Balbriggan Commercial Development

Bluetonic

Part of the area as per the Stephenstown LAP, but deserving of a thread of it's own.

Area is to the West/South-West of the cemetery between it, the Naul Rd and Clonard Hill.

F07A/1250 is the application number.

Development at this site of approx.8.287ha of land bounded generally by the Naul Road and the existing cemetery to the North, Clonard Hill and the Fingal Bay development to the south, lands also zoned for Major Town Centre to the East and land zoned for future residential development to the west, at Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. The proposed development consists of a new regional/district centre, with associated car parking on lands at Balbriggan. The proposed development represents phase one of an overall development masterplan for the lands. The development now proposed consists of a gross floor space of c.23,510m², within a building that extends to two floor over undercroft car park. The development includes 1 no. major store unit, 28 no. additional retail units, 6 no. class 2 community/services/office units, a heath and fitness centre, a medical centre and a restaurant/food court area, including plant and circulation areas (combined GFA of c.22,028m². A total of 952 no. car parking spaces with additional core areas (combined GFA of c. 1,482m²) are also to be provided. The centre is organised over two primary levels accessed via a glazed internal street, which runs generally east west across the site. Travelators, escalators, lifts and stairs connect the two levels, and access to the retail centre is from four points. One at each end of the street from the civic plazas at the lower level, and the third at the upper level from the adjoining car park and fourth from the undercroft car park. The major store units consists of c.9,640m² retail floorspace including areas for food and non-food sales, an off-licence area of c.150m² and hot food/deli sales area of c.55m². A further c.255m² of storage, admistration, staff facilities and circulation area are included within the overall unit. The retail areas are organised over two levels in this unit. 28 no., additional retail units are proposed within the retail centre area, ranging in size from c.15m² to c.454m², together with other areas giving an overall total of additional retail area of c.4,825m². An area of c.859m² on the upper level is set aside to accommodate up to 6no. food outlets and restaurants service hot snacks and refreshments for consumption on the premises. A further 6no. units ranging in size from 55m² to 177m² are proposed at ground floor on the northern elevation of the building, which will be independent of the main retail centre. 4no. of these own-door units will be organised ina partly stand-alone structure which has been designed to read as part of the overall complex, and are organised to address a crescent shaped road, which runs through the site. Together with the civic spaces they provide activity and interest onto the adjoining streets. These units will be serviced from the rear via an internal gated access road. All six of these units are to be used for purposes falling into Class 2 of Part 4 of Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. A leisure centre/gym c.345m² and medical centre of c.362m² are to be located on the upper level of this stand-alone structure above the 4 no. class 2 units and will have access directly from the crescent. Service access to all of the units on the southern side of the retail centre is to be via 2 dedicated service yards. The major store unit will have direct access to the loading bays, whilst the remaining smaller retail units will be provided with access to the delivery areas through a series of communal corridors. Delivery access to the units on the northern side of the retail centre will be via a delivery road running between 4no. partly standalone Class 2 units and the main retail centre area. Both delivery roads will be gated at both ends. Associated car parking of c.952 no. car spaces capacity is provided in two car parks: Car Park A is an undercroft car park below the retail centre building and crescent road and accessed from the north side of the site, providing a total of 429no. spaces, together with 703m² of additional core areas. A further 6 no. surface carparking spaces are located off the Crescent directly outside the Class 2 units. Car Park B is a 4 storey multi storey car park immediately to the south of the proposed retail centre building. Whilst this car park has a final built capacity of 932 no. spaces, together with 779m² of additional core areas, it is to be opened on a phased basis as the overall masterplan development progresses. The building is to be constructed in its entirety as part of the current development, however only the lower 2 levels, incorporating 517no. spaces including some surface car parking spaces will be available for use, in conjunction with this development. The use of the additional car parking levels in car park B will take place as and when future development in accordance with the masterplan, is developed and be the subject of future planning applications. Vehicle, pedestrians and cycles will access the proposed development at five distinct locations. A pathway in the northeast corner of the site will provide pedestrian-only access from the existing pathway to the northeast of the site, located between the site and the (Naul Road) Cemetery. In the north of the site, where the existing pathway joins the Naul Road, a second access point will provide pedestrian and cycle access to the proposed development. To the northwest of the site, a new roundabout junction on the Naul Road will provide vehicular access from the existing road network. The new roundabout will be located at and will replace the existing T-junction that provides access to the existing Westbrook Housing Development. To the southwest of the site, a T-junction will provide access to the development from a new road network to be constructed by Fingal County Council under Part VIII of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. The T-junction is included in the proposed Part VIII scheme, which has been approved. The new junction will be c.285m southeast of the proposed signalised junction of the Naul Road and the new road network. To the southeast of the site, a second T-junction proposed as part of the development will provide a third vehicular access point to the development. This junction will provide access from the new Part VIII road network. Pedestrian and cycle access will be provided at all three points of vehicular access. A total of 4 no. ESB Substations are also proposed, located internally within the main fabric of the buildings. A free-standing totem sign will be positioned near to each of the main vehicular entrances to the development. Each of the three signs will be c.8m in overall height and will display internally illuminated information identifying the overall identity of the centre and traders within the centre. In addition to this, the main entrances to the centre, and the Southern elevation of the retail centre and Car Park 'B' will carry the name of the centre above the doors and the major store unit will have external signage identifying their premises, as will the units facing onto the crescent. Site development and landscape works are also proposed as part of this application. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be submitted to the Planning Authority with this application.

