Proposal for 10-Storey Clontarf Apartments Denied Amid Local Amenity Concerns

A proposal for a 10-storey residential building on Clontarf’s waterfront has been turned down following serious concerns about height, traffic, and neighbourhood amenity.

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The development would have contained 78 apartments across the site at 88–90 Hornibrook Esplanade and 20–24 Lane Street, covering about 2,700 square metres. Although the design stepped down to seven storeys in parts, its peak height was nearly 36.9 metres — significantly higher than the planning scheme’s 21-metre guideline.

One of the key issues was access. Vehicle entry was planned via Lane Street instead of Hornibrook Esplanade, raising worries that the local road network would be unable to safely absorb increased traffic. Councillors raised specific concerns about parking congestion and line-of-sight on nearby streets.

Members of the public who submitted on the application also flagged a range of problems, including waste management, flooding risk, and how the proposed building would affect the character of the area. Some pointed to a lack of clarity in the public notification process.

Council officers had recommended the application be approved, noting the benefits of increased housing density on the peninsula. However, several councillors argued the building’s scale went too far beyond what was acceptable, given its context. Altogether, councillors voted 6–5 against the proposal.

One councillor noted that neighbouring buildings already exceed the 21-metre limit, but said that did not justify a further departure. Another warned that allowing such a project could create a precedent for taller developments in Clontarf, potentially shifting the character of the waterfront.

On the other side, some councillors defended the development, citing the importance of accommodating more housing in strategic, well-located places. They argued that building up could preserve green space elsewhere and help meet ongoing housing demand.

The vote leaves the application as currently designed halted. While the proponents may need to re-evaluate the design or access strategy, no revised application has been detailed publicly, nor has a new proposal been announced.

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For the Clontarf community, the decision underscores the balance that must be struck between growth and maintaining the low-to-medium-rise character of the area. Traffic, parking, building height and site access remain central issues in any future development discussion for the waterfront.

Published 19-November-2025