Temple Bar Properties has adopted a more pro-active approach to planning in an effort to defend Dublin's designated cultural quarter against a further proliferation of licensed premises in the area. Signs that this approach is already paying dividends include a recent decision by An Bord Pleanala to refuse permission to the owners of the Porterhouse in Parliament Street for a "hotel pub" in the adjoining Dollard House.
In its decision, the appeals board said the proposed development - which had been approved by Dublin Corporation - would constitute a substantial extension of an existing public house with guest rooms in the Temple Bar area.
"Having regard to the extent of similar developments in this area, it is considered that the proposed development would seriously injure the amenities of the area and would be contrary to [its] proper planning and development," it added.
One of the points made by Temple Bar Properties (TBP) in its submission, drafted by McHugh Consultants, was that there had been an increase of "just under one acre of drinking space" in the area since 1991, and this was taken into account by the board.
The submission also noted that, if permission was granted, the Porterhouse would reach the threshold of 20 bedrooms, entitling it to a separate hotel liquor licence as well as the licence it already held for the existing public house.
Because of the "excessive amount of liquor licences in the Temple Bar area" and the "antisocial behaviour, late-night noise and nuisance," it said TBP strongly objected to any further such licences being granted by using planning process as a back door. TBP has lodged a separate appeal against the corporation's decision to approve similar plans by the Turk's Head Chophouse in Parliament Street to extend into three adjoining buildings at Essex Gate, including the former Cathair Books shop.
A statement from TBP said the basis of its appeal was that the proposed hotel-pub extension would be detrimental to its own plans for the west end of Temple Bar, which include a large residential development due to start early next year.
It said the scheme would result in a single-block use extending from Parliament Street to Essex Gate and Upper Exchange Street, with a predominance of licensed premises including the Turk's Head, Isolde's Tower and the Back Lounge.
Given the critical mass of residents proposed for the adjoining site, now being archaeologically excavated, TBP said conflicts would arise regarding noise, traffic, hours of opening and delivery services from the sizeable hotel-pub scheme proposed.
TBP has appealed another hotel scheme for the former Libra Designs premises in Sycamore Street, which would have a pub at ground floor and basement levels. This, too, had been approved by Dublin Corporation's planners.
The State company is also objecting to plans by Gael Linn and Fitzer's to turn Cecelia House, the former Catholic University Medical School, into a 43-bedroom hotel with a large pub at street level and will appeal against it, if necessary.
It has engaged two architects, Mr Sean Harrington and Mr Peter Twamley, to monitor the corporation's weekly planning lists and to submit objections to any scheme for Temple Bar which it feels would be detrimental to the area.
TBP's approach is in line with its 20-point action plan, published last May, which opposes the creation of new pubs in Temple Bar as well as extensions to existing pubs and anything other than first-floor residents' lounges in new hotels.
Next month, Dublin city councillors are expected to adopt a variation to the city plan under which any proposals for new licensed premises in the area would be considered in terms of the effect they would have on its amenities and mix of uses.
Referring to hotels, the draft variation says that any bar or lounge should be proportionate to the overall size and function of the hotel.
It also says night clubs "will not normally be permitted as part of any new hotel or independently".
The corporation's planning objective is "to secure a suitable mix of day-time and night-time uses" in the area and, in doing so, to ensure that pubs and other licensed premises do not end up dominating cultural, residential and retail activities.
