Press Release: Environment 1 May 2007

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Green Party Welcomes Tara Towers High-Rise Refusal

The Green Party has welcomed the refusal of planning permission by An Bord Pleanala for a 25 storey building on the site of the Tara Towers Hotel at Booterstown in Dublin. Dublin City Council had previously refused permission for the Development by Radora Developments.

An Bord Pleanala refused the proposed development for two reasons:

1. It is considered that the proposed height building, by reason of its scale, height, bulk and location on a restricted site in close proximity to a residential suburban area of established character, would fail to comply with the planning authority’s policies in relation to high-rise buildings as set out in the current Dublin City Development Plan. Furthermore, it is considered that the proposed tower would be visually intrusive at this location alongside Dublin Bay and would set an undesirable precedent for similar development at such locations. The proposed development would, therefore, seriously injure the amenities of the area and be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

2. It is considered that the proposed high building, by reason of its excessive height and scale, would result in a prominent and overbearing form of development that would result in significant overshadowing of land ot the north, north-east and east of the site. Furthermore it is considered that the proposed development constitutes overdevelopment of a restricted sight and would result in a deficient provision of functional public open space to cater for future occupants of the residential component scheme. The proposed development would, therefore, seriously injure the residential amenities of adjoining property and of future occupants of the development and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Green Party Planning spokesperson and TD for Dún Laoghaire Ciarán Cuffe stated:

“I’m very pleased with this decision. It doesn’t make sense to place such a tall building immediately beside a settled residential area of two storey-houses. I made submissions to both Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanala about this proposal, and I welcome the outcome. Many local residents also made their views known to the City Council and to the Board and this is truly a victory for people power.

 “I am all in favour of higher density development, but this proposal was literally over the top. The Green Party favours proper planning. This means that local communities must be properly consulted before sky-scrapers are proposed on their door-step. I’d happily welcome a face-lift or the replacement of the existing building, but not with a building that would be four times the height of the existing hotel.

“The Green Party has published a Dublin Bay Bill that will ensure that a master-plan is prepared for the lands around the Bay before this type of planning applications is considered. I look forward to bringing this Bill before the next Dail, as part of a proper debate about what is appropriate along the shoreline of Dublin Bay.”