The Hill Billy

If you told us why you think it is deserving of a thread of its own it may help get things going. Posting a lenghty planning application by itself doesn't really get my juices flowing when it comes to a lively discussion.

Bluetonic

Hill Billy wrote:

Posting a lenghty planning application by itself doesn't really get my juices flowing when it comes to a lively discussion.

As the physical development starts and the commercial development opens the thread will grow. This will be a thread where it's progress can be plotted.

Everything doesn't have to be a lengthy discussion, sometimes the less said the better, don't feel the need to comment if it doesn't turn you on :rolleyes:

clg23

When is work due to begin on this?

Bluetonic

clg23 wrote:

When is work due to begin on this?

The planning application only went in on the 5th.

Could be months for to to be approved.

sirpsycho

U got the planning ref so we can look up the maps on fingalgogo ?

T-Maxx

sirpsycho wrote:

U got the planning ref so we can look up the maps on fingalgogo ?

Fingalgogo?

More like Fingalgoslow...:o

Dublin's Finest

Planning ref is F07A/1250 as mentioned in OP.

Benjy

More proposed development in the town centre....

Ref: F07A/1397
Applicant: Millbank Developments Ltd
Location: Site bounded by Bridge St/AIB Bank, /George's Sq, Vauxhall St, The Mill Walk, Dublin Street, Balbriggan, Co Dublin

A mixed use urban development on a site of approx. 0.9ha generally bounded by Bridge Street/AIB Bank/George's Square, Vauxhall Street, The Mill Walk and the rear boundary of dwellings facing onto Clonard Street/car park, and including a separate, triangular parcel of land bounded by Vauxhall Street, No. 5/5a Dublin Street and Dublin Street.
The proposed development has a total gross floor area of 26,778 sq.m. (excluding 2,572 sq.m. of car parking) contained in a building ranging from 3 to 10 storeys over double basement and comprising the following uses:

41 no. retail/commercial uses arranged around internal mall on lower and upper ground floor level (totalling 9,418 sq.m. gfa) to accommodate a range of uses including shops, cafes/restaurants, financial services and other non-retail services, all accessed via internal mall. The lower ground floor level will contain 15 no. retail/commercial units including an anchor store measuring 2,217 sq.m. (inclusive of storage). The upper ground floor level (first floor) will contain 26 no. units including an anchor store measuring 1,219 sq.m. (inclusive of storage). Unit no. 5 at upper ground floor level has mezzanine at second floor level. A cafe (240 sq.m.) with associated outdoor seating area will be provided on upper ground floor level accessed from George's Square with mezzanine level at second floor level. Associated circulation and ancillary uses (including management office, canteen; toilets, service corridors; plant including 3 substations; service/loading area, stockroom and ramp etc) associated with the above has a total floor area of 6,967 sq.m. gfa. A conical shaped roof feature will be provided at roof level over the atrium space which forms part of the public circulation area.
An outdoor area will adjoin the atrium space.
The office/medical centre (4,566 sq.m. gfa) to be provided over 3 floors (second to fourth floor level) with pedestrian access via lobby off main circulation area and lift/stair access from basement car park. An associated courtyard will be provided to the northern and southern elevation at second floor level.
49 no. residential units contained in three separate blocks (A, B & C) above third floor level and comprising the following:
Block A - 7 no. three bed units; Block B - 14 no. two bed units and 7 no. three bed units; Block C - 12 no. two bed units and 9 no. three bed units. All residential units will have access to 2 no. courtyard spaces at fourth floor level and each unit above the courtyard has a balcony. Roof terraces are proposed over blocks B & C. The total gross floor area of the residential element is 5,587 sq.m. gfa.

