Dublin People - Board grants hearing into Ballsbridge applications

Home

News

Latest News

Board grants hearing into Ballsbridge applications

Friday, 20 June 2008

An Bord Pleanála has granted an oral hearing into the planning application for Sean Dunne’s towering 37-storey development in Ballsbridge.
The board has also decided to hold an oral hearing on the nearby former veterinary college site in Ballsbridge, which includes plans for a 15-storey apartment block.
In March the planning appeals board granted planning permission for a large part of Mr Dunne’s proposed redevelopment of the Jury’s Berkeley Court site in Ballsbridge which he acquired for e380 million.
Dublin City Council has already granted permission for a 232-bedroom hotel, a district shopping centre, 294 apartments, an embassy building, cultural centre and a crèche.
The planning permission granted for the development includes an 18-storey building fronting onto Shelbourne Road. However, the controversial 37-storey tower planned by Dunne for the site was not granted after a split decision.
An office block planned for the site was also rejected. After the local authority’s decision Dunne said that development would not commence on the site until the two omitted buildings had been granted permission, either through An Bord Pleanála or Dublin City Council in a later planning application.
Councillors advised planners to reject his application on the grounds that in their view the 37-storey tower, and several other tall buildings on the site including the 18-storey block, were out of keeping with the residential area.
The board said it has received 127 appeals, at a cost of e220 to each appellant in relation to Mr Dunne's plans, which have been the cause of significant controversy in the Ballsbridge area.
Dublin City Council also granted planning permission last February to developer Ray Grehan for the 40,000sq m complex of shops, offices, an arts centre and 109 apartments on the veterinary college site adjoining the Jury’s/Berkeley Court site owned by Seán Dunne.
Local councillors had recommended that the planners not grant permission for the development on the basis of its height, although its tallest structure is less than half the height of the 37-storey tower sought by Mr Dunne.
Damien Cassidy of the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group, which appealed the decision to the board, welcomed the decision to hold the hearings.
“It is a very wise decision by An Bord Pleanála given that both plans involve the transformation of a quiet Ballsbridge village - which has been known for centuries as a low rise and quaint part of the city - into a Manhattan type development,” he said.
“If this starts in Ballsbridge it will run its way right throughout the city no matter what area you are talking about. We are not going to be able to recognise the city of Dublin if this type of development goes ahead.”
The council’s ‘Maximising the City's Potential’ document, which relates to building height and density, points out that the planner's decision on the Jury’s Berkeley Court site noted that it was the planning authority's strong view that ''a landmark building of architectural excellence is required'' at that location.

'We wanted life for life'

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Paul Hickey, who is originally from Darndale, appeared before a Spanish court last week, where he was found guilty of the charge of homicidio - a lesser offence than murder - for the brutal death...
+ Full Story

Disabled waiting months for lift repair

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Parts that are needed to ensure the operation of the lift at the John Paul II Park Sports Complex are in transit from Canada to Ireland, according to Dublin City Council. Following complaints...
+ Full Story

Education cuts may force pupils out

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

St Vincent’s School in Glasnevin is facing a future of uncertainty as it assesses the knock-on effect of the cost cutting measures. Principal Tim Hurley explained how the all-boys’...
+ Full Story

Locals pull together to bring David home

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

David Cahill suffered a severe panic attack, which triggered a massive heart attack, on the first day of his holiday in Crete on September 27. Doctors believed he suffered brain damage as a result...
+ Full Story