Planning precedent report

Alterations to existing external service area to the north eastern side of The Square Shopping Centre at the entrance to the existing service yard comprising of construction of an external plant area (c.135sq.m) enclosed by 2.4 metre high galvanised fencing to accommodate an Air Handling Unit (AHU) and a Chiller Unit ancillary to the shopping centre; new flat roof boiler room building (c.34sq.m gross floor area) within the proposed new enclosed plant enclosure; installation of a metal frame (2.4 metres wide x 1 metre high and located 2-3 metres above the ground supported by metal stilts) to facilitate the connection of the Air Handling Unit and Chiller within the plant area to the covered service yard area; replacement of mesh panels on existing wall on the western and norther side of the service yard with metal louvered panels; all associated site 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

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.

Change of use from Betting Office to Beauty Salon with proposed opening hours of Monday to Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

New external signage fixed at high level to the south elevation; new 2,100mm high totem/banner directory sign at the main entrance to the east of the existing building and associated site works.