Community group brings challenge against permission for 150 homes in Crumlin

A community group is asking the High Court to overturn permission granted for the construction of 150 homes in Crumlin, Dublin. 

 

Bethmell Limited, which has a registered address in Walkinstown, Dublin, says An Bord Pleanála’s fast-track approval of the plans for the site of Glebe House is invalid for various reasons. 

 

The permission was granted to Seabren Developments Ltd, which is led by Michael Moran of Moran’s Red Cow hotel. 

 

An Bord Pleanála concluded the scheme would constitute an acceptable residential density and would not seriously injure the residential and visual amenities or architectural character of the area. 

 

Two apartment blocks ranging in height from four to six storeys are planned, which Bethmell says represents a “significant over-development” of the site. 

 

Last February the High Court quashed a previous planning permission granted to Seabren for the development of 152 units at the site. The orders came in response to a challenge by retired Crumlin resident Paul Brady. 

 

Mr Brady, of Somerville Drive, is also a director of Bethmell, which he says was incorporated last year to represent community members’ interests in the planning process “without fear of being victimised”. 

 

Mr Brady claimed he received a legal letter from the developers saying they would seek to make him personally liable for any legal costs incurred in the event the October 2022 permission was challenged by way of judicial review through the High Court. 

 

The locals supporting the action “sincerely want” to see the site of Glebe House appropriately developed for housing, he said. However, he said, the designs are not appropriate for the location and are not respectful of the setting. 

 

Among Bethmell’s grounds of challenge is a claim that the planning board’s decision materially contravenes the local development plan in relation to building height guidelines. It also breaches sunlight requirements for urban developments, alleges Bethmell, represented by Stephen Dodd SC, John Kenny BL and FP Logue solicitors. 

 

Further, the group says the planning application is invalid as it failed to identify that the destruction of a part of the boundary walls of Glebe House, which are protected structures, was a material contravention of the local development plan. 

 

The case was adjourned for a week when it came before Mr Justice Richard Humphreys on Monday. Bethmell still requires the court’s permission to pursue its action against the planning board, with Seabren and Circle VHA CLG registered as notice parties.