Sir, – When the ESB constructed the two 600ft chimneys in the South Docks in Dublin in 1972, it did so without having to apply for planning permission. In those days State, semi-State and local authorities were considered “exempt” from the provisions of the Planning Acts. Following a Supreme Court ruling in 1993, new legislation was introduced to require all such authorities to apply henceforth for planning permission, and previous developments carried out by the State were “deemed not to have required permission”. Had the ESB applied for planning permission in 1972, I am quite convinced that they would have been refused both by Dublin Corporation and on appeal (in those days before An Bord Pleanála was set up in 1976, an appeal was made to the minister for local government). Many objectors, including pilots, were totally opposed to the chimneys and this was in the days before the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), set up in 1992.
How ironic that the ESB will now require planning permission to demolish these chimneys. Could we have a bit more of a rigorous assessment of the “iconic” value of these chimneys in the light of the above? Dublin Bay should return to being the “lung” of the city and not the “bladder”. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL KINSELLA
St Vincent Road,
Greystones, Co Wicklow.