Plans for a mixed development at the Tivoli Theatre in Dublin city centre, which will involve the construction of a 13-storey tower, will have a negative impact on the historically rich area of Dublin's Liberties, according to the Irish Georgian Society.
An Taisce has also appealed Dublin City Council's decision to grant planning permission to demolish the existing theatre and build a new one, as well as build 130 apartments with shops and offices on the ground floor.
The site, owned by Anthony Byrne, is located at 135-143 Francis Street and 72 Thomas Street, Dublin 8.
In its appeal, An Taisce expressed concern about the impact of the 13-storey tower on St John's and St Augustine's Church, Thomas Street, which is in close proximity to the development.
This church is a "major feature of the Dublin skyline and dominates the surroundings", according to An Taisce, which has called for further information illustrating the impact to be submitted by the applicant.
The Irish Georgian Society voiced "strenuous objection" to the scheme, which it said constitutes "over development". If granted, the proposed development will "disrupt the hierarchy of this historic skyline, diminishing the primacy of the spire of the Church of Saint Augustine and John, a church that Ruskin described as "a poem in stone" the society stated.
It also submitted that the proposed development is at variance with the Dublin City Development Plan 1999 which, it said, explicitly prohibits high buildings within the "historic centre".
Furthermore, the development contravenes the plan's high building's guidelines, which states that it is the council's policy to protect the skyline and protect existing city landmarks and their prominence, according to the society.
