4951/22

PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The development will consist of the conservation and refurbishment of the existing north wing and part of the east wing of the National Concert Hall and the Real Tennis Court building and the construction of a new four storey over basement extension with a planetarium dome to the west of the north wing at the boundary of the Iveagh Gardens. The development includes the change of use of the former UCD School of Civil Engineering to the National Children's Science Centre. The total floor area of the development is approx. 9580 sq.m. The National Concert Hall, Real Tennis Court and Iveagh House (Department of Foreign Affairs) and Iveagh Gardens, including stone garden folly are designated Protected Structures (References RPS 2425, 2426 and 7791). In order to facilitate the new extension, the following demolitions are required: - 450 sq.m two storey stone building, which houses a workshop, plant area and ancillary items; and a 120 sq.m maintenance shed located in the north western corner of the site; - A section of the boundary along the Iveagh Gardens, allowing for a new access ramp and steps into the Iveagh Gardens. - A 200 sq.m single storey lean-to structure located to the south side of the Real Tennis Court building, providing for universal access to the Real Tennis Court building. The Real Tennis Court building will be refurbished including the restoration of the tennis court (to a playable condition), and to facilitate space for temporary displays and exhibitions. Construction of a single storey structure to the south side of the Real Tennis Court building will provide universal access, and will include a lobby, toilets, tea station, stairs, lift and ancillary works. Existing windows and roof lights are to be repaired, restored and upgraded as required. The construction of a new link tunnel with a single storey glazed box roof light will connect the Real Tennis Court building to the north east corner of the National Concert Hall. The restoration and refurbishment works to the north and east wings of the former UCD School of Engineering will include a new entrance to the existing north wing, new fire doors to corridors, new lift core to link all levels and permanent interactive display spaces from basement to second floor, a gift shop, lecture theatre, science demonstration laboratory, classrooms, schools lunch area, offices, new sanitary facilities and additional ancillary accommodation. Refurbishment work will also include the restoration of existing external and internal windows and doors, upgrading of the existing roof and roof lights and all minor/ repair work. All existing plant to be removed from roof and replaced with new plant to be located on both the existing and new roof extension. The new extension will connect to the existing building through a glazed link and will include interactive display spaces, a domed planetarium, and external balcony, café, circulation cores and ancillary spaces. Additional plant, toilets and support accommodation will be housed in the basement. The external works will comprise of hard and soft landscaping, lighting, new steps and ramps to facilitate universal access to the existing north wing and Iveagh Gardens, a section of new decorative railings to Iveagh Gardens to replace the proposed section of wall to be removed 26 no. bicycle stands, new surface water attenuation, new foul connection and all associated ancillary works on a site area of circa. 0.837 hectares. The development has been screened for both Appropriate Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment.