Planning precedent report

PROTECTED STRUCTURE & RETENTION: Retention permission for development on lands (c.0.09ha) at Nos. 12b (a Protected Structure) and 12c Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1. The development will consist of modifications to development previously permitted under Reg. Ref. 3660/16 (PL29N.248832) at Nos. 12b and 12c Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1. The modifications for retention permission consist of (a) First Floor Terrace reconfiguration to include enclosed fire escape stair; (b) ground floor beer garden of 16sqm omitted to allow fire escape and waste service area at this level; (c) relocation of internal lift within 12b Abbey Street; (d) New opening and jib door treatment at first floor level of 12b for fire safety purposes; (e) first floor bar counter at 12b Abbey Street made straight; (f) Relocation of disabled toilet from ground floor of 12b to first floor toilet area in 12c with associated alterations in toilet layout, the ground floor area previously identified as disabled toilet will become part of the customer area at this level; (g) relocation of platform lift at 12b to link area; (h) fire lobby added to bin storey at ground floor level; (i) fire lobby added at the bottom of basement stair; (j) fire escape stair to the rear of 12c Abbey Street Lower removed; (k) provision of c.8.2sqm of outdoor seating area at front of 12c Abbey Street Lower; and (l) Reconfiguration of internal escape stairway of 12c to provide wheelchair refuge with water tanks relocated from basement level to beneath stairs at ground floor level.

The proposed development comprises of the following elements: 1) Block D the installation of a c.0.800m x 1.658m internally illuminated sign on the ground floor fascia of the entrance to Block D facing the garden courtyard. 2) Block A and Abbey Street Lower - the removal of 'Talking Heads' sculptures, currently located on the pavement outside the front of the building (to be relocated elsewhere within the Irish Life Centre), the installation of 4 concrete planters of varying size on the pavement outside the front of building, replacement of existing paving with new precast concrete paving to match the main Irish Life plaza, the installation of a c.0.916m x 1.900m internally illuminated sign on the fascia at ground floor level, and affixing two small signs (c. 550mm x 265mm each) to the interior of the glazing of the main doors facing Abbey Street Lower. 3) All of the preceding to include associated ancillary development and site works above and below ground.

PROTECTED STRUCTURE: Permission for development at No. 10 Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1 which comprises one unit of permitted retail use. The development will consist of the installation of an ATM Machine within the existing shop front to the south elevation. 10 Abbey Street Lower is listed in Dublin City Council's Record of Protected Structures - Ref 4.

PROTECTED STRUCTURE: Planning permission sought for provision of Off-Licence (2.6sqm), subsidiary to the main retail use.

The development will consist of the replacement of the existing telephone kiosks with a new Telephone Kiosk with integral communication unit and a 1.53sq.metre digital advertising display. The proposed structure has an overall height 2.43m, a depth of 0.762m and a width 1.096m.

PROTECTED STRUCTURE: Permission for development on a site of c.0.55 ha comprising "Mercantile Building", 26-27 Eden Quay, Dublin 1; Abbey Street Old and part of the extension to Scots Church, Abbey Street, Dublin 1. The site is bounded generally by Eden Quay to the south, Abbey Street to the north, the Wiley Fox Public House, 28 Eden Quay to the east and Koomo, 25 Eden Quay to the west. The existing Mercantile Building is a protected structure (Ref. No. 2492). Scots Church is also a protected structure (Ref. No. 6). The application comprises the conservation, modification and extension of the Mercantile Building to accommodate a new VHI Healthcare screening clinic providing consultation rooms, reception and office space. To the rear of the Mercantile Building a new 5 storey office extension over basement is proposed facing onto Abbey Street Old to provide an extension to VHI Healthcare Office Headquarters with connectivity between the existing and new offices provided at ground floor level across Abbey Street Old (with associated public realm improvements) and also via a new pedestrian glazed link bridge at second floor level. The connection to the existing offices will necessitate modifications to permitted development Reg. Ref. 1546/08 (as extended under Ref. 1546/08/x1(including provision of new accesses. Permission is also sought for lighting and signage to the Mercantile building, the extension, the public realm and the existing building. All other site development and services works as required to enable the development of the site.