Hi all

This is my first time posting here but maybe someone could let me know what they think. I have a large corner site in Castleknock and I have had my architect draw up plans for a detached 5 bedroom house on it. My own principal residence is a 4 bed semi-detached with a garage attached to the side. What I plan on doing is taking down the existing side garage to allow the detached house to be built.

However, when my architect submitted plans to Fingal Council to go over before we officially submit, they told us that they would not approve same. My architect was surprised as the detached house is exactly the same as our principal residence next door. The planners indicated something about building lines at the back and the fact that "we would be setting a precedent" here.

I'm tempted to formally put the plans in anyway but can someone tell me what I should do here? Do I go ahead and submit, wait for the rejection and then appeal to An Bord Pleneala? Should I scale back and just submit plans for a 4 bed detached exactly the same size as our principal residence and if I get planning for that, maybe submit plans to upgrade that to a 5 bed detached? Would it be worth getting someone other than my architect, a planner for the area perhaps, to go through our plans and see what we need to submit?

Sorry for all the questions....I just assumed there wouldn't be any problems with Fingal Council as I thought they would be into high denisity and all. I thought because we have the space, we could perhaps build a house for our children who were born in the area and would certainly have a problem affording a house on their own.

Thanks for any feedback!!! Cheers

lar

Anybody....?:(

Hi Lar,

I don't post on this site very often but your question has interested me. I have recently subitted planning for a similar project to yours but in Swords. A positive reponse was received from the planners. I would suggest you meet with the planners to discuss the specific problems or issues they have. Check the development plan for your area and see if devlopment such as this is encouraged or not. Most of the local authorites in Dublin are keen to see development in esablished areas where this does not adversley affect the areas concerned. It makes good use of the existing infrastructure and serivces. If a two storey five bed house is out of the question allow for future development of an extra bedroom in the roof space keeping in mind fire escape issues and location of stairs etc.

Best of luck,

P

Lar,

This situation has happened to a number of people. The scenario goes something like this: You contracted an architect to draw up plans for your regular 2-storey extension. He arrives, takes a look around and mentions that you could actually fit a full house on to the site. The dollar signs appear, you see all the new options and readily agree to the project. The architect draws new plans, very impressive ones. You get even more excited. The planners don’t. Your architect draws up more plans. Less impressive – you are now looking at 2 smaller houses. But you are into it. Meanwhile the neighbours view you as a property developer, convinced that you will move rather than live in one of your 2 small houses. Then it gets mrssy. My advise - Just go with the original plan, extend and enjoy your space.:)

Regards P.

A 5 bed detached house in a garden isn't really high density, it's just lashing a house into your garden ! Building houses in every garden does not sound like a good idea to me.

The original problem with the development of housing in ireland is that it was never a mix of smal.med.large.flats coupled with houses.

From a planners point of views , semid and detached houses are for families and so need space for children etc. If everyone in your area does the same you are left with lots of houses and no space. And from a planning point of view this is the crux of the matter: you end up with a row of houses that are not satisfactory for families but too big for single people and couples. Thus you start chopping the houses into bedsits and what not.

If your house has an appropriate setting a good aspect and good facilities then why not go the whole hog ? Set aside a decent shared garden, and design an atractive 3/4 storey appartment block, with 3 flats (say one 3 bed two 2beds) that ties in with your house.

If your house is the end one in a housing estate then you are just greedy, build a nice proper extension and enjoy the fact that you live in castlenock and many don't !