High Rise rejection requires explanation from City Council planning authority – Lahart

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Dublin, John Lahart has said that the decision to reject a planning application for a 22 storey tower beside Tara Street Dart station requires Dublin City Council to come forward with plans to show its commitment to quality, high rise developments and to outline a proper vision for high rise development within the capital.

“There is clearly a mismatch between what Dublin City Council will accept and what certain developers believe is acceptable in terms of high rise developments.

“The City Council has already designated certain areas of the city as being suitable for high rise developments.

“What is now needed is clearer guidance from the planning authorities as to what would be acceptable in these areas in light of the importance of Protected Views as per current planning regulations.

“Dubliners will embrace a high-rise cityscape that is sensitively designed and located, and that represents the best in terms of quality commercial and residential space.

“Within Dublin City, we are clearly constrained by space. There is limited space to build housing, let alone office and hospitality space.

“In order to speed up and streamline the construction of high rise developments in the right areas, to deliver additional quality housing and office space, along with appropriate recreational and leisure space, developers need to be sure that what they are proposing to develop is in line with current planning rules.

“In the right areas, high-rise can be very beneficial, but all stakeholders need to know the rules before they consider development. The city council needs to present a vision of where it deems high rise development to be appropriate and beneficial together with a plan that is embraced by capital’s population. There is a growing acceptance of the need for additional heights and densities within the city to prevent sprawl.

“I would hope that the City Council planning officials would engage positively with developers considering high rise projects, and ensure that we can deliver the quality housing, office space, recreational and hotel space that our capital so urgently requires,” concluded Lahart.