Madam, – The decision by the members of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission to Chartered Land for the proposed development of the Carlton site is truly astonishing (Home News, March 27th). This decision allows for the arbitrary invasion of the designated area of the National Monument at 14 to 17 Moore Street and the demolition of protected buildings and structures that are directly linked to the Easter Rising.
An Bord Pleanála is a publicly funded body charged to oversee the proper planning and development of our towns and cities and so protect and preserve our heritage and history.
How then can it grant permission for the demolition of protected buildings and structures that form part of a National Monument – the highest form of protection that the State can bestow on a building? Is it not their duty to ensure that the designation of a National Monument adopted by both Houses of the Oireachtas is protected to the fullest extent of their power? This decision requires immediate clarification.
National Monuments are not a commodity to be disposed of or altered at the whim of public bodies or officials and certainly not in the interests of private commercial considerations, as in this case. They are held in trust for future generations.
We hope that Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley will act immediately to protect and preserve the 1916 National Monument by withholding his consent to any site work until such time as the status and integrity of its entire designated area is assured. – Yours, etc,