Trinity College has been refused planning permission by Dublin City Council to build Dublin’s largest bar in the buildings they own on Foster Place.
The application submitted on behalf of the Provost, Fellows, and Scholars of the University of Dublin, Trinity College was rejected by planners on the 21st August on three grounds.
Dublin City Council said that ‘proposed development for a large public house and restaurant at this location would lead to an excessive concentration of such uses in the area resulting in an unacceptable negative impact on the amenity of the area.’
The other two objections related to the ‘impact and integrity of the building.’ Dublin City was of the view that the proposed changes would detract from the ascetic of the buildings.
The development was to incorporate seven buildings owned by the College and turn them into a restaurant and bar. Among those objecting to the proposed development were bar owners in the vicinity.
Owner of The Bank bar and restaurant on Dame St, Charlie Chawke submitted an objection based on a lack of car parking facilities and fire regulations. In the objection submitted by Architectural Construction Technology, who are consultants for Chawke, it says they ‘wonder when the penny will drop with the applicant regarding the problems related to obtaining a revised fire certificate.’
There are a number of other objections from bars in the area and from cultural agencies. Temple Bar Cultural Trust submitted an objection that the bar would ‘create very large new licensed premises, in effect a super-pub, with a floor area of ¼ acre (1341m2) as a drinking gateway to the Temple Bar area.’
An Taisce’s objection made reference to what it considered the overall deterioration of the cul-de-sac at Foster Place. It included pictures of where ‘antique pavement’ has been replaced with tar and the brickwork pattern has been ignored.
The College bought the buildings in the late 1990s and used the space to provide space for a number of academic and administrative services for the College.
The College says it is ‘currently considering the full decision of Dublin City Council with its design team in the context of the observations by various parties, the Planning Officer’s report and the College’s need to make full and efficient use of the buildings.’
The College has four weeks from the date of the refusal to appeal the decision.
