A number of people who oppose the scheme have now lodged separate appeals with An Coimisiún Pleanála against the planning permission for paid parking that was granted by Fingal County Council last month to Blanche Retail Nominee, the owners of the shopping centre.
Among those who have lodged an appeal is Ruth Coppinger, a People Before Profit-Solidarity TD, along with party colleagues and Fingal councillors Helen Redwood and John Burtchaell.
A separate appeal was filed by Labour councillor John Walsh and a third by Luke Daly and Jack O’Reilly. Mr Walsh, a Castleknock resident, has requested an oral hearing in the case.
In the Coppinger appeal, the three objectors have employed a planning consultant, Brendan Buck of BPS Planning and Development Consultants, to assist with their case.
Mr Buck contends that the proposal would result in all existing parking provision on site becoming a permanent, standalone revenue-generating business.
In his appeal, Mr Walsh claims that “the application creates an unnecessary and unjustifiable barrier to access to important public services, especially for older people or people with mobility difficulties”.
Mr Daly and Mr O’Reilly state that a petition with almost 9,000 signatures reflects a high level of public concern about the proposal, which they describe as premature, procedurally unsound and environmentally deficient.
Strategic Value Partners (SVP) acquired the lands at Blanchardstown Town Centre last year from Goldman Sachs for a reported price of about €600m. Goldman Sachs’ deal to buy the Blanchardstown centre from Blackstone had been cleared by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in 2020.
A spokeswoman for the centre said: “Blanchardstown Centre has committed to significantly upgrading our customer experience, with up to €60m in investment, including the development of the new 45,000 sq ft Blue Mall which will provide additional food and beverage options for visitors.”
She said the investment also includes an upgrade of car parking, wayfinding and transport facilities at Blanchardstown Centre to improve mobility and access and to reduce traffic congestion.
“It is intended that works to deliver these projects will begin early next year, followed by the introduction of paid parking in early 2027,” she said.
“We are carefully considering the impact on vulnerable customers, charity groups and regular visitors, as well as loyalty programmes and discounts to encourage repeat visits. Further details on pricing will be shared in due course.”
The centre is also promising that there will be an increased number of accessible spaces, parent-and-child, and age-friendly car park spaces, which will be “conveniently located”.
“Our planning has given significant consideration to Blanchardstown Centre staff. With the implementation of paid parking, a dedicated staff parking area will be provided for all Blanchardstown Centre staff, offered at a reduced rate,” the spokeswoman added.
“Furthermore, staff will benefit from a minimum 90-day grace period of free parking once paid parking commences in early 2027.”
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