New Library, 314-318 Crumlin Road Part 8 Planning Consultation

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended)

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

Applicant: Dublin City Libraries, Administrative HQ, 139 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 HE37.

Location: 314-318 Crumlin Road, Dublin 12, D12 P261.

 Image description: An illustration of the proposed Library building.

Proposal: Pursuant to the requirements of the above, notice is hereby given of a proposed new library development at 314-318 Crumlin Road. The site includes an historic house, formerly known as Ardscoil Éanna. This house is a protected structure of Regional Significance (RPS No. 8828).

The proposal includes a new single storey and partial two storey branch library building (Area: 841 m2). The ground floor of the Library (Area: 620m2) will comprise of a combined adult and children’s library space, an events room and other ancillary spaces. The first floor of the library (Area: 221m2) will comprise of a reading room and meeting room and ancillary staff rooms. At first floor level the proposal includes a glazed bridge link connecting the new library building to the existing Ardscoil Éanna House.

The proposal includes the change of use of the historic house from school use to library use and ancillary café use including offices, WC facilities and multifunction rooms.

Conservation repair works and alterations are proposed to the historic house (200m2), including demolition of the non-original front porch, modifications to a number of ground floor openings and enlargement of a first floor gable window to accommodate the proposed bridge connection to the new library building. Internal alterations are proposed to return rooms to their original layout and to facilitate accessible toilets.

To the southern boundary, the existing pedestrian historic gate and the historic stone wall are to be retained, repaired and modified. A section of the southern boundary wall is modern and will be removed. A new vehicular and pedestrian entrance to the site will be formed from the Crumlin Road.

It is proposed to remove the existing northern boundary wall. The northern elevation of the new library building will form part of the northern boundary of the site. A new accessible pedestrian entrance will be formed to Rafter’s Lane. The western boundary will be a metal railing with a pedestrian gate and landscaping. The existing eastern boundary wall is to be retained.  

Landscaping works are proposed that will form an accessible public realm within the site to include a library lawn and external seating with associated services and civil works. 18 number on-site bicycle parking spaces are proposed, with 12 no. adjacent to the pedestrian entrance in the southern boundary of the site and 6 no. adjacent to the pedestrian entrance in the northern boundary of the site. 1 no. on-street accessible car space is proposed, on Lissadel Road. 

This application should be read in conjunction with previously granted Part 8 (Reg. Ref. No. 3687/20) for demolitions of existing buildings on the site including part of Ard Scoil Éanna House.

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:

(a)   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. 

(b)   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.