42/43, Blessington Street, Dublin 7, D07 N232 & D07 KP08 (with frontage to Blessington Lane)
8. The developer shall comply with the following conservation requirements: a) Further analysis shall be carried out to analyse the adherence of the sand cement render and if removal is possible without causing further damage, the building should be rewigged in line with its original design intent. The planning authority’s conservation officer shall be given an opportunity to inspect the condition of the sand / cement render in advance of work commencing and to agree the most appropriate way forward. A Conservation specification and methodology for the careful removal of the sand cement render and for the rewigging of the front façade shall then be submitted to the planning authority for their written agreement. c) The planning authority’s conservation officer shall be given an opportunity to inspect the condition of the internal joinery in advance of work commencing and to agree the most appropriate way forward. The applicant shall submit a detailed specification for the repair of the remaining original doors, sound historic joinery, including staircases, window casings, skirtings, architraves on site. d) The applicant/developer shall submit a conservation specification and methodology for the proposed cleaning and repointing work to the entrance steps that shall be to best conservation practice. e) Further information with regard to the detail of the windows shall be submitted for written agreement by the Planning Authority in order to ensure that the new windows would be appropriately detailed and are historically accurate replacements. A detailed window survey shall be carried out demonstrating the condition of all windows. The window survey should include a detailed description of the existing timber windows and detail any surviving historic glazing. It should include detailed photographs of the existing windows. Please note that in the case of historic windows which retain historic glazing, new replacement windows will not be permitted. These shall be repaired. Details of the extent of any required repairs should be outlined in a conservation method statement. Where windows are clearly shown to be beyond repair, any proposed replacements must be historically correct timber sash windows, which are accurately based on originals. Details of the proposed new windows and glazing should be submitted. The original windows that are proposed for demolition shall be clearly identified on the drawings and described within the AHIA and justification for their removal / replacement shall be provided. f) All proposed replacement windows must be historically correct timber sash windows to be selected under the supervision of an accredited Conservation Architect and shall be crafted by a specialist joiner. (Suitably qualified and experienced joiners are listed on the Irish Georgian Society website and the Register of Heritage Contractors). The new windows shall be of appropriate material, design and detail. 1: 10 drawings and details of all proposed new windows and glazing should be submitted to the planning authority. We recommend that as much detail as possible is submitted with the application - including drawings, photographs and a conservation methodology in order to facilitate assessment. The use of standard double glazed units may not permitted as they are considered too bulky for the historic window profile. The installation of slim profiled (6mm-6.5mm) double glazing may be considered where well detailed. The new frames should have a traditional putty finish to the exterior. Details of the proposed new glazing shall be submitted. The applicant shall ensure that any proposed slim-profiled glass replacements conform to EU directives and shall confirm this in writing to the Planning Authority. g) The proposed delta cavity drain system lined internally with Gyproc ILW system shall be omitted from the proposal. A revised methodology based on an assessment of the levels of existing damp is to be provided by way of written submission. Details of an alternative means of addressing damp, to be of minimal intervention and retain breathability and primary fabric, shall be confirmed in writing to the planning authority based on the level of damp/water ingress evidenced in the site. The most suitable methods of addressing damp include the introduction of French drains within the landscaping directly adjacent to the building, ensuring that the lower ground floor space is adequately ventilated, exposing the base of the wall fabric externally (removing cementitious render and any non-breathable paints), and the use of sacrificial renders internally such as lime/hemp/clay, and/or the introduction of a calcium silicate board to the basement floors only. h) The applicant shall submit a conservation specification and methodology and 1:10 details of the proposed entrance steps. The applicant shall provide a methodology for the careful removal of the iron railings from the extant concrete steps and their careful reinstatement into the new granite steps. k) The repair of the extant cast iron gutters is preferable to their removal and replacement. Revised details shall be submitted confirming the condition of the cast iron gutters and including a detailed methodology for their repair.