FROM THE ARCHIVES:The Fianna Fáil government's approval for the ESB's plans to rebuild its offices in Fitzwilliam Street confirmed what is widely seen as one of the worst planning decisions in Dublin's recent history. This editorial explained the reasons why.
IN CONFIRMING the general permission given by Dublin Corporation to the Electricity Supply Board, the Minister for Local Government [Neil Blaney] rejected the appeal made on behalf of local residents who objected to the plan to pull down the Board’s existing premises in Fitzwilliam street, Dublin, and substitute in their place a new building.
Before this new building can be put up, a special permission must be issued by the Corporation, based on the plans for the new design. Against this second permission, the residents, if not disheartened by their initial rebuff, may, and it is hoped will, appeal again. For it is very proper that opposition to this philistine act should come from the citizens. It is to be hoped that a large number will now voice their opinion..
Some play has been made with the fact that these houses individually are not impressive examples of their period. The case for their retention is based on the fact that they form a large and essential part in an architectural redoubt, unique in its kind, which gives Dublin its special character, and which, when lost, never can be recaptured.
To remove a block of them is as if one were to take away a part of a picture and paint in a new passage in its place.
One is not unmindful of the recent horrible news of old buildings collapsing, with tragic loss of life; but Fenian street and Bolton street illustrate not the necessity to pull down every house that is old, but to look after houses while they are alive and to take them away when they are dead. To compare Bolton street and Fenian street to Fitzwilliam street is ridiculous.
One is part of a noble prospect and the houses in question are occupied by an enormously rich and influential tenant. The others were slums, neglected and decayed, occupied by the very poor. The lesson of the tragedies is that we should learn what to pull down and what to keep up.
The citizens, the Corporation, the Government – let alone the landlord – could still persuade the Board of the error of its ways. This stubborn determination to persist with its selfish proposal is a determination to deprive the city of the last remnants of a noble architectural heritage. To make something that is a failure is a waste of effort, but may be excused; to destroy what is successful, to take a chance such as the Board wishes to take with the city’s fortune has no excuse.
Some time when the sun – preferably after rain – plays upon the weathered bricks, let all those who have a hand in this threatened iconoclasm stand and look at what they wish to kill. It may be idle to hope they will go to Canossa of their own accord. The citizens must speak. Time is running out.
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