St. Louis School Rathmines, Bord Pleanála refuses permission for 86 Apartments on Hockey Pitch

Issued : Tuesday 19 July, 2011
Areas : Rathmines

I welcome the decision last Tuesday of An Bord Pleanála to refuse permission for the development of 86 apartments and duplexes on the school playing fields of St Louis School in Rathmines.  The principle reason for the refusal was because the lands are zoned as Resource Lands in the Dublin City Development Plan - this is the zoning we have fought to introduce to protect school playing pitches and green spaces.
Since I have been on the Council from 2004 I have worked hard to lead the debate on protecting our green spaces and school playing fields.  These are vital to our quality of life and particularly for children growing up in our area - where safe outdoor sports facilities for both schools and local clubs are so needed.
I proposed the introduction of an improved Resource Land zoning (Z15) in our City Development Plan and this was passed last year by the Council to improve the protection for these green spaces.
Last Tuesday An Bord Pleanála refused permission for the development of 86 apartments and duplexes on what is currently the Hockey Pitch & green space at St. Louis School in Rathmines.  The primary reason for the refusal was because the land had been zoned as Resource Land (Z15) in the City Development Plan.
This result is an important vindication of the stance taken by many residents and parents and indeed pupils - some of whom addressed the Planning hearing - who were opposed to the proposal.
It is also an important vindication of the work done in improving the City Development Plan and creating the new zoning of Resource Land.
The full decision (Case reference: PL29S.237993) is available on the Bord's website at this link: http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/237993.htm

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