Blackrock 230 Apartments, 16 Townhouses Approved Despite Resident Appeal

An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved plans for 230 apartments and 16 townhouses in Blackrock, rejecting an appeal from local residents. This decision follows nearly eight years of various rejected planning applications for the site, including a 2024 rejection for 355 build-to-rent apartments at the same location.

James Sheehan, co-founder of Blackrock, Hermitage and Galway Clinics, was among four appellants. He argued the development would «erode the long-established character of the neighbourhood» and increase accommodation density to an unsustainable level, stating it would be «six times the existing houses». Concerns also included potential demolition of existing properties. Catherine Greene, another appellant, cited inadequate car parking due to poor public transport proximity, predicting «unacceptable levels of overspill and haphazard parking on adjacent roads».

Planning permission was initially granted to Cairn Homes Ltd by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in March 2025. The site, part of Chesterfield House gardens, features greenfield and disused outhouses slated for demolition.

An Coimisiún Pleanála acknowledged arguments that the development might not «integrate successfully into or enhance the character of the area» or «respect the historic character of the road». However, it concluded the proposal would result in an «appropriate scale and density of residential development» and «would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of property in the vicinity».

The development off Cross Avenue will comprise 42 one-bed, 137 two-bed, and 56 three-bed apartments across two blocks (five to eight storeys over basement), plus 16 three-storey, five-bed townhouses. Amenities will include a childcare facility, gym, yoga room, meeting room, and resident’s lounge. Car parking will be limited to one space per unit, with 20% featuring EV charging.