An Bord Pleanala has turned down the retail element of the highly ambitous scheme planned for Greystones, Co Wicklow, by two of Ireland’s best known retail property developers, Sean Dunne and Sean Mulryan.
Their Zapi Properties joint venture had proposed the €1bn Charlesland scheme, to include around 20,000 sq m of retail, retail warehouses, offices, a primary school and substantial residential development, all on a 32 ha site just south of Greystones, which itself is only about 8km south of Bray.
In a split decision the planning appeals board turned down the plans for the shopping centre element of the Charlesland scheme, but allowed the other elements, including housing and office accommodation. The board said that the proposed shopping centre would have an adverse effect on retail in Greystones town centre, which is made up of mostly smaller retailers, but includes a big Tesco supermarket close to the town centre.
It said that Zapi Properties hadn’t shown that the proposed development wouldn’t have an adverse effect on the existing retail heart of the town. Previously, the developers behind the rival €2bn Pizzaro scheme in nearby Bray had made a deal with Zapi Properties that neither side would object to the other’s plans. However, this agreement collapsed and the Pizarro developers were among the objectors to the Charlesland scheme.
Much disappointment has been expressed locally over the decision. Cllr Derek Mitchell, chairman of Wicklow County Council, said that in the current economic climate, the development was unlikely to go ahead without the shopping centre. He added that the shopping centre could have brought big name retailers to Greystones. The scheme would have also created many jobs.
