An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) has approved plans for a controversial paid parking barrier system at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in west Dublin, despite strong opposition from local representatives and residents.
The commission has given the go-ahead for the proposed ‘Mobility Enhancement Project’, which includes the introduction of a commercial car parking management system and a new paid parking regime.
In its decision, ACP concluded that the proposals would not worsen existing traffic conditions at the shopping centre or have a negative impact on the residential or visual amenities of the surrounding area.
It also found that the controlled parking measures would not detract from the vitality or viability of Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.
The commission said the scheme would provide a “balanced approach” to car parking by using parking management as a demand-control measure to encourage more sustainable forms of transport, while continuing to meet the needs of businesses and the local community.
It also determined that the development would not seriously or disproportionately affect the amenities of the area or nearby properties.
Fingal County Council approved the plans last November, but the decision was subsequently appealed to ACP in three separate cases.
Among those who lodged appeals were People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger, along with Fingal County Councillors Helen Redwood and John Burtchaell.
Labour councillor John Walsh also appealed the decision, while Luke Daly and Jack O’Reilly submitted a joint appeal.
The proposals prompted local protests at the shopping centre last year, while 28 parties lodged observations with ACP in support of the appeals. They included Fine Gael TD Emer Currie and a number of local residents’ associations.
However, the ACP inspector assigned to the case, Darragh Ryan, found that the introduction of controlled parking could reasonably be considered a way of managing demand for private car travel and parking within an established Major Town Centre.
In the appeal lodged by Ms Coppinger, planning consultant Brendan Buck of BPS Planning and Development Consultants argued that the scheme would not, in the long term, reduce reliance on private cars or enhance the existing urban environment.
He also claimed that the introduction of paid parking barriers could restrict access to community facilities, including the library and leisure centre, as well as essential retail services for lower-income residents, workers and vulnerable groups in Dublin 15.
Mr Walsh argued separately that the proposals failed to recognise the wider community and strategic importance of Blanchardstown Centre.
Meanwhile, Mr Daly and Mr O’Reilly pointed to a petition containing almost 9,000 signatures as evidence of significant public concern over the plans.
Strategic Value Partners acquired the Blanchardstown Town Centre lands from Goldman Sachs in late 2024 for a reported €600 million.
Planning consultants for the company, Blanche Retail Nominee Ltd, previously told Fingal County Council that the Mobility Enhancement Project was intended to build on recent upgrades to the centre, strengthen its position internationally and support its integration with BusConnects.
