Local Objections Force Fast-Track Residential Scheme Back To Drawing Board

One of the largest residential developments to have been approved under state fast-track planning rules looks set to face a High Court challenge.

Following a meeting of local residents on 6 December, development firm Cannon Kirk offered to scale back the estimated €360M Corballis East scheme, comprising more than 1,300 units, in Donabate, north Dublin.

It is set to resubmit new plans featuring a reduction in the number of apartments in a fresh planning application to try and placate local objections, the Irish Times reported.

The project, which received Strategic Housing Development approval in November from An Bord Pleanála, is proposed for a site close to the Dublin-Belfast rail line and the Malahide estuary, a nature site.

It is believed to be the second-largest SHD scheme in the state, after the 1,600-unit Holy Cross development in Drumcondra.

Cannon Kirk, owned by brothers Michael and Cathal Cannon and property developer Owen Kirk, received permission on the site for 346 houses, 625 apartments and 352 duplex units.

The developer has acknowledged the concerns of local opponents and is expected to apply early next year to the local authority in Fingal for scaled-back permission under normal planning rules, outside the SHD process.

It said it intends to remove the majority of apartment buildings and reduce the height of the remaining structures.

The significantly scaled-back scheme is likely to see the number of houses increased by almost 200 to 545, while the number of apartments will drop by more than 450 to 162. Overall, the number of units in the updated scheme will reduce to 1,059 from 1,323.

The revised plan “could be beneficial to align our respective objectives and hopefully address local concerns”, Cannon Kirk co-owner Michael Cannon said.

Cannon Kirk has been the long-term owner of the site and the company is backed by Oaktree Capital, which financed its 2017 exit from Nama.