High-rise schemes for the Docklands area of Dublin have suffered a setback with a decision by An Bord Pleanala to refuse planning permission for a 13-storey tower in Ringsend.
Local residents had strongly opposed the plan by Morrison Homes for 114 apartments and 90 basement car-parking spaces on a site in Thorncastle Street, with frontages on both the Liffey and the Dodder.
Having held an oral hearing on the case, An Bord Pleanala ruled that the proposed development would be "out of character with the riverfront setting of the site and with the village of Ringsend".
Because of its massing, height and density, the scheme would run counter to the Dublin Docklands Master Plan, which favours infill projects of "appropriate scale" to preserve Ringsend's village character.
Upholding Dublin Corporation's decision last October to reject the scheme, the appeals board said it would "seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity" and be contrary to proper planning.
Mr Michael Smith, chairman of the Dublin city branch of An Taisce, said the decision should be noted by "other developers who seem to think they can build whatever they want at whatever height they want".
He suggested that it offered an insight into the thinking of the board on high-rise developments, with at least two other controversial schemes currently in the planning process - George's Quay and Spencer Dock.
An Taisce supported Dublin Corporation's refusal of the Thorncastle Street scheme on the grounds of excessive scale, height, plot ratio and density, poor design, breach of zoning and absence of social housing.
Other objections included inadequate private and public space, a poor mix of apartment types and an inadequate public transport service.
An Taisce said there was growing opposition to high-rise developments in the Docklands, as evidenced by a recent march by 600 residents to An Bord Pleanala protesting against the Thorncastle Street scheme.
Seventeen residents groups from East Wall, North Wall, City Quay, Pearse Street, Ringsend and South Lotts have issued a joint statement opposing "the developer-led high-rise schemes which are plaguing our area".
The next significant milestone will be An Bord Pleanala's decision on 12 appeals against the corporation's decision to grant permission for a high-rise development at George's Quay, opposite the Custom House.
An oral hearing on this scheme, which would involve installing two tall glass towers - both higher that Liberty Hall - behind the existing office buildings on the River Liffey frontage, is expected to be held shortly.
