Latest news with #FrankMcDonald
Irish Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Developer fails in last-ditch bid to salvage approval for apartments near Royal Hospital Kilmainham
A developer's last-ditch bid to appeal an order overturning permission for 399 rental apartments near the Royal Hospital building in Kilmainham, Dublin, has been rejected by the Supreme Court. The disputed permission for five blocks, including an 18-storey tower, was granted, subject to 31 conditions, by An Bord Pleanála in March 2022 under the since-dismantled Strategic Housing Development procedure. The site of the proposed development by HPREF HSQ Investments Ltd in Heuston South Quarter shared a boundary with the gardens of the 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham (RHK), a protected structure. In their High Court case against the board and the State, with the developer a notice party, architect Paul Leech and former Irish Times journalist Frank McDonald , argued that the proposed development would impinge upon a protected view from the RHK to the Phoenix Park. READ MORE This 'cone of vision' was designated in the Dublin City Development Plan to protect the setting of the RHK and would be adversely affected by the high-rise apartments intruding into it and overlooking the hospital's formal garden, they argued. Last November, the High Court's Ms Justice Emily Farrell upheld the challenge by the applicants, represented by barristers Oisin Collins and Michael O'Donnell, instructed by O'Connell Clark solicitors. She said the board failed to consider that the proposed development was a material contravention of the city development plan 2022-2028. Last March, the judge refused to allow the developer to appeal her decision to the Court of Appeal. The developer did not meet the criteria for permission to appeal because it had not shown the decision raised a point of law of exceptional public importance or was desirable in the public interest, she held. The developer then sought a 'leapfrog' appeal directly to the Supreme Court. Its grounds included that the High Court misinterpreted the board's permission decision. It argued an appeal was in the interests of justice and that clarification of several issues raised would benefit other litigants in judicial reviews of planning decisions. The board took a neutral position on the application for an appeal, while Mr Leech and Mr McDonald opposed any appeal because no issues of general public importance were raised. In a recently published determination, a panel of three Supreme Court judges refused leave to appeal. While the proposed development was 'substantial' and its location important, the case was resolved by the High Court in a 'clear and comprehensive' judgment, supplemented by further consideration when leave to appeal was sought and refused, the judges said. The High Court applied 'clear legal principles' to the facts, they added.
Extra.ie
31-07-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
St Stephen's Green 'dome' saved from wrecking ball
One of Dublin's most famous landmarks – the dome at the St Stephen's Green Centre – has been saved… for now. This follows An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) refusing planning permission to contentious plans for the €100million redevelopment of the centre, which would have removed the dome and much of the glass structure. An Taisce had complained that a new office development in its place 'lacks architectural sensitivity towards St Stephen's Green and results in the loss of an impressive naturally lit space'. One of Dublin's most famous landmarks – the dome at the St Stephen's Green Centre – has been saved… for now. Pic: Getty The appeal came before ACP after third party appeals by An Taisce, former Irish Times Environment Editor Frank McDonald and St Stephen's Green Centre trader, Emmett Rogers. Mr Rogers has been operating the Tribe outlet at the centre since 1992. In his appeal, he said he was 'horrified' the Council had granted planning permission to the mixed-use scheme. The refusal by ACP overturns a grant of permission made to DTDL Ltd issued by Dublin City Council in December 2023. The refusal by ACP overturns a grant of permission made to DTDL Ltd issued by Dublin City Council in December 2023.- The largest component of the new scheme was to be 35,043 sq metres of offices and ancillary spaces and the applicants increased the level of retail and food and beverage space after the Council expressed concerns. Opening the door for a future application, ACP said the replacement of the façade, including the external trellis detailing and dome, would not contravene the Dublin City Development Plan, subject to an appropriately high Glass ceiling: The iconic dome of St Stephen's Green Centre quality design solution.
Spectator
23-04-2025
- Business
- Spectator
Spectator Competition: Beautiful word
Comp. 3396 invited you to write a poem that endeavoured to romanticise tariffs. There was a fine haul, though a few had to be disallowed for straying from the brief. Praise to George Simmers, Frank McDonald, Janine Beacham, Sylvia Fairley, Tom Adam, Sue Pickard and Elizabeth Kay, among others, and a special mention to Tracy Davidson for her opening: How do I tariff thee? At varied rates. I tariff greatly those I cannot stand, And those who would not buy a US brand, Or place our poisoned chicken on their plates. The prizes go to those below. Loveliest of fees! My tariff vow – So fondly made – to disallow For you, my darling MAGA bride, The things that foreigners provide. Be still my trembling heart, and when, Beloved levies, by my pen, The order's signed, let excise soar And earn the duties I adore. I have a chart, the chart of doom. But what care I for global gloom? I'll just embrace, with orange glow, My beautiful imbroglio. Barbara Jones I love the sound of tariffs – I roll them round my tongue: They make me feel so manly, So handsome and well-hung. I've got my board of tariffs That show who's just been stung – Money's waiting to be made – I'm waiting for my bung! My friends who love the tariffs Are beautiful and young: Jeff and Mark are solid guys Though Elon's highly strung… And when I set my tariffs On friends and foes far-flung, I feel like God Almighty Whose praises will be sung. J.C.H. Mounsey Fair tariff, great protectress, rise, Too long have we remained in thrall To specious globalising lies. So throw up high your taxing wall. Then native industry will grow Beneath your loving, kind caress And capital back home will flow, Twin deficits swiftly redress. Sustain our lovely manufactures Though internationally they are weak! No matter each supply line fractures! It's autarky with you we seek. The Chinese will not harm us now, Embracing unproductive toil. Comparative advantage! How The thought of it makes us recoil! Benedict King
