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The Journal
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Dublin building collapse example of why derelict site levy should rise, says councillor
THE COLLAPSE OF a derelict building in Dublin city centre is a sign that the government must increase the derelict site levy, according to Dublin City Green Party councillor Hazel Chu. The vacant building, which is located across the road from the Grand Canal in Dublin 6, partially collapsed this week, resulting in Dublin Fire Brigade having to attend the scene to make it safe. Speaking to The Journal , Chu said she was very frustrated about the incident, stating that some years ago in 2021 she tried to get the site rezoned for mixed use residential and commercial, but the proposal was rejected. Advertisement Instead, it remained for commercial use only. The building was placed on the vacant sites register in 2023. Planning permission for the site was obtained in 2024, but no work had begun on the site prior to its collapse, she said. While the 7% derelict site levy was applied in 2023, it is clearly not enough to encourage the development of sites, Chu said. Each local authority keeps a Derelict Sites Register which includes the sites subject to an annual levy of 7% of its market value for being in a 'ruinous, derelict, dangerous or neglected condition' . Related Reads Shared equity scheme gets two more years - but Sinn Féin says it will 'make things worse' RPZ changes will have 'significant impact' says Minister, who claims he understands renters' fears Government missed its target of social housing by about 18% (or 2,345 homes) last year The levy continues to apply until the site is no longer deemed derelict 'It is clearly not enough in terms of applying to derelict sites around the city,' she said, adding that the government is literally 'letting buildings fall down before we actual move to do something about them,' said the former Lord Mayor of Dublin. She also questioned why some sites were being zoned for commercial use and not residential in the middle of a housing crisis. Chu has suggested higher levies could apply for larger developers who have an ability to pay higher rates and who leave sites vacant. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
14-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Vacant cottages near Dublin's Grand Canal partially collapse
The incident happened around 8.20am on Monday, May 12, at Dunville Terrace on Canal Road, Dublin 6. Firefighters from Dolphin's Barn fire station arrived on the scene after part of a structure gave way. The area was made safe and handed over to the council's Dangerous Buildings section just over an hour later. No injuries were reported. The affected properties – at 2 to 6 Dunville Terrace – have been on the Derelict Sites Register since 2023 and are owned by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). According to Dublin City Council, the CIF had initially indicated in September last year that they would proceed with demolition in line with planning permission, following a full architectural survey. However, in January, CIF informed the council it was no longer going ahead with the demolition and was instead seeking to sell the properties. 'At no time were there any reports of unstable or dangerous buildings,' a council spokesperson said. 'Any complaints received in the Derelict Sites Section were in relation to graffiti and the overall neglectful appearance of the buildings.' Following Monday's collapse, the council's Dangerous Buildings Section ordered CIF to clear all debris from the public footpath and roadway, and to provide full structural reports and safety proposals for the remaining buildings, which sit beside a busy route between Rathmines and Ranelagh. 'The owners, the CIF, are responsible for maintaining safe and secure properties at all times,' the council said. 'The Dangerous Buildings Section has requested that all deleterious materials be removed and that detailed structural assessments and proposals to make-safe the remaining buildings be forwarded without delay.' The council added that its Dangerous Buildings Inspector will continue to monitor the site to ensure necessary works are completed. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Local Green Party councillor Hazel Chu visited the site following the incident and said it caused a 'danger to the general public'. 'The location 2–6 Dunville Terrace was on the derelict site register since 2023,' she said. 'I was one of the councillors pushing to put it on the register and I was also one of the councillors pushing to have this piece of land behind it and also the cottages zoned to become residential and mixed use,' she added. Instead, the development was kept zoned for enterprise and employment in the city development plan. Construction Industry Federation put in for planning permission for a commercial office block which would have been eight storeys high, which saw several objections in the area. One of those objections came from Cllr Chu who said this was to do with the 'lack of housing'. 'We need to build for more housing, and we also needed to keep the cottages in line with the canal area as it was a superb piece of heritage as well,' she said. 'This was also stated in a planning inspector's report from An Bord Pleanála saying that to remove and destroy the cottages was a ridiculous notion, since it had huge heritage value. 'However, the board did grant permission, yet still CIF sat on the planning permission granted and still has not built on the site. Now part of the site, the cottages, have fallen through.'
