Last orders: Council's order to deconstruct pub extension gets thrown out

Declan Doyle at Doyles pub on Fleet Street, Dublin: Judge ruled the invalidation of the commencement notice — which was the basis for the council pursuing Mr Doyle — 'offended the principles of natural justice'. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins
An attempt by a local authority to have an extension to a landmark pub “deconstructed” was thrown out by a court this week in a case that was described by an expert witness as being more concerned with “punishment” rather than enforcing planning laws.
The case concerned an extension to a landmark Dublin pub, Doyles of Fleet Street. The proprietor, Declan Doyle, bought the premises next door, a disused bookie’s shop, in order to extend the pub. He received planning permission for the venture but the permission had lapsed by the time he began works in 2020.