Sandyford development ends for now

Drainage fears mean Sandyford planning ban
17 February 2008 By Neil Callanan
Landowners in Sandyford in south Dublin have been told by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council that planning permission will not be granted for any major developments in the foreseeable future.

The decision was taken after a study by the council identified serious drainage problems in the area.

‘‘It would not be appropriate to grant permission for any further significant development in the area until the foul drainage infrastructure requirements are determined and the council is satisfied that the required measures can be implemented,” according to Owen Keegan, the council manager.

Developments of more than two residential units, or the equivalent amount of commercial space, will not be granted planning permission. The drainage problem was identified when sewer pipes of an inadequate capacity were found between the Sandyford / Stillorgan catchment area and the West Pier pumping station.

‘‘These pipes will need to be upgraded,” Keegan said. ‘‘The council is proceeding to plan the necessary upgrade work. The study has also recommended the construction of foul water storage facilities at different locations in the catchment area with a possible new overflow to the surface water system during significant rainfall.”

The move will be of particular concern to developers including John Lally, Derek O’Leary, Reg Tuthill and the Hegarty family, who have paid more than €250 million for land in Sandyford in the last three years. They will nowhave to wait to see how long it takes the council to remedy the problems.

‘‘The council laid out a vision for Sandyford and now it seems all bets are off,” one source said. Other major landowners in the area include Treasury Holdings, Paddy Shovlin and the Alken brothers, who own wine distributors Febvre.

The council’s decision may also affect the price that will be paid for the Brooks Thomas site on Heather Road in Sandyford, which is due to come on the market in the near future. Even before the decision, development land prices in the area were down by around 35 to 40 per cent from their peak in 2005.

Planning permission has already been granted for 458,000 square metres of commercial development and 3,600 residential units in the Sandyford business estate area. A further 107,000 square metres of commercial development and 650 residential units are under appeal to An Bord Pleanala.

The council’s own figures suggest there is room for 7,600 residential units and nearly 850,000 square metres of commercial development in the estate.