Developers see contrasting fortunes in planning bids for student accommodation

Two developers looking to address the shortage of third-level student accommodation in Dublin have had contrasting fortunes.

Dublin City Council has refused planning permission to Kesteven Ltd to construct a mixed-use development comprising of a seven-storey block at Aungier St that contains 300 en suite student accommodation bedrooms and five retail outlets.

The refusal coincides with Hattington Student Housing Ltd getting the green light to proceed with its plans to construct a 296-bed student accommodation at Thomas St in Dublin after an appeal lodged with Bord Pleanála against the development was withdrawn.

In respect of the Kesteven Ltd application, objections were lodged against the plan by a Dunnes Stores firm, the Department of Arts and Heritage and the Office of Public Works (OPW) which raised security concerns over the development’s impact on Dublin Castle.

The initial plan included a roof garden about which the OPW was concerned “could lead to overlooking of Dublin Castle and hence could interfere with government security measures employed for ceremonial events and the visits of heads of state and other dignitaries”.

In revised plans, the developers eliminated the roof garden element in response to the OPW concerns.

However, reservations remained and in a follow-up submission lodged last month, the Department of Arts and Heritage said only minor amendments were proposed.

The Department of Arts and Heritage said the development would have resulted in a very significant and irrevocable loss to the archaeological and architectural heritage of the city and would needlessly eliminate an important part of the city’s cultural inheritance.