Decisions on Dublin schemes imminent

A number of major developments, including a 30-storey tower at Ringsend, are due to be decided by An Bord Pleanβla and Dublin's planning authorities this month.

Decisions are due on the first two phases of the 40-hectare business and technology park at Ballymun in north Dublin, a focal point of the Ballymun Regeneration scheme. Decisions are also due on Iarnr≤d ╔ireann's plans to redevelop its Tara Street p remises and effectively sell the space over the station for an office tower, as well as on a 120,000 sq m office development, tower and conference centre at Ringsend.

Ballymun Regeneration Ltd expects An Bord Pleanβla to make a decision on phase one of the business & technology park by October 30th, while Fingal County Council is due to deliver its decision on phase two just before that. Together, phases one and two amount to just over 19 hectares and the construction jobs as well as long-term employment provided by the scheme are integral parts of the rejuvenation plan. This, of course, depends on Ballymun Regeneration resolving the current difficulties which have led to a cessation of work on the project, following the death of a young boy there.

Meanwhile, at Tara Street on a site bounded by George's Quay, Luke Street and Poolbeg Street, Iarnr≤d ╔ireann is hoping to recreate the successful redevelopment of Connolly Station, in which it sold the space over its own buildings for an office block. According to Iarnrod ╔ireann the project, which is valued at about £50 million (E;63.5) is required to finance the rebuilding of the station and the extension of the platforms. The company also plans to reconfigure the signalling through the Tara Street central corridor which would allow about 33 per cent extra trains an hour. Iarnr≤d Eireann has the opportunity to dramatically increase the throughput of passengers and ease congestion.

The plan envisages a 10-storey office development with a public restaurant over the station concourse. An environmental impact assessment has been submitted as part of the planning application.

An Bord Pleanβla is also due to decide on an application for a site adjacent to the Glass Bottle factory at South Bank Road, in Ringsend. The proposed development includes the construction of business/office accommodation, retail space, hotel and leisure facilities and conference and ancillary facilities in 11 separate buildings. Three buildings would front Sean Moore Park, including two five and six-storey blocks linked by an atrium and a six-storey leisure and office building. The hotel and a six-storey retail/office building would also front on to Sandymount Strand. Other buildings to front on to the Poolbeg Peninsula and the spur road off South Bank Road include a 30-storey cylindrical tower. A perimeter pedestrian promenade leading on to hotel terraces is planned along the boundary with Sandymount Strand.