Georges Quay development effects explained

The Proposed high-rise complex at Georges Quay in Dublin will overshadow the Custom House at certain times of the year, although any shadows caused by the development will be less clearly defined than those caused by a scheme already granted planning permission for the site.

This was stated by Prof Owen Lewis, director of the Energy Research Group at UCD, at the Bord Pleanala hearing on the development yesterday.

Prof Lewis, who was commissioned by the developers Cosgrave Property Group to carry out a light-impact assessment of the scheme, rejected local residents' claims that it would overshadow Trinity College, or any area to the south.

Computer simulations showed the development would cast a shadow moving from west to east at different speeds during the year, taking in a semi-circular area from Tara Street and Burgh Quay to the Custom House, City Quay and Townsend Street.

Responding to specific local fears, he said the development would not cast a shadow on Markievicz House in Townsend Street except possibly in late evening in midsummer. As for the City Quay School, there would be no shadow on it in the morning, only in the afternoon.

He noted the design of the complex offered a greater degree of transparency to the scheme which received planning permission at the site eight years ago and which could be built without a retention application up to 2001.

Mr Bill Hastings, a UCD architecture lecturer, who was also commissioned to assist with an Environmental Impact Statement for the development, argued it should be viewed within the context of existing high-rise buildings in the area.

Responding to complaints from the Irish Georgian Society that the development would be visible from the grounds of Trinity College, Mr Hastings noted many modern buildings such as the Central Bank, Hawkins House and Liberty Hall already were visible.

Other specialists employed by the developers claimed the project would have no significant impact on noise, pollution or traffic in the area.

They said the greatest environmental impact would be at Townsend Street where traffic during the morning peak period would increase from 700 vehicles an hour to an estimated 900. Carbon monoxide levels, however, were predicted to increase to only 2,5mg per metre cubed, a quarter of the EU safety standard and marginally below levels at College Green. In addition, noise levels were expected to increase by less than one decibel.

Earlier Mr Michael Smith, chairman of the Dublin City Association of An Taisce, said the development was "a premature and frivolous attempt to bring Dublin into an unplanned but allegedly exciting brave new world" of high-rise.

He said a Dublin Corporation-commissioned study aimed at identifying suitable sites for high-rise developments should be completed before any project of this scale went ahead.

The hearing continues today.