Royal Canal Towpath at Binns Bridge, Dorset Street Lower, Drumcondra, Dublin 7
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The following requirements of the Planning Authority’s Conservation Section shall be fully complied with in the proposed development: a) The Design Team is requested to submit the following details for the written approval of the Planning Authority when investigative works are complete: (i) Confirmation of the extent of historic ‘wing wall’ to be taken down and reconstructed – recorded on 1:50 plan, elevation, section drawings (ii) Photographic record and schedule of all stones to be taken down, stored and reinstated / reused (iii) Elevation drawing of the proposed coursing of the stone cladding to the new retaining wall, including a dashed line to indicate the location of the intermediate / middle concrete beam behind (iv) Confirmation of the proposed mortar mix for repointing works, based on laboratory analysis (v) Samples of proposed cleaning methods (low pressure water / steam clean) including graffiti removal (vi) Samples of proposed raking out/repointing (vii) Drawing of historic stonework to bridge and canal structures indicating all proposed conservation repairs and consolidation, accompanied by cross-referenced photographs (viii) Detailed drawings of the proposed access gate set within new guarding beneath the bridge; the proposed access gate to vents and planting located adjacent to the maintenance pathway serving the existing Apartment Building on the southern boundary; the proposed access gate set within guarding to pontoon (ix) Detailed drawing that indicates the proposed structural fixing detail between the pontoon and the new stone-clad retaining wall. (x) Detailed drawing for the fixing of the base of the proposed guardrail beneath the bridge, that will avoid any interference with the retained historic stone coping at the top of the wall. [Ref. Section CC – Proposed (06)] (xi) Detail drawing for the connection between the top rail of the pontoon guarding and the kick rail on the upper guardrail, and clarify the fixing detail (if one is required) between the lower rail on the pontoon guardrail and the stone cladding to the new retaining wall b) The Applicant is requested to address the following for written agreement: (i) It would be preferable that the thickness of the stone cladding in front of the large horizontal concrete beam / pilecap in the middle of the new stone clad wall remains consistent along the height of the wall, with the horizontal beam pushed back accordingly to facilitate an authentic coursing arrangement. [Ref. Paul Hogarth Section AA Proposed (04) New retaining wall] (ii) It would be preferable that the lower horizontal beam (which is indicated at the same level as the water level, but projecting beyond the face of the new stone cladding) is positioned sufficiently below the lowest anticipated water level, so that it is always concealed by the water and not visible at low water level as an interruption in the stone cladding. [Ref. Paul Hogarth Section AA Proposed (04) New retaining wall] (iii The Design Team is requested to clarify whether the stainless steel horizontal wires and uprights will impede the growth of the proposed hedge along the southern boundary, and how the guardrail will be maintained, and provide a detail of the junction between the outwardly curving guardrail and the pontoon (iv) The stone cladding to the new retaining wall will if possible continue up to the underside of the pontoon to avoid an exposed concrete beam within the stone cladding [Ref.Section BB-Proposed (05)] (v) The lower horizontal beam (which is indicated as projecting beyond the face of the new stone cladding, albeit below the water level) is positioned sufficiently below the lowest anticipated water level (as is indicated), so that it is not visible as an interruption in the stone cladding. [Ref.Section BB-Proposed (05)] (vi) Salvaged stones from selected wall sections to be removed shall be cleaned and set aside for reuse in repairs and / or consolidation (vii) The CO shall be informed of any previously unknown features uncovered in the proposed works, and a site visit shall be facilitated at an appropriate time to inspect the works (viii) New Irish granite steps shall be formed of solid granite steps rather than ‘thin’ stone cladding (ix) All lamp standards, signage and any items shall be carefully considered and kept to a minimum to avoid visual clutter (x) The CO requests that provision to soften the impact of the stone clad sheer wall is introduced through a new / augmented high quality planting scheme appropriate for the banks of a canal / (such as the introduction / encouragement of tall reeds) along its length. (xi) A Grade 1 Conservation Architect or equivalent Conservation Professional with proven and appropriate expertise shall be employed to design, manage, monitor and implement the works and to ensure adequate protection of the retained and historic fabric during the works. In this regard, all permitted works shall be designed to cause minimum interference to the retained fabric and the curtilage of the Protected Structure. c) The proposed development shall be carried out in accordance with the following: (i) All works to the structure shall be carried out in accordance with best conservation practice and the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2011) and Advice Series issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Any repair works shall retain the maximum amount of surviving historic fabric in situ. Items to be removed for repair off-site shall be recorded prior to removal, catalogued and numbered to allow for authentic re-instatement. (ii) All existing original features, in the vicinity of the works shall be protected during the course of the refurbishment works. (iii) All repair of original fabric shall be scheduled and carried out by appropriately experienced conservators of historic fabric. (iv) The architectural detailing and materials in the new work shall be executed to the highest standards so as to complement the setting of the protected structure and the historic area. Reason: In order to protect the amenity, setting and curtilage of the Protected Structure at Binn’s Bridge and the significance, character and amenity of the Royal Canal, and to ensure that the proposed works are carried out in accordance with best conservation practice.