THE CONSTRUCTION Industry Federation's (CIF) plan for its headquarters on Dublin's Grand Canal has been refused planning permission by Dublin City Council because it would devalue adjoining property.
Refusing planning permission for the mixed-use scheme, planners at the council said the development "would seriously injure the residential amenities and depreciate the value" of houses on Athlumney Villas by way of overshadowing.
Council planners also objected to the height, scale and mass of the proposed CIF development saying it would be "visually obtrusive and out of character" with the area.
The CIF and Construction Workers Pension Scheme (CWPS) were seeking permission to revamp the 1970s headquarters, Canal House on Canal Road in Dublin 6.
The proposed scheme, designed by architects Burke Kennedy Doyle, involved the demolition of an office block on the site along with a row of five derelict cottages, Dunville Terrace, to make way for a seven-storey office building.
Five apartments were planned for the top floor of this new office block and a further 11 apartments were planned for two office blocks which were to be renovated and raised by one and two storeys.
Among the 21 objectors to the scheme were An Taisce, Senator Deirdre de Búrca and a number of residents groups.
Height, overlooking, light pollution and overdevelopment were the main issues identified by the objectors.
David Quinn, for residents from neighbouring Ontario Terrace and Mount Pleasant Parade, says the scheme would become one of south Dublin's "iconic cock-ups".
