Planning permission quashed at historic Bullock Harbour

The planning appeals board has conceded to a Judicial Review brought by the Bullock Harbour Preservation Association regarding contentious development in the historic harbour, 14km south of Dublin.  The decision effectively quashes the planning permission awarded by the board in 2019.

Two years earlier, developers Bartra Property (Dublin) Ltd proposed a development of luxury houses and apartments on a site adjacent to the harbour,  currently occupied by commercial buildings.

Multiple objections followed, citing a history of flooding from ‘wave over-topping’ and the applicant’s failure to carry out a proper environmental assessment.

Objections also noted the insensitive large-scale nature of the plan at a site of maritime and natural heritage.

The proposed development was “entirely unsuitable for this site in multiple regards,” remarked Dr Susan McDonnell, chair of the Bullock Harbour Preservation Association.

“This is great news for the community of users and residents of Bullock Harbour…We await with interest the further correspondence from An Bord Pleanála.”

Background

In 2018, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council refused the planning application, however Bartra Property appealed the decision to An Bord Plenála later the same year. Bartra submitted a revised plan, described by BHPA  as an ‘extremely flawed document’ and ‘worse than the original application’.

Despite the appeals board’s own inspector’s recommendation to uphold the decision, planning permission was awarded in 2019. The BHPA accordingly applied for Judicial Review in August.