Cairn Homes Announces Revised Plans for Montrose Site, Cuts 98 Units

UPDATE: Cairn Homes is set to submit a revised planning application for its Montrose site at RTÉ, dramatically reducing its proposed apartment units from 608 to 510. This urgent move comes after feedback from An Bord Pleanála and is expected to be lodged with Dublin City Council within days.

The new application cuts 98 units from the previously approved scheme, which received the green light in July 2023. The revised proposal includes 326 two-bed apartments, 125 one-bed apartments, 51 three-bed apartments, and eight studios across eight blocks, with three blocks rising to a maximum of 10 storeys.

The original plan, which received planning permission for 608 units in nine blocks, faced significant scrutiny due to its inclusion of a controversial 16-storey tower meant for a hotel and additional apartments. That component was ultimately rejected by the appeals board, highlighting ongoing local opposition to the project.

In a significant shift, Cairn Homes is also seeking to amend two planning conditions related to the build-to-rent strategy of the development. This follows a condition imposed by An Bord Pleanála that required ownership of the build-to-rent units to remain with an institutional entity for a minimum of 15 years, preventing individual sales during this period.

Cairn Homes has already begun construction on the first phase of the development, marking a major milestone after a €107.5 million deal in June 2017 for nearly nine acres of land at RTE’s Donnybrook headquarters. The initial work includes residential construction and enabling works for future developments, focusing on Block 10, which will contain 15 residential units.

However, the new Large Scale Residential Development application is notably behind schedule. Cairn Homes had initially planned to submit the updated plans in the first quarter of 2025 to address issues related to the omitted Block 5. Despite earlier intentions to include a revised design for this block, it does not feature in the current application.

Local opposition remains a significant hurdle. Cairn Homes Montrose warned An Bord Pleanála last year of a “high risk of litigation” against any future permission, reflecting the contentious nature of the project in the community.

As Cairn Homes prepares to resubmit its plans, all eyes will be on Dublin City Council to see how they respond to this revised proposal. The outcome will not only affect the Montrose site but also shape the future of residential development in the area. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.