3583/24
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: For permission for development at a site located at the junction of Haddington Road with Eastmoreland Lane incorporating vacant buildings forming part of the former Baggot Street Community Hospital, including No. 19 Haddington Road and a 3 storey flat roofed structure fronting Haddington Road in addition to non-original extensions connecting to the Royal City of Dublin Hospital RPS Ref. No. 446 in Dublin 4. The proposal will consist of a replacement Primary Care Centre incorporating an ancillary pharmacy to be known as "The Haddington Road Primary Care Centre" at the junction of Haddington Road/Eastmoreland Lane, Dublin 4. The Primary Care Centre will incorporate the existing 3 storey Victorian building formerly known as 19 Haddington Road and a new purpose designed building. The two buildings will be interlinked. The proposed primary healthcare building will range in height from 3 - 6 storeys with a plant enclosure set back at roof level. Upgrade, refurbishment and integration works to the façades and interiors of the Victorian 'corner' building formerly known as No. 19 Haddington Road. The new build element will step upwards from 3 storeys where it abuts Eastmoreland Lane rising to 6 storeys and will have an overall gross floor area of c.3,369 sq.m of which c.236sq.m is existing floor space (i.e. No. 19 Haddington Road) and 3,133sq.m is new build. The main entrance to the Primary Care Centre will be off Haddington Road, with a second access provided off Eastmoreland Lane. To facilitate the new building the proposed works will involve- (i) The demolition and clearance of the 3 storey post 1950's concrete and brick buildings formerly known as "Baggot Community Hospital" fronting Haddington road. (ii) Demolition of non-original single storey flat roof extensions to the rear of The Royal City of Dublin Hospital (RPS Ref. No. 446). The demolition works will involve uncoupling junctions to this non-original modern extension only. No other works to this Protected Structure are proposed. (iii) Infilling of basement area. The proposed development also provides for a set-down area/loading bay on Haddington Road; an internal bicycle store at ground floor level; visitor bicycle parking on Haddington Road; internal plant /waste areas; an ESB sub-station and all associated site development works.
Core Planning Reasoning
Grant of permission with modifications. While the principle of a Primary Care Centre is acceptable under the Z4 zoning and aligns with national compact growth strategies, the Inspector recommended maintaining the Planning Authority's condition to omit the fourth floor to protect the architectural character and setting of the adjacent Protected Structure (RPS 446) and the Haddington Road Residential Conservation Area.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed Primary Care Centre is an appropriate use for this underutilised brownfield site in an 'Urban Village' location that is highly accessible by public transport and active travel modes.
- The height and scale of the proposed 6-storey building would be visually dominant and overbearing, failing to respect the sensitive historic environment and the specific setting of the former Royal City of Dublin Hospital Protected Structure.
- Issues regarding residential amenity (overlooking/overshadowing), traffic, and infrastructural capacity can be satisfactorily addressed through mitigation measures and specific planning conditions, including the omission of the fourth floor.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Decision Document Summary
The proposal seeks to redevelop part of the former Baggot Street Community Hospital site by demolishing 1950s-era structures and constructing a new 3-6 storey Primary Care Centre (PCC) with an ancillary pharmacy, while refurbishing a 3-storey Victorian building at No. 19 Haddington Road. The site is uniquely sensitive, situated within the curtilage of the Royal City of Dublin Hospital (a Protected Structure) and bordering a Residential Conservation Area. The Inspector's assessment focused on the...PDF Document Missing
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