LDA says it's moving swiftly to improve access to Clongriffin Dart station via Dirty Old Tower

The Land Development Agency (LDA) has given Fingal County Council a commitment to prioritise the construction of a new access into Clongriffin Dart station for residents of Baldoyle and The Coast.

In a letter to the council, sent on Friday, 6 June, Phelim O’Neill, the LDA’s director of development, set out the agency’s strategy for replacing the dirty old tower outside the station.

This plan comes after the LDA bought the 125-acre site on the eastern side of the Dart station from developer Richmond Homes back in March.

The land purchased by the LDA has existing planning permission for 1,931 homes, as well as creche facilities and commercial units, according to the LDA’s website.

Following the purchase, the LDA appointed a design team to build a permanent replacement for the ricketty temporary access point, O’Neill’s letter says.

On 28 May, local councillors met with the LDA and National Transport Authority (NTA) to request that the agency carefully consider a phasing strategy to make sure that Stapolin Square – the small plaza outside the tower – is delivered at the earliest opportunity, O’Neill wrote.

Back in October, the developer Shoreline Partnership was given permission by Fingal County Council to change the phasing, moving the construction of housing ahead of the delivery of the public square and transport infrastructure.

That move prompted environmental charity, Friends of the Irish Environment, to take a judicial review against the council, arguing that it had made a mistake in allowing the developer to change the order of works without an amendment to the planning permission.

But the LDA has changed the phasing again, O’Neill’s letter says.

Now, the public amenities will be delivered at the same time as a large portion of housing on the site.

O’Neill, in the letter, said the LDA will start building 279 homes on the southern side of the site as soon as possible – at the same time as they work on Stapolin Square.

But, before the occupation of any other houses on the site, besides those 279 on the southern side, Stapolin Square will be completed and opened, he wrote.

While there is currently planning approval for these works, an amendment will be needed to ensure that Stapolin Square can provide universal access up to the station, O’Neill said.

At the same time, O’Neill confirmed, they will replace the sewage pumping station and develop Haggard Park, a small 1.5-hectare park, which will include a multi-game use area, a skate park, playground, fitness area and walking trails, according to the LDA website.

Meanwhile, the NTA is currently procuring a replacement lift within the tower, O’Neill’s said. “In support of this, the LDA have increased security measures and on site presence to minimise the misuse of the lift.”

Since November 2023, locals have been frustrated with how Richmond Homes limited use of the tower to between the hours of 5.30am to 12.45am.

But, as of Monday, 9 June, the LDA confirmed that these hours will be extended, with the tower now open from 4am to 1am.

While the letter wasn’t discussed in the chamber at the full council meeting on Monday evening, it was noted by councillors.