7 October 1999 Edition

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Victory for Dublin inner-city communities

By Tara O'Liath

RESIDENTS and opponents of high-rise in Dublin's South Inner City last week celebrated victory as An Bord Pleanála refused planning permission for the proposed high rise development on Georges Quay, following a four-day hearing.

The proposed development of a cluster of glass towers, reaching a height of 73.7 metres, 15 metres higher than Liberty Hall and comprised of two interlinked apartment buildings, fitness centre, atrium, retail facilities and underground parking, was rejected on three counts.

The first was that ``the site of the proposed development is located at the edge of the historic city centre of Dublin, close to buildings and areas of architechtural heritage value''. The development would ``contravene materially'' the current Dublin City Development Plan's policies.

Secondly, regarding the height and bulk, the development would ``detrimentally affect the historic precints of the Custom House, Trinity College and Liffey Quays'' thus injuring the ``amemities of property''

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly from the local community's point of view, planning permission was refused on the grounds that the development would ``injure the amenities of residential properties in the vicinity by reason of over shadowing'', which during the many protests by the Combined Residents Association, was said to a mile and ahalf of an over shadow.

No mention in the refusal of the housing crisis or lack of affordable housing in the area but a victory is a victory, on whatever count. This is the third high rise successfully opposed by communities in this part of Dublin. What it means for the future is that at last, multi million pound developers will have to listen to the voices of those local communities that they have previously ignored.

Speaking to An Phoblacht folowing the decision, Sinn Féin representative Daithí Doolan, who was involved in the campaign, was quick to congratulate the local people of his area on this important victory. He said: ``This victory shows that residents should be of decisive importance in any planning proposals and that rigorous consideration be given to the concern of those living in areas which will be affected by such developments.''

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland