the setting of a conservation area and contrary to Crumlin Village Architectural Conservation Area. Crumlin is just one of 22 Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) in Dublin.  

Concerns around adequacy of water supply and sewage disposal were not addressed

There are issues in relation to the Daylight, Sunlight and Overshadowing Study and errors contained in that report that An Bord Pleanala did not address which would adversely affect residents

 

If the planning permission on this high rise in the centre of an ACA designated village is allowed to go through unchallenged against the interests of our community, it sets a dangerous precedent. Other developments around Walkinstown Crumlin will be targets for this level of overdevelopment. However, if we win this Judicial Review, it will also set a precedent – that the needs of our community are important and must be considered. 

We are raising this money to cover our legal costs. This is not a small sum but spread across our whole community it can be done, so lean in and be part our team. Anything you contribute will be immensely helpful.

 

Let’s come together as a community.........for the sake of our community