Security gates for student estate ‘in fear’

New security gates are to be erected at a student village in Ballybane – where the operators have reported residents are living in fear of violence and intimidation.

An Bord Pleanála has ignored the recommendations of one of its own inspectors and approved the erection of the new gates and a security hut.

Last year, Glasán Management Company Ltd – which is controlled by the Kenny Group – applied for permission for the new measures and said the “majority” of the 730 residents there were affected by problems there.

In a letter to the City Council, management said: “The security issues whereby non-residents enter the estate late at night continues to affect the safety and wellbeing of Glasán residents and causing damage to property.

“In more serious instances, Glasán residents have suffered fear, danger and injury and have been victims of violence, intimidation and threats.

“It has become apparent that this is not an issue that can be dealt with by employing security personnel alone,” it read.

The management company also “strongly urged” the Council to consider the plans for security gate “to ensure a more serious incident occurring is prevented”.

However, city planners subsequently rejected the application, ruling that the erection of gates to a residential development would be contrary to Development Plan policy.

They also said there would be traffic and pedestrian safety issues caused by the stacking of vehicles on the Ballybane Road and would inhibit access for emergency services, as well as creating noise.

The decision was subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanála by the applicants who pointed out the gates would be open for 19 hours per day, and that there would otherwise be a loss of amenity to residents because of antisocial behaviour.

They also argued that it is not reasonable that the management company would have to employ sufficient personnel to prevent groups of non-residents entering, and other gated student complexes around the country are gated.

Planning inspector Stephen Kay recommended the Board uphold the Council’s decision on the grounds it would lead to a traffic hazard on the Ballybane Road, and would lead to noise because of congregation of people and vehicles at the gate.

However, the Board refused to accept the Inspector’s recommendation ruling: “It is considered the proposal would be likely to improve management of the estate and, therefore, to improve residential amenity to the area … the setback from the main road is considered sufficient to prevent any significant adverse traffic impacts.”

They ordered that the gates can only be closed from 11pm to 4am, and must be manned during these hours, and that the barrier be maintained so that it does not give rise to a noise nuisance.

According to management, security at the complex in 2014 cost just over €100,000 – a figure described as “financially onerous and unreasonable”.

There are a total of 179 residential units in the estate, with a capacity for 732 students – although the obligation to let the units to GMIT students expired in 2010 in the Section 50 Tax Relief scheme under which they were built.