Thursday 7 February 2008

12-storey tower beside Hopstore approved by council

Developer Frank Flynn has been granted planning permission subject to 30 conditions by Dublin City Council for a controversial high-rise, mixed-use development beside the Guinness brewery in Dublin 8.

The development, at the corner of Bellevue Street and School Street and beside the Guinness Hopstore, will have 81 apartments in four blocks.

Part of the plan by Flynn's development company, Linham Ltd, is for a 12-storey tower on the corner of Bellevue Street and School Street. It also includes an 11-storey tower on School Street, a central nine-storey block and a six-storey block along Bellevue Street and a six-storey building parallel to School Street.

The scheme will involve the demolition of St Catherine's school and part of a shed attached to the Hopstore. Retail space of 2,536sq m (27,297sq ft) and office space of 3,334sq m (35,887sq ft) will also be provided.

An Taisce was among a number of objectors to the scheme. In a letter to the planning authority, it said the developer did not address a ruling by An Bord Pleanála on a previous scheme for the site and that the scheme needs to be revised. The new scheme does not take account of the planning board's comments on tall elements, lack of provision of civic/public space and the relationship of the scheme to the surrounding area.

Last October, An Bord Pleanála rejected a similar mixed-use scheme for 82 apartments, offices and retail space because the height would not respect the character of the surrounding historic residential area.

At the time, it said that the scheme would have a negative impact on the residential amenity of the area, as well as its local landmark, the Guinness Hopstore.

The Irish Times

www.buckplanning.ie

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