The car parking involves a double basement car park for 467 cars accessed off Bridge Street and an internal car park at third floor level for 90 cars is accessed via ramp off Vauxhall Street (75 spaces for residential dwelling and balance for management). The proposal includes an internal loading area and service yard at second floor level accessed via ramp off Vauxhall Street;

4 no. pedestrian entrances are proposed to the internal circulation area serving the retail units, two at lower ground floor level (off Bridge Street and the new river walk and two at upper ground floor level (off George's Square and the public park);

The proposed development also includes demolition of all existing structures on site (including one apartment dwelling over barber shop), realignment and regrading of the River Bracken; provision of a new riverside walkway; internal and external bicycle parking spaces, landscaping and all associated site development works.

It is also proposed to undertake off-site works on Fingal County Council owned land in conjunction with the proposed development;
Vauxhall Street: a) realign the northern end of the street to the east (into lands owned by the applicant) forming new junction with Dublin Street, b) construct part of the proposed development on the land occupied by the extinguished section of the street, c) pedestrianise the northern end of the realigned street (thus closing the street to traffic), d) widen the lower section of the street commencing at junction with Dublin Street (including shared surface, cycle lane, public footpath and turning area) involving a strip of land from the public park to facilitate vehicular access.
Bridge Street: Upgrade public footpath to front of proposed development including new tree planting.
Public Park: Landscaping works to the northern portion of the public park adjacent to the proposed development including a) enhancement of the Mill Walk and b) works to the River Bracken involving the provision of a pond feature to address flood storage.

Bluetonic

Is there really a need for two such developments so close together?

The height of the development on Heenys field is too large.

sirpsycho

look at the height of that place beside the station and the height of the place at spicers. it's sickening to see what the so called planners are doing to the town. i'm all for development but there seems to be no thought put into planning in the brig.

Fingleberries

there seems to be no thought put into planning in the brig.

Never a truer word spoken ... It's amazing, too, how developers or builders manage to make some mistakes (like accidentally building certain buildings too tall, and then 'sure it's already there, we might as well leave it).

As well as that they're trying to build to create a demand, without a thought or care about fitting it in with local infrastructure, or the environment. The thing beside the station shouldn't have been allowed to go so big - particularly near the viaduct (a key landmark in the town). Then there's the empty building beside Super Valu - should they not have had to at least try to blend it in with the rest of the area? It's not a city we're building in where every building has to be all glass and shiny with a boat load of flats. Now, it's left empty - because no one wants to move into it.

The 'retail park' beside Wavin is still empty, months later.

Now they want to build another massive yoke in the middle of the town.

0% planning in the town. Must try harder.

clg23

You have to wonder how they get permission for these developments, If you or I had land around the town you can be sure that you would find it difficult to get any sort of planning permission for a single house

Bluetonic

clg23 wrote: »

You have to wonder how they get permission for these developments, If you or I had land around the town you can be sure that you would find it difficult to get any sort of planning permission for a single house

Object to it.

It's a joke that there is to be provisions for 500+ car parking spaces. The town already experiences heavy traffic in this area.

I find it hard to believe that any town planners would allow the proposed access route from Vauxhall Lane from Texaco to the site, the road requires chopping into the side of the existing park. This is a road which possibly has less than 50 cars traverse it daily, I wonder what the newly proposed throughput would be, including deliveries etc.., 1000? 2000? 3000? cars daily?

The height of the development which will have it overlook Clonard Street, Georges Square, Bridge Street and Dublin Street by up to and over 3 times the existing building height. It is absolutely ignorant to the towns exiting roof levels on those streets.

All the documentation is available online now and to be honest after having a quick browse of it I feel sick.

Millbank developments, HKR Architects and all involved with this planning application should be ashamed with themselves. When they all have made a quick buck from raping Balbriggan we will all be stuck with this development.

I await with anticipation FCCs response to this application - which consider they sold 1/4 of this site to one of the people who will benefit most from it for 225k in April of this year - I'm not expecting much.