AN BORD Pleanála has refused permission for a controversial scheme with a 12-storey tower beside the Guinness Hopstore in Dublin 8 because it doesn't respect views from the Gravity Bar "a significant tourist attraction".
Developer Frank Flynn was granted permission in March by Dublin City Council for 81 apartments in four blocks at the corner of Bellevue and School streets.
An Taisce appealed this saying it recognised the need for Digital Hub office space but that the proposal failed to address the board's reasons for refusal in October 2007 "in relation to tall elements, lack of provision of civic/public space and the relationship of the scheme to the surrounding area".
Part of the plan by Flynn's company, Linham Ltd, is for a 12-storey tower on the corner of Bellevue and School streets. It also included an 11-storey tower on School Street, a central nine-storey block, a six-storey block along Bellevue Street and a six-storey building parallel to School Street. The scheme would involve the demolition of St Catherine's School and part of a shed attached to the Hopstore. Retail space of 2,536sq m (27,297sq ft) and office space of 3,334sq m (35,887sq ft) will also be provided.
The board said its main concern was the location of the proposal, directly east of the Guinness Storehouse and Gravity Bar viewing platform.
In October 2007 the board rejected a similar scheme for 82 apartments, offices and retail space because the height would not respect the character of the area. At the time, it said that the scheme would have a negative impact on the residential amenity of the area and the Hopstore.
