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The company's example of what the final development will look like when completed. Model Works Ltd

Green light for 439 student beds 1km from UCD campus despite opposition

Local residents and River Dodder anglers had opposed the plans.

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL has given the go-ahead to construct 439 purpose built student bed spaces for the former Smurfit Paper Mills site at Clonskeagh in Dublin 6.

The council has granted planning permission to Harley Issuer DAC – a vehicle for private investment firm Bain Capital – to construct 439 bed spaces across five blocks from one storey to part seven storeys along with 16 residential apartments.

The large scale residential development also includes the extension and renovation of 14 existing residential dwellings at Clonskeagh Road.

The planning authority has granted planning permission despite opposition from some local residents and River Dodder anglers.

In the 38 page council planner’s report recommending that planning permission be granted it stated that the application site is a vacant brownfield site and the proposed development for purpose built student accommodation and residential development will “make efficient use of this underutilised” site.

The planned scheme is 1km north-west of UCD’s main campus at Belfield and in lodging the student accommodation plans the firm is looking to tap into the lucrative market of student accommodation provision in south Dublin.

IMG_6020 An image from the plans for the proposed purpose-built student accommodation and residential development at the former Paper Mills site. Model Works Ltd Model Works Ltd

The 2023/2024 annual report by the market leader in the south Dublin sector, University College Dublin (UCD) shows that it generated €42.8 million in ‘rental income from student residences on campus’ in the 12 months to the end of September last.

In an objection against the scheme, the Dodder Anglers Association, which represents over 1,300 members, stated that it is very concerned the proposals “could damage the biodiversity of River Dodder green/blue corridor and are in breach with Dublin city councils biodiversity action plan as well as the EU habitats direct and water Framework Directive”.

However, in the Council planner’s report, it stated that “the proposed removal of a proportion of the existing sluice gates in combination with a series of river bed grade control structures will facilitate indigenous fish passage of key species and age classes over a range of flow rates at the existing historical weir”.

The Council’s Conservation Division concluded that the proposed alteration would not result in an adverse impact to the industrial heritage.

The Council planner’s report stated that it took into account the views of other third parties who made submissions.

On behalf of the Eglinton Residents Association, Robin Mandal hit out at what he believes to be “a proposed gross over-development of this sensitive site”.

Mandal told the Council: “we believe that the proposed development would constitute over-development of the site by virtue of its height, scale, bulk and massing at this sensitive and highly visible and sensitive site on the banks of the River Dodder

Mandal contended that the student scheme’s “impact on the bio-diversity and flora and fauna of the riparian setting will be profound, obliterating much of value”.

He added that the former Smurfit Paper Mills site “has remained vacant and unused for more than 20 years”.

Mandal stated that “nowhere along the River Dodder has such an overtly dominant proposal been built” and the impact of this proposed development on the river would be “profound and, if permitted, would set a dangerous and undesirable precedent for future development in the entire country along our rivers”.

Chair of the Richview Residents Association, Marion Cashman said there have been seven planning applications on this site over 20 years.

The number of units proposed ranged from 130 units in 2005 to the now proposed 440 student bedspaces and 30 residences, Cashman added.

“The current proposal is an overdevelopment of the site and would set an undesirable and unacceptable precedent for this sensitive location on the river Dodder and other such sites,” she said.

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    Mute Charles Williams
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    Aug 12th 2015, 10:04 PM

    A man who has made a huge contribution to various good causes including peace, hunger, poverty,etc in various parts of the globe through the Carter Center.

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    Mute Reg
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    Aug 12th 2015, 10:07 PM

    A man who did some great work during and after his term as president. I wish him well.

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    Mute John Reese
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    Aug 12th 2015, 10:16 PM

    Best of luck in your battle jimmy

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    Mute William J Dunphy
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    Aug 12th 2015, 10:42 PM

    The greatest ever former President of the United States. A great humanitarian. God bless him the strength to battle this.

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    Mute Rashers Tierney
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    Aug 12th 2015, 11:21 PM

    Sorry to hear it. A truly decent man. Hope the treatment works out for him.

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    Mute Very fond of
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    Aug 13th 2015, 12:14 AM

    The man is 90 and probably doesn’t have much time left in this world but I wish him well and serenity in his remaining time … Vastly superior to Bush x 2 and Mr Obama

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    Mute Brída Kiely
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    Aug 13th 2015, 12:46 AM

    Amazing how opinions on Jimmy Carter vary so much. I do not know enough to say whether he was a good president although I think that he seems to be a good person. I wish him well in the time he has left. I would not wish ill on anybody no matter how much I disagree with them or their politics. It serves no useful purpose. Better to wish they have a change of heart!

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    Mute Middle Class Cork
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    Aug 13th 2015, 5:09 AM

    Carter only served 1 term as president. He was beaten in 79 by Reagan. During Carters term the Shah was deposed in Iran and Khomeini took over, from this came the Iran hostage crisis. Carter gambled with a rescue attempt, Op. Eagle Claw, which turned into a fiasco at Desert 1. This is what many people believe cost him the election. Sorry to hear about his situation, hope he pulls through.

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    Mute EB
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    Aug 12th 2015, 11:55 PM

    The worst president in history of the United States ladies and gentlemen.

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Aug 13th 2015, 12:30 AM

    The President at the worst time for the United States.
    Where was George Bush Senior during Carters tenure?

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    Mute Middle Class Cork
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    Aug 13th 2015, 5:04 AM

    He was Director of the CIA.

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    Mute Joe Conway
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    Aug 13th 2015, 10:45 AM

    By what measure EB?

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Aug 13th 2015, 8:49 AM

    I thought he died a few years ago so technically this comes as good news.

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