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Iarnród Éireann has been given the go-ahead
to build a 12-storey railway station and offices in the middle
of Dublin.
An Bord Pleanála approved plans to build a 50-metre-high
building at Tara Street. It will be just nine metres shorter
than the country's first skyscraper - Liberty Hall - which
is directly across the Liffey. A 10-year planning permission
was granted, so the building must be completed by 2020.
The station is already one of the country's busiest in the
country, with 25,000 passengers a day using it. Demand will
grow as the number of trains entering the station increases.
The 14,500 passengers per hour at peak times will be catered
for in the new development, which is expected to cost €100m.
In its decision, An Bord Pleanála overruled its own
inspector, who had recommended that permission should be refused.
Iarnród
Éireann had previously been told to reduce
the building height by 10 metres, so it would not have an
adverse impact on the Custom House.
The company said it planned to develop the building with
a private-sector partner and that it was confident the work
would go ahead. A spokesman said - "The expansion of Tara
Street Station is a crucial part of our development plans
for the capacity of the rail network in the Greater Dublin
area. While recognising the challenges of the current market
situation, we are determined to progress these plans as soon
as possible."
The company had sought permission for a new railway station
concourse, with a commercial air-rights development above
it. The plan includes demolition of the existing structure
and the construction of a 20,990sqm building rising 12 levels
above the street.
Access to the new station will be from Tara Street and George's
Quay, with 14,990sqm of offices on 10 levels over the station
concourse.
An Bord Pleanála said that, given the need to upgrade
facilities at the city-centre railway station, the development
should be approved.
It said - "It is considered that the proposed development,
as reduced in scale in response to the notice from An Bord
Pleanála, would not adversely impact on the setting
of the Custom House, would not detract from the visual character
and amenity of the city centre and would be acceptable in
terms of its height, outline and siting.
"The board considered that Tara Street Station will still
remain a centrally important station, with a high volume of
passenger throughput."
Iarnród Éireann will pay An Bord Pleanála
and Dublin City Council €54,000 to meet the cost of processing
its planning application.
The company will have to protect the 19th-century railway
arches and platform walls in the new development.
Source - The Irish Independent
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