Agenda Item 9 MEETING OF DÚN LAOGHAIRE AREA COMMITTEE 1st September 2014 DUNNES STORES PROPERTIES, UPPER GEORGE’S STREET, DUN LAOGHAIRE
Question:
Councillor M. Merrigan
“To ask the Chief Executive what measures, if any, are being considered to ensure that the terrace of vacant properties on Upper George’s Street, Dún Laoghaire, in the current ownership of Dunnes Stores and/or any of its subsidiaries, are renovated to a standard that meets the requirements of the County Development Plan and brought into commercial use by the owners in a timely manner and to confirm the current planning status of the properties?”
Reply: An application by Dunnes Stores for a site at 22-29, George’s Street (Register Reference D09A/0019) was granted planning permission by the Planning Authority on 15th December, 2009. That permission was appealed by third parties to An Bord Pleanala. The Bord subsequently issued a grant of planning permission (PL06D.235805) on 28th May, 2010. That planning permission is, consequently, still “live”. The application site in question encompassed the entire block – including the terrace of vacant retail properties referred to framed by George’s Street Upper/Northumberland Avenue/Dungar Terrace/Anglesea Lane. The proposed redevelopment involves the following:• • •
Retention of existing first and second floor red brick façade and parapet on George’s Street and Northumberland Avenue. Demolition of remaining structures. Construction of new 5,440 sqm 3-storey-over-basement retail development comprising 750 sqm convenience retail at basement level; 2,400 sqm comparison shopping at ground, first and second floor levels; complete with a 380 sqm fourth floor roof-top restaurant.
At this juncture there is no indication from Dunnes Stores whether it is their intention or not to implement the extant planning permission. The ground floor terrace of three (currently vacant) retail premises at 26 to 29, George’s Street were the subject of a Derelict Sites Notice (DS:1436) in Spring 2011 on the basis that the properties were “neglected, unsightly, or in an objectionable condition” on foot of “damaged windows to the rear of the property that required to be secured”. The required works were duly addressed and the site declared nonderelict on 7th September, 2011. DS File 1436 was subsequently closed. The terrace of retail properties in question is but one of a number of retail/commercial properties currently vacant in Dún Laoghaire Town Centre. There is no legislative mechanism available to the Council to compel owners of such vacant retail/commercial properties to bring such floor-space back into active use. Market forces and confidence will be the primary drivers in turning around vacant premises
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in the Town Centre. In recent months, and indeed currently, a number of shop units in the Town Centre are the subject of new shop fitting/refurbishment activity. Contact: Dave Irvine, Senior Planner, Development Team.
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