WEB1284/25

The proposed development will consist of the construction of a 110 kV / MV electrical substation and will include the following elements: 1. Site clearance works including removal of: i. Existing vegetation; ii. Taxi rank and associated access road. 2. Construction of: i. a substation compound (c. 495 sq.m,); ii. a 110 kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) building (c. 265 sq.m.; c. 12m in height); that will include a basement (c. 3m deep); iii 2 no. 110 kV transformers, associated bunds and firewalls (c. 7.8 m in height); iv. All other associated and ancillary site development works including the provision of site services; temporary construction compound and drainage.

Granted

Core Planning Reasoning

The appeal related to a financial contribution condition; the Inspector determined that while a contribution is legally applicable as the substation is ancillary to a hospital use, the Planning Authority miscalculated the amount by using an incorrect floor area.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The proposed substation is an ancillary element to the primary hospital use on the site and therefore falls within the scope of Section 13 of the Development Contribution Scheme.
  • The Planning Authority's classification of the development as 'Industrial / Commercial' is considered appropriate as the scheme uses this category to distinguish all non-residential developments.
  • The calculation of the contribution was based on an incorrect floor area of 405.4 sq.m; the correct floor area of 265 sq.m results in a revised contribution of €31,429.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028SI49 (Electricity Supplies)Z15 Community and Social Infrastructure ZoningAppendix 15 (Public Service Installation Definition)DCC Section 48 Development Contribution Scheme 2023-2026Section 10 (Exemptions/Reductions)Section 11 (Reduced Rates)Section 13 (Hospitals and Ancillary Buildings)

Decision Document Summary

The development consists of a new 110kV/MV GIS substation at St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, including a 12m high switchgear building and two transformers. The appellant (ESB) challenged a €48,080.44 development contribution condition, arguing the facility is public service infrastructure and not a commercial/industrial entity. The Inspector found that because the substation's primary purpose is to facilitate the hospital campus, it constitutes an ancillary building to the hospital....
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