Dublin City Council has granted planning permission for the redevelopment of Stephen's Green Shopping Centre which has attracted some criticism because it will remove its distinctive curved facade and glass dome.
The decision follows an application by its owners, DTDL Ltd, to increase the shopping centre to eight storeys, reconfigure the retail space, add office space and cinema screens, as well as a number of hospitality outlets, including a restaurant or bar with an outside terrace.
The developers say it will rejuvenate and improve the centre and improve the retail offering, but critics say it will change the 'iconic' look of a building that has been a prominent feature of the Grafton Street area since the late 1980s and will have a negative impact on the character of the area.
After a request from the Council, the owners lodged revised plans for the centre's main entrance last month but it did not differ hugely from the original design.
A previous plan for redevelopment of the shopping centre was rejected by An Coimisiún Pleanála last summer.
Objectors say they are now planning to appeal this latest decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
In total, the council received 61 submissions with the bulk of those opposed to the application.
One objection lodged on behalf of the Save Stephen's Green Campaign was backed by a petition of 20,000 signatures.
In the Council planner’s report recommending planning permission, it stated that "the applicant has chosen to retain the majority of the architectural design of the corner element as initially proposed".
The Council stated that the revised facade includes "the provision of a canopy cover over the main entrance that will contribute to the creation of placemaking associated with the proposed development".
The report stated that the applicant "has satisfactorily addressed the planning authorities' concern regarding a lack of strong placemaking and urban design elements associated with the development".
The planner’s report reveals that the City Council Conservation Officer (CO) "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".
The report stated that the CO concerns "are acknowledged. However, a balance has to be struck between the planning gain and the conservation impact of the proposed development".
Recommending that planning permission be granted, the Council planner’s report stated that, considered holistically "the deep retrofit of the St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre will result in an improved visitor and retailer experience associated with the centre".
The council planner’s report concluded that the proposed development would be keeping with the civic character of the area and would not detract from the existing amenities of the area.
Underlining the scale of the proposal, the Council has ordered the developer to pay €4.2m towards public infrastructure and €1.3m towards the LUAS cross city scheme.
In the further information lodged last month, the design team for applicants Lanthorn stated 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".
Additional reporting Gordon Deegan