Dublin Live
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Dublin Live
Decision to close city centre public toilets reversed by Dublin City Council
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Dublin City Council has gone back on its decision to close the public toilets next to St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre. The initial news of the closure of the facilities at the top of Grafton Street resulted in major outcry from councillors and the public alike. The council had made the decision due to reduced demand and the current owner going out of business. The facilities were installed during the Covid-19 pandemic and cost nearly €400,000 to maintain annually. The plans to shut the toilets down were slammed at a council meeting on Monday. Green Party councillor Claire Byrne, called the "ongoing failure of this city to provide basic services to meet a basic human right' as 'abhorrent," the Irish Times reports. She also stated that very little was done in the five years the council had to set up alternative facilities. Green Party's Hazel Chu added that she let people use the toilet in the Mansion House when she was Lord Mayor and called on the council to open public buildings with toilets to the public. The council had opened two public toilets in 2020 — one at the top of Grafton Street and another one on Wolfe Tone Square, which was later relocated to Ryder's Row off Capel Street before being decommissioned in 2022. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘It makes no sense whatsoever' – public toilets at the top of Grafton Street to be closed
In a report to Dublin city councillors, Barry Woods, Head of Waste Management Services, said the unit – which has been operating from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week – was originally intended as a short-term arrangement during the pandemic. The council has been spending nearly €400,000 a year to keep the toilets – the only public facility in the city centre – running since their installation in 2020. 'Usage has dropped significantly to 1,500 users per week from its peak in 2021, and the current operator for this unit is ceasing trading,' the report states. 'For these reasons, Dublin City Council intends to remove this temporary public toilet at the top of Grafton Street shortly.' The council says it is now looking at new ways to provide public toilet services in the city. In 2023, the council invited companies to share ideas and held discussions with two providers. One of the companies, which specialises in automated toilets, advised against placing unmanned public toilets in the city centre, warning that it could lead to anti-social behaviour. As a result, the council's Waste Management team has been working with the Dublin Beta Projects team to explore other types of public toilet models. These talks are still ongoing, and no final decision has yet been made on how the toilets will be managed or operated. The council is currently considering two possible locations for modular toilet units: Princes Street North (just off O'Connell Street), and the site of the current temporary unit at the top of Grafton Street. ADVERTISEMENT If these locations are deemed suitable, a planning process known as Part 8 will begin, alongside the search for the preferred operator. The council hopes to bring formal proposals to the South East and Central Area Committees by the third quarter of 2025. As part of a longer-term plan, public toilets will also be included in the design of the new College Green Public Realm Scheme. This major city centre project is due to begin construction in 2027. The council believes College Green is an ideal location for new public toilets, as there is sufficient space to accommodate different designs and operating models. However, the news of the removal of the public toilets at the top of Grafton Street has been met with criticism from some public representatives, including Green Party councillor Hazel Chu. 'I wouldn't mind if they were taking it away and had a permanent solution ready to go, but the timeline is that it's going to be 2025, 2026 before it even goes to Part 8 planning,' she said. 'With Part 8, it could take a while, so you're talking about at least two years without public facilities. 'The numbers were 20,000 during COVID because there were no shops open. 'I know there's a cost, but all things cost money. You balance the cost against whether it's worth it – and it is worth it, because it's a public facility that people need. 'They claim it's dropped to 1,500 a week now. Fine, that is a drop, but what are you going to tell those 1,500 people who currently need that toilet? Hold it in?' she added. She is bringing an emergency motion to the South East Area Committee meeting to keep the public toilets in place until a more permanent solution is found. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon also criticised the decision to close Dublin city centre's only public toilets, calling it a 'short-sighted move'. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: 'Closing the only public toilets in the middle of Dublin, just as we come into the busy summer season, makes no sense whatsoever. 'The need for public facilities is about to spike – more people will be out enjoying the city, attending events, and making use of our parks. We should be adding toilets, not taking them away. 'We've seen this same story play out again and again: an unwillingness to plan ahead; an allergy to practical public investment; and a government that doesn't understand how cities actually work,' he added.
