Review of the large-scale development plan on Merchants Arch Lane

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A heritage watchdog has slammed An Bord Pleanla for approving a plan that would see the demolition of an old building containing a mix of independent shops on Merchants Arch Lane in Dublin.

Last week, the board of directors upheld Dublin City Council’s decision to allow development of a four-story basement hotel along the narrow walkway from Temple Bar Square to the Hapenny Bridge.

Ian Lumley, head of advocacy at An Taisce, said the group was very critical of the board for approving the development, which would see independent retailers, including a waffle cafe, a record store, a vintage clothing store and tech repair shop replaced by a single boutique hotel and restaurant unit.

However, the plans for numbers one through four Merchants Arch Lane would not involve removing the arched structure from the lanes.

In his submission to council as part of the appeal process, An Taisce said he would be strongly in favor of maintaining the existing series of small stores that contribute to the sense of belonging around Merchants Arch.

Let it be

Mr Lumley said the clearance was further proof of the board’s recent non-critical and laissez-faire approach to allowing big developments alongside historic structures.

Our problem with Merchants Arch is that the development is oversized and inappropriate for the region, he said.

Meanwhile, around 30,000 people last night backed a petition to save Merchants Arch from redevelopment.

Greens Councilor Claire Byrne has repeatedly said An Bord Pleanla ignored citizens’ concerns and the city’s development plan for hotels.

It’s like they won’t rest until we have a completely homogenized downtown area just for tourists, she said.

Fianna Fil’s advisor Deirdre Conroy, an architectural heritage specialist, said there was no consistency in planning decisions regarding proposed constructions near protected structures.

Simple housing is refused, but investment, construction for rent, businesses and hotels are not. I can’t count the number of hotels built in Dublin, she said.

An appeal against the council’s permission had been filed by residents of Temple Bar, including former Irish Times environmental editor and local resident Frank McDonald.

Mr McDonald said he was encouraged by the public response to the development, which he said will fundamentally change the meaning and character of the passage.

To injure

An Bord Pleanla upheld the council’s decision despite a recommendation from its own town planning inspector to deny permission on the grounds that it would seriously undermine the visual amenities of the area and would be contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of the area. The area.

The inspector said that due to the height and scale of the narrow terrain, the development would be out of character and visually jarring in the area.

The loss of small independent traders would undermine the diversity and uniqueness of the passage, the inspector wrote.

However, the planning board said the proposed development would be an appropriate and sensitive design response to an important site, subject to conditions. He believed that development would promote and facilitate tourism in the region.

Despite the existing mix of small retailers bundled into one unit, the development would continue to contribute to the existing vibrancy and character of the Temple Bar area, as well as Merchants Arch Lane, he said.

This is the third time that Tom Doone, the owner of the nearby Merchants Arch pub, has sought to develop the site.

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