Board says yes to plan for Mother Redcaps

An Bord Pleanála has given the go ahead for a mixed use development, which will involve the demolition of the landmark pub Mother Redcaps and adjoining former bric-a-brac market in the heart of Dublin's Liberties.

The development, on Back Lane and John Dillon Street, Dublin 8, will involve the construction of two apartments blocks on the site which includes the former Winstanley shoe factory and the Mother Redcaps licensed premises.

A new pub and restaurant and five retail units will also be built, by Christchurch Developments, which names three Cork people as its directors: Angela Smith of The Laurels, Montenotte; Martin Archer, 58 South Mall; and Maureen O'Farrell, The Eldon Hotel, Skibbereen.

Plans submitted by the developers involve the demolition of 1a and 2a Back Lane and numbers 40 to 48 Back Lane to allow for the construction of 67 apartments and two town houses. According to the plans the two blocks, would be connected by a link bridge and separated by a new pedestrian street linking Black Lane and Lamb Alley.

Dublin City Council granted permission for the scheme last June. Four applicants, including An Taisce, appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála.

In its appeal An Taisce said the development fails to properly address the setting of Tailors Halls, a protected structure on Back Lane, and would not protect and enhance the area.

Mr Declan Cassidy, another objector, said the development would infringe the last remaining authentic structure of Dublin City walls, which, he said are located on the site.

An Bord Pleanála granted permission subject to a number of conditions including that sections of the development be significantly reduced in scale.

The board have ruled that the proposed six-storey building be rlowered by one storey and that a section of a proposed five-storey building be reduced by two storeys. The pedestrian link must be removed and archaeological excavation must also be carried out on the site, according to the board's report.