Planning precedent report

Subdivision of the existing retail department store (Unit 116 - 5,396sq.m. - formerly Debenhams) to comprise 2 retail units - 116A (2,431sq.m) and 116B (2,270sq.m) and new service corridor (176sq.m) to the rear of the proposed unit 116B to provide access to the existing service yard; associated modifications including the removal of the existing mezzanine floor within Unit 116 (497sq.m); creation of new retail frontage within the internal mall and associated signage; revisions to existing retail Unit 117 (113sq.m) and 118 (102sq.m) to form a single amalgamated unit (169sq.m) and creation of additional mall floor space (47sq.m) arising from the unit reconfiguration; all associated site and development works including minor revisions to the layout of the existing service yard.

Development to consist of the phased construction of two independent extensions to the existing shopping centre (The Square) with a total gross floor area of 21,490sq.m. (including floor area of car parking of 22,861sq.m.; the total development area is 44,351sq.m.) which will consist of the following: Plot A (North) - extension to the existing shopping centre with a total gross floor area of 15,806sq.m. and comprising an anchor retail unit (6,032sq.m.) and 8 no. retail units (ranging from 136sq.m. to 2,735sq.m. and totalling 7,456sq.m.) and associated ancillary accommodation and circulation areas over two levels accessed from a single level mall extending from the existing northern entrance (at Level 2) into the existing surface car park (removing 289 existing spaces); the northern extension ranges in height from 13.3 metres to 15.5 metres along the proposed new northern elevation; Plot A includes a six level multi-storey car park with 832 no. car spaces (22,861sq.m.) and ancillary accommodation ranging in height from 14.8 metres to 16.6 metres to the east of the site with access/egress from/to Belgard Square East with a revised road layout and circulation; the development on Plot A involves new and upgraded hard and soft landscaping which integrates with the existing public realm in the vicinity and which facilitates future proposals for a Transport Interchange by SDCC; service yards are proposed on the western portion of the site with access from realigned access road from Belgard Square West and on the eastern portion of the site with access from the entrance road which accesses the new multi-storey car park. Plot B (South) - Extension to the existing shopping centre at Level 3 with a total gross floor area of 5,684sq.m. and comprising a retail unit and associated ancillary accommodation; the proposed new retail unit will incorporate the existing units (U307 & U307A) totalling 415sq.m. to gain access to the existing mall at Level 3; the southern extension will result in the removal of 111 parking spaces and will have a parapet height of 12.3 metres to 13.5 metres above existing ground level at the southern elevation. Permission is also sought for all associated site and development works associated with the above developments including revisions to public realm, revisions to roads layout and footpaths, hard and soft landscaping, ESB substation and building mounted signage; the development proposed results in a net increase in parking associated with The Square of 432 spaces.

Internal modifications/reconfiguration to the mall area and reconfiguration of existing retail units and kiosks/concessions at Levels 1-3 of the existing shopping centre; revisions/modifications are as follows on a level by level basis; (1) Level 1, reconfiguration of the existing mall floor space and existing retail/kiosk units to provide a new kiosk zone (150sq.m); revisions to circulation areas involving the removal of stairs and escalator between Level 1 and Level 2 and provision of a new travellator between Level 1 and Level 2; (2) Level 2, reconfiguration of existing mall floor space and existing retail/kiosk units to provide a new kiosk zone (1073sq.m); revisions to circulation areas involving the removal of escalators between Level 2 and Level 3; (3) Level 3 formation of a new retail unit (38sq.m) and associated mall floor space (9sq.m) in the area created by the removal of the escalator between Levels 2 and 3; the kiosk zones on Level 1 and Level 2 will be flexible in terms of layout and all individual kiosks will be subject to design parameters set out in the Planning Report. The proposed use of any new kiosks within the kiosk zones will be shops (Class 1), professional/financial services (Class 2) and food and beverage uses (including any associated seating areas). There will be no net increase in floor area for the provision of food and beverage uses within the overall centre. The revisions/modifications proposed will result in an increase of c.106sq.m. of gross floor space within the overall shopping centre arising from the various changes to the mall circulation areas and creation of floor space in areas currently void. Permission is also sought for all associated site and development works.

The development will consist of internal reconfiguration and amalgamation of 4no. existing Level 2 retail units (U238, U239, U240 and U241) to provide two retail units (U238: 516sqm and U240: 1282sqm) and ancillary circulation and general store rooms (c.274sqm) resulting in no overall increase in gross floorspace. Permission is also sought for all associated site and development works and reuse of existing signage zones.

Revisions to previously permitted internal modifications as approved under Ref. SD18A/0399 resulting in the reductions in the kiosk zone at Level 2 only by 196sq.m (from 1073sq.m to 877sq.m) to accommodate a new partially enclosed restaurant/café unit (196sq.m) and associated setting; the new restaurant and seating area will correspond with the footprint of the existing Units 260/262 and 263 and will contain associated facilities including a kitchen, front and rear counters, condiment unit, dining tables, chairs, booths and benches; associated signage and development works.

The development consists of the change of use of the ground floor unit from retails use to cafe/patisserie shop including the sale of hot and cold beverages. The following works are proposed: (1) Internal configuring of unit including fit out of unit to facilitate development with provision of serving counter, store, W/C and seating area at ground floor level internally and externally (2) Alterations to ground floor level facade including new glazed door and window, new awning to shopfront, new signage and projecting signage to front facade. (3) All associated site works and ancillary works at this address in accordance with plans as submitted