Dublin City Council has approved planning permission for the redevelopment of Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, a move that has drawn criticism over plans to remove its distinctive curved façade and glass dome.
The decision comes after an application by the centre’s owners, DTDL Ltd, to expand the building to eight storeys, redesign retail areas, and include office space, cinema screens, and several hospitality outlets such as a restaurant or bar with an outdoor terrace, reports RTE.
Developers argue the project will revitalise the centre and enhance its retail offering, while critics claim it will alter the ‘iconic’ appearance of a building that has been a key feature of the Grafton Street area since the late 1980s and could negatively affect the area’s character.
Following a request from the Council, revised plans for the main entrance were submitted last month, though they showed only minor changes from the original proposal, reports RTE.
A previous redevelopment proposal for the shopping centre was rejected by An Coimisiún Pleanála last summer.
Opponents have indicated they intend to appeal the latest decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála, reports RTE.
In total, the council received 61 submissions, the majority of which were objections to the development.
One objection, submitted on behalf of the Save Stephen’s Green Campaign, was supported by a petition containing 20,000 signatures, reports RTE.
TheLiberal.ie won’t quit
Please support us with a small donation on PayPal!
In the planner’s report recommending approval, it noted that “the applicant has chosen to retain the majority of the architectural design of the corner element as initially proposed”.
The Council said the updated façade includes “the provision of a canopy cover over the main entrance that will contribute to the creation of placemaking associated with the proposed development”, reports RTE.
The report added that the applicant “has satisfactorily addressed the planning authorities’ concern regarding a lack of strong placemaking and urban design elements associated with the development”.
It also highlighted that the City Council Conservation Officer “has reiterated their concerns regarding the overall scale and bulk of the proposed development as presented and its potential impact on the wider area and how the scheme addresses Grafton Street and the wider area”, reports RTE.
The report stated that the Conservation Officer’s concerns “are acknowledged. However, a balance has to be struck between the planning gain and the conservation impact of the proposed development”.
Recommending approval, the planner concluded that, when viewed as a whole, “the deep retrofit of the St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre will result in an improved visitor and retailer experience associated with the centre”, reports RTE.
The report ultimately found that the development would align with the civic character of the area and would not detract from existing amenities.
Reflecting the scale of the project, the Council has required the developer to contribute €4.2m towards public infrastructure and €1.3m to the LUAS cross-city scheme, reports RTE.
In additional information submitted last month, the design team for applicants Lanthorn said that “the revised proposals introduce a more defined and cohesive architectural expression that enhances the building’s presence at St Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street”.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
