It was claimed development on land between two main runways would lead to creation of 350 jobs
DA Terminal 3 Ltd had sought planning permission for four aviation-related cargo-handling units to operate on a 24/7 basis, plus ancillary office space on the 30-acre site at Huntstown, Swords.
The landbank is situated between the two main runways at the airport.
Today’s News in 90 – Tuesday January 13
The proposed units had a combined floor area of 34,623 sq m, and it was said the scheme, when operational, would employ 350 people, comprising 200 warehouse jobs and 150 office jobs.
A planning report lodged by CWPA Planning & Architecture in support of the application said this was intended to be the first phase of development on a 123.5-acre site owned by DA Terminal 3 Ltd. The long-term proposals included the development of a third terminal for Dublin Airport.
However, Fingal council has refused planning permission on five grounds, including that the scheme might in fact prejudice the development of such a terminal.
It pointed out that the development site is proximate to lands west of runway 16/34 indicated in the Dublin Airport Local Area Plan as a potential location for a third terminal.
The council said it was not satisfied that the proposed development would not prejudice the orderly operation and continued growth of the airport including the provision of a western access route.
It concluded that the proposed development “is piecemeal and developer-led and fails to present a comprehensive and cohesive approach in ensuring sustainable growth at the airport is safeguarded”.
Dublin Airport. Stock image. Photo: Getty
Dublin Airport operator DAA had raised a number of concerns over the proposal. In a submission it made to Fingal County Council, DAA said the proposal was for a land-side logistics facility benefiting from airport proximity only. It also raised concerns over rights of way, integration with Dublin Airport, safety, traffic, wildlife hazard and site lighting.
Another reason given by the council for refusing permission is that the proposal does not relate to “air transport infrastructure – cargo handling” or airport-related logistics and is therefore not permitted under this land zoning use and would contravene materially the development objective in the Fingal Development Plan for the zoning of land as “Dublin Airport”.
The council also ruled that, due to its design, the proposed development would dominate the landscape and failed to reflect the importance of arrival at an international gateway.
Planning officials also said the scheme was premature due to the absence of Uisce Éireann infrastructure in proximity to the site. A proposed private wastewater treatment system was neither applicable, appropriate, nor adequate given the scale of the proposed development.
Ulick McEvaddy first announced his intention to use the landbank to build a passenger terminal more than 25 years ago, but the scheme has always faced opposition from DAA and attracted little political support.
In 2023, the land was placed on the market for sale.
The landowners have had sporadic engagement with DAA about buying it, but failed to agree a price.
At one point Mr McEvaddy dismissed a bid of €75m as “derisory”.
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