Bono’s proposal for rooftop bar in Dalkey quashed by planners

Bono sang from the rooftops when U2 conquered America in the 1980s. Now planners have quashed his proposal for a rooftop bar and restaurant in Dalkey, citing “visual amenity” in the picturesque south Dublin village.

The rock superstar and property investor Paddy McKillen were among the backers of plans to redevelop the prominent Tramyard site in Dalkey, which ran into local objections when they were submitted in 2019.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council granted permission with conditions for a mixed-use project that included a roof pavilion and garden, as well as retail and cultural space, bar and restaurant use and office and health centre use. That decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by Dalkey Community Council, various individuals and the company behind the plan, Clós Nua, on separate grounds.

In a ruling this week, An Bord Pleanála has given another go-ahead to the project but on condition that a third-floor pavilion, walkway and garden is omitted from the plan.

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“A complete set of revised drawings showing compliance with this requirement shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the planning authority prior to commencement of development,” the board said in a 10-page ruling, which has yet to be published.

‘Visual amenity’

The reason for the condition was “in the interest of visual amenity, having regard to the location of the site in the Dalkey architectural conservation area and the proximity of the site to protected structures”. The planning appeal board also said the revised plan should be in accordance with alternative option drawings submitted in January.

There was no comment from Bono’s spokesman on the decision and no comment from a spokeswoman for Mr McKillen.

Given the conditions it has imposed on the project, the board said the overall development “would not seriously injure the visual amenities of the area or the residential amenities of property in the vicinity”.

The basement will comprise a plant room and cultural space. There will be a public plaza with seating and retail kiosks and a cafe bar space on the ground floor, as well as units for either retail use or restaurant/bar use and a cultural venue.