The Irish Georgian Society has expressed concern that proposals for a new medico-legal centre in the grounds of the historic Casino at Marino, Dublin, "will have an overwhelming negative impact on the immediate setting of the 18th century neoclassical masterpiece".
In a submission lodged with Dublin City Council before the closing date this week, the society argued that consideration should be given to developing the lands around the building, which dates from the 1760s, as a "suitable parkland landscape setting" for the Casino and a "major amenity" for local residents.
However, should the proposed building, which would house offices of the State Pathologist, be approved, the surviving undeveloped grounds of the Marino demesne would be "irretrievably divided in two", it said.
In the submission, Donough Cahill, deputy director of the society, argued that the setting of the Casino - which is a national monument and protected structure - would be severely compromised by the development of the new medico-legal centre on the site. It would also establish a precedent for further development of the historic parkland, he said.
In a separate submission, the Department of the Environment said it was "seriously concerned" at the proposed construction of the two-storey building, and said it was not consulted prior to the lodgement of the planning application by Dublin City Council.
This is despite claims in the planning report that "preconsultation" with relevant bodies had taken place, and the fact that the adjoining site, which contains the Casino, is owned by the Minister for the Environment on behalf of the State.
The department said that in the absence of a conservation plan for the "heritage of this highly-significant designed landscape and setting", it believed any proposals for the site, particularly new construction, were "premature".
A spokesman for Dublin City Council said it could not comment on individual submissions. However, he said all submissions would be considered over the next two weeks, following which a report would be compiled.
A full meeting of the council would then have to decide on the proposals, before a final decision was taken. "The submission from the Irish Georgian Society and others will be taken into account before the council reaches a decision," he said.
In the society's submission, Mr Cahill said proposals to screen the centre with trees were not an "appropriate long-term solution". The centre is also in breach of the Dublin City Development Plan, according to the society.
The proposed development would replace existing temporary accommodation within the grounds and would have a floor area of about 1,950sq m.