An Taisce submits planning concern on Clerys redevelopment

An Taisce is backing the concerns of former workers at Clerys by claiming the planned €150m redevelopment of the store is contrary to the Dublin City Council Development Plan.

Already, over 35 former workers at the landmark store have lodged individual objections against the plan by OCS Properties Ltd to transform the property into a six-storey retail and office scheme, including an outdoor dining area.

Documents lodged with the city council by OCS Properties show the so-called ‘Project D1’ will create 3,990 direct and indirect and other jobs.

Architect for the scheme, Henry J Lyons has told the city council that the proposal “seeks to generate a vibrant quarter within the centre of the city which will see the repair, restoration and regeneration of the original Clerys building”.

However, in a submission, An Taisce says Clerys is “a witness to history” of many significant State and civic events.

“We consider that the scheme as proposed is inconsistent with the Dublin City Development Plan and the provisions of the O’Connell Street area,” says Kevin Duff of the Dublin City Association of An Taisce.

He claims the proposed reduction in retail space is contrary to the Dublin City Development Plan.

That plan also encourages the protection of buildings on the Record of Protected Structures which have a “special social, cultural and/or artistic interest of those premises”.

Last year, the then Minister for Employment, Ged Nash said the 460 Clerys workers had been treated in a “cold and callous” manner.