D4 locals contest Smyth's Pub demolition and rebuild permission
Gordon Deegan
Locals in Dublin 4 are contesting the green light for plans to demolish a 'D4 gem', Smyth’s pub on Haddington Rd and replace it with a larger pub and apartments, despite locals' ‘superpub’ fears.
This follows R. John McBratney and others lodging an appeal with An Bord Pleanála against Dublin City Council granting planning permission to Courtney Lounge Bars Ltd to demolish all existing buildings on site at 10 Haddington Rd and construct a four storey and part five storey mixed-use building comprising a pub at basement and ground floor and six residential units at the upper floors.
The Council granted planning permission after concluding that the scheme "would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or property in the vicinity”.
In response to the plans initially lodged, the Pembroke Rd Association told the council that "a local pub can be a wonderful social amenity in a mixed residential area, as Smyth’s has been over the years, but a ‘super’ pub in the same type of area is a problem”.
In his original objection, Mr R. John McBratney contended that: “It is a substantial intensification of the use of the site. I note the application is silent as to why the pub serving area needs to be increased further.”
A resident on Percy Place, Mr McBratney said: “I believe in city living…It has been a marvellous place to live, notwithstanding the changes in the streetscape in the intervening years.
He said: “The proposed development would radically change what is known as Smyth's pub and create a five storey building with protruding balconies and a roof terrace which would overbear the houses in Percy Place.
He said: “It is, in short an over-development of the site and it would seriously injure my enjoyment of my home on Percy Place and, I therefore request that you refuse planning permission for this application.”
Mr McBratney also stated that he was concerned that balconies and terrace on the scheme may become places of parties and late night festivities "particularly if any of these apartments were to be used for short term holiday lets which is a realistic fear given the close proximity of the Aviva stadium and its many crowd inducing events".
The planning authority granted planning permission, with 14 conditions attached, after Courtney Lounge Bars Ltd made design changes to the scheme.
The Council planner’s report concluded that the alterations made to the design “are greatly appreciated”.
The planners stated that the changes have resulted in a development which balances visual interest and attention to detail which creates an architectural presence in a volume which does not jar with the adjoining structures.
