Sir, – Frank McDonald (Opinion & Analysis, April 9th) is wrong to fight against the emergence of very tall buildings within the centre of Dublin.
In terms of tackling the housing crisis, there are known difficulties associated with building housing units predominantly on the basis of urban sprawl within existing suburbs and commuter towns due chiefly to an additional traffic burden and strain on public transport options arising where the natural terminus for commuting journeys overall is Dublin city centre. On a common-sense basis, this can be overcome by a policy promoting the emergence of skyscrapers in the heart of Dublin city itself on a grand scale.
Perhaps Frank McDonald is correct in saying there ought to be more of a residential focus, but this could be approached by seeking more direct involvement by the nascent Land Development Agency in building spacious residential units within very tall buildings near the Docklands, for example.
Frank McDonald ought to be aware that the corollary of his stand in fighting the emergence of skyscrapers in the city centre would be continuing higher residential rents, lost employment opportunities because of restricted office space options, plus greater congestion discord throughout the Dublin region and beyond. – Yours, etc,
Cllr JOHN KENNEDY,
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
County Council,
Marine Road,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – It appears that Johnny Ronan has achieved his ambition to have his 22-storey tower plonked in the centre of Dublin. It is frustrating that the advice of An Bord Pleanála’s inspector, and the views of Dublin City Council and An Taisce have been disregarded. The face of Dublin is to be irreparably changed. Dublin City Council stated it would have a “significantly detrimental effect on the historic city core”. An Taisce rightly described it as a “catastrophic error”.
Planning permission for the building is a direct result of the decision by the Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy to remove the restriction on building heights in Dublin. His solution to the housing crisis was to build higher, a decision which was disputed by planners. Mr Ronan’s 22-storey folly will do absolutely nothing to solve the problem of housing or the plight of the homeless. In addition the decision to site the building opposite the Custom House is appalling. The tower will be a trophy monument to a developer who was rescued by Nama and the taxpayer.
It is tragic that the ordinary citizen has no independent, intermediary authority to assess the disastrous effect this will have on Dublin, which rightly prides itself as being one of Europe’s low-rise major historic cities. The proposed building is of relevance not just to the people of Dublin; it is a national issue which would see the defacing of our capital city. – Yours, etc,
FERGAL McLOUGHLIN,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.