Save a Swords heritage landmark from demolition

An Bord Pleanála refused the previous application, in 2020 noting the following issues with the proposal:

1. The Board is not satisfied, in light of potential flood risk, and on the basis of the information provided with the application, including the Natura Impact Statement, that the proposed development individually, or in combination with other plans or projects would not adversely affect the integrity of European sites Malahide Estuary Special Protection Area (site code 004025) and Malahide Estuary Special Area of Conservation (site code 000205), in view of the sites’ conservation objectives. In such circumstances the Board is precluded from granting permission.
2. Having regard to the use of a bespoke river flood model rather than the Office of Public Works Fingal East Meath Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (FEMFRAMS) model in the Site Specific Flood Risk Assessment submitted with the application, to the location of all of Block B and part of Block A within flood Zones A or B as per FEMFRAMS mapping, and to the extent of the differences in design flows between the FEMFRAMS and the Site Specific Flood Risk Assessment, the Board is not satisfied that the proposal has been subject to an appropriate flood risk assessment that would satisfy criterion number 2 of the Justification Test for development management set out in section 5.15 of the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines issued by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in November 2009. A grant of permission would, therefore, be contrary to those guidelines and would be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area. ABP-306771-20 Board Order Page 4 of 4
3. It is considered that the proposed development does not achieve several key objectives of the Swords Masterplan 2009, with specific reference to:
   1. the preservation of views from Swords Main Street of St. Columba’s Church and Round Tower to the north of the site,
   2. a successful interaction with Swords Main Street and the creation of a public space at this location, and
   3. the creation of a linkage from Swords Main Street to Ward River Valley Park. In addition, due to its design and layout at the northern end of the site, the development does not achieve a satisfactory interface with the Ward River Valley Park and, due to its design, does not achieve a satisfactory interface with Church Road. The development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.