The DAA has obtained planning approval for a major new staff car park near Dublin Airport, providing space for 950 vehicles.
The airport authority succeeded in overturning Fingal County Council’s August 2024 refusal after winning an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála, reports Breaking News.
The planned surface car park will be located on a 4.26-hectare site in Harristown, Co Dublin, close to the existing holiday blue long-term parking area on the airport’s perimeter.
Fingal County Council had rejected the proposal on three separate grounds, including that it was premature given other planned infrastructure upgrades on lands at Dublin Airport, reports Breaking News.
Council planners argued the development should not proceed without necessary improvements to the local road network, as well as better pedestrian, cycling, and public transport connections.
They also found that the proposal would breach zoning rules, as the site is designated for “general employment” use, reports Breaking News.
In response to the appeal, Fingal County Council maintained it did not support the need for a new car park on a greenfield site to replace parking spaces displaced by developments such as Terminal 2.
The council also said the DAA had not provided sufficient data on current parking usage or staff working patterns to justify additional spaces, reports Breaking News.
In its appeal, the DAA expressed strong disappointment with the refusal, describing the car park as essential transport infrastructure.
It argued there is a clear need for safe, dedicated, and high-quality parking for staff, particularly those working late or outside standard hours, reports Breaking News.
The DAA highlighted that only 17 per cent of its employees work a typical 9-to-5 schedule.
It also noted that 40 per cent of staff already commute using alternatives to private cars, reports Breaking News.
“It is also deeply frustrating to have to appeal yet again another decision of the planning authority that flies in the face of significant legislative and policy support at national, regional and local level to safeguard the operational requirements and needs of Dublin Airport,” the DAA remarked.
The company criticised council planners for not recognising the level of staff parking required at an airport handling up to 32 million passengers annually, reports Breaking News.
It further stated that the new facility would not increase the total number of staff parking spaces, as this is restricted under conditions tied to the Terminal 2 planning permission.
The DAA also dismissed claims that there is an excess of staff parking at the airport, reports Breaking News.
It added that the council failed to consider its cooperation with Dublin Airport, the National Transport Authority, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, which supports the concept of remote staff parking to reduce pressure on public transport.
In its decision, An Coimisiún Pleanála said the development would keep overall staff parking numbers within limits set out in the Dublin Airport local area plan, reports Breaking News.
The Commission concluded that a car park located away from the main campus and served by shuttle buses would not conflict with the site’s “general employment” zoning.
It said the project would support sustainable employment at Dublin Airport and strengthen its role as a secondary hub by easing demand on the main campus, improving international connectivity and competitiveness, reports Breaking News.
Subject to certain planning conditions, the Commission found that the development would not negatively affect traffic safety or convenience during either construction or operation.
It also determined there would be no adverse effects on airport operations or public health, reports Breaking News.
The Commission further concluded that the project would not harm the visual character or amenities of the surrounding area.
However, it imposed a seven-year time limit on the permission to allow for a review of the facility and future demand, taking into account expected improvements in public transport such as Bus Connects and the Metrolink, reports Breaking News.
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