Grafton Street buskers fear that the granting of planning permission for apartments on the street by Dublin City Council would affect their livelihoods.
The council granted planning permission to the Winthrop co-ownership entity to turn the second, third and fourth floors at 4 and 5 Grafton Street into four apartments despite fears expressed by buskers and their supporters that the proposal would “lead to the decline of one of the most iconic busking streets in the world”.
Businessman David Goddard who led the recent buyout of Davy’s real estate arm co-owns 4-5 Grafton Street along with former Davy boss, Brian McKiernan.
Both Mr Goddard and Mr McKiernan’s Middle Cow Ltd provided letters of consent to the council to allow the Winthrop co-ownership entity to lodge the plans.
However, in an objection to the plans, busker Jacob Koopman told the council that his concern was that the proposed residential units for the area would “replicate the issues we have witnessed in Temple Bar, where noise complaints have disproportionately targeted buskers”.
“Introducing residential units may lead to increased noise complaints and further regulations that threaten the livelihood of buskers and the vibrant street culture that defines this area,” he said.
In another objection, Ryu Uehara Dias said: “Turning upper floors into residential units would almost certainly lead to noise complaints and restrictions on busking, which would strip away the unique charm that made me, and so many others, want to call Dublin home.”
Performer Marc Pyssa in his objection said that the approval of the scheme “would ultimately lead to the erosion of this cultural gem”.
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In another objection street entertainer Francesco Parodi said: “As a street performer and musician who has made Ireland my home, this development poses a serious threat to my livelihood and to the vibrant cultural atmosphere of Grafton Street itself.”
Musician Andrew Kavanagh’s objection said that allowing the apartments to proceed would “inevitably result in complaints about street music and that will directly impact my ability to support my family”.
Planning consultant for the Winthrop co-ownership entity, John Spain Associates, told the council that the proposed development would avoid “further inefficient and unsustainable sprawl whilst helping to meet an identified need for quality residential accommodation”.
The council granted planning permission after concluding that the development would result in the development of residential accommodation over existing commercial premises which is something that is being encouraged and welcomed.
The council planner’s report stated that “this is particularly timely in light of the considerable level of vacancy of floor space on the upper floors of commercial premises in the city, which could assist towards alleviating the existing housing pressures within the city”.
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