Press Release: Dún Laoghaire 17 October 2006

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17 October 2006
 
Green Party welcomes decision to refuse Tara Towers Skyscraper

 

 The Green Party has welcomed Dublin City Council’s decision to reject the planning application at the Tara Towers site for a 25 storey skyscraper. 

Green Party TD for Dún Laoghaire Ciarán Cuffe said “I am relieved that Dublin City Council has turned down this planning application. I think that the scale of the proposed development was completely inappropriate for the site.   

“At a public meeting on this planning application organised by the Green Party back in September, local residents from Dornden Park, Bellevue Court and Trimleston Avenue expressed their total disbelief that such an enormous building could be placed in the middle of a low density residential area. 

“The developer may now appeal this decision to An Bord Pleanála.  We sincerely hope that the Bord will uphold the decision made by Dublin City Council.”  

Local Green Party Councillor Nessa Childers said “This development was right on the border with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County and would have had major implications for those living in the county. We organised our meeting and appealed to Dublin City Council to reject this Planning Application out of hand.   

 “One of the problems arising from this planning application is that residents and political representatives of one local authority area are so distant from decision made by their neighbouring local authority. I have asked the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Manager to look into ways in ways in which consultation and communication across local authority boundaries could be improved, in particular in relation to major planning issues.”

A copy of Ciarán Cuffe’s submission to Dublin City Council opposing the development is attached.   

15 September 2006

The Dublin City Planning Officer

Dublin City Council

Civic Offices, Wood Quay

Dublin 8 

Observation re. Planning Application 4653/06 Tara Towers Hotel and nos. 221,219,217,215,213,211,209,207,205 Merrion Road (inclusive of Llandaff Terrace and Llandaff House and St. Columcille's House) at Merrion Road and Bellevue Avenue, Dublin 4. Applicant Radora Developments Ltd 

Dear Sir, 

I write to request that this Planning Application be refused permission as it is premature pending the completion of a building height study by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.   

Overlooking

The proposed development would significantly overlook existing homes at Dornden Park, Bellevue Court and Trimleston Avenue, and would reduce the level of amenity offered to the existing residents. 

Traffic

This proposal would bring a significant increase in traffic to the area. I note that the applicant proposes the addition of a third traffic lane to the Rock Road. This would cause immediate difficulties to pedestrians crossing the road, and to cyclists. The Mobility Management plan is inadequate. It contains proposals for orbital rail and fare discounts, and for a shuttle bus to the Luas. These traffic proposals should be grounded in reality, and appear to be unenforceable. In addition the junctions at the Rock Road and Merrion Road and the Rock Road and Strand Road are already near capacity. This proposal would place more cars on roads that are not designed to handle this amount of traffic. 

Amenity

The development would cause a dramatic and abrupt change in the character of this residential area that is predominantly low-rise in character. Placing a building that would be 107 metres tall (half the height of the Pigeon House chimneys, and taller than the O’Connell Street Spire) beside two story homes would dramatically change the quality of peoples’ lives.

Drawing presentation

It is exceedingly difficult to assess this Planning Application as the drawing titles are hidden in the fold. This is a significant deficiency and makes it difficult for professionals and practically impossible for the layperson to understand the building proposal for this site. 

Built Heritage

Llandaff Terrace is a residential conservation area. It is odd that the properties were not fully inspected and assessed prior to a proposal for demolition. I note that the proposed development would have a negative impact on the nearby Protected Structures. 

I welcome the lower energy use proposals within the application but suggest that they be presented in more detail in order that they can be adequately assessed.  

I enclose a cheque for twenty Euro and ask that you acknowledge this submission in writing.

Sincerely,

Ciarán Cuffe TD