4585/22
The development will consist of retention of alterations to the development approved under reg. ref. 4353/17. The alterations to be retained are as follows: (i) provision of bollards separating fuel pumps from public footpath along Old Cabra Road; (ii) provision of planter boxes along the eastern, western and southern boundaries of the subject site; (iii) repositioning of the vent pipes from the south-east to the south-west of the subject site; (iv) repositioning of the bin store, control room and store area to the south-west of the subject site; (v) repositioning of the services area (air, water and vacuum), from the western boundary to the eastern boundary of the subject site; (vi) repositioning of the totem sign to a position set 3m back from the public footpath (previously approved at a distance of 4m setback from the public footpath; (vii) alterations to the forecourt canopy including increased height and revised design; (vii) addiction of an AdBlue pump to the rear of the subject site; (ix) revision of materiality of previously approved boundary wall from stone cladded to capped render finish; (x) provision of new 'Go Dublin' wall signage ('Go Circle is 1.8m diameter & 'Dublin' lettering 3.6m x 1m) on the front elevation of the southern boundary wall; (xi) provision of new LED digital display (3.2m x 1.9m) and 2 no. vending machine structures located along the western boundary; (xii) all associated ancillary works necessary to facilitate the development.
Core Reason for the Refused Part
The Inspector recommends a conditional grant of retention, concluding that while the development is acceptable in principle under the Z1 residential zoning, specific elements such as the neon lighting, LED display, and bollard-based boundary treatment are visually obtrusive and negatively impact the residential amenity of the area, necessitating their removal or modification.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The retention of alterations is acceptable under the Z1 zoning objective provided that intrusive features, specifically red neon lighting and the LED digital display, are removed to prevent light pollution and visual clutter in a residential context.
- The current use of stainless-steel bollards is insufficient for site delineation; they must be replaced with a solid wall (rendered or rubble stone) no higher than one metre to maintain the character of the streetscape and comply with previous planning requirements.
- The relocated totem sign can be retained only if modified to ensure no part of the structure or branding overhangs the public footpath, and the artificial planter boxes must be replaced with live, appropriate landscaping to improve the site's visual integration.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Decision Document Summary
This Inspector's Report evaluates an application for the retention of several alterations to an existing unmanned 'Go' petrol filling station at 87-89 Old Cabra Road, Dublin 7. The site is situated in a sensitive residential area (Zoned Z1). Key alterations include a taller canopy with neon branding, a relocated totem sign, an LED display, and the replacement of a permitted boundary wall with stainless-steel bollards. The Planning Authority originally issued a split decision. Upon appeal, the In...PDF Document Missing
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