WEB2434/24

The site is generally bounded by buildings in office use to the south, no. 39 Mespil Road (Protected Structure) to the west, and by Mespil Road and the Grand Canal to the north. The development will consist of a 3-storey mixed use building extension comprising: A 2-storey, raised bridge, office extension adjoining the 2nd and 3rd floors of the existing Mespil Court office building on its northwestern elevation; external plant room at 1st floor and office core extending down to ground floor level (total GFA c. 723.5 sqm). Proposed condenser units to the existing office roof. A 3-storey, mixed use building comprising: 1no. café at ground floor, with ancillary storage and staff facilities (total GFA c.107 sqm) and associated external terrace at ground level; 2no. floors of offices at 1st and 2nd floors, with associated support facilities (total GFA c. 254.5 sqm); Roof garden at 1st floor. All ancillary and associated site development, infrastructural, landscaping, signage and site boundary works, including: 30 no. spaces, two tier bike racks in a bicycle store (27.5 sqm); 18. no. semi vertical bike racks to replace existing bike racks; New bin store (13 sqm); 2 no. Sheffield stands in the front curtilage (visitors) and 1 no. Sheffield Stand by the bin store; Ground floor plant room (27 sqm); Signage zones to northern and eastern ground floor elevations of café unit (c.12 sqm total), and totem sign (c.3 sqm) associated with office within front curtilage adjacent to Mespil Road site boundary; Removal of existing boundary wall and railing fronting Mespil Road; and, insertion of new pedestrian access control gate to the eastern boundary pathway, south of the proposed café entrance; Associated green and blue roofs, and drainage for the proposed new works.

Granted

Core Planning Reasoning

The Inspector recommended a grant of permission, concluding that the development is consistent with the Z6 Employment/Enterprise zoning, provides an appropriate urban infill form, and represents a suitable transition between the taller modern office buildings and the lower-level Georgian terrace without adversely impacting the character of the Conservation Area or residential amenities.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The proposed uses are 'permissible' under the Z6 zoning objective and the building's scale and design facilitate a sensitive transition within a 'Transitional Zone' between different architectural typologies.
  • Comprehensive daylight, sunlight, and overlooking assessments indicate that the impact on neighboring properties, specifically No. 39 Mespil Road, is negligible and can be further mitigated by planning conditions regarding glazing.
  • Matters concerning the legal entitlement to the right-of-way or land ownership are civil issues beyond the remit of the planning system, and the proposed development does not physically impede existing pedestrian/cycle connectivity.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Z6 Zoning ObjectiveSection 15.15.2.2 (Conservation Areas)Policy SC6 (Urban Design and Architectural Principles)Policy CEE8 (The City Centre)Policy CEE21 (Supply of Commercial Space and Redevelopment of Office Stock)Policy BHA9 (Conservation Areas)Section 15.4.3 (Sustainability and Climate Action)Section 15.5 (Site Characteristics and Design Parameters)Section 15.7.1 (Re-use of Existing Buildings)Section 15.14.4 (Office)Section 15.14.7.2 (Restaurants/Cafes)Section 15.17.4 (Outdoor seating and street furniture)Appendix 3 (Density and Building Height)Section 14.6 (Transitional Zone Areas)

Decision Document Summary

The proposal involves a 3-storey mixed-use extension to Mespil Court, Dublin 4, comprising a ground-floor café (c.107 sqm) and office accommodation on the upper floors (c.254.5 sqm) with a raised bridge connection to the existing building. The site is a constrained infill strip situated between a modern 6-storey office block and a protected Georgian terrace within a Conservation Area. The Inspector's assessment prioritizes the Z6 'Employment/Enterprise' zoning and national policies regarding 'Co...
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Planning application WEB2434/24, Dublin City Council | Precedent.ie