Refusal decisions · 3–9 Aug 2026

The proposed development, by reason of its design and appearance, represents an incongruous form of development which fails to provide for the sensitive design approach required to protect the established character of the Lusk Architectural Conservation Area (ACA). The proposed development would be visually intrusive at this prominent corner site and would result in undue negative impacts on the visual amenities of the area and on the Lusk ACA. The proposed development would be contrary to the “TC” zoning objective, Policies SPQHP41, HCAP14 & HCAP15, Objectives SPQHO45, HCAO24 & DMSO186, Section 14.10.2 and Table 14.24 of the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029 and, therefore, would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. NOTE: The description of the development is considered misleading in that the proposal is, in essence a replacement dwelling given the limited aspects of original building to be retained and the extent and impact of new interventions and new construction.

The proposed development, by virtue of its design and layout and particularly its relationship to adjacent Community Infrastructure zoned lands to the west, is considered to represent unsustainable and undesirable development of the site which would prejudice the future development of the adjoining CI lands. The proposal would contravene materally Table 14.4: Infill Development and Objective SPQHO42 Development of Underutilised Infill, Corner and Backland Sites of the Fingal Development Plan 2023–2029, and if permitted, would set an undesirable precedent for similar forms of development, contrary to the principles of proper planning and sustainable development in the area

Having regard to the provisions of the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028, in particular Section 12.5.7 Advertising, Corporate and Public Information and the assessment criteria set out in Table 12.19, the proposed digital advertising display would represent a piecemeal approach to the provision of digital signage, would fail to comply with the policies and standards of the County Development Plan and would, by reason of the nature of the development and its location adjacent to a heavily trafficked major road, create a traffic hazard and adversely affect road safety. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028 and to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Having regard to the provisions of the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028, in particular Section 12.5.7 Advertising, Corporate and Public Information and the assessment criteria set out in Table 12.19, the proposed digital advertising display would represent a piecemeal approach to the provisiosn of digital signage, would fail to comply with the policies and standards of the County Development Plan and would, by reason of the nature of the development and its location adjacent to a heavily trafficked major road, create a traffic hazard and adversely affect road safety. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028 and to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The subject site is zoned “TC” Town and District Centre with the objective to “protect and enhance the special physical and social character of town and district centres and provide and/or improve urban facilities” within the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029. The two-storey high structural frame with timber trellis by virtue of its design, appearance and materiality, is haphazard, overly dominant, deficient in quality and is an incongruous form of development at odds with the visual amenity of Clonsilla Road. The proposed balcony feature at the first-floor will result in significant overlooking and loss of privacy impact on the private rear amenity serving the neighbouring dwelling to the north-west. Therefore, the development will seriously injure the neighbouring residential amenity and depreciate the value of the neighbouring property. As such, the development contravenes the “TC” Town and District Centre zoning objective, Section 14.4.5, Table 14.1 & Objective GINHO59 of the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029 and will set an inappropriate precedent for other similar forms of development. The development is therefore contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Having regard to the location of the existing public surface water pipe on the site, the siting of the proposed development over same, and IE3 Objective 2 of the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028, the Planning Authority is not satisfied that the proposed development would not be prejudicial to public health.

1. The Planning Authority is not satisfied, based on the information submitted, that the proposed development would not adversely affect the operation and safety of the National (N2 and M50 motorway) and Regional (R122) Road Routes. The development would therefore be contrary to Objectives DMSO115 and CMO40 of the Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029. The proposed development, by itself or by the precedent which the grant of permission for it would set for other relevant development, would adversely affect the use of a national road or other major road by traffic. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. The proposed development, in relation to Plot 3 of the application site, by virtue of the scale and nature of the external storage use together with the lack of sufficient information in relation to the end user, would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and adjoining properties and would be contrary to the GE Zoning Objective, Section 14.15.1, Table 14.15, Objective DMSO89 and Policy EEP2 of the Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029 in respect of design in industrial areas, setting an undesirable precedent for other similar development, and would not be considered the best economic use of the GE zoned lands. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
3. The Planning Authority is not satisfied, given the lack of information submitted, that the proposed development would not adversely affect the conservation and preservation of a European Site, is contrary to Objective DMSO145 of the Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029 and therefore contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

I recommend REFUSAL OF PERMISSION for A new freestanding projecting sign to the front, under the Planning & Development, Act 2000, (as amended), for the following reasons: 1. The proposed freestanding signage located within the front curtilage of the property is not considered sympathetic to the predominately residential nature of the immediate area and Zoning Objective 'A' of the application site. The proposed development if permitted would appear visually dominant and incongruous with the subject property and the adjoining 2 no. sets of semi-detached dwellings and would result in unnecessary visual clutter along a predominantly residential area of Rock Road. Accordingly, the freestanding signage proposed does not comply with Section 12.6.8.5 Free-Standing and Outdoor Advertisement Displays of the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan 2022-2028 and therefore would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.