SEÁN DUNNE'S high-rise plans for Ballsbridge are "excessive in terms of height, scale and bulk" and would have an adverse effect on the character of the area, the Department of the Environment has said.
The department's senior architect, Dr Frederick O'Dwyer, told the Bord Pleanála hearing into Mr Dunne's plans for the site of the former former Jurys and Berkeley Court hotels that the 37-storey tower was unsuitable for the site and the scheme in general was "excessively high".
The department supported the decision of Dublin City Council to reject the 37-storey tower, which Mr Dunne wants An Bord Pleanála to reinstate, but questioned its decision to grant planning permission to other tall buildings in the scheme.
"However, we are concerned that a number of the blocks of varying heights up to 18 storeys which have been granted permission are excessively high for this location," Dr O'Dwyer said.
The development would have an adverse effect on the character and setting of a "large number" protected structures in the immediate vicinity of the site and would "seriously unbalance" the architectural character of the area, he said.
The department acknowledged the need to redevelop the site which consisted of "dated" apartment and hotel blocks. However, Dr O'Dwyer said the appropriate building height for the location was just eight-10 storeys.
Fine Gael councillor Paddy McCartan told the hearing that a large number of the 90 appellants who were supporting Mr Dunne's application were family, friends and colleagues of the developer.
The Fine Gael councillor, who was making a submission on behalf of Fine Gael TD Lucinda Creighton, said that Mr Dunne's supporters had a right to make appeals but he added that they would have been "a lot more honest" if they had been open about their connections.
Mr McCartan said he and Ms Creighton had organised a public meeting to discuss the development, but supporters of Mr Dunne who attended had intimidated and threatened local people.
"It was obvious to many residents attending that this was an orchestrated attempt to disrupt and physically intimidate those opposed to the development," he said.
Mr Dunne's legal representative, Micheál O'Connell, told the hearing that Mr McCartan's allegations were "completely untrue and without foundation".
Mr McCartan had been permitted to address the hearing on Ms Creighton's behalf, but had used the occasion to express his own views, Mr O'Connell said. The submission was defamatory and was an attempt to damage the credibility and good name and reputation of Mr Dunne.
He asked the board's inspector, Tom Rabbette, to strike it from the record.
Mr Rabbette said he would consider Mr O'Connell's request.
The Irish Times
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