Merchant's Quay Arts and Community Centre - Part 8 Planning Consultation

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended)

Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) - Part 8

Applicant:

Dublin City Arts Office, Foley Street, Dublin 1 D01 N5H6, on behalf of Dublin City Council.

Location:

No’s. 7 & 8-9 Merchant's Quay, Dublin 8, D08 EE0X

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Proposal:

Pursuant to the requirements of Part VIII of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), notice is hereby given that Dublin City Council proposes to carry out the following development at No’s 7 and 8–9 Merchant’s Quay, Dublin 8 (site area c. 0.0676 ha), comprising two Protected Structures (RPS Ref. 5077). The proposed development will consist of a conservation-led refurbishment of No’s 8-9 Merchant’s Quay and part ground floor of No. 7 to provide cultural, community, and artist workshop spaces, including:

• Material alterations and creation of individual and shared artist workspaces and ancillary support facilities
• Refurbishment and reinstatement of the former St. Anthony’s Theatre as a small-scale performance venue and flexible multi-use community space (c. 80 seats)
• Accessibility improvements including installation of a lift, upgraded circulation, and a new ground floor link between No’s. 8 and 9
• Provision of external amenity spaces, including a roof terrace at roof level of No. 8 Merchant’s Quay and a first-floor terrace above the restored theatre
• Minor demolition of non-original fabric and internal alterations necessary to facilitate universal access and functional use
• Sensitive external works including stair/lift and plant enclosures and covered link at roof level of No. 8 Merchant’s Quay, new escape stairs, a lantern light and roof mounted plant above theatre, designed to minimise visual impact and respect the historic character of the Protected Structures
• Changes to the Skippers Alley elevation, including the installation of metal panels and theatre sign element and a reconfigured access ramp

All works are conservation-led and will safeguard the architectural and archaeological significance of the existing buildings while enabling their sustainable long-term reuse as cultural and community assets.

The proposal has undergone Appropriate Assessment Screening in accordance with Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and screening for Environmental Impact Assessment under the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU.

In accordance with Article 81 of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001, as amended, the Planning Authority has made a determination and concluded that:

1. The proposed development, either individually or in combination with other plans and projects, is not likely to have a significant effect on any European site(s) and therefore a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment is not required.
2. There is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development and that the proposed development is not of a class set out under Schedule 5 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, and therefore does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR).

Any person may, within 4 weeks from the date of publication of this notice, apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment.

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