Dublin City Council grants permission for 73-hectare solar farm at Saint Assam's Community Hall, Saint Assam's Church, Dublin

In context

It is one of 32 solar farm applications Dublin City Council has received in the past twelve months, against 335 nationally. Of the 573 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% 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 25 March 2025. 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: The renovation, refurbishment and extension of the existing Protected Structure to provide for an upgraded Sports Club facility. Proposed works to the existing Protected Structure are inclusive of: (1) demolition of the existing non-original 20th century single-storey toilet block extension to the south of the main building; (2) removal of existing internal staircase from ground to first floor levels including false ceiling over, and infilling of the stair void with a new timber floor to match existing; (3) removal of non-original stud partition walls at ground and first floor levels and removal of existing internal door openings at ground and first floor levels; (4) removal of existing fire escape stair at the southwestern corner of the building and the provision of a new fire escape stair in its place; (5) internal reconfiguration at ground and first floor levels of the existing building, including the addition of new stud partition walls and internal door openings to accommodate a Gym, a Club Social Hub, and a Club Office all at ground floor level; and a Sports Hall and Club Meeting Room at first floor level. Internal works at first floor level are also inclusive of: (6) remedial works to existing timber floor where required; remodelling of timber floor projecting into window bays along the north elevation, cutting back the floor to form a void and installation of aluminium fire-rated glazing; and remodelling of existing non-original fire escape door to the south elevation. External works to the existing Protected Structure include: (7) removal of modern brickwork to allow for a new window in the existing oculus opening over the arch on the western elevation; (8) remodelling of 3 no. existing window openings to the southern elevation at ground floor level to form 2 no. arched door openings and 1 no. arched window opening; (9) remodelling of 3 no. existing window openings to the southern elevation at first floor level, with one opening to be removed and 2 no. arched door openings being created; (10) repointing of stone work using lime pointing where required; (11) removal of existing aluminium gutters and replacement with new cast aluminium gutters; (12) at roof level, removal and replacement of slates and felt covering to roof over entrances on the southern and northern elevations; and removal of a number of slates to the main roof to allow for inspection and replacement of wall plate and rafter ends where necessary. The proposed development will also provide for: (13) the construction of a 2-storey flat roofed extension to the south of the existing Protected Structure, with an enclosed plant area at roof level. Internally the extension will comprise an entrance lobby, commercial unit, storage space and bathroom facilities (including an accessible W.C), all at ground floor level. Access to the first-floor level is available via a new internal platform lift and stairs, with the first floor level comprising wellness/treatment rooms for club use, shower facilities, a plant room and circulation space; (14) the proposed extension will be connected to the Protected Structure via 3 no. inter-connecting doorways at ground floor level and 2 no. inter-connecting doorways at first floor level. These linkages will comprise frameless structural glazing with internal glass fins; (15) the main pedestrian access to the premises is proposed off Main Street to the east via the existing double gates, a new stair access and platform lift are proposed inside this access. A bicycle parking entrance and fire escape are available along the north-western site boundary, and a secondary entrance and fire escape to the Protected Structure is available along the northern site boundary. The following works are also proposed: (16) provision of outdoor seating; (17) provision 16 no. bicycle parking spaces to the north of the Protected Structure in the form of Sheffield stands; (18) provision of new club signage on the eastern elevation of the proposed extension; and, (19) associated site and infrastructural works which include; foul and surface water drainage, hard and soft landscaping, boundary treatments, provision of solar PV panels at roof level, internal mechanical and electrical works, lighting, bin storage and all associated site works necessary to facilitate the development. The subject property, Saint Assam's Community Hall, Saint Assam's Church, is a Protected Structure.