Planning precedent report

PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The development will consist of the conservation and refurbishment of the existing north wing and part of the east wing of the National Concert Hall and the Real Tennis Court building and the construction of a new four storey over basement extension with a planetarium dome to the west of the north wing at the boundary of the Iveagh Gardens. The development includes the change of use of the former UCD School of Civil Engineering to the National Children's Science Centre. The total floor area of the development is approx. 9580 sq.m. The National Concert Hall, Real Tennis Court and Iveagh House (Department of Foreign Affairs) and Iveagh Gardens, including stone garden folly are designated Protected Structures (References RPS 2425, 2426 and 7791). In order to facilitate the new extension, the following demolitions are required: - 450 sq.m two storey stone building, which houses a workshop, plant area and ancillary items; and a 120 sq.m maintenance shed located in the north western corner of the site; - A section of the boundary along the Iveagh Gardens, allowing for a new access ramp and steps into the Iveagh Gardens. - A 200 sq.m single storey lean-to structure located to the south side of the Real Tennis Court building, providing for universal access to the Real Tennis Court building. The Real Tennis Court building will be refurbished including the restoration of the tennis court (to a playable condition), and to facilitate space for temporary displays and exhibitions. Construction of a single storey structure to the south side of the Real Tennis Court building will provide universal access, and will include a lobby, toilets, tea station, stairs, lift and ancillary works. Existing windows and roof lights are to be repaired, restored and upgraded as required. The construction of a new link tunnel with a single storey glazed box roof light will connect the Real Tennis Court building to the north east corner of the National Concert Hall. The restoration and refurbishment works to the north and east wings of the former UCD School of Engineering will include a new entrance to the existing north wing, new fire doors to corridors, new lift core to link all levels and permanent interactive display spaces from basement to second floor, a gift shop, lecture theatre, science demonstration laboratory, classrooms, schools lunch area, offices, new sanitary facilities and additional ancillary accommodation. Refurbishment work will also include the restoration of existing external and internal windows and doors, upgrading of the existing roof and roof lights and all minor/ repair work. All existing plant to be removed from roof and replaced with new plant to be located on both the existing and new roof extension. The new extension will connect to the existing building through a glazed link and will include interactive display spaces, a domed planetarium, and external balcony, café, circulation cores and ancillary spaces. Additional plant, toilets and support accommodation will be housed in the basement. The external works will comprise of hard and soft landscaping, lighting, new steps and ramps to facilitate universal access to the existing north wing and Iveagh Gardens, a section of new decorative railings to Iveagh Gardens to replace the proposed section of wall to be removed 26 no. bicycle stands, new surface water attenuation, new foul connection and all associated ancillary works on a site area of circa. 0.837 hectares. The development has been screened for both Appropriate Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment.

The proposed development is to replace the existing internal advertising paper panel at the right hand side of the shelter with a digital display unit. The advertising panel on the left hand side will be removed and replaced with a transparent glass panels. The proposed new advertising unit has an overall height of 2.162m, a depth of 0.305m and a width of 1.34m, with a digital display area of 1.52m2

The development will consist of a change of use from 106 sqm of an existing inaccessible 2nd floor roof to rear of 75 St. Stephen's Green to a roof terrace creating an amenity space for the existing third floor commercial tenant and will consist of a glazed balustrade to the existing parapet, a canopy, lighting, soft and hard landscaping including planters and integrated seating with stepped access and balustrading from the existing third floor office space.

The development will consist of a change of use of 106 sqm of an existing inaccessible 2nd floor roof and a new 6 sqm access platform to provide 112 sqm accessible roof terrace to the rear creating an amenity space for the existing third floor commercial tenant and will consist of a glazed balustrade to the existing parapet, a canopy, lighting, soft and hard landscaping including planters and integrated seating.

The development will consist of Internal and external lighting set against the existing glazed façade to provide white and adjustable multi-coloured lighting. This will consist of: 1. Existing low-level internal lighting fixtures on the north façade, from first floor to fifth floor, to be moved from floor level to ceiling level on each floor, and have the lighting capability changed from white to RGBW. 2. New high-level (at the top of the ground floor extents) recessed RGBW external lighting fixtures on the north facade. To provide a wash to the facade on the ground floor, including the entrance area.

External signage to the north elevation of previously approved office building (Reg Ref 3068/15). The signage will consist of: 1. New 170mm high back-lit stainless steel individual lettering to stone band above ground floor windows; 2. New logo lightbox in existing front window measuring 1675mm high by 1155mm wide; 3. Two new 500mm high backlit logos and lettering mounted to existing stone-clad reveals at main entrance.