The commission said the plans by Glenveagh Homes complied with a policy objective of the D\u00fan Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan 2022-2028 to encourage higher residential densities while ensuring a balance was struck with protecting existing residential amenities and the established character of an area. <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Foxrock.jpg\")
One of the country\u2019s largest homebuilders has secured planning permission for a luxury development of houses and apartments designed by celebrity architect Dermot Bannon in upmarket Foxrock, south Dublin \u2013 despite opposition from locals. <\/p>\n
It concluded the proposed development would not seriously injure the residential amenities of other properties in the vicinity or visual amenities of the area. <\/p>\n
It also ruled the scheme was acceptable in terms of traffic safety, convenience and surface water drainage.<\/p>\n
The commission imposed 25 planning conditions, including the restriction of the sale of the houses and duplex units to individual purchasers for \u2018first occupation\u2019. <\/p>\n
Another condition requires Glenveagh to pay the council around \u20ac215,250 as compensation for the scheme\u2019s shortfall in communal open space. Foxrock Golf Club, whose lands adjoin the site, had expressed concern the development could result in an increased risk of flooding to the golf course due to the presence of a stream on the 0.7 hectare site.<\/p>\n
Consultants acting for the group of residents claimed Glenveagh\u2019s plans for the Foxrock site showed little regard for the distinctive heritage of the nearby Foxrock Architectural Conservation Area. <\/p>\n
They claimed the development was inappropriate due to its excessive size, height and density, with an associated loss of privacy and overlooking of other residences. <\/p>\n
In their appeal to An Bord Plean\u00e1la, the group claimed the council allowed numerous substandard aspects of the scheme to go ahead, despite a series of issues being raised with Glenveagh. <\/p>\n
\u2018We contend our clients have suffered unduly because the council did not make the correct decision at the outset,\u2019 they added. <\/p>\n
![\"Dermot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Dermot-Bannon-Room-To-Improve-1.jpg\")
Dermot Bannon. Pic: RT\u00c9<\/p>\n
The group disagreed with council planners that the development would not detract from the area\u2019s amenities. <\/p>\n
They argued the scheme would be \u2018visually intrusive and discordant\u2019 and represent a material contravention of the zoning objective of the lands. <\/p>\n
Residents also complained that limited visitor parking spaces would create a traffic hazard due to overspill of vehicles parking in The Birches. <\/p>\n
The group suggested Glenveagh could submit revised drawings for a scaled-down version that would reduce \u2018the overbearing impact and amenity loss\u2019. <\/p>\n
In an individual council submission, Mr Pratt \u2013 ex-marketing director of Quinnsworth and former chair of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation \u2013 and his wife, Pauline, claimed the plans were \u2018completely out of character within a mature residential estate of two-storey houses\u2019. <\/p>\n
The Pratts claimed the risk of flooding to the adjoining golf course and neighbouring gardens was also a serious concern. They said they would support a development \u2018of more modest proportions\u2019. <\/p>\n
Glenveagh said an existing grant of planning permission to construct 28 apartments was unviable due to granite bedrock, which made a basement car park unsuitable. <\/p>\n
It said its development in an attractive, well-serviced and highly accessible area would also assist \u2018in alleviating the prevailing housing crisis\u2019. <\/p>\n