Dublin City Council has granted permission for an office scheme which will replace the Screen Cinema and College House buildings.
In its decision this week, the local authority approved a proposal by Balark Trading Ltd to tear down the 1960s-era complex near College Green and replace it with a 10-storey office building complete with a restaurant and 500-seater entertainment venue.
The plans had attracted objections that the replacement structure would be “too high”, “overbearing” and “overdominant” of surrounding buildings and would constitute “serious overdevelopment” of the site.
These criticisms were reflected in a submission by the Office of Public Works which owns the current Department of Health headquarters in the adjacent Hawkins House.
Glowing appraisal
However, the planner’s report published by Dublin City Council gave a glowing appraisal of the proposed development which it said would “significantly regenerate and likely rejuvenate a partially vacant and rundown site”.
The planning officer rejected claims that the new office block would generate an “imposing mass” on the area, saying instead it “is likely to have a positive effect aesthetically and unlikely to have a detrimental visual impact”.
It was added that the existing buildings were not considered to be of architectural and cultural importance, and their removal was to be “welcomed”.
The council agreed with the conclusions of the report and granted permission with the attachment of 17 minor conditions.
Balark was also instructed to liaise with the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland following misgivings articulated by both bodies over the possible impact on Luas and bus facilities once construction begins.
No appeal has yet been lodged with An Bord Pleanála, which would be the next step if there is continued opposition to the plans.