Sir, - Frank McDonald's report "An Taisce opposes Presbyterian Church Demolition" (The Irish Times, August 3rd) brought attention to the outrageous planning permission granted by Dublin Corporation to the Presbyterian Church, Adelaide Road.
We, as local residents, are very concerned about the proposed destruction of this fine church, but we are even more concerned about the proposed huge "wraparound" office block which would have a disastrous effect on our residential amenities.
The block, for which Dublin Corporation has granted permission, would overshadow and overlook the small homes on Peter Place, and the adjacent houses on Harcourt Terrace.
Both Peter Place residents and concerned Harcourt Terrace residents have objected strenuously to these destructive plans. Harcourt Terrace residents, as well as An Taisce, have appealed to An Bord Pleanala and are supported by all the residents of Peter Place, many of whom have now purchased their homes from Dublin Corporation.
Harcourt Terrace is zoned as a residential conservation area while Peter Place is zoned residential. These plans are totally at variance with the stated objectives of both these zonings.
The argument made by the Presbyterian Church - that it needs to build the huge office block to make money to support community services - is not valid. The secular activities at the church are, we understand, financed by FAS and the VEC. And surely the role of any church in a community should be to foster peace and reconciliation and not to become speculative developers to the detriment of the real living community in which the church is situated.
We feel sure that many of the congregation of the Presbyterian Church, Adelaide Road, must be unaware of the terrible effect these plans would have on the adjoining residents. And we know that they would not countenance such a development where they live.
It is not too late for the Presbyterian Church to withdraw these destructive plans and adopt a more moral and ethical approach to the real community in which the church is situated. - Yours, etc.,
Eileen Carmody Ross, Harcourt Terrace, Dublin 2.