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Permission for development which consists of; the proposal consists of mixed use office development (c. 34,765sqm) provided in 4 no. blocks over a single basement level. Block A is an eight storey building, located in the north west part of the site adjoining Dock Road/Queen Street containing retail/restaurant/café use and electricity supply board substitution at ground level, office use at ground level to level 07, plant at level 07, external terraces at levels 04 to 06 with a roof garden at level 07, solar panels on the roof. Block B is a seven storey building with roof plan above, located in the south west corner of the site adjoining Dock Road and Bothar Na Long, containing the basement access ramp, retail/restaurant/café use at ground level and mezzanine level, office use at ground level to level 06, external terraces at Levels 01 to 06 with external links with Block C, roof garden at level 07, solar panels on the roof. A bridge link is proved at level 04 between blocks a+b. Block C eight storey building with roof plant above, located in the southern part of the site adjoining Bothar na Long containing retail/restaurant/café use at ground floor level, office use at ground floor level to level 07, roof garden at level 08, solar panels on the roof. Block D is an eight storey building with roof plant above, located along the eastern boundary of the site adjoining Bothar na Long to the south, containing office use at ground level to level 07, external terraces at levels 01 to 07 with external links to block c, roof garden at level 08, solar panels on the roof. In addition to the four office blocks, the single basement level (7,030 Sq m.) contains 138 no. car spaces, 162 no. cycle spaces, a commuter centre, office lobby areas, building facilities and plant. External amenity space is provided at ground level comprising a raised central plaza, basement ventilation areas, 52 no. surface cycle spaces and public realm improvements to the north and west of the site. Vehicle access is from Dock Road; fire tender access is from Dock Road/Queen Street and the proposed public realm to the north; and pedestrian access is from Dock Road, Bothar na Long and the proposed public realm to the north.
Core Refusal Reason
The application failed to provide a sufficient level of information in the Appropriate Assessment Screening Report (AASR) to demonstrate that the proposed extension of duration would not have significant effects on European Sites, specifically the Galway Bay Complex SAC and Inner Galway Bay SPA.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The AASR lacks comprehensive detail on construction methodology, surface water management, and dewatering for Block D, preventing a robust assessment of potential adverse effects on the qualifying interests of the Galway Bay Complex SAC.
- The Planning Authority identified a potential hydrological connection between the development site and European sites via the public stormwater network and during flood events (Flood Zones A/B), which was not adequately addressed in the applicant's screening.
- The potential for in-combination effects with other major permitted projects in the vicinity and the impacts of disturbance on SCI bird species during the construction phase were not satisfactorily addressed.