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U2 HAS RECEIVED the green light for the band’s visitor centre planned for Dublin’s Docklands.
This follows Dublin City Council granting planning permission for the centre that is expected to attract 390,000 U2 fans annually to the centre on Grand Canal Quay.
In recommending that planning permission be granted for the development, the planner’s report in the case stated that the centre “will upgrade one of the most prominent locations in the city” and contribute “to the animation of the area”.
The City Council planner’s report also reserved special praise for the design of the planned centre by Dublin-based architects, ODAA.
The planner in the case stated that the development “will allow for the construction of a striking and innovative contemporary/modern building in an inner city location”.
The planner’s report stated that the planned centre exhibits a distinctive contemporary design “which will make a positive contribution to the site and Dublin’s urban fabric”.
‘Serious concerns’
The proposal has faced strong local objections but the planner’s report states that the proposal “would not injure the amenity of property in the vicinity”.
As part of the 19 conditions attached to the grant of planning, the applicants, Paddy McKillen Snr’s Golden Brook Ltd and U2’s MHEC Ltd must pay a total of €225,647 in planning contributions towards public infrastructure and the Luas C1 Line Scheme.
The City Council gave the centre the go-ahead after U2 and McKillen significantly reduced the height of its planned visitor centre in response to ‘serious concerns’ expressed by the City Council last August.
The planning authority granted planning after U2 made a 16.25% reduction in height of the 14.4m metre high centre.
The revised height of the visitor centre is 12.06 metres after the 2.34m reduction.
Town Planning Consultants, Manahan Planners on behalf of the applicants told the Council that the reduction in height “is the maximum it can be reduced while still keeping the internal form of the building”.
The proposal is to include a reconstruction of the band’s original studio and various themed exhibit areas that include a series of abstract scenes such as ‘the Music Room’ and ‘Larry’s Kitchen’.
‘Unsympathetic urban edge’
An objection lodged on behalf of 63 nearby apartment dwellers claimed that the proposal would result in overshadowing of apartments.
However, the most recent submission by ODAA confirmed that an independent light analysis conclusively demonstrated that the reduction in height “eliminates any potential impact on the quality of natural daylight reaching the buildings directly behind or any properties within the vicinity”.
The architects stated that the revisions have been achieved without undermining the intent of the original concept “and we are confident that the revised design maintains the same degree of functionality and user experience as before”.
In response to the original plan, planning consultants for Carysfort Capital, McGill Planning stated that, if granted, the U2 visitor centre “will leave a profound and long term effect on the character of the Grand Canal Dock area”.
The consultants stated that “the chosen design and architectural language is simply not appropriate for this location and should be refused”.
McGill Planning state that the planned “monolithic” U2 visitor centre “presents a significant and unsympathetic urban edge to Hanover Quay”.
In total, 12 objections were lodged against the proposal with seven submissions in favour including Failte Ireland and Dublin Chamber.
U2 and Paddy McKillen Snr have been contacted for comment on the planning permission being granted for the proposal.
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Instant 3 years in jail.
Let them do their job.
Spot on. All emergency workers should be protected and allowed do their job.
Out government voted against doing mandatory jail time …. So it’s going to continue to happen unfortunately
why just emergency workers Joe?
Nurses should be in front line for same scheme. Not alone should firefighters be compensated the should have the right to turn fire hoses on the thugs that attack them.
Well said frank
That seems perfectly reasonable. Everyone is entitled to a safe working environment and if that can’t be provided they deserve compensation.
3 years in prison and a 25 thousand euro fine, if they are under 18 hit the parents for it, even if they have to take it from their welfare.
The 25k fine would be a waste of time , if they are trying to assault firefighters I’m guessing they don’t have that kind of money
No but % of earnings or loss of all welfare would focus the mind
Thats my point, If it cost the parents they might try teach them right from wrong.Some parents do try but some just let the kids run wild.A teenager does not start by trying to hurt the emergencey services, lm sure you will find smashed windows and annoying neighbours started it off.If it was niped in the bud at that stage then we would not have this problem.
I agree fine them and prison time but applying the penalty to parents…not sure about that one. You strive to bring children up with proper morals, respect for the law and others- but if you’re dependent is say 16/ 17, which is old enough to know right from wrong I would not like to have to pay €25,000.
Give them something akin to a student loan and let them repay it when they’ve copped on to themselves.
This might give the government the kick up the arse they need in legislating against these attacks
Assault is already illegal.
Not only is assault on the statue books but also a separate offence of assault on a peace officer which was extended to all emergency workers I.e nurses, doctors, paramedics and fire fighters.
it should be an automatic 10yrs for anybody that attacks any kind of emergency personnel
10 years jail and compulsory neutering.
I cannot agree more
They deserve it.
Why is this scheme only being proposed for firefighters in Dublin? Should it be in place for firefighters country wide?
Please can we bring in some form of Judge Dredd justice
Try telling a judge to give compo to a Garda, nurse or Firefighter. Dream on guys they don’t give a damn about any of ya….
This should apply to all nurses not just psych nurses
Compulsory jail time of 3 years with no remission
How about the guards and courts step in to make sure the little f’n scobies don’t do it? This claim for everything you can get society is going too far And SIPTU! !?? Don’t even start me. Overpayed and redundant union that should not have 1 member after the shafting they’ve achieved for their loyal supporters.
Yeah, unbelievable! A trade union trying to make sure its members are compensated for injuries at work! Whatever next???
The only way the government will get really serious about preventing assaults on emergency workers is if it starts to cost them more to do nothing than it costs to do something. And let’s see SERIOUS sentencing for anyone who attacks emergency workers. What kind of scut would attack a firefighter or ambulance driver?
Assume penalty for attacker not tax payer unless siptu want to contribute
I’m sorry guys but have to disagree. Where does this stop… its not only Fire Fighters that get assaulted, how about Nurses, Doctors, Social Welfare staff, bar workers, restaurant staff, security guards, teachers etc… Every worker that deals with the public are potential targets for assault. This is the public sector just looking for extra cash any way they can get it. The answer is simply jail the offender, that is adequate compensation.
So a firefighter gets seriously assaulted, say needed stitches on his face leaving his face permanently disfigured. You agree that he should receive no compensation what so ever.
As it is any employee (public or private)can take his employer to court if he is assaulted. This compensation scheme is designed to prevent it going to court in the first place and saving all parties (except lawyers) the money and hassle. It is already in place for Garda and should be for all front line workers who are subjected to this kind of assault on a regular basis. Before anyone says it NO. We didn’t sign up for rocks to be thrown at us.
Cormac, that’s exactly what I’m saying. If this scenario happened while on a night out in the pub, would you be compensated…..no. The tax payer is broke…. There is no pot of gold anymore….. The tax payer pays for the medics, hospital, and medication. Would you prefer if we gave an option to either compensate for an injury or fix the injury. I know what most would select. The old Fainna fail / tiger economy mind set needs to be expunged. The free money days are over.
To little to late. No longer represent the worker anywhere. Go away
Choo, chop, I can hear the gravy train.
So why only Dublin firefighters??? Would firefighters in the retained service not be entitled to compensation for being assaulted? IFESA looking after the full time again!
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