Locals and councillors are worried that a 5,000 year old neolitic tomb portal in Cabinteely will be "ruined" by plans for over 500 build-to-rent apartments.
The scheme by Cairn Homes Properties Ltd is across eight blocks with one block up to 10 storeys in height on a site at Winterbrook and Barrington Tower on Brennanstown Road in Cabinteely Dublin 18.
The scheme is made up of 30 studios, 135 one-bed units, 318 two-bed units and 51 three-bed units. It has been described being of a "very high quality design" and with "ready access to amenities" such as resident lounges, entertainment space and public transport.
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The dolmen, which is also known as the Brennanstown Dolmen is a protected national monument on private land in the Glendruid Valley and is the country's 10th largest dolmen, it is believed to date from around 4000BC, while its capstone is estimated to weigh 50 tonnes
The Glendruid Dolmen Public Group (GDPG) which has 1,300 members recently told An Bord Pleanala that such a large-scale development would negatively affect the nearby landmark.
In their objection against the scheme, they said it “would be completely inappropriate and a stain on urban planning in Ireland”.
Speaking to Dublin Live, one local resident Jim said that if the apartments go ahead it would ruin the much-loved heritage site.
He said: "This portal tomb is a piece of our natural heritage stretching back over 5,000 years, it's here long before us and we want it to still be here long after us. I think these new apartments would ruin the site, between the construction works and the traffic, it would be a disaster."
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Meanwhile local activist Denis Madden said that the SHD is "inappropriate" for the area from a biodiversity point of view.
He said: "We don't think it is appropriate, it would be like putting a wall up at the end of the valley. and we would not support it. It would be like putting up a 10-storey block next to Newgrange, it's a very special valley and we're keen on preserving and protecting it."
Meanwhile, Independent Cllr Hugh Lewis said that he also has reservations about plans for the new apartments close to the site of the dolmen.
He said: "It's really important, people are very active around the dolmen and people are making a lot of noise about it. The SHD would cause problems right across the board."
He said: "The whole area is fascinating, we're hoping it will be resolved and that An Bord Pleanala will reject this SHD."
In his submission, Cllr Lewis described the SHD as being "inappropriate in its density" and that it will have an "adverse effect on the unique characteristics of the Brennanstown Road."
Over 20 objections have been submitted so far including from People Before Profit Cllr Melisa Halpin and TD Richard Boyd Barrett who have voiced their concern to an Bord Pleanala that the 10-story proposal is just 200 metres away from the tomb.
In their submission, they described the Glendruid Dolmen as being "one of the most significant of its type in the country" and that the SHD poses a "severe and unacceptable threat to this precious and irreplaceable rich environment”.
A decision is due on the scheme in August.
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