Dublin City Council grants permission for 163-bedroom hotel at Former St. Mary's College, Bloomfield Avenue, Dublin

In context

It is one of 52 hotel applications Dublin City Council has received in the past twelve months, against 155 nationally. Of the 316 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 88% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 19 March 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Dublin City Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The development will consist of amendments to the previously permitted hotel development (An Bord Pleanála Reference PL 29S. 307306; Dublin City Council Reg. Ref. 3608/19) principally comprising: revised internal roads, pathways and vehicular access arrangements; revised landscape design and revisions to the main entrance arrangement including new access gate, railings, pier and new pedestrian entrance all off Bloomfield Avenue: the re- location of the previously permitted ESB substation with revised finishes; the re-configuration of the permitted spa facility and the provision of new waste and drinks storage area; revised surface car parking including the provision of EV charging points and the provision of new fire escape stairs to serve the basement level. At basement level, the proposed amendments also include the omission of the corridor, stair and lift link access to the permitted eastern bedroom wing; the provision of a new disabled lift access to ground floor level adjacent to the underground car park ramp and the re- location of the permitted bicycle parking (in the basement car park). At lower ground floor level, the proposed amendments include the omission of two permitted bedrooms to accommodate plant area and to facilitate fire safety requirements. At ground floor level, the amendments include the internal re-organisation and re-configuration of permitted hotel floorspace, including within the Protected Structure, including the removal of stone steps located in Orangerie footprint; the extension of the Orangerie' floor to the line of the existing façade; revised window and door opes, the provision of new waste and drinks storage area and the omission of one bedroom to accommodate firefighting requirements. At first floor level, the proposed amendments include the re-arrangement of Master Suite 01; the amalgamation of two permitted bedrooms to form one suite and the omission of one bedroom to accommodate firefighting requirements. At second floor level, the proposed amendments include the re-arrangement of Master Suite 02; the amalgamation of two permitted bedrooms to form one suite; the omission of one bedroom to accommodate firefighting requirements and the provision of a new sedum roof over the proposed waste and drinks storage area. Temporary permission for the duration of the parent permission (An Bord Pleanála Reference PL 29S. 307306) is also sought in this application for temporary works (referred to as Phase 01 in this application) to facilitate the phased development of the previously permitted spa facility comprising interim hard and soft landscaping at ground floor level, new sedum roof at first floor level and 2 no. hotel bedrooms at first floor level, pending the future completion of the permitted spa facility, as amended (referred to as Phase 02 in this application). The revised development will comprise a proposed hotel with 163 no. bedrooms and the proposed amendments result in an overall reduction in gross floor area of 174 sqm, minor amendments at various levels to accommodate fire safety requirements including the provision of escape stairs; changes in level; minor amendments to the building footprint and façade lines; alterations to internal fabric; revised landscaping and boundary treatment arrangements, car and bicycle parking and minor elevational amendments.