An Taisce and the Save Bewley's Cafe Campaign are appealing a decision by Dublin City Council to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of the historic Westmoreland Street café into a cocktail bar and restaurant.

The council gave Bewley's permission to redevelop its Westmoreland Street café - on the grounds that it retains a café and restaurant on its ground floor - earlier this year. The company has also been granted permission to extend and refurbish a hotel on the same site.

An Taisce has written to An Bord Pleanála stating that the proposed development goes against official policy on architectural conservation and on mixed-use development in Temple Bar.

Extending alcoholic consumption use from the basement of the premise into the ground floor of the premises and removing the historic café would "undermine Bewley's special importance to the civic life of the city and its historical, cultural and social character", the heritage group stated.

The Save Bewley's Cafe Campaign, which is chaired by the Lord Mayor of Dublin Michael Conaghan, has also written to the planning board.

The group has welcomed the decision by the local authority to ensure that the Middle and Garden rooms are used for café and restaurant use only.

However, the group has expressed concerns about plans to convert the historic Fleet Room into a hotel reception. This room is of great historic, architectural and artistic significance, according to the group.

"Bewley's Café on Westmoreland Street is an integral part of Dublin's heritage which must be protected for the social and cultural life of present and future generations," according to the group.