Thursday 18 September 2008

Dunne tower - Examiner

MORE than 5,000 permanent jobs would be created if the 37-storey tower building proposed by property developer Sean Dunne gets the go-ahead, a Bord Pleanála oral hearing was told yesterday.

Dublin City Council granted planning permission for the greater part of the development last March but rejected the 37-storey centre piece on grounds of excessive height.

The authority approved the development of 294 apartments, a 232-bedroom hotel, a shopping centre, embassy buildings, a cultural centre and crèche.

Chartered planning consultant Marion Chalmers said the effects of these jobs and the income that would stem from them would generate about €400 million per annum.

She said Dublin City Council’s suggestion of removing office space from the development plan put forward by Mr Dunne would result in the loss of about 1,373 jobs and the loss of nearly €172m a year to the city’s economy.

As regards social and community benefits arising from the proposed project, Ms Chalmers said about three acres of lands would be given back to the city, with a minimum of 30 crèche places at a subsidised rate for low-income households.

In addition there would be provision for a community centre in neighbouring Ringsend; relandscaping of Lansdowne Road; a new pedestrian bridge over the River Dodder; and a €5m contribution to other local amenities.

David Slattery, an architect and historic buildings consultant, told the hearing that Jurys Hotel had no streetscape quality; Carrisbrook House, adjacent to the development site, must be the ugliest building in Dublin; and Landsdowne House looked tired and outdated.

He added that the proposed development would not adversely affect the setting of the Victorian houses on Lansdowne Road.

The hearing was told the project includes provision for 1,316 car parking spaces — 804 dedicated residential. There would also be a completely new way of car parking in the capital through a fully automated car-stacking system for 549 cars, which could be used for infrequent car usage and car storage.

Irish Examiner

www.buckplanning.ie

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