2796/21
Red Rock Pleasants Street Ltd intends to apply for planning permission for development on lands (c. 0.0744 ha) at 49-51 Pleasants Street (D08 XHF2, D08 VN22, D08 EF24), Pleasants House (D08 F54N) & 5 Pleasants Lane (D08 HY62), Dublin 8. The subject site is currently occupied by a two-storey retail with apartment at 49 Pleasants Street and two storey retail units at 50 and 51 Pleasants Street, a three-storey industrial/commercial building at Pleasants House and a two-storey former dwelling house now in use as a commercial store at 5 Pleasants Lane, and is bound by Pleasants Street to the south, Pleasants Lane to the east, O’Neill’s Buildings (a laneway) to the west and by the ‘Camden Hotel’ to the north. The development will consist of the demolition of the existing structures on site and construction of a part seven / six / five / four storey (maximum height 23.4m) over basement building (c. 3,966.9 sq.m. total GFA including basement of c. 253.8 sq.m) with commercial/restaurant/café use (c. 155.2 sq.m.), commercial storage (c. 37.7 sqm) and residents amenity facilities (98.2 sqm sqm) at ground floor level and a “Build to Rent” residential development of 45 no. residential units at 1st to 6th floor levels (c. 2,128.9 sq.m.). The proposed development will comprise: • Demolition of the existing buildings including 1 no. apartment unit at first floor level of 49 Pleasants Street and associated structures on site c. 973.4 sq.m. GFA; • Provision of 1 no. commercial/café/restaurant unit at ground floor level c. 155.2 sq.m (with an indoor terrace area), commercial store of 37.7 sq.m GFA with pedestrian access from the south of the site on Pleasants Street and residential amenity areas including outdoor terraces facing onto O’Neill’s Buildings; • Construction of 45 no. ‘Build-to-Rent’ apartment units over 7 no. storeys with a dwelling mix of 30 no. studio units, 1 no. one-bed units, 9 no. one-bed + study units and 5 no. two-bed units; • Provision of 235.4 sqm of private open space in the form of winter gardens/terraces to all individual units; • Provision of 206.5 sqm of outdoor communal terraces at ground floor level on the western elevation, at the 4th and 5th floor level on the southern elevation and at 6th floor level on the eastern elevation; • Provision of 72 no. bicycle parking spaces in a secure bike store at ground floor level which will be accessed via Pleasants Lane, with residential access to the apartments; • Provision of 220.5 sqm of internal communal residential amenities and facilities in the form of a screening room, co-working space, lounge, function room and additional communal space; • Provision of a green roof at roof level; • Provision of storage room and plant room at basement floor level, refuse store, ESB substation, switchroom and commercial refuse store at ground floor level, plant and lift pop-up at roof level concealed by the building’s parapet; • Provision of hard and soft landscaping, and all ancillary site services and associated works to facilitate the development. The development will provide a gross floor area of 3,966.9 sqm (including basement of 253.8 sqm).
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed seven-storey development was refused due to its excessive scale and height which would harm the historic streetscape and conservation area, its negative impact on residential amenity through overlooking, and the unjustified demolition of locally significant historic buildings.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The height, bulk, and massing of the seven-storey building would visually dominate the streetscape and negatively impact the character of the Camden Street Conservation area and nearby protected structures.
- The proximity of the building to site boundaries would result in unacceptable levels of overlooking and an overbearing impact on the residential amenities of adjoining properties.
- The demolition of architecturally characterful buildings at 49-51 Pleasants Street contravenes development plan policies regarding the retention of structures that contribute positively to the local streetscape.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Decision Document Summary
Red Rock Pleasants Street Ltd proposed a 5-7 storey development at 49-51 Pleasants Street and surrounding addresses in Dublin 8, a location sensitive due to its proximity to protected structures and the Camden Street Conservation area. Dublin City Council refused the application because the scale and design of the new building were deemed visually discordant and harmful to the historic character of the area. Furthermore, the proposal would result in the loss of locally significant historic build...PDF Document Missing